44 FEMAIL S V1 The Mail on Sunday January 19 • 2014 January 19 • 2014 The Mail on Sunday FEMAIL 45 Hammond ‘plotting The perils of turning 50 and hazards of VERY personal fanmail, by Antiques Roadshow’s fragrant presenter Fiona Bruce VERSATILE: Fiona Bruce combines her job as a newsreader with to stall gay weddings’ by Amy Oliver presenting roles on the BBC DEFENCE Secretary Philip anecdote she has from a Roadshow Hammond, an opponent of By Brendan Carlin N SCREEN, she is the held at Charlecote Park, near War- same-sex marriage, has been BBC’s ice queen, an unflap- wick, in 2010, when she scaled two accused of trying to sabotage Hammond maintains that pable performer with a sets of 10ft railings. The team were laws allowing gay soldiers to gay couples must demonstrate hard-earned reputation for due to meet for dinner at the stately wed in military chapels. – subject to his personal remaining cool, calm and Why would home, but Fiona arrived to find Mr Hammond is deadlocked approval – that this would not even coquettish in the face the gates locked. ‘I couldn’t raise with Culture Secretary Maria discriminate against others of adversity. anyone on the phone so went back to Miller, who introduced the laws who use the multi-faith chapels OBut television is a medium built on the hotel, borrowed a ladder and that mean, from this spring, and oppose such marriages. artifice, where things are seldom as climbed over the railings,’ she says. gay men and women will have ‘Philip is stonewalling they appear. Even the apparently The railings had spikes and she the right to marry, including as because he doesn’t like gay imperturbable Fiona Bruce doesn’t was wearing high heels, but she soldiers in military chapels. weddings,’ said one official. always manage real life with the insists she was sober. ‘There were The reform was approved last One of his allies said the aplomb as she embodies on TV. more locked gates at the top of the year and called ‘shocking and demand was only to respect the We are meeting in the Mayfair sweeping drive, so I scaled them gallery of the urbane Philip Mould – a chap write damaging’ by Mr Hammond. wishes of other groups and in too. I was midway over when the Last week, talks between Mr line with the legislation. her co-host in the art show Fake Or floodlights came on and the staff Hammond’s and Mrs Miller’s Mrs Miller has already Fortune, which returns to our screens came running out thinking they had officials failed to agree the brought forward the start of tonight – when her mobile phone rings. a voiceover she was supposed to do at PUNK PAST: Fiona performing with a an intruder. It was very embarrass- regulations concerning military same-sex marriage to March 29. It’s Auntie. A taxi is waiting for her 3.30pm. It’s now 3.36pm. band during her Oxford University days ing, but we had a good laugh.’ chapels – due to be tabled The row could delay the outside Broadcasting House. Fiona’s ‘Oh s***! F***, f***, s***!’ she Fiona’s high profile has inevitably in the Commons this month. scheduled June start for gay lovely face falls as if plummeting into exclaims. She never swears in inter- longer careers in TV but says: ‘It is led to an increase in fanmail – and Reliable sources say Mr weddings in military chapels. a canyon. She’s totally forgotten about views apart from the odd, ironic, changing and I’m evidence of that. Is some letters are rather more fra- ‘bloody hell’. Now she’s re-enacting there still discrimination? Yes, there grant than others. ‘I had one chap the opening moments of Four Wed- is. Is it as bad as it was? No, it isn’t. me a letter who detailed his entire outfit,’ she dings And A Funeral. ‘I’m not on a mission to change it. says. ‘When he got to his fresh, white ‘Please excuse my language,’ Fiona Not because I don’t think it’s worth- cotton underpants I thought, “OK, says, clearly flustered. She remains while, but at the moment it’s not I’ve got some sense of where this is noticeably ruffled while having her affecting me adversely. I’m well into going.” He signed off “P.S. I have a photograph taken, and admits she’s middle age. The BBC is giving me jobs medium-sized penis.” ’ She shrieks Dubrovnik, Montenegro ‘rather messed up the afternoon’. that I love. For me to turn around and with laughter. ‘What a boast! I photo- ‘Nobody’s perfect all of the time,’ complain would be a bit rich. copied it and pinned it on the news- trills the make-up artist – triggering a ‘I find it quite hard to be a decent room noticeboard.’ and the Dalmatian Coast silence as glacial as Fiona’s chilly mother, wife and broadcaster in detailing However, her role as the renais- stare. Still in a flap, she hails a taxi by tandem without trying to front a sance woman of the BBC has led to actually shrieking ‘Taxi!’ Ten minutes campaign at the same time. That said, criticism from those who accused SELECTED DEPARTURES FROM I’m actively supportive of women in the Corporation of dumbing down. my profession and a firm believer Art critic Brian Sewell called her MAY TO OCTOBER 2014 in giving a leg-up rather than pulling ‘vacuous and gushing’ and last ‘There is discrimination – the ladder up behind me.’ year cited her programme about 8 She is supportive of former BBC pre- Leonardo da Vinci as the BBC’s days from but not as bad as it was’ senter Miriam O’Reilly, who won an ‘most unforgivable’ moment. ageism case against the BBC in 2011 his entire Fiona is sanguine. ‘My knowl- after being axed from Countryfile at edge of antiques and art is not £719 later, she bursts back in, even more 51. ‘Miriam felt she had a grievance great,’ she admits. ‘But that’s not per person† hot under the collar having forgotten and was proven in court to be right. It my role and I’ve never pretended her iPhone. must have been difficult for her to that it should be. Brian’s comments It’s an all-too-human display which plough that lonely furrow, but good for don’t bother me. I would feel badly reveals that the real Fiona Bruce her. I imagine it will make employers is not quite the BBC blue-stocking – not just at the BBC – think. she appears. ‘We can only carry on if we keep As the face of Antiques Roadshow doing our jobs well. Nothing will pro- outfit... ‘I had to channel and Fake Or Fortune, she recently hit tect us from that. There will come a the headlines for correctly suggesting time when the BBC will no longer that a painting bought for a few hun- want me. Will it be because of my age, my Angelina Jolie’ dred pounds was a valuable Van Dyck. because I’m just not that great at it But unlike many of the show’s experts, any more or am not bringing the same if people stopped watching my pro- she was not born into a gilded world. enthusiasm? Or will it be because grammes because I was on, but the In fact, she was born in Singapore to they’ve found someone who could viewing figures speak for them- a Scottish father who worked his way make it a bit better? It’s difficult in selves. The Antiques Roadshow up from a post-boy to become an exec- television because you do sometimes down to Christmas special got the highest utive at multinational Unilever, and a want to ring the changes. figures of the day on BBC1. mother who had been adopted – a fam- ‘The reason I’m doing my job now is ‘For many, the art world can seem ily where the furniture was not inher- because someone decided to ring the rather impenetrable, but Fake Or ited, but paid for through hard work. changes. I have benefited from that, Fortune is not for art experts. What After primary school on the Wirral, I’m so thrilled about is how many Fiona went to the International School people say they love the show who Journey to one of the most popular, yet still unspoiled, destinations in Europe on this wonderful holiday. Explore in Milan, a South London comprehen- you wouldn’t necessarily expect to.’ Southern Croatia’s beautiful coastline, discover a trio of exquisite cities in Split, Trogir and Dubrovnik, enjoy sive and finally Hertford College, ‘Me a sex symbol? The In tonight’s episode, Fiona and historic Mostar, and visit Montenegro, one of Europe’s ‘newest’ and most breathtakingly beautiful countries. Oxford, where she was, by her own his fresh Philip try to prove a painting is by account, a boisterously feminist punk idea is totally risible’ the French post-impressionist Our price includes: with blue hair. Edouard Vuillard. It was bought at After a brief foray into management auction for £11,000, but if genuine • Return fl ights from your local airport to Dubrovnik consultancy bored her to tears, a but my industry is incredibly mercu- will be worth at least £250,000. chance encounter with the editor of rial. One type of presenter is liked one Her real coup came last month • Return airport-to-hotel transfers Panorama led to her badgering him year and not the next. One just has to when she suggested a painting on • Coach travel throughout incessantly for a job as a lowly accept that is the nature of the beast.’ Antiques Roadshow was a lost study researcher. She’s never looked back. At 49, Fiona certainly doesn’t look by Van Dyck. It has since been • Three nights’ four-star half-board accommodation at the Hotel Quercus, Drvenik Now Fiona is rarely off our televi- her age. In the flesh she is taller, slim- white cotton valued at £400,000 – the most valua- • Four nights’ three-star half-board accommodation at the superior Hotel Astarea, Mlini sion screens. As well as Antiques mer and prettier. Today, her raspberry ble painting identified in the show’s Roadshow and Fake Or Fortune, which Hoss Intropia short-sleeved frock 36-year history. I suggest that should • A full day visit to historic Split and Trogir sees her and art dealer Mould, 53, try shows off her exquisitely honed upper silence her critics. ‘There was a mas- • Guided tours to Mostar and Montenegro to prove the provenance of a painting, arms – the work of a personal trainer. sive part of me that thought, “Yes!” on Fridays Fiona reads the BBC six She is 5ft 11in, but in her black leather because it was for a lovely chap who • A morning visit to Dubrovnik’s historical centre o’clock and ten o’clock news bulletins. wedged boots, which come just far wanted to buy bells for his church. I She also has two children – Sam, 15, enough over the knee to be risque, didn’t think about Brian Sewell or • Services of an experienced tour manager and Mia, 12 – with her husband of she’s over 6ft. anybody else. It was a fortunate †From price based on October 20, 2014 departure from London Gatwick nearly 20 years, Nigel Sharrocks. Kay Burley, her equivalent on Sky coincidence and one I’ll probably One of the hallmarks of her career News, famously ‘treated’ herself to a dine out on for the rest of my life.’

underpants? LES WILSON / SCOPE has been deft reinvention. She has £10,000 facelift for her 50th birthday. But how much does she really largely left behind the harsh world of Fiona has no such intention. know about art? She reluctantly TV news, where there always seems ‘I look in the mirror, another line where but I’m more down the any female newsreaders who do. – she was Rear of the Year in 2010 one knows who she is. People make agrees to take a quiz. The first ques- to be a younger and more glamorous appears but there’s nothing I can do,’ bottom end than the top end.’ Plenty of blokes do, obviously.’ and last year was voted sexiest a beeline for her on Antiques Road- tion: In what century did Thomas new face on the block, for a niche role she says. ‘Well, there are things, but She’s in the back end of the bus Anyone who calls Fiona an ‘auto- newsreader alongside Sky’s Dermot show. Grandparental antiques can Chippendale work? where presenters often take much I’m not going to. I have thought about region? ‘Well, I’m erm, no. I’m some- cutie’ is quickly put in their place: Murnaghan. ‘I don’t know that I am sometimes need a bit of vinaigrette, The first lady of BBC arts pro- longer to reach their sell-by date. it but instantly dismissed it. where in the middle,’ Fiona says get- ‘That term is absurd. I ignore it a sex symbol,’ she says. ‘The idea is and she adds that.’ gramming considers the question Nevertheless, she faces a milestone ‘I have, like anyone who goes on telly, ting agitated again. ‘But that’s not because it’s so wide of the mark. totally risible to me.’ In a tongue-in-cheek advert for her and says: ‘I’m not doing this. I’m not mailtravel.co.uk in April when she will be 50, the a reasonable dose of vanity, but I don’t for me to say. Others will judge.’ ‘I’ve been a journalist for 23 years. But Mould, who also works on first series of the Roadshow in 2008, an expert on Antiques Roadshow. * dreaded age when the BBC typically want to look like somebody else, I She dyes her hair, but is keen to When I work on the news I do the Antiques Roadshow, is certainly Fiona played a gung-ho Bond girl It’s just not what I do. You can call 0844 472 3110 holiday code n484 starts sharpening its axe for its want to look like me. Also, you’ve got deny her previously stated position research and write what I say. If smitten. ‘Fiona’s a bit of a super- who drives her car into a wall before me a diva if you want, but I’ve got to female presenters. to be able to move your face.’ that older female presenters are things are going wrong you have to woman,’ he says. ‘When Fake Or diving to save a precious vase. put my foot down sometimes.’ It’s a subject that might be expected She has said that a woman can’t unable to go grey. ‘I would colour be on your mettle. Fortune got commissioned, a friend ‘I had my own stuntman and every- ‘Don’t worry,’ pipes up the make- to rankle. But despite her feminist ‘look like the back end of a bus’ on my hair whether I worked in TV or ‘The challenge is tremendous, but of mine said, “Fiona’s contributing thing,’ she says. up artist, again with perfect timing. For great prices on travel insurance call: 0800 953 3660 or visit: www.mailtravel.co.uk/holiday-extras not,’ she insists. ‘I think you proba- hugely enjoyable. There are nights the glamour and the brains – what ‘You’re just a presenter, aren’t you?’ *Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices based on four people sharing. Single supplement leanings, Fiona has no intention of television. ‘I did say that, but equally ‘The director kept saying, “I want applies. Subject to availability. The star ratings that are shown are the tour operators own. Different countries have different standards; so a three-star hotel in one country may not be the launching a personal crusade for the you don’t have to be some kind of bly could have grey hair as a news- when things don’t go wrong and it is the hell are you doing?” you to be channelling Angelina equivalent to another country. The image used is for illustration purposes only and may not refl ect your actual holiday experience. Operated by Newmarket Air Holidays ABTA V7812, ATOL 2325, a company wholly independent of Associated Newspapers Ltd. When you respond, Associated Newspapers Ltd and other companies in the DMGT Group may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your rights of older women in the BBC. She great beauty either,’ she insists. ‘The reader. There’s no diktat that says very calm. I find that slightly disap- ‘Certainly her appearance is a Jolie.” It was thrilling.’ l Fake Or Fortune begins mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission, please let us know if you are happy for us to do so. doesn’t deny that men tend to have spectrum is vast. I’m on there some- you can’t. That said, I can’t think of pointing.’ But what about her awards component to her success. Every- This could explain an extraordinary tonight on BBC1 at 6pm.