Letter To My Younger Self
The Summit presenter Ben Shephard: ‘I fell into telly’

The Summit presenter Ben Shephard: ‘I fell into telly’
Ben Shephard no longer goes jumping off waterfalls, and he didn’t become the next Steve McQueen. But the tidy bedroom is a big surprise
Motorbike racer and TV presenter Guy Martin: ‘I’m 44 and I’ve never voted once’

Motorbike racer and TV presenter Guy Martin: ‘I’m 44 and I’ve never voted once’
His parents taught him the value of working hard, and those 78 hours a week in the garage put him on the right road
Get your copy of Big Issue’s brilliant book of interviews with inspirational women in paperback

Get your copy of Big Issue’s brilliant book of interviews with inspirational women in paperback
Letter to My Younger Self: Inspirational Women is now out in paperback, with all royalties going to the Big Issue
Nouvelle Vague director Richard Linklater: ‘I’ve spent my adult life doing exactly what I wanted’
Nouvelle Vague director Richard Linklater: ‘I’ve spent my adult life doing exactly what I wanted’
Death in Paradise star Don Gilet: ‘When EastEnders came along, I was broke’
Death in Paradise star Don Gilet: ‘When EastEnders came along, I was broke’
H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’

H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’

Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’

Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’
Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’

Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’
Marie Kondo: ‘I didn’t think much about the opposite sex – I was completely absorbed in tidying’
Marie Kondo: ‘I didn’t think much about the opposite sex – I was completely absorbed in tidying’
Renowned heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub: ‘It’s essential in life, and in science in particular, to be humble’

Renowned heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub: ‘It’s essential in life, and in science in particular, to be humble’
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern: ‘Door-knocking for politics is easier than door-knocking for God’

Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern: ‘Door-knocking for politics is easier than door-knocking for God’
Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’

Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’
Dermot O’Leary: ‘I was bricking it when I started The X Factor’

Dermot O’Leary: ‘I was bricking it when I started The X Factor’
Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page: ‘I didn’t feel safe at drama school – we were told we were s**t’

Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page: ‘I didn’t feel safe at drama school – we were told we were s**t’
Lang Lang: ‘People thought working with Metallica would destroy my classical career’

Lang Lang: ‘People thought working with Metallica would destroy my classical career’
Charlotte Church: ‘The press desperately tried to make me a figure of sin’

Charlotte Church: ‘The press desperately tried to make me a figure of sin’
Bad Seed Warren Ellis: ‘Painful things make you a better version of yourself’

Bad Seed Warren Ellis: ‘Painful things make you a better version of yourself’
Composer John Rutter: ‘If there are people you love, for goodness’ sake tell them’

Composer John Rutter: ‘If there are people you love, for goodness’ sake tell them’
Adam Buxton: ‘Being a carer is the right thing to do – but it’s so hard, especially if it’s your parents’

Adam Buxton: ‘Being a carer is the right thing to do – but it’s so hard, especially if it’s your parents’
Huey Morgan: ‘My 16-year-old self would be surprised that I’m still here’

Huey Morgan: ‘My 16-year-old self would be surprised that I’m still here’
Ronan Keating: ‘We’re all scarred by what we went through in the 90s’

Ronan Keating: ‘We’re all scarred by what we went through in the 90s’
Belinda Carlisle: ‘I never felt like I was good enough or that I was worthy’

Belinda Carlisle: ‘I never felt like I was good enough or that I was worthy’
Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’

Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’
The One Show’s Alex Jones: ‘I always wanted to be a mother. To have a child is a complete gift’
