A new year of sport is upon us. What events are you looking forward to in 2012?
Next year is going to be a massive year. First and foremost I am looking forward to Formula 1, which is going to be on Sky HD. I have always been a fan and I worked on it in 2008, which was an incredible experience. I’d like to be involved again but I’m not sure if I will be yet. I’m really looking forward to the Olympics as well. I have been involved in some of the test events such as female boxing and beach volleyball. And of course the football and seeing Sheffield United get promoted to the Championship!
And naturally, when you are away from the studio you will be watching these in the pub?
I have just moved into a place where I can’t get Sky so I am in the pub a lot watching it with my friends. I like the atmosphere. If I can’t get to a game I prefer to watch it in the pub. Even when I did have Sky in the house I would go out to watch matches with friends.
I also like big events such as a Rugby World Cup or a Champions League. I think it is a great atmosphere, and also you can watch it in 3D. Boxing is the best in 3D and speedway is really good as well. With boxing it brings you so close to the action and really makes you appreciate what they go through in the ring.
You’re a bit of a fitness fanatic – can that be combined with going to pubs on a regular basis?
Yes, it can. I’m always in training for something. Next year I will be competing in things through amateur boxing and running, and I go to the pub. I don’t always drink. I have alternatives like a cup of tea or an orange juice and lemonade or water. My friends go to the pub, so I am not going to sit at home. You don’t have to drink alcohol.
Could pubs do more for the health-conscious customer?
Some could be better. Some soft drinks have too much sugar, which I don’t want to have. It would be nice to have more fresh juices and smoothies. I’m sure they could attract a lot of people if they did. I’m a stickler for hot chocolate, which contradicts what I said about soft drinks because they have a lot of sugar in. But it tastes nicer! It’s all about choices.
Apart from watching sport, when else do you like to go to the pub?
It’s a good place to meet and socialise, so I go for loads of reasons. The main one is to watch sport with friends though. I also always get chatting to loads of people about sport. Knowing that I work on Sky, they ask me my opinion and I really enjoy that interaction.
What is your usual tipple, when not on the soft stuff?
I really like red wine and I like vodka, but I usually drink it with water because I don’t really like pop. I like rum and soda as well. I don’t really drink beer, it really bloats me and I need the toilet all the time.
Do you eat much in the pub?
Yes I do. I don’t really do the salad thing because there’s not much in the way of nutrition. There’s a lot of good pubs in London that do typical food that is really good for you like pasta, or steak and chips. I’ll eat bangers and mash. Some pubs do really nice food. It has got massively better. Some pubs aren’t great but a lot are trying to attract a wider audience rather than people just coming to drink beer.
You have spent a lot of time in Spain in your career as a host of Real Madrid TV. Can British pubs pick up anything from Spanish hospitality?
It’s very different, but food-wise I love the whole tapas thing. I run around all day like a mad hare and in Spain it was really good because I knew I could get some tapas from loads of places. So many times I have been to a pub and been hungry and they don’t serve that type of food. I think that sort of thing would really work. I wish more pubs did those mini fish and chips and mini steaks. The uptake would be amazing. The atmosphere is very unique in Spain with that relaxed feeling. It is a little bit friendlier but I don’t think you get the same atmosphere anywhere else like the UK when a big game is on in the pub.
Which type of sports people are the most fun on a night out?
Rugby players are a good laugh. Best if they are not playing in a World Cup and are not going out the night before a game though. Boxers are fun too because you find they tend to be really down to earth, and athletes as well.
Sports people are good to go out with because they need a release. They train so hard so when they let their hair down they are really good fun.
The pub world and sports broadcasting are still male-dominated fields. What are your tips for success?
My tips to young girls would be to never give up because you have to work really hard, whether you are a girl or a boy actually. If you really believe in it, then do it. Sport is what I believe in. Never give up and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. You have just got to stay confident. I am a qualified coach and I work with a lot of youths, and boys and girls lack confidence and don’t believe they can aspire to anything. I want to try to get across that they can.
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from. I am a massive believer in going for what you want and not stopping until you get there.
What was the last pub you visited (apart from this one) and what do you remember about it?
I went to a pub where all of my friends were drinking. I asked for an orange juice and lemonade and they didn’t understand what I wanted. The manager literally had to show the barman what it was. We also went to a pub nearby and it was completely different. It was a real local but it was so pleasant and friendly. We just sat and chilled on the settee. I had a massive pint of orange juice and lemonade, and they got it right.
Inapub had a cup of tea with Charlie Webster at Fuller’s pub The Globe in Brentford.
