My London: Denise

Where do you live and why? Islington. I love all the restaurants, everything is on your doorstep, and I know all the back routes and short cuts. When I was doing The Big Breakfast, the show was recorded in Bow, so it didn't take me very long to get to work at 3am!

How long have you lived there? Since 1998. I've always been an Upper Street girl as all my friends live in the area. I'll be moving to Marylebone at the end of the year and it's going to be strange to leave. But now I'm reaching my thirties, I'm ready for new experiences.

What advice would you give to a tourist? Come and see some of the shows in the West End. And go on the London Eye. It's great to be able to see places from a distance before visiting them.

What is your earliest London memory? I begged my mum to let me go to an open audition for the musical Annie and I was sitting in Hyde Park waiting to hear if I had a recall. I remember chatting to other kids who were at theatre schools and thinking how lucky they were.

Harvey Nicks or Selfridges - and why? Selfridges - I love the ground floor as there's always something really interesting to look at. I think the layout in Harvey Nicks is a bit dated.

What do you miss most when you're out of London? I don't think you can beat London for the choice and standard of food, or its high street shops for fashion. There's also something quite moody and sexy about the city - perhaps it's the weather.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day? Ban traffic in Central London. I think it would really improve the city, and personally I love walking.

What is your life philosophy? Make the most of life, have fun and never have any regrets.

What are your favourite shops? I'm a big fan of Topshop. I've worn it to premieres where people have been in couture dresses and dripping in diamonds. Also, Hennes and Gina shoes.

How do you get around town? Mostly walking. I'd rather do that than sit in a black cab with a driver who won't shut up. The worst thing is when you've just got off the phone and they ask, 'So who was that, then?'

Do you have a favourite pub? The Angel and Crown in Islington - I've got a friend with a two-year-old, and they are very child-friendly there.

What is in your summer wardrobe? Lots of little summer dresses from Hennes, flip-flops from Accessorize, a Pucci sunhat that I wear when I do my garden, and a little bit of Marc Jacobs.

What was the last CD you bought? Girls Aloud Sound of the Underground. I like to have music playing in my dressing room, and this is the best album I've heard in ages.

What was the last book you bought? My recent holiday read was Come Together by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees.

What have been your most memorable London meals? Probably the first time I tried oysters at J Sheekey. Julian Clary forced me to try one, and now I'm hooked. It's my big treat.

What are your favourite home comforts? After a show I like to unwind with an Earl Grey tea and water my garden. It's looking really good this summer with loads of lights and candles - a neighbour says it looks like an enchanted garden. But I can't understand why her geraniums are so much better than mine.

What perfume do you wear? I have a selection depending on my mood: Marc Jacobs is my going-out and dining perfume; for shows I have either Ghost or Gucci Rush 2; Sui Dreams by Anna Sui is for holidays; and if I'm out with the girls I wear Jean Paul Gaultier.

Where were the last three places you went on holiday? Hay-on-Wye where I have a cottage, Kuala Lumpur with my boyfriend Richard [Traviss], and New York for a working holiday. I was doing rehearsals for Tell me on a Sunday and I stayed at Trump Towers where Andrew Lloyd Webber has an apartment. When I arrived, he phoned me to check that I was OK and said, 'Help yourself to anything in the fridge.'

Who's in your secret address book? When I was at my old school, Sylvia Young in Marylebone, we used to go to the Sea Shell of Lisson Grove. It really reminds me of being in my teens and our weekly treat of fish and chips before our afternoon dance class.

What was the last play you saw in London? Home and Beauty with Jamie Theakston at the Lyric, directed by a very good friend of mine, Chris Luscombe. Theatre is such a hard thing to do, but I thought Jamie did extremely well.