Quickfire with TV presenter Reggie Yates

TV presenter Reggie Yates likes a sharp suit – and several hundred pairs of shoes

 The football fan chats to us about big ears, bad manners and bumping into his idol

Guilty pleasure? Chocolate Hobnobs and a cup of tea before bed.

Where is home? I have a house in Southeast London, but to me, home is any place where there is family, good food and the people I love.

Career plan B? Something in the arts, probably photography or fashion.

Who would play you in a movie of your life? Either Bert or Ernie from Sesame Street.

Biggest bugbear? Bad manners.

As a child you wanted to be… A footwear designer – I was obsessed with sneakers and still have drawings I did of them when I was about nine. I’m a footwear fan and have a few hundred pairs of shoes.

Earliest memory? Sitting at the piano with my dad in our house in North London.

Secret to a happy relationship? Communication and honesty are key to any relationship, whether it’s romantic or professional.

Your best quality? I can assess myself objectively, so I know when I’m being a pain.

And your worst? My neatness can get on people’s nerves.

Last meal on earth? Anything cooked by my mother. She does a traditional West African dish, jollof rice, which is amazing.

Dream dinner-party guests? Rather than invite heroes who I look up to but don’t know, I would have my dearest friends and closest family.

Advice to teenage self? Don’t worry – you’ll grow into your ears.

Cat or dog? Dog, 100 per cent. Cats are evil. I’m hoping to get a dog when I have a family.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Someone who should moisturise more.

On a day off we’d find you… Reading, listening to music and having a long dinner.

Starstruck moment? Bumping into [former professional footballer] Ian Wright while at the BBC. I’m a big Arsenal fan and have idolised him for as long as I can remember.

Career highlight? After a BBC Three documentary I made about young ethnic minority men in the UK who are gay was broadcast, I received several messages from people saying that it had given them the courage to come out to their parents.

Favourite tipple? I don’t drink and never have.

What did you have for breakfast today? I didn’t have time for anything other than a cup of tea.

Top of your bucket list? To spend more time with my family.

One thing that would make your life better? A family of my own.

Secret skill? Photography.

Philosophy? Life is all about good energy and good vibes.

Worst job you’ve ever done? Making a documentary that I knew early on wasn’t going to work out. It was still broadcast, but it should have been a lot better. It taught me a big lesson.

Last film that made you cry? Step, which is a documentary about a type of competitive dancing that is big in African-American colleges.

First record you bought? ‘Can’t You See’ by Total, featuring The Notorious B.I.G.

Happiness is… A good meal.

Reggie’s autobiography, Unseen: My Journey, is published by BBC Books, £18.99. To order a copy for £15.19 until 5 November, visit you-bookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640. Free p&p on orders over £15. 

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