GEMMA CALVERT | National Entertainment Journalist & Publicist

May we take a moment to appreciate this treasure of a cover shoot with @susannareid100 ? Fun, fabulous and free, it’s my absolute favourite from the 12 years I’ve worked with the Queen of breakfast telly. The first time I interviewed SR in the back of a cab, zooming from a photoshoot to her Strictly rehearsals, I felt SO nervous, basically under major pressure to do a good job. Well, I guess I passed the test because we’ve done umpteen interviews since and each time it’s a delight getting the latest update about life à la Susanna. In this latest chat for @womanandhome ’s May issue Susanna reveals how she goes clubbing in Ibiza, what she dreams of asking Trump, the biggest casualty of her work-life balance, her number one house rule at home with her boys and her take on covering one of the most heartbreaking news stories of the year… plus more. Thank you Susanna and @callumbrackenpr for being 🥇 🌟. Photographer: @davidvenni Makeup: @aimeeadamsmakeup Hair: @mdlondon Stylist: @pruewhitestylist Editor: @hannahfernando__editor Creative director: @mountainmutant #susannareid #covershoot #womanandhome #goodmorningbritain #newspresenter #womeninspiringwomen #mayissue

TEN YEARS ago today I was wrapping up my FIRST week as a freelance journalist. It’s been quite the ride - hundreds of celeb interviews, trips to Greece, Africa, Spain and Switzerland, branching into PR and learning stacks en route. Here are 5 of the biggest lessons (plus huge gratitude to everyone via tags 🙌🏻): 1) Cashflow is tricky. Swapping a salaried job to mostly payment on publication took adjustment. Earnings in dribs and drabs is my LEAST favourite part of being freelance. Feast and famine is a real! 2) Oh for holiday pay. Exactly. What holiday pay!? Or maternity pay. Or sick pay. Time off puts the brakes on earnings, so doing so can feel daunting. The answer? I’ve mostly kept going, whether that’s keeping on top of emails on hols or taking two weeks mat leave. Mad to some. Sensible to me. Each to their own. 3.) Solitude suits me. Going from a buzzy office to being on my tod most days was a shock but, truth is, I love it. I get more done when my surroundings are quiet and it makes heading to a photoshoot, PR meeting or having a phone call all the more appealing (it’s better for relationships and business too!). 4) The fear can be silenced - The challenge of hitting my monthly target fires me but stresses me, especially when an interview drops out (usually right before deadline. Why is that?!). I’ve been listening a lot to @GabbyBernstein recently and working on quieting fear by trusting that the universe will deliver. I have faith in myself too because - 10 years down the line - the business is still running and those interviews keep a coming. Something’s going right... 5) Nature is my friend. Times’ gone by I’ve only left my desk for tea and the wc. Now I’ve got an energetic cockapoo, daily morning forest walks are routine and it’s a better use of half hour than being on my MacBook. Time to move, time to think, time for creativity. Freelancing means you 100% control your diary and that’s a mega plus. You’re accountable to no one so you can nip off to run an errand or work late - whatever feels best. Your hours are yours. How bloomin’ fabulous is that? #freelance #freelancetips #10yearanniversary #lifelessons #freelancejournalist #PR

Safely back from a magnifique few days in Mallorca in the arms of @TheBodyCampOfficial alongside a powerhouse of a group to kick off a belter of a brand new season. No lie, I’ve not laughed as hard as I have done over the past four days in a LONG time. I’ve also not worked my muscles as hard, allowed myself to feel as deeply, opened my heart as wide or felt so instantly at home in the company of strangers since I last stepped through the Body Camp gates a year ago. True magic happened at BC. Bodies were tested but also relaxed, boundaries were pushed but also set, beliefs were instilled but also reframed, thoughts were explored but also paused, silence was welcomed but also obliterated by the sound of Bamboléo, beatbox and belly laughter. All without smidgeon of alcohol 🙌🏻. Team Body Camp Launch 2024 - @annamathur @marisahemson @sandrofarmhouse @beccabarr13 @caroline_mc1 @kimmybeatbox @dannyingham @nishascookingagain @danielle.lawleruk @thejulescameron @juliabradbury @healthyloveslondon @katerh_fitness (in no particular order!) - you’re all winners and in my life for life. Thank you so much for making this trip so bloomin’ brilliant…. Lastly, thank you x a million to Team BC @misskwhale , @benwhalechef , @anthonyrichpt , @sophtonks , @sakurastudiomallorca @jacintaarnott and @beakcomms legend @deanpiperisalive who was absolutely there in spirit! #thebodycamp #thebodycamp2024 #mallorca #fitness #health #mindset #reset #togetherness #fitnessmotivation #fitnessfriends #outdoorexercise

Glory be… @saradaviescc is the June cover of @womanandhome magazine! We we shot in London on a perfect spring day in a location house full of giant fake flowers (thanks @paperpompom 🌺) - and Sara brought extra sunshine with her energy and kind-hearted spirit. Honestly, she’s 10/10 ☀️ The issue’s out now with my full exclusive interview with Sara inside. Life after @dragonsdenglobal , heartbreak, showbiz schmoozing, working mum pressures, vulnerability and more. Sara Delano to it all. Drop me a LIKE if you LOVE 🩷 #covershoot #celebrityinterview #saradavies Words: me Photos: @elisabethhoffphoto Styling: @arabellaboycestylist Set design: @paperpompom Makeup: @lydiabarnesmakeup Hair: @traceyjones.hmua Editor: @hannahfernando__editor Social: @luisarossi

Have you seen today’s @dailymail Inspire!? 👀 Check out page 25+ for a brilliant, honest cover interview with @iamjoannapage , where she really opens up about the highs and lows of motherhood, turning 50 and why she’s finally putting her health (mind and body) first. We made the cover for good reason. The chat is compelling and one so many women will relate to, especially mums. Huge thanks to Joanna for being so open and generous with her story, to @encantatalentmgmt for arranging, @lezliandrose for the stunning photography and @dinahvantulleken on styling. For more Joanna, listen to her FABULOUS podcast Lush!, which is available on all podcast providers 🩷. #joannapage #dailymailinspire #coverstar

24 hours in London with our beloved @marisahemson 🩷 - cable cars, Italian cuisine and a cut-short 5SOS concert 🎵… oh and handstanding out the o2, not cartwheeling! 🤪

Why is interviewing @alantitchmarshcbe one of my favourite things to do? Because I get to listen to this voice for half an hour. It’s comforting, right? And that’s largely because we associate Alan with nature and the great outdoors - safe, happy places 🌳 Anyone else think he should join @insighttimer and start creating meditation tracks?! Read the results of my lovely chinwag with Alan here and in the latest issue of @woman.maguk 🌟 Thank you @tamarabishopp @bishopp_pr #alantitchmarsh

In this week's #womanmagazine we've got an EXCLUSIVE interview with the lovely @thejanemcdonald , who filled us in on her new album, grief, ageing and why she believes life is for living. Pick up a copy today to read the full interview #janemcdonald

For these two girls - and the pretty darn amazing women they’ll grow up to be. Every hour I work, every new career goal I set. It’s all for them. Happy International Women’s Day 🩷 #internationalwomensday

A special day shooting with @nadiyajhussain for the April issue cover of @womanandhome . So much honesty, grit and true heart in this one. But what question did I miss? And what would you ask Nadiya if you had the chance?

Six years. SIX. How did that even happen? Finally reunited with my LOOK magazine girls @busolaevans and @iamalisonperry - and it was like no time had passed at ALL. Until the next one, ladies 🧡

🙌🏻 to @iamjoannapage gracing covers of last weekend’s Love Sunday and Notebook @dailymirror Somewhere over a 30min natter we found ourselves discussing the weekly avalanche of children’s artwork from school and nursery. Joanna keeps every single piece. I (I’m sorry!) don’t. I keep heartfelt ones. The rest finds fast refuge in the recycling box. What camp are you in? Preserve like Page or cull like Calvert? And what’s the furthest you’d go to make use of your little Picasso’s masterpieces?