FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SANDI TOKSVIG
What are you working on?
A pilot for a new television comedy with Susan Calman, called Sandi And Susan Set You Straight, and my new quiz show for Channel 4 called 1001 Things You Should Know.
When were you at your happiest?
I try never to look back. I always think one should be having the happiest time now.
What is your greatest fear?
The same for every parent – something happening to one of my children. Nothing to do with myself; when my children were ill I'd have cut my own leg off to make them feel better.
What is your earliest memory?
I spent part of my childhood in Africa, and when I was about three or four, my brother and I were playing in a paddling pool and a very large snake went past. I remember my mother standing in the doorway looking horrifi ed, and then snatching us up and bringing us into the house. I don't remember being scared, just interested.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Certainly my father, without question. He was a writer and a broadcaster, someone who was impassioned by information and he was great fun. We laughed lots.
What do you dislike most about yourself?
I think I say 'yes' too frequently to things that maybe don't deserve my attention.
What is your most treasured possession?
I'm not very big on possessions, but as long as I've got my family then I'm all right. I did once save up and ask people to contribute to a fund to buy a sculpture by a Zimbabwean artist called Colleen Madamombe – it was flown back from Africa. She's an amazing sculptor. It's not very big – only about a foot high – but it's of a mother and daughter, and I really love it.
Which trait do you most deplore in others?
Meanness, unkindness. That covers people who are mean with their money, their time or their affection.
Do you have a fantasy address?
Yes, I love my house. My actual house is my fantasy address – even if I got millions of pounds I wouldn't move.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I don't think very much about it – I'm one of the few people I know who combs their hair without looking in a mirror.
What is your all-time favourite book?
My favourite author would have to be Charles Dickens. Bleak House is one of the greatest books ever written.
What is your favourite film?
The Sound Of Music. I once met Julie Andrews, and I'm never impressed by celebrities and that was the only time I've been stuck for words – and I've met the entire Royal Family.
What is your favourite piece of music?
Probably O Mio Babbino Caro, from Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi. It means 'Oh My Beloved Father'.
What is your favourite meal?
It'll have to be a Danish meal, I'm sure. There's a thing called biksemad, a very plain, leftovers meal. It's cubes of meat, cubes of potatoes, cubes of onion all fried up together.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My family: I never get enough time to see them.
Which historical character do you most admire?
The one at the moment is a woman called Bessie Coleman, who was the first African-American to get a pilot's licence. She did so during the First World War, a time when neither women nor African- Americans were thought to be appropriate to train as pilots. She came from an incredibly poor family, but she taught herself French, learned to fl y and when she died, 10,000 people attended her funeral. A really inspirational woman.
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
About 20 years ago they made two pilots for Have I Got News For You, and I was told I couldn't be the host because they felt they couldn't have a woman in charge of the news. It wasn't nasty about me, but it was about women in general.
Do you believe in aliens?
I don't have enough proof to say that they don't exist, so I think it's a possibility.
What is your secret vice?
I watch far too many American crime procedural dramas.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, always. I have specially printed cards and I write with a fountain pen.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
'Yes'. And I use 'I'd love to' far too much as well.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
Time off.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
I don't give it any thought at all!
Heroines And Harridans is published by The Robson Press, priced £17.99. Channel 4 broadcasts 1001 Things You Should Know on Tuesdays at 3.30pm.
A pilot for a new television comedy with Susan Calman, called Sandi And Susan Set You Straight, and my new quiz show for Channel 4 called 1001 Things You Should Know.
When were you at your happiest?
I try never to look back. I always think one should be having the happiest time now.
What is your greatest fear?
The same for every parent – something happening to one of my children. Nothing to do with myself; when my children were ill I'd have cut my own leg off to make them feel better.
What is your earliest memory?
I spent part of my childhood in Africa, and when I was about three or four, my brother and I were playing in a paddling pool and a very large snake went past. I remember my mother standing in the doorway looking horrifi ed, and then snatching us up and bringing us into the house. I don't remember being scared, just interested.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Certainly my father, without question. He was a writer and a broadcaster, someone who was impassioned by information and he was great fun. We laughed lots.
What do you dislike most about yourself?
I think I say 'yes' too frequently to things that maybe don't deserve my attention.
What is your most treasured possession?
I'm not very big on possessions, but as long as I've got my family then I'm all right. I did once save up and ask people to contribute to a fund to buy a sculpture by a Zimbabwean artist called Colleen Madamombe – it was flown back from Africa. She's an amazing sculptor. It's not very big – only about a foot high – but it's of a mother and daughter, and I really love it.
Which trait do you most deplore in others?
Meanness, unkindness. That covers people who are mean with their money, their time or their affection.
Do you have a fantasy address?
Yes, I love my house. My actual house is my fantasy address – even if I got millions of pounds I wouldn't move.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I don't think very much about it – I'm one of the few people I know who combs their hair without looking in a mirror.
What is your all-time favourite book?
My favourite author would have to be Charles Dickens. Bleak House is one of the greatest books ever written.
What is your favourite film?
The Sound Of Music. I once met Julie Andrews, and I'm never impressed by celebrities and that was the only time I've been stuck for words – and I've met the entire Royal Family.
Probably O Mio Babbino Caro, from Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi. It means 'Oh My Beloved Father'.
What is your favourite meal?
It'll have to be a Danish meal, I'm sure. There's a thing called biksemad, a very plain, leftovers meal. It's cubes of meat, cubes of potatoes, cubes of onion all fried up together.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My family: I never get enough time to see them.
Which historical character do you most admire?
The one at the moment is a woman called Bessie Coleman, who was the first African-American to get a pilot's licence. She did so during the First World War, a time when neither women nor African- Americans were thought to be appropriate to train as pilots. She came from an incredibly poor family, but she taught herself French, learned to fl y and when she died, 10,000 people attended her funeral. A really inspirational woman.
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
About 20 years ago they made two pilots for Have I Got News For You, and I was told I couldn't be the host because they felt they couldn't have a woman in charge of the news. It wasn't nasty about me, but it was about women in general.
Do you believe in aliens?
I don't have enough proof to say that they don't exist, so I think it's a possibility.
What is your secret vice?
I watch far too many American crime procedural dramas.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, always. I have specially printed cards and I write with a fountain pen.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
'Yes'. And I use 'I'd love to' far too much as well.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
Time off.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
I don't give it any thought at all!
Heroines And Harridans is published by The Robson Press, priced £17.99. Channel 4 broadcasts 1001 Things You Should Know on Tuesdays at 3.30pm.