I don’t normally have a lot of time to watch TV because I’m generally working a lot, so at the moment during lockdown I’ve been catching up on my own show, Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip.
Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Acampo and I travelled across the US in September – it was such an epic and emotional adventure. It is so lovely to relive those moments now. It is even more special because, with lockdown, we can’t go back on another adventure. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
There were so many moments that didn’t make it into the show, but out of the ones I remember most fondly there was a day when we went and did goat yoga, which was really surreal and fun. We all laughed until the cows came home. I also remember visiting Gordon’s mum when we competed at her house to make a burger and, of course, out of the three of us, Gordon won. I think she chose him because she wanted to see me and Gino naked in the pool – which was the forfeit for losing.
What was really interesting to me was seeing the restaurant scene across the US and how they do things very differently from us here, especially in San Francisco. It’s very forward thinking there, particularly with the designs of the restaurants, where they tend to just be one open room with kitchen and dining together, not like the open kitchens we have here that are still separated.
When I think about it now, I feel very sad because all of these people have to close their restaurants. We have such wonderful memories of so many great people who welcomed us with open arms and now they are out of work and might not be able to come back.
I’d love to go out and film another season and visit new places, but I think it’ll be a while before we can do that. I’ve never been to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam, so they would be incredible to visit. I’d also love to go back to South America, where I travelled when I was younger.
I’ve been keeping busy, though, with a bit of work. I have also been exercising every day, doing a lot of cooking and playing with my kids. I’m also speaking almost every week with Gordon and Gino during the lockdown.
It’s difficult for everyone at the moment but it’s also difficult on different levels. We all have to be thankful for what we have; when I flush my toilet or have a shower, I’m so grateful I have that level of luxury and can also put food on the table when there are people queueing up for food banks.
We’re all in this together and we have to be disciplined to try to do the right thing so that more don’t suffer. I have to show by example and take things day by day because I don’t expect a quick resolution.
First Dates Hotel is on Channel 4, Thursdays, 9pm
