My London: Jenny Eclair

Camberwell, because it beats Notting Hill!

How long have you lived there?

For 23 years, ever since I arrived in London. In that time I've moved six times, all within a radius of half a mile. I think I deserve some recognition --Duchess of Camberwell' would be nice.

Where were the last three places you went on holiday?

I'm not really doing holidays this year; we're building a house - in Camberwell, of course. Last year we went to Menorca and before that it was Italy and Majorca.

What is your earliest London memory?

Going to the Palace with my dad to get his MBE. I was about ten and we lived in the North, so we stayed for a couple of nights and saw There's a Girl in my Soup with Derek Nimmo.

What do you miss most when you're out of London?

People trying to break into my car. It's reassuring to know I've got something, even if it is a 26-year-old Mercedes, that other people want.

What are your extravagances?

Building a new house from scratch. Have you any idea how much rubber floors and a crack squad of Australian beefcake builders cost?

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

Paint out the red routes - they're killing small businesses - and reintroduce smoking on the top decks of buses: oh, come on, it's only for one day.

What is your life philosophy?

Being embarrassing is not as bad as being a serial killer.

How do you get around town?

I drive or get cabs. Now and again I get a bus; I have claustrophobic thrashing fits on the Tube.

Do you have a favourite pub?

I don't really like pubs, but as long as I can smoke I'm happy. There's a brilliant new gastropub in East Dulwich called The Palmerston.

What are your current projects?

I'm co-writing a play, The Andy Warhol Syndrome, for the Edinburgh Festival, giving up smoking and generally media-whoring around.
M&S because I really can't cook; any newsagents for my fags and papers; Sainsbury's on Dog Kennel Hill because the staff are nicer to me than my own family; and Whistles and Suki on the King's Road for clothes and Italian shoes.

What's in your summer wardrobe?

Who do you think I am, Liz blinking Hurley? I bought some Diesel jeans recently and an Antik Batik top (left), but I'm not allowed to buy clothes at the moment because we have to pay for things like roofs and taps.

What are your favourite home comforts?

White sheets, white towels --from Peter Jones, and I'm forever sniffing round The Conran Shop. I also do junk shops: my last find was a purple glass Fifties chandelier.