Home is …
West London. I live with my husband [Richard Jones, bassist with The Feeling], four of our kids and six cats. I’m also 10 minutes away from my mum and our eldest boy, Sonny, who lives down the road and 10 minutes in a slightly different direction from my brother. So we’re all pretty close! My sister is in London, too.
Where do you stay in London?
As a Londoner it hardly ever happens, but sometimes if Richard and I do a DJ gig, we spend the night in a hotel and I just love the decadence of it. It’s very cool, waking up and finding yourself in Soho, or the City, or Covent Garden. You go and get breakfast and it makes you see the city in a different way. Very glamorous.
Where was your first flat?
Above The World’s End pub opposite Camden Tube in the late Nineties and I thought it was the bee’s knees. It was right in the epicentre of everything. I was 18 years old and I was super excited to be somewhere like that.
What was your first job?
Singing! I left school after I finished my A-levels, and I went straight into being in a band. I’d had the odd Saturday girl job, worked in hairdressers, worked in a shop, but in terms of what you might call a profession, it was singing — I signed to Mercury when I was 18.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
You want somewhere a little bit vibey, some nice food and a drink. I always think, go somewhere there’s a market. So, Portobello Market, around Portobello Road. My first date with Richard was over 20 years ago, though!
Which shops do you rely on?
My local coffee shop, where I get a coffee every day after the school run — it’s punctuation for my day. It says well done for getting up early, getting all the kids where they need to be. I also adore my local Japanese restaurant called Makoto in Chiswick. And Beyond Retro near Oxford Circus — I always find something fun, it’s quite inexpensive and I like a little rummage. Westfield, for some proper shiny shopping, is always super convenient as we’re not too far from Shepherd’s Bush. But after a while I start thinking, get me out of here. My local cinema, Chiswick Cinema on the high road, is so handy because I can walk there.
Best meal you’ve had?
Brutto is reliable as a fun place, great food, and I always feel relaxed. I also loved the London Shell Co, a boat which takes you up near Maida Vale and the Regent’s Canal, and you eat amazing seafood. We hired the whole boat for our 40ths. It’s really pretty and romantic, and you see London in a different way.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
People with kids at school should get a voucher book, with which you can take your kids out of school without being penalised — so you can visit museums on the days which aren’t so busy.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
It’s gotta be Mary Poppins and Bert the chimney sweep.
Best thing a cabbie has said to you?
I just love all the chats, really. London cabs are some of the best cabs in the world; you get so much space and such a panoramic view.
Have you ever had a run-in with a London police officer?
Not really. But every time I walk past a policeman I feel guilty. I just feel like they know all the bad things I’ve done.
Every time I walk past a policeman I feel guilty... I just feel like they know all the bad things I’ve done
Where do you let your hair down?
I do karaoke — my advice is, go for a crowd-pleaser, don’t go for rap. My classic is Faith by George Michael.
Who do you call when you want to have fun?
All our friends are musicians, people who don’t always have to get up early in the morning, so there’s always lots of fun to be had.
Biggest extravagance?
Vintage clothing. It’s an extravagance because I don’t need any more clothes.
Favourite place for a dance?
Lots of my favourite places are gone — I used to love Sink the Pink and Wig Out. But now if I have a dance, it’s a one-off party. Because Rich and I DJ, we often find ourselves on dancefloors. My favourite place is my kitchen.
What’s your London secret?
For Richard’s birthday, we booked a walking tour with a wonderful woman who runs Look Up London. She taught us loads about the history of London, lots of things you don’t normally spot.
What do you collect?
I’m a maximalist, I collect lots of things. Sometimes I don’t even notice I’m collecting something. I have lots of statues and things off eBay — dolls and weird stuff.
Favourite work of art in London?
I love the big painting that’s at the National Gallery of the execution of Lady Jane Grey. It has so much drama. I often find myself standing in front of it, captivated. It has all the chills.
What was the last thing you googled?
I googled hostels in Tokyo because my eldest boy is currently there and I was looking up where he might be staying next.
What’s your favourite London beauty or grooming spot?
I don’t really have much time for that. If it’s beauty or grooming, it’s at work, with my friend and make-up artist Lisa Lauder.
What apps can you not live without in the city?
What Three Words and Citymapper. I have no sense of direction, and they help me.
Who is your hero?
My mum, because I rely on her a lot for advice. I also have other heroes. If it wasn’t for Julie Andrews and Mary Poppins and Olivia Newton-John in Grease, and Toni Basil, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.
Freedom of the Night by Sophie Ellis-Bextor is out now; for 2025 tour tickets visit ticketmaster.co.uk and royalalberthall.com
