Debbie McGee: 'I've been dolly dancing around with the vacuum cleaner'
What I’m watching
I’ve started watching Ozark on Netflix and I have to say, it’s got me hooked. It’s very Breaking Bad. But I’ve been watching more films than TV really. The other day I saw Anna Karenina with Keira Knightley. It’s quite peculiar but I did enjoy it. And I’ve also been seeking out some classic movies – ones with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, as they’re very light. I’ve rediscovered Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina and Houseboat with Sophia Loren. While decluttering, I also found some old DVDs stashed away. Among them were some Miss Marple films starring Margaret Rutherford. Some of the scenes were shot in the village of Denham in Buckinghamshire. My late husband Paul [Daniels] and I used to live there when we first got married, so I recognise the high street and Miss Marple’s little cottage.
What I’m listening to
Spotify has been my friend through all this. I’ve been making up playlists and going back to my teenage years, so lots of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick. And yes, I have been dolly dancing around with the vacuum cleaner! I’ve definitely been leaning towards more upbeat music. I’ve been taking my boombox outside while gardening, too. Anything to get me going!
What I’m reading
I’ve been reading The Science of Fate by neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow. My nephew bought it for me at Christmas and I’m really enjoying it. It’s so interesting as it discusses whether our fate is determined from birth, taking in child development and genetics. I’m also picking up lots of old copies of Good Housekeeping for some fresh tips and I’ve also been rereading my old cookery books. The Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi ones are brilliant and have some great breakfasts in them. There’s another one I like called The Pig, which has recipes accompanied by funny little tales.
The hobby I’ve taken up
Learning about technology has been the thing I’ve been doing most. My nephews have been a great help. And with that, I’ve started doing a new podcast from home. It’s called Spill the Tea with Debbie McGee, in which I tell funny stories from my life. I’m used to doing my Sunday morning radio show on BBC Berkshire so it’s filled that gap nicely, though that’s starting up again now and I’ll be recording it from my living room too. I’m also learning 10 words of Spanish a day. Years ago, Paul sold a language memory system as part of a magic trick. So I’m using that system to help me – you learn nouns as individual words and put them together and it’s all coming along nicely: muchas gracias.
The thing that made me laugh this week
Every few nights, my family all chat to each other over video online. We’re all gigglers. My mum, who’s 83 and self-isolating with my nephew, has helped him turn their garage into a gym. They found two decorative guns that used to belong to my dad in there and so took a picture of themselves aiming the guns at each other. They sent it to us all with a caption saying: “After six weeks in quarantine...”
What I can’t wait to do once all this is over
Like everyone, I can’t wait to see my family. The first thing I’ll do is hug my mum.
Spill the Tea with Debbie McGee is available on Spotify
