My London: Nick Grimshaw

Home is…

Primrose Hill. If a Disney movie was set in London, it would look like Primrose Hill.

Best meal you’ve had in London?

Lemonia on Regent’s Park Road for fish shashlik and aubergine salad.

Last play you saw?

Touched… Like a Virgin with Sadie Frost at the Soho Theatre. I always find it awkward going to see a friend perform, but it was very impressive.

Favourite shops?

I can’t go to Liberty without buying something; I think the buyer should be knighted. I go to Topman and COS on Oxford Street for simple clothes; I like it when boys dress like boys. I went to Sandro on Marylebone High Street recently and bought everything bar five items. I buy coffee-table books from Conran and Dover Street Market.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

I don’t think anyone’s ever done anything romantic for me. I like dates where you go and see London icons that you wouldn’t normally visit, such as Big Ben.

Best place for a first date?

Notting Hill is good for dates because there are lots of different bars you could go to — you don’t want to get stuck somewhere on a bad date. Primrose Hill is too romantic for a first date.

First thing you do when you arrive home?

Invite all my friends round; there are usually multiple people in the house at any one time. I normally have to go to bed early for work the next morning and I’ll say, ‘I’m going to bed,’ indicating it’s time to leave, and everyone will just say, ‘Good night’ and stay put.

Best thing a London cabbie has said to you?

Complained about the music on Radio 1 and then asked me what I do.

Earliest London memory?

Coming to London for the day and going to one of Ken Hom’s restaurants aged eight. There was a fish carved out of carrot on the table that I loved so much I took it back to Manchester and took it into school the next day.

Favourite London pub?

The Flask in Highgate or The Cat & Mutton in Hackney for a Corona. We’ve seen Rihanna drinking Corona so we’re now convinced it makes you thin. It might all be a hoax.

Building you’d most like to live in?

A giant townhouse on Portland Place.

What would you do as Mayor?

Hold the Notting Hill Carnival every weekend and get rid of speed bumps on roads where they’re completely unnecessary.

Where would you go for a nightcap?

The Groucho Club for an Espresso Martini — they’re like rocket fuel.

Who’s your hero?

Chris Evans. He’s never sold out and I like his punk attitude.

Who do you call when you want to have fun?

Amy Phillips, Gillian Orr and Henry Holland are a good strong crew to go out with.

Best place to let your hair down?

Fabric for a good rave and Koko in Camden when Annie Mac is on.

Building you’d most like to be locked in overnight?

Buckingham Palace because I’ve never been and I’ve heard they’ve got a cinema. I like the thought of the Queen watching James Bond on a big screen.

Favourite London discovery?

The clothing store The Hideout on Upper James Street for Stüssy and Palace Skateboards.

Best advice you’ve been given?

My big sister told me to do what I wanted to do, because if I didn’t, no one else was going to make it happen.