Tune in to Lara weekday mornings between 9 am and noon. You're guaranteed a surprise and to be inspired. But what's Lara like? We set her some questions which gave yielded some unexpected answers...
If you were running the country, what would you change?
I'd try and make people more tolerant. I don't like bigotry, I don't like racism and I think we accept it far too much in this country.听 On a lighter note, I'd ban people who text whilst they're talking to you (very rude).听 I appreciate getting the right legislation could be tricky, but I'd also make sure all drivers said thank you to other drivers when you do something like let them past. Also, at the risk of being institutionalised, I think听 people should smile and say 'hello' to each other when they're walking along. So, I'd get some sort of 'be nicer' legislation on the books.
What sort of woman would you describe yourself as?
Well, I'm not听 a 'girly' type of woman, you know the sort of thing I mean: when you go to the pub and there's a simpering girl trying to play pool and she's saying she can't possibly play the game without a mans assistance. That sort of attitude annoys me and I think it鈥檚 a disgrace to womanhood, you see, now I'm touching base with my feminist side, but I believe there should be an element of that in all women.听听 Be a strong woman, don't let anyone walk all over you.
Do you have 'blonde moments'?
I'm always having bottle blonde moments, but I'm not sure if I can distinguish between those and 'senior moments' . Its so easy to forget to do things like turn the oven off, but don't most people have that sort of dilemma?听 People do think I'm scatty, but having said that I come to work, I bring my two kids up and I run my household, so I really can't be too bad.
What gets your pulse racing?
Good music gets me excited, listening to it as loud as I can in the car or the studio. If it鈥檚 a good song and I have the volume up pretty high, that gets my pulse racing.
When it comes to men, a good sense of humour is vital, as is a nice long leg.
What would you consider a 'turn off'?
Football shirts are not a good look. They're acceptable when you're at a match, but they really don't do anything for the听 paunch that might just be there. There should be an act of Parliament to ban any out- of- match- wearing of football shirts
What makes for good comedy?
Peter Kay would be up there for me, he's just spot on with his observations. Dare I say Russell Brand? I think he's a very funny, very clever orator.
I can also tell you who doesn't make me laugh, and I know I'll be accused of being politically correct about this, but I can't be doing with the old- school types such as Bernard Manning. I think that sort of humour is irrelevant and offensive.
Do you have time for any extreme sporting activities?
After picking myself up from the floor, I can say a categorical NO!听 Although it depends on your definition, I sometimes walk to the shop.听 I'd love to be a sporty person, I'd like to go to the gym, but I just don't ever seem to find the time.听 I do get exercise in the form of running after the kids but I think the only extreme sport I might just indulge in is extreme ironing.
What's important to you?
My children are the most important thing in my life.It may sound cliched, but they really do bring love and happiness on a daily basis, as well as big bags under my eyes through lack of sleep. The most special thing for me is when my little girl or my little boy puts my hand in theirs. That may sound really soppy, but when you are walking down the road and they do that and then say: 'Mummy I love you' that really is the best feeling because you know all your hard work is paying off.听 I just want them to grow into tolerant people who'll want to go and find out about the world.
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