STEVE JONES, 36, presenter of BBC Three’s hairdressing competition series, Hair, says: ‘‘The best thing my mum did for me was let me be. Luckily, I was a good boy and was almost doing my own thing by the age of 14, but she always showed total trust in me which was quite brave.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘She’s quite dramatic and gave me dire warnings about lots of things. She’s always let me know she’s there for me.’’
Lee Mead, 32, singer and actor currently playing Nurse Lofty in BBC One’s Casualty series, says: ‘‘My mum, Jo, gives me unconditional love and she’s a great support.
The way she is has inspired my parenting of my daughter, Betsy, three.
Mum’s advice: ‘‘Try to be a decent person and have good manners.’’
Sarah Beeny, 42, property specialist and TV presenter, says: ‘‘My mother, Ann, died at 39 when I was ten. It’s probably massively unrealistic but my image of her is that she was absolutely perfect and that’s unshakeable. She was very caring and indulgent with me and my brother and we knew we had her unconditional love.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘I was too young to remember any advice, but my advice, based on her example, would be that all children really want is your time and attention.’’
Alex Jones, 36, TV presenter on BBC Ones The One Show, says: ‘‘Mother’s Day is extra special because it’s my mum, Mary’s, birthday as well.
‘‘She’s my inspiration and there’s nobody’s opinion I trust more than hers.
She’s always completely down-toearth and honest with me. She’s never afraid to tell me things like, ‘that wasn’t your best show’ or ‘you shouldn’t wear that colour’. But when she compliments me, I know it’s the real deal. No compliment means as much to me as her’s.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘Treat people as you’d like to be treated. Count your blessings and get on with life.’’
Melanie Chisholm, 40, former Spice Girl, actress and singer, says: ‘‘Money was tight, but my brilliant mum, Joan, always worked her socks off and made sure I could go to ballet classes and was so supportive when I went to drama college. She’s a wonderful grandma to my daughter, Scarlet, and I don’t know what I’d do without her.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘Never do anything that you feel uncomfortable about doing – listen to your instincts and follow them.’’
Kelly Hoppen, 54, designer and Dragon on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den, says: ‘‘My mum, Stephanie, is a special woman who’s always been my role model, my mentor, my friend and the most honest person in my life. I’ve given her a lot of grief over the years, but I always knew she would never stop talking to me and she’s given me unbelievable support and unstinting love.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘Always be true to yourself, follow your dreams, and do to others what you’d want them to do to you.’’
Gabby Logan, 40, TV presenter, says: ‘‘My mum, Christine, is a hero. She has been through so much in her life, and some difficult times, but she’s incredibly strong and loving and held things together for our family.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘It’s her example that’s more influential: she has that ‘upwards and onwards’ approach and is a great believer in putting on her lipstick and facing the world and coping no matter what life throws at her.’’
Nadia Sawalha, 49, actress, cookery writer, panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, says: ‘‘My mum, Bobbie, is 75, but she’s always up for fun and dancing. When I was a child she was a stay-at-home mum and a wonderful cook – she’s the one person I really want to impress with my cooking. When I was a kid she always supported my often hair-brained schemes. Trust was at the heart of her parenting and she gave me the feeling that I’d totally disappoint her if told fibs or behaved badly.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘If you ever have to ask anyone else if they think the man you’re with is right for you, then you’re with the wrong man.’’
Claudia Winkleman, 42, TV presenter on BBC Two’s Sewing Bee series, says: ‘‘I used to have terrible rows with my mum, Eve, when I was a teenager. She was strict and I remember once shouting, ‘I don’t like you’, and she said very calmly, ‘well, darling, you’re not supposed to.’ Secretly, that was so reassuring, knowing she wouldn’t back down if she thought I was going to do something unsafe or unwise.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘Minimise the mirrors in your house because children should grow up not fixating on their appearance.
Intelligence and personality count far more.’’
Pam Ayres, 66, poet, comedian and writer, says: ‘‘My parents had a difficult marriage and bringing up a family then was sheer drudgery, but she was very unselfish and put us first and I loved her dearly.
She used to say to me, ’if you’re happy, I’m happy’, and as a parent that’s all you want really, your children’s happiness, and that’s what drove her.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘Be yourself. Also, ‘never get too thick with your neighbours’ – in other words, it’s easy to get involved with people, but harder to back off.’’
Sarah Parish, 45, actress who starred in hit series Cutting It and ITV series Breathless, says: ‘‘My mum, Thelma, is a little tiny bird of a person but she’s got a big, big personality.
She’s fabulous.
When I was a child, she was deputy head of the school I attended, ran a local operatics society and her own ballet school, so everyone knew her and loved her. I was always so proud she was my mum and she’s been a great role model.’’ Mum’s advice: ‘‘Don’t worry about things until they’ve happened, otherwise you’ll wear yourself out stressing about the future and not notice the present.’’
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