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FORMER BLUE PETER GIRL KONNIE HUQ'S GOODY TWO SHOES IMAGE DRIVES MEN WILD. EVEN TONY BLAIR WASN'T IMMUNE

By Penny Stone-Lee

Why did you decide to leave Blue Peter?
I’d have ended up presenting the show on a Zimmer frame if I’d stayed much longer. As a Blue Peter presenter, you’re a role model for children, which can be very restricting. You can also get treated like a child – I’m 32, I want to be a grown-up now! I would love to have a career like Davina McCall’s because everyone loves her. Blue Peter was the best job in the world, but it was hard work.

Would you ever pose topless?
I’ve had offers from lads’ mags. I wouldn’t mind, as long as it was classy and sexy. The problem is, when you have big boobs like mine, a topless photo shoot looks tacky, whereas with someone like Kate Moss, who has a flatter chest, it looks arty. I’m not going to rule anything out. I’d love to be a sex symbol. If you’ve got it, you have to use it.

Will you be letting your hair down now you've left Blue Peter?
I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs, so I don’t think I’m going to be the new Amy Winehouse. And my Blue Peter leaving do was hardly a 34-hour bender like Kate Moss’ birthday party – although we lasted until 2am. It’s nice that I can go out until late now and know I won’t be criticised for setting a bad example. (On Blue Peter) you could never commit to going to a friend’s wedding or choose when you had a holiday because the chances were you’d be sent off on some weird assignment. I’m looking forward to enjoying myself a bit more and having some nights out.

Are you a good girl?
People would be surprised to know I have whips and chains in the wardrobe, and there’s a dungeon in my basement. I’m not joking. And I have an evil sense of humour. One of my friends said: “What you need now you’ve left Blue Peter is a scandal.” So I replied: “Cocaine’s already been done, Gail Porter got her bum out – I could always do something improper with the Blue Peter pets.”

SHOULD KONNIE SHED HER GOODY TWO SHOES IMAGE? TELL US HERE

You turned down a date with Robbie Williams and music mogul Simon Fuller unsuccessfully wooed you with diamond earrings. What is it about Blue Peter presenters that sends men wild?
It’s to do with being forbidden fruit. People who are perceived as goody-goody, who can’t go around snorting cocaine and getting their boobs out, are an attractive proposition. Robbie Williams asked me out years ago, before Take That were famous and they used to wear tight leather shorts. No, thank you!

Do you have weird fans?
I met a couple who accosted me in a car park and told me they’d named their kid Konnie. The dad was a bit freaky and the wife was like: “We love watching you!” I think they wanted a threesome. There are some firemen in Cambridge who want me to send them my underwear. And there was a guy who thought I was having his baby. He stalks Princess Anne too, so I’m not sure he has great taste in women.

Who else has fallen for your charms?
I interviewed Tony Blair for Blue Peter and I definitely think we had major flirtations. He is a charming man and makes you feel very special. I even got him to do a video message on my phone. Months later, I was at an awards ceremony talking to Simon Cowell and David Hasselhoff, and Tony came over and said: “Hello, Konnie!” I had to introduce him to Simon and David!

Talking of Mr Cowell, we hear he also has a soft spot for you…
Simon said in an interview I was his favourite TV presenter. I’ve been out with him. We went to a party held by Topshop boss Sir Philip Green. Terri Seymour, Simon’s girlfriend, was out of the country, so he needed someone to take.

 

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Anyone else?
I met Coldplay’s Chris Martin when I presented him with a Blue Peter badge. He was gushing about how I was his favourite Blue Peter presenter and how he loved me in Celebrity Fame Academy. Someone said Chris only agreed to do the Blue Peter thing because he fancied me. Gwyneth, I promise I’m not after your man!

So who floats your boat?
I really fancy Sky newsreader Dermot Murnaghan! Then there’s London mayoral candidate Boris Johnson – he’s really nice, and that blond floppy hair is really cute.

Who’s the guy you’ve been dating?
He’s called Nick Patterson (pictured above with Konnie) and he’s a TV producer. It’s going really well. What I like about him is he’s a real man. He makes me feel safe, and he’s always doing manly stuff for me like setting up my broadband.

Could there be wedding bells?
I think he’s The One. I hope he’s The One! ?I definitely want to get married and do the children thing. I think my nephews have made me realise I’d make a cool mum.

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THE FABULOUS FIVE...

Share a secret about yourself - something we'd never guess. I have a beauty spot on the top of my bum. [She shows me it.] It's lovely, isn't it?

What rule do you try to live by? Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.

What's your party trick? It's weird, but I can make my eyelids disappear. [She demonstrates.]

David Cameron or Gordon Brown? Gordon. I met David Cameron at a party and because I had a video message that Tony Blair had recorded for me, I thought it would be cool to get David to do one too. I think he thought I was a nutter because he said no. Anyway, Gordon filmed a lovely message for my leaving show on Blue Peter, even though I've never met him.

Last supper? My mum's roast chicken with all the trimmings, plus her special buttery rice dish, followed by trifle. A bit chavvy, I know, but I love it.

 

Credits

Photography: Andrew G Hobbs, PA, Tillen/Dove
Styling: Natalie Read; Make-up: Kate Bamber
Hair: Franco Vallelonga; Clothes: Arrogant Cat

 

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