North-East born actress and model Donna Air talks to Gabrielle Fagan about coping as a single parent and her healthy-living regime

THERE’S no doubting Donna Air’s genuine enthusiasm for healthy living as she deftly slices carrots, shreds ginger and peels oranges in the kitchen of her home.

Whisking everything into a blender, she creates her favourite pick-me-up smoothie to banish the problem of a mid-afternoon energy slump and one which she enthuses is far more effective than a quick dose of caffeine.

Fast fixes are apparently not on the agenda for this down-to-earth Geordie, who has stoically rebuilt her life over the last five years as a single parent and is tenaciously continuing to forge a career as a presenter, actress and designer.

“I’m a great believer in beauty coming from the inside,” says Air, who proves the point with glowing good looks, a glossy mane of blonde hair and an enviable figure.

The 33-yearold, who is backing Tropicana’s Beauty Of Juice campaign, adds: “There’s such an emphasis on expensive creams which brim with vitamins. But while they help, I really see the difference in my skin and energy levels when I’ve stuck to my routine of vegetable and fruit juices and lots of fresh, home-cooked food.”

She’s chatting at her London home where she lives with her nine-yearold daughter, Freya.

Air’s six-year relationship with Freya’s father, casino entrepreneur Damian Aspinall, ended in 2007.

“Being a single parent is the norm to me now and you just get used to coping with everything yourself,” she says. “Although it can be challenging at times, it’s very fulfilling and great fun. There’s never a dull minute, that’s for sure.”

Her focus is on giving her daughter the same stable childhood she enjoyed growing up in Gosforth, Newcastle. A child model, she found TV fame aged 11 when she starred in the hit children’s series Byker Grove.

She was spotted at a local drama school which also launched the careers of actress Jill Halfpenny and Cheryl Cole. “I did start working young, which was totally right for me and I’m very happy that my parents let me do it,”

says Air, who still retains her Geordie burr.

“There weren’t so many opportunities when I was growing up in Newcastle and so getting the chance to be on television was amazing.”

Most recently, Air designed a children’s range for Debenhams, but turned down the opportunity for Freya to follow in her footsteps and model the clothes. “I don’t want to encourage her into modelling. But Freya definitely helped me with the designs.”

Design is a recent addition to Air’s varied portfolio. Following five years in Byker Grove, she joined pop duo Crush and toured America and Japan. She then returned to England to present a variety of shows including The Big Breakfast for Channel Four.

She’s appeared in television dramas including Hollyoaks and Hotel Babylon, as well as appearing in films such as The Mummy Returns.

IN February last year, she was shaken when, on the eve of starring in a play in London, she was involved in a car accident, which left her with a broken leg.

Shortly afterwards while hobbling on crutches, she fell and broke the other leg, which meant she had to use a wheelchair for several months. “It was an awful time and a shock to suddenly lose mobility, but you just have to get on with it and cope,” she says.

“It’s amazing how you do and I realise, particularly after watching the Paralympic Games, how lucky I am that it was a temporary problem. Although it took a while to recover, I now have only mild stiffness in one foot.”

That misfortune served to further reinforce her inner self-belief in her ability to cope with whatever life throws at her.

“I’m very grounded. I’ve got my own sense of stability which I’ve worked hard to build, and I’m proud of where my daughter and I have got to during the past few years,” she says.

“Each day I determine to do three productive things which challenge me, whether it’s about personal growth or career ambitions and projects. I try to take small steps to further them. I also have a list of challenges which is about facing my fears – that includes physical things like sky diving.”

Her schedule also embraces charity work, as well as voicing her support for her belief in causes such as the benefits of organic food.

“I’ve been so busy and productive over the last year and recently I’ve had the time to come up for air and realise how happy I’m feeling in all areas of my life at the moment, both personally and professionally. It’s nice to be able to say that all the boxes are being ticked in Donna’s world right now.”