When Kirstie Allsopp did a screen test for a pilot of Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location, she assumed she was auditioning for a short segment. Little did she know that more than two decades later, the show would be a worldwide hit – and she’d be one of the faces of it.
Now 51, Kirstie has her hands full, filming new episodes for the show’s upcoming 39th series, as well as Kirstie And Phil’s Love It Or List It. In an exclusive interview in Good Housekeeping’s March issue, Kirstie opened up about what it feels like to be known as a property guru.
"It’s strange because it doesn’t come naturally to me to say, ‘Oh, the thing I’m brilliant at is X.’ But after 25 years in the business and 51 on the planet, I do now feel I have the life experience to stop people from making huge mistakes," she says.
"I know what it’s like to have stepchildren, to lose a parent, and to try to be in 101 different places at once – and I hope I’ve helped people make the right decisions as a result."
As one of a relatively small pool of female TV presenters over the age of 50, she also spoke about her views on ageism within the industry.
"I think we’ve all witnessed it – it happens, of course it does. But I think the question is: is it ageism or is it sexism? Or is it both?" she says.
"Because the fact is, you’re allowed to go on for much longer as a man than you are as a woman – and women have to work a lot harder than men to not fade out. It’s not easy at all."
As for reaching the big 50, she explained that it wasn't something she was particularly thrilled about.
"I don’t think I have a particularly healthy relationship with ageing. When you’re younger, your metabolism is better, your skin is better and your bones are better," she says.
"You get older and you’re suddenly a lot achier! But I have to say, I’m probably fitter now than I’ve ever been."
When it comes to looking so youthful, she revealed two rather surprising secrets.
"I’m afraid it’s an awful thing, but it does help being a little plumper because you have a bit more flesh on your face. I’m always torn between the desire to lose weight and the desire not to have it fall off my face!" she says.
"I also think there’s something to be said about keeping busy. We all have good days and bad days, but if you have a lot to do, you’re going to have less time to worry about the bad ones."
We couldn't agree more.
Read the full interview with Kirstie Allsopp in the March 2023 issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale now. It is available in all supermarkets and online at MagsDirect.
Love It Or List It airs Wednesdays at 8pm on Channel 4 and is available to stream for free on All 4. A new series of Location, Location, Location will air on Channel 4 later this year.
