Lucy Kennedy returns to our screens this week with the much-loved Living With Lucy. The presenter talks to Janice Butler about the many celebrities she's lived with and who’s still on her list, the joy she gets from writing and not caring what people think as she turns 50.
"Good morning," says Lucy Kennedy, enthusiastic for someone who got up with the birds for her early morning radio show on Classic Hits FM with Colm Hayes. She’s in fine form for our chat, and to be honest, you wouldn’t expect anything less from the Dubliner who has been entertaining the nation since her early days on television, disciplining the impossible Podge and Rodge in Ballydung Manor.
"I’m finished my first job of the day, brekkie radio and now onto my other ones," she says, referring to her family (husband Richie and the kids; Jack, 15, Holly, 13 and Jess, 8) and writing her series of children’s books, which have become a big success.
"I’m a morning person, whereas if you meet me at seven in the evening, I’ve faded. I don’t know if it’s age – I’m 49 – but come the evening time, I just want to get in my pajamas and have a glass of wine," she says with the honesty that people have come to appreciate from Lucy.
"I’ve always been a morning person. When I was cabin crew, I used to love the red-eye flights, and I was always very loud doing the announcements on the PA system. I’m sure people hated me! Nothing I loved more than a good delay, and the passengers were stuck listening to me," she laughs.
While her early career was largely about TV roles from The Seven O’Clock Show to Ireland’s Got Talent and the aforementioned Podge and Rodge, but in recent years, telly has taken a bit of a backseat, with the focus now on radio and her writing.
Right now, she’s back on our screens this week with Living With Lucy, the show that initially started on RTÉ in 2008 and now airs on Virgin Media, a staple in the TV schedule. Lucy and the team have landed some big names this season, kicking things off with Caitlyn Jenner; the American TV personality once known as Bruce Jenner, and father to Kylie and Kendall Jenner (part of the Kardashian clan).
Lucy packed her bags and moved in with Caitlyn in her Californian home, admitting she was unsure of what to expect. "I was a bit nervous. It’s Kylie and Kendall Jenner’s dad, and she’s such a big name, a big character, and often very controversial in her beliefs, so I didn’t know who was going to answer the door and how I was going to handle it. But there’s many things I fear in life, but I have zero fear of people," she explains.
"I knew I wouldn’t agree with her political opinions, but I just wanted to see what she was like to live with. I was surprised: she was very grounded, very warm and friendly. At the end of the day, this is a light entertainment show; it’s not political, but there were questions that had to be asked, and I did ask them. It’s an interesting one."
The four-part series line-up is completed by footballer James McClean, who she describes as the "nicest family man"; Diarmuid Gavin; "people will see Diarmuid in ways they didn't know," she says. And finally, crime journalist and podcaster Nicola Tallant; "so bright, strong and brave, I am in awe of her," she says.
As for the celebrities who have gone before, was there ever anyone she lived with that after night one she wished she could leave?
"Oh, no, I don’t think so," she ponders. "Maybe Danniella Westbrook. I lived with her in Marbella, and I think she was going through a really bad time when we did it. I could see the fun in her, but at the time, she was going through a lot, and she’d snap at me. I remember lying in bed and thinking I’m so glad this is over tomorrow. I was practically kissing the airline crew on the way home," she recalls.
The first person she ever lived with back in 2008 was Samantha Mumba, and the only person she’s ever lived with twice was Twink. As for her 'Living With’ wish list, she’s still hoping to "wear down" Ryan Tubridy, Simon Harris and Piers Morgan, who so far have refused her request for bed and board. "They’re just playing hard to get. I’ll get them eventually, eventually they all succumb," she laughs.
Her other passion, her writing is going from strength to strength. She’s published nine children’s books, including her series, The Friendship Fairies and her latest Jess series, Jess Finds her Magic, was released last month. "I’m banging out these books like there’s no tomorrow. I love it," she says.
While she adores writing for kids, she reveals she’s taken the leap into adult fiction next year. "It will be out in the New Year," she says excitedly. "For the last six years, I’ve been writing children’s books, and people have said, 'would you ever consider writing an adult's book', but I thought, God no, I wouldn’t be able for that. I have been comfortable with children’s stories, fairies and make believe," she explains.
"But two years ago, I was sitting on a sun lounger in Portugal just observing people and that’s when the idea for this book came. It’s funny fiction, a switch-off, holiday book. I can’t say any more than that," she adds, promising she’ll reveal all in the New Year.
She admits that while telly was always her first love, writing has become an integral part of her career, and she’s hugely fulfilled by it. "It’s therapeutic for me. I think it’s now my favourite thing to do. Telly was my first love, and I do love radio as well, but writing gives me the most personal satisfaction."
With a busy career and three children, Lucy admits it’s taken her a long time to find the right balance between work and home life, in an industry where it can be hard to achieve.
"I’ve done the jobs that I haven’t liked, I’ve felt that anxiety on a Sunday night and I’m so glad I’m not in that head space any more. I’ve reached a place where I’m doing what I love. I think I found the balance by around 42; right up until then, I was slightly panicked, possibly all over the place and then everything just fell into place."
Having spent a lot of her career on live TV with Late Lunch Live and The Seven O’Clock Show on Virgin Media (what is now the Six O’Clock Show), does she ever miss the buzz of live broadcast?
"I do, even though it was my decision to leave, but whenever I’m back on as a guest, I miss it when I’m there. I don’t miss it enough to want to do it again, but it was really good fun. I get the live buzz still from radio, but there’s something about live telly."
On the radio side of things; it’s been a tough few weeks for her Classic Hits co-host Colm Hayes, whose wife Anne Laird-Caffrey died after a six-year battle with breast cancer. Lucy and his many radio colleagues have been rallying around Colm as he returned to the airwaves last week.
"It’s been so sad. Anne was such a gorgeous person," says Lucy. "He feels lost but he’s from that old school gang, like Dave Fanning and Gerry Ryan, where radio is in their blood and he’s getting some comfort from doing what he knows best. We’re just going day by day; he’s my best friend and I adore him. I’m so glad that he’s at least in front of me and I can gauge how he’s feeling."
The duo was first paired up on radio for a brief period when Gerry Ryan suddenly passed away in 2010 and 2FM needed someone to fill in. "I was on the telly, probably on Podge and Rodge and Colm was doing the breakfast show with Jim Jim and I remember getting a call asking me to come into 2FM and they asked would Colm and I fill in while they were waiting on Ryan Tubridy to move over from Radio One. I’d no radio experience. I didn’t know what I was doing, but Colm and I bonded there and then and that was 15 years ago," she recalls. "And we’ve been best friends ever since."
At home, life is busy with two teenagers now in the house – Jack is 15, Holly is 13 and her youngest Jess is eight. They moved into their "doer-upper" house in Dún Laoghaire during lockdown and it’s finally finished. "I love it! It’s my little cave and I just switch off from the world. We’re near the sea and my parents."
She will turn 50 next April, and in true Lucy style, she’s approaching it with humour and grace. "People are surprised I’m going to be 50 because I act so immature," she laughs.
"I’m not really into doing much for it," she says. "I’ve told my friends and family that I categorically don’t want a surprise party. I just really don’t want to make a big deal about it. I’d much rather a night away in a hotel with Rich and the kids. My dad will be 90 when I’m 50: he’s in a nursing home now, so I might bring him up a Chinese takeaway and that’s enough for me," she adds.
Does she have any concerns about ageing?
"I don’t at all. I was more vain about turning 40. I felt I needed to cop on and grow up," she laughs. "But 50? I’m just so comfortable in my own skin; I know who I am, who I like, who I don’t like. It’s a good place to be. I don’t worry what people think of me. Don’t get me wrong, I love people and I love to be loved but I don’t worry about what people think about me.
"And I’ll still be living with people right until I’m a granny, and I’ll live with everyone who’s left to live with", she laughs. "I’ll always love people."
