Christie Brinkley's My London

The West End star listens to Kid Cudi and wants London to dim its lights

Home is
The Hamptons. I've been based there for 25 years, although I have run off and lived in Colorado, Paris and Mexico in that time.

What was the last play you saw?
Other than my own show, I haven't managed to go to the theatre in London yet. I'm looking forward to seeing Ghost The Musical, War Horse and Pygmalion, though.

Where do you stay in London?
Claridge's : they take good care of me and the room service is as good as any restaurant. Today I had the artichoke salad - the lettuce is so fresh it's like it's been plucked from your own garden.

What advice would you give a tourist coming to London?
Look up at the roofs. When I'm in the back of a cab I always have my camera in hand and my head out of the window in case something catches my eye.

Which London shops do you rely on?
Lillywhites for soccer gear and cute T-shirts for my son Jack. Then there are all the brilliant fashion boutiques on Mount Street and Bond Street.

What's the best meal you've had here?
Pasta with truffles and melt-in-your-mouth Dover sole at Harry's Bar in Mayfair. I love the warm atmosphere, there's a cosiness that the British do best.

What's your earliest London memory?
The first time I came to London was in 1968 with my dad, who was writing something for the BBC. We were sightseeing one day when people stopped us because they recognised we were American and told us that Robert Kennedy had been assassinated. That left an early impression of the British being very compassionate.

What is your favourite London tradition?
Wimbledon tennis. It's the ultimate British experience and reminds me of Hogwarts because it's like being in a magical valley.

What's your biggest extravagance?
All the fabulous hotels I stay in around the world.

If you could live in any building in London, which would it be?
The Big Ben clock tower - climbing the stairs every day would keep my legs in shape.

What animal would you most like to be?
A dolphin, as long as it's not a Japanese one, because I love swimming in crystal-clear water.

What would you do if you were Mayor of London for the day?
Dim the city's lights to be more environmentally friendly.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
My dad telling me to 'take it' when I was asked to be in Chicago on Broadway last year. I admire his 'why not?' attitude.

What are you up to at the moment?
When I'm not in a wig on stage playing Roxie Hart, I've been meeting old friends for lunch at Scott's and then heading to the theatre early to do my make-up and warm-up. After the show I'll go for dinner in the West End; last night I went to J Sheekey with friends.

What was the last album you downloaded?
My son put Kid Cudi and OneRepublic on my iPhone. He's got great taste in music.