Fashion: Clothes Line

Out of the Closet: SAMANTHA NORMAN, ROVING TV PRESENTER AND SELF- CONFESSED SHOPAHOLIC, OPENS THE DOORS ON HER WARDROBE...

MY WARDROBE is a complete mess. I love my clothes, but for some reason I feel the need to throw them around a lot - probably because I've got so many, there's nowhere to put them all. As you can guess, I shop a lot. In fact, it has become a compulsion. As a TV presenter, you are judged by what you look like, and I think that, coupled with my love of dressing up and my Dad (Barry Norman), who is also a shopaholic, has led to my addiction. My general rule is to wear white in summer and black in winter, but at the moment I am wearing a sugar pink cardigan a lot which I bought at Etam. The cardie, together with my Dolce Gabanna sunglasses - which will have to be surgically removed from my head soon - and a pair of high Gina shoes, are my favourite things at the moment.

I think my worst ever buy was an Idol dress I wore to the BAFTA Awards last year. I was eight months pregnant at the time, and I thought it would look good over my bump. It did, but to pay pounds 300 for a dress you are only going to wear once, is a fortune.

For work, I buy a lot of Strenesse suits. They make me feel confident. M&S I don't like so much. Their colours don't suit me, but I do like Morgan, it's so sexy, and good for staple items. I also shop at Hype DF and Kookai for bits and bobs.

I'd say my overall style is eclectic but particular. There are a few items in my wardrobe that don't fit that description. Both were presents from my parents and have great sentimental value. Dad bought me a black leather mini-skirt when I was 16 that I still have, and mum knitted me a jumper with the face of my pony on it. I also have a red sun-dress I've had for ten years, which I still wear. If I were to offer any fashion advice it would be to buy kids clothes. There's no VAT on them, so they're a lot cheaper.

MELANIE RICKEY