The 5-minute Interview: Lara Lewington, TV and weather presenter

'I'm at my happiest now. I wouldn't like to be 21 again for the world'

'The ideal night out is one that ends early, so I can get home to bed. I'm really very boring' (Getty Images)

Lara Lewington, 29, presents the weather for Five every weekday and interviews celebrities for the channel's lunchtime news programme. She is currently supporting the Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign, which encourages people to take care in the sun and avoid burning

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

I've just done the lunchtime weather, so sitting at my desk eating a sandwich with one hand and typing with the other.

A phrase I use far too often...

I haven't got time.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Other people's feelings.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

That would probably be if someone turns out to be genuinely interested in what I have to say in this interview!

A common misperception of me is...

Because I interview celebrities occasionally, people always assume I'm constantly out living a wild lifestyle, when actually I'm probably at home cooking dinner and not being very sociable at all.

I am not a politician but...

Kids at school should definitely be taught more stuff that's useful to them in later life. How to fill in a tax return, how to cook, how to wire a plug: basic things that will make a difference to their lives.

I'm good at...

Being there for my friends when they need me.

I'm very bad at...

Anything at all sporty or related to sport. And I'm not good at tolerating rude people.

The ideal night out is...

One that ends early, so I can get home to bed. I'm really very boring.

In moments of weakness I...

Cry.

You know me as a TV presenter but in truer life I'd have been an...

Interior designer. I did up my own flat, and I've helped friends too. It's great fun.

The best age to be is...

I'm at my most happy at the age I am now. I wouldn't like to be 21 again for the world.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this...

Work hard, because doing so will help you make the best out of everything life throws at you.

Chris Green