Latest news with #AngelaScanlon
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm fine with my kids hating me', says Angela Scanlon as she talks parenting fails, Ozempic and smartphone bans
ON TV and radio, Angela Scanlon may come across as quite carefree. But when it comes to parenting, she is definitely no-nonsense. 7 Angela Scanlon may come across as quite carefree but she is a no-nonsense parent Credit: Mark Hayman 7 Angela doesn't allow kids Ruby, seven, and Marnie, three, to have a smartphone The 41-year-old mum to 'Ruby stamping her feet and telling me that her best mate has one does not mean I'm going to get her a phone if I believe that she is better off as a human without one,' Angela says. 'I'm OK with being the bad bitch. "I'm actually fine with her hating me if it makes sense in the long run for her not to have one. I'm still the parent.' read more on angela scanlon 'It's affected my concentration. "I will be reading a book and think: 'Oh, I've read three pages and have no idea what it said.' "There's a lack of Most read in Celebrity "My plan is to hold off for as long as possible.' Her strong line on phones has forced her to change her own behaviour, too. Angela Scanlon lifts the lid on new Virgin Radio show & why she REFUSED to wear fake tan on Strictly 'I think our generation is justifying it because we love it. "I don't want to let it go. It's the conditioning. "You're going: 'Oh my god, how am I going to tell her she's not allowed it when I'm sitting there refreshing. "It requires us all to make changes.' Angela's firm but humorous approach to parenting made her the perfect first guest on our new parenting vodcast No Parental Guidance, which launches tomorrow. Hosted by parenting influencer Angela and her three sisters grew up in County Meath, Ireland, and she never considered that there were things she would not be able to do as a girl. She's attempting to instil that attitude in her two young daughters. But raising independent, confident women can have its own issues. 'I read about how we are 'snowplough parenting' – basically going just in front of our kids and moving obstacles out of their way and clearing their path, because you don't want them to have any upset in life. 'MY GIRLS ARE FEISTY' "But you rob them of the opportunity to fall over and get up again and have the pride of overcoming something hard. "My girls are feisty and strong-willed, but then there can be challenges with that at the school gates when you are running late and they are full of emotion,' she laughs. 'That's the Irish in them, too. Honestly, the temper. . . But they are going to need it. "The world can be a difficult place for a woman, even now. "I like the idea of them being able to show their teeth every so often, and not in the traditional tits and teeth kind of way. "I mean show their fangs and sharpen their elbows.' The TV presenter explains how the boys in her daughter Ruby's football team almost forced her to quit playing. 'She's quite competitive and she's good at it. "There was an option to play on a mixed team, but after the trial she came home and said: 'No, I'm not going to do it.' "She said the boys were mean and wouldn't pass the ball to her or any of the other girls. 'So I said: 'OK, so do you like football? You can decide if you want to go back. 7 Angela prides herself on raising independent, confident women, like her and her sisters Credit: Mark Hayman 7 Angela, who studied business at Technological University Dublin, also runs her own jewellery company Credit: Mark Hayman "But if I loved something and a boy wouldn't let me do it, I don't think I would let him stop me. "You are good at football. This is going to happen in life. "People are going to not pass the ball to you. You're going to have to fight. "This is a really important lesson. I'll leave you to make the choice.' 'She came back saying: 'I thought about it and you're right. I want to do it. "I don't think boys should take football away from me.'' Looking at Angela's Instagram, you might imagine she has the juggle that is being a working mum nailed. She laughs at the very idea. 'It's a s**t show,' she admits. 'Ruby said the other day: 'I can't do football because I told you my football boots are too small and you threw them out.' "I'm thinking: 'It's 8.50am. I can't get you new football boots right this second.' I have found the most brilliant bunch of women who are there throughout. I really depend on them Angela Scanlon 'I have lowered the expectations of myself and embraced the chaos.' While school WhatsApp groups often get a bad rap, Angela says she would be lost without hers. She says: 'I'm always asking: 'Is there a parent-teacher meeting I'm supposed to be at? When is the cake sale?' "But I have found the most brilliant bunch of women who are there throughout. I really depend on them. "I've made some unbelievable lifelong friends.' And as a person in the public eye, does she feel the pressure to look impeccable at the school gates? 'Ah, come on,' she says laughing. 'Look at me [pointing at her bare face]. "It's too exhausting. I have enough to do. "I really like the separation. When I go on the school run, I'm a mum. "There has been the odd time I've done a pick-up after a photo shoot and I'm all made up and everyone is like: 'Oooh'. "But that is not my normal.' However, away from her mum pals, there's another friendship that has blossomed – with Vicky Pattison. They met on a panel show and launched a podcast together called Get A Grip. 'I LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH HER' 'I've known her for seven years. "There was an easy chemistry between us that you don't get all the time with work. "I messaged her and said: 'I'm doing a podcast and I think we should do it as a duo.' "She said: 'That's right up my wheelhouse,' which I had to Google to check she was saying yes. 'I can't do her accent and she wouldn't dare do mine. "I really have to tune into her when she's full Geordie. "She said 'bairn' for the first time and I was like: 'What does that mean?' "But I think it's great we have two heavily accented women who are reflective of the listeners. "The podcast is like a woman's group chat and we go all over the place with our topics. "I thought it was an Irish thing to go between the light and shade, but she's got that ability, too.' Angela, who has been married to Roy, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, for 11 years, has been offering tips to new wife Vicky, who tied the knot with 'There's marital and baby chat and all sorts, because we're at very different stages, I suppose. "I live vicariously through her and she taps me for tips. 7 Angela has been married to entrepreneur Roy Horgan for 11 years 7 Angela met Vicky Pattison on a panel show and they launched a podcast together called Get A Grip "I don't know that she should be taking them, but I'm happy to offer!' The pair also have talked about their struggles, too – Vicky has shared her journey with She previously told Fabulous: 'I want my girls to be healthy and I try to impress that on them. "It's tricky, because I don't remember when I was growing up and in the grip of it, having very many points of reference of people who had been there and come through it. 'I speak about it because what you want in those moments is a sense of hope, like: 'You can get to the other side and have a great life.' She says now: 'PMDD was something that I was quite ignorant about, and that's when you realise there is real power and impact in sharing those stories and not shamefully hiding them. "And it might not be PMDD or an eating disorder, but there will be things people can relate to and a sense of 'you are not alone'.' As someone who has grown up with an eating disorder, does she worry about the rise of Ozempic, where there are women who are smaller than average lying to get it? 'It is terrifying, because there was that very singular ideal of beauty that we all grew up with. "Now, you have people in the public eye of all shapes and sizes and colours and creeds. "It's healthy for people to be able to see themselves reflected on screen. Transparency provides relief for people and honesty allows for people to give themselves a goddamn break Angela Scanlon "Anything that's trying to corral us towards being the same as everybody else is not good. 'But, ultimately, the issue is actually less about the choices people are making, it's more about the judgment. "We all feel that we're allowed to tear people apart for whatever their choices are. 'We chatted about the Kardashians' surgery on the podcast and if they should be transparent. "Some people come out and tell you they've done it. "And one part of the camp will go: 'Isn't that great? They're being honest.' "And the other part will go: 'They shouldn't be doing it in the first place,' or 'They shouldn't be forcing it down our throats.'' She adds that she feels honesty is also key when it comes to how people portray parenting. 'Like with celebrity parents when they pretend they don't have help. "And you are thinking: 'Oh my god, how does she do that? And why does her hair look OK? "And why are the kids doing activities on a full crafting table and they've got their five-a-day and a f**king packed lunch and their runners are clean, when I can barely get them into the car and out the door.' "Transparency provides relief for people and honesty allows for people to give themselves a goddamn break.' 7 Angela and pro partner Carlos Gu on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 Credit: BBC Angela has recently landed a new weekend slot on Virgin Radio, allowing her to be a more present mum. 'I'm on Saturdays 10am-1pm. It's certainly more conducive to life as a working mother. I can do the swimming drop and go to work. "It's more sociable, too. I'll be able to have a Friday-night wine with the mums to take the edge off a hard week!' As well as her busy showbiz career – which included 'I feel very lucky to be able to do it, but it's hard . "I studied business, so I've always had that desire to create something. "I'm enjoying building FRKL and I'm hoping it's maybe something Ruby will take over. 'I like for her to realise that I do things that aren't just shiny things on telly, that actually there's a lot of quite dull day-to-day stuff and that hard work is really the only way. "I also think it's important for them to know I'm making a choice to go to work versus staying at home, because I'm going to something I love. "Otherwise, they're like: 'Oh my god, she's leaving to do something she hates. What does that say about us?' "So I really try to be transparent with them. "Honesty, that's my secret of parenting - and buying them new football boots, even if it's two days after the fact." Get A Grip hosted by Angela Scanlon and Vicky Pattison, is available on all podcast platforms. IN THE MAKE-UP CHAIR WITH ANGELA What are your skincare heroes? I love Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream. It's lush. What are your make-up essentials? I have multiple concealers, as I don't really wear foundation. Nars is gorgeous. I've got a Trish McEvoy one for under-eyes and a Becca one that's been discontinued. Any beauty hacks? I bought a mouth guard as I realised I clenched my jaw, and it's relaxed my whole face. What do you splurge on? I got a Dermalux LED Phototherapy device. I'll lie with it on and have a little meditation. Any budget buys? Weleda Skin Food is incredible. Who is your celebrity beauty icon? Cate Blanchett– I like a woman to look like herself. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘I'm fine with my kids hating me', says Angela Scanlon as she talks parenting fails, Ozempic and smartphone bans
Angela also opens up on why she'd feel lost without her mum friends and 'living vicariously' through Vicky Pattison RED ALERT 'I'm fine with my kids hating me', says Angela Scanlon as she talks parenting fails, Ozempic and smartphone bans Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ON TV and radio, Angela Scanlon may come across as quite carefree. But when it comes to parenting, she is definitely no-nonsense. 7 Angela Scanlon may come across as quite carefree but she is a no-nonsense parent Credit: Mark Hayman 7 Angela doesn't allow kids Ruby, seven, and Marnie, three, to have a smartphone The 41-year-old mum to Ruby, seven, and Marnie, three, with husband Roy Horgan, is one of a growing number of parents taking a hard line on not allowing her children smartphones. 'Ruby stamping her feet and telling me that her best mate has one does not mean I'm going to get her a phone if I believe that she is better off as a human without one,' Angela says. 'I'm OK with being the bad bitch. "I'm actually fine with her hating me if it makes sense in the long run for her not to have one. I'm still the parent.' Angela adds that she knows her own phone use impacts her. 'It's affected my concentration. "I will be reading a book and think: 'Oh, I've read three pages and have no idea what it said.' "There's a lack of regulation online and we are going to hand that to a child? "My plan is to hold off for as long as possible.' Her strong line on phones has forced her to change her own behaviour, too. Angela Scanlon lifts the lid on new Virgin Radio show & why she REFUSED to wear fake tan on Strictly 'I think our generation is justifying it because we love it. "I don't want to let it go. It's the conditioning. "You're going: 'Oh my god, how am I going to tell her she's not allowed it when I'm sitting there refreshing. "It requires us all to make changes.' Angela's firm but humorous approach to parenting made her the perfect first guest on our new parenting vodcast No Parental Guidance, which launches tomorrow. Hosted by parenting influencer Louise Boyce and comedian Hannah East, it will see guests from Made In Chelsea's Ollie Locke to presenter Konnie Huq spill on their challenges with raising kids. Angela and her three sisters grew up in County Meath, Ireland, and she never considered that there were things she would not be able to do as a girl. She's attempting to instil that attitude in her two young daughters. But raising independent, confident women can have its own issues. 'I read about how we are 'snowplough parenting' – basically going just in front of our kids and moving obstacles out of their way and clearing their path, because you don't want them to have any upset in life. 'MY GIRLS ARE FEISTY' "But you rob them of the opportunity to fall over and get up again and have the pride of overcoming something hard. "My girls are feisty and strong-willed, but then there can be challenges with that at the school gates when you are running late and they are full of emotion,' she laughs. 'That's the Irish in them, too. Honestly, the temper. . . But they are going to need it. "The world can be a difficult place for a woman, even now. "I like the idea of them being able to show their teeth every so often, and not in the traditional tits and teeth kind of way. "I mean show their fangs and sharpen their elbows.' The TV presenter explains how the boys in her daughter Ruby's football team almost forced her to quit playing. 'She's quite competitive and she's good at it. "There was an option to play on a mixed team, but after the trial she came home and said: 'No, I'm not going to do it.' "She said the boys were mean and wouldn't pass the ball to her or any of the other girls. 'So I said: 'OK, so do you like football? You can decide if you want to go back. 7 Angela prides herself on raising independent, confident women, like her and her sisters Credit: Mark Hayman 7 Angela, who studied business at Technological University Dublin, also runs her own jewellery company Credit: Mark Hayman "But if I loved something and a boy wouldn't let me do it, I don't think I would let him stop me. "You are good at football. This is going to happen in life. "People are going to not pass the ball to you. You're going to have to fight. "This is a really important lesson. I'll leave you to make the choice.' 'She came back saying: 'I thought about it and you're right. I want to do it. "I don't think boys should take football away from me.'' Looking at Angela's Instagram, you might imagine she has the juggle that is being a working mum nailed. She laughs at the very idea. 'It's a s**t show,' she admits. 'Ruby said the other day: 'I can't do football because I told you my football boots are too small and you threw them out.' "I'm thinking: 'It's 8.50am. I can't get you new football boots right this second.' I have found the most brilliant bunch of women who are there throughout. I really depend on them Angela Scanlon 'I have lowered the expectations of myself and embraced the chaos.' While school WhatsApp groups often get a bad rap, Angela says she would be lost without hers. She says: 'I'm always asking: 'Is there a parent-teacher meeting I'm supposed to be at? When is the cake sale?' "But I have found the most brilliant bunch of women who are there throughout. I really depend on them. "I've made some unbelievable lifelong friends.' And as a person in the public eye, does she feel the pressure to look impeccable at the school gates? 'Ah, come on,' she says laughing. 'Look at me [pointing at her bare face]. "It's too exhausting. I have enough to do. "I really like the separation. When I go on the school run, I'm a mum. "There has been the odd time I've done a pick-up after a photo shoot and I'm all made up and everyone is like: 'Oooh'. "But that is not my normal.' However, away from her mum pals, there's another friendship that has blossomed – with Vicky Pattison. They met on a panel show and launched a podcast together called Get A Grip. 'I LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH HER' 'I've known her for seven years. "There was an easy chemistry between us that you don't get all the time with work. "I messaged her and said: 'I'm doing a podcast and I think we should do it as a duo.' "She said: 'That's right up my wheelhouse,' which I had to Google to check she was saying yes. 'I can't do her accent and she wouldn't dare do mine. "I really have to tune into her when she's full Geordie. "She said 'bairn' for the first time and I was like: 'What does that mean?' "But I think it's great we have two heavily accented women who are reflective of the listeners. "The podcast is like a woman's group chat and we go all over the place with our topics. "I thought it was an Irish thing to go between the light and shade, but she's got that ability, too.' Angela, who has been married to Roy, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, for 11 years, has been offering tips to new wife Vicky, who tied the knot with Ercan Ramadan last August. 'There's marital and baby chat and all sorts, because we're at very different stages, I suppose. "I live vicariously through her and she taps me for tips. 7 Angela has been married to entrepreneur Roy Horgan for 11 years 7 Angela met Vicky Pattison on a panel show and they launched a podcast together called Get A Grip "I don't know that she should be taking them, but I'm happy to offer!' The pair also have talked about their struggles, too – Vicky has shared her journey with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and Angela has opened up about her 15-year battle with anorexia and bulimia. She previously told Fabulous: 'I want my girls to be healthy and I try to impress that on them. "It's tricky, because I don't remember when I was growing up and in the grip of it, having very many points of reference of people who had been there and come through it. 'I speak about it because what you want in those moments is a sense of hope, like: 'You can get to the other side and have a great life.' She says now: 'PMDD was something that I was quite ignorant about, and that's when you realise there is real power and impact in sharing those stories and not shamefully hiding them. "And it might not be PMDD or an eating disorder, but there will be things people can relate to and a sense of 'you are not alone'.' As someone who has grown up with an eating disorder, does she worry about the rise of Ozempic, where there are women who are smaller than average lying to get it? 'It is terrifying, because there was that very singular ideal of beauty that we all grew up with. "Now, you have people in the public eye of all shapes and sizes and colours and creeds. "It's healthy for people to be able to see themselves reflected on screen. Transparency provides relief for people and honesty allows for people to give themselves a goddamn break Angela Scanlon "Anything that's trying to corral us towards being the same as everybody else is not good. 'But, ultimately, the issue is actually less about the choices people are making, it's more about the judgment. "We all feel that we're allowed to tear people apart for whatever their choices are. 'We chatted about the Kardashians' surgery on the podcast and if they should be transparent. "Some people come out and tell you they've done it. "And one part of the camp will go: 'Isn't that great? They're being honest.' "And the other part will go: 'They shouldn't be doing it in the first place,' or 'They shouldn't be forcing it down our throats.'' She adds that she feels honesty is also key when it comes to how people portray parenting. 'Like with celebrity parents when they pretend they don't have help. "And you are thinking: 'Oh my god, how does she do that? And why does her hair look OK? "And why are the kids doing activities on a full crafting table and they've got their five-a-day and a f**king packed lunch and their runners are clean, when I can barely get them into the car and out the door.' "Transparency provides relief for people and honesty allows for people to give themselves a goddamn break.' 7 Angela and pro partner Carlos Gu on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 Credit: BBC Angela has recently landed a new weekend slot on Virgin Radio, allowing her to be a more present mum. 'I'm on Saturdays 10am-1pm. It's certainly more conducive to life as a working mother. I can do the swimming drop and go to work. "It's more sociable, too. I'll be able to have a Friday-night wine with the mums to take the edge off a hard week!' As well as her busy showbiz career – which included starring on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 – Angela, who studied business at Technological University Dublin, also runs her own jewellery company, FRKL, creating earrings, bracelets, charms and stackable necklaces in her own style. 'I feel very lucky to be able to do it, but it's hard . "I studied business, so I've always had that desire to create something. "I'm enjoying building FRKL and I'm hoping it's maybe something Ruby will take over. 'I like for her to realise that I do things that aren't just shiny things on telly, that actually there's a lot of quite dull day-to-day stuff and that hard work is really the only way. "I also think it's important for them to know I'm making a choice to go to work versus staying at home, because I'm going to something I love. "Otherwise, they're like: 'Oh my god, she's leaving to do something she hates. What does that say about us?' "So I really try to be transparent with them. "Honesty, that's my secret of parenting - and buying them new football boots, even if it's two days after the fact." Get A Grip hosted by Angela Scanlon and Vicky Pattison, is available on all podcast platforms. IN THE MAKE-UP CHAIR WITH ANGELA What are your skincare heroes? I love Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream. It's lush. What are your make-up essentials? I have multiple concealers, as I don't really wear foundation. Nars is gorgeous. I've got a Trish McEvoy one for under-eyes and a Becca one that's been discontinued. Any beauty hacks? I bought a mouth guard as I realised I clenched my jaw, and it's relaxed my whole face. What do you splurge on? I got a Dermalux LED Phototherapy device. I'll lie with it on and have a little meditation. Any budget buys? Weleda Skin Food is incredible. Who is your celebrity beauty icon? Cate Blanchett– I like a woman to look like herself. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Celebs like Dawn O'Porter and Angellica Bell love Lulu Guinness' kitsch bags – and they're now £100 off
Lulu Guiness' kitsch and quirky bags have been a huge hit with celebrities like Dawn O'Porter, Angellica Bell and Angela Scanlon and they now have £100 off in the brand's summer sale As any fashion lover knows, an accessory can really complete your outfit. Whether it's a statement piece of jewellery or a great pair of shoes, the right accessories can turn even the most basic outfits into something special. One of the easiest – and most practical – ways to give your outfit a quick stylish update is with a handbag, and a colourful, fun and quirky bag will instantly take your look from boring to bold in seconds. The go-to brand for countless celebs on the lookout for kitsch bags is Lulu Guiness, which has been a top pick for everyone from Kate Middleton to Louise Thompson. The bags have recently been given a spotlight at Wimbledon, where countless famous faces were snapped carrying the playful designs. From Angellica Bell's red phone box bag to Dawn O'Porter's greenhouse shoulder bag, Lulu Guinness' designs were spotted all over courtside. And now you can get your hands on your very own version for less, because the brand has launched a huge summer sale with up to 70% off. The discount means you can save almost £100 on plenty of the designs carried by celebs at the event, with some of our favourites still in stock - plus the code EXTRA15 will bag you an additional 15% discount. Angellica Bell's phonebox bag Angellica Bell showed up at Wimbledon on two different days carrying the Lulu Red Lulu Calling Phonebox Clutch, which was the perfect British-inspired addition to her courtside outfit. The bag is usually priced at £345, but is now on sale for £241, saving you more than £100 on the satin clutch bag. Dawn O'Porter's greenhouse bag Dawn O'Porter paired her green house-shaped shoulder bag with a co-ordinating pink and green ensemble at the event, and it was the perfect addition to her colourful outfit. Although Dawn's exact bag is now sold out, you can pick up this Sea Blue No.12 Portobello House Handbag for £249, rather than £345 in the Lulu Guinness sale. Angela Scanlon's birds nest bag The perfect example of how a quirky accessory can elevate your look, Angela Scanlon paired her simple co-ord with the playful Bird Nest Bag, taking it from simple to showstopper in a matter of seconds. The bag is made from rattan, twigs and vines with a hidden egg in the bottom, and although it's usually priced at £345, but you can now get your hands on it for £241. Laura Whitmore's bird cage bag Keeping with the avian theme, Laura Whitmore was spotted carrying the Black Birdcage Collectible Clutch Bag to Wimbledon. Laura opted for the black version, although the bag also comes in a pastel blue shade, and is now £241 down from £345. Although the Lulu Guinness bags have become the go-to for whimsical, quirky accessories, there are also other brands offering similar playful picks. At The Cambridge Satchel Company you can pick up The Heart Bag for £225, whilst the Meri Meri Pink & Ivory Striped Cake Bag might have been designed as a child's bag, but there's no reason it wouldn't make the perfect cute clutch.
Irish Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Angela Scanlon: ‘I was the class clown ... Now I don't feel like I have anything to prove any more'
'My fiery seven-year-old is driving me crazy.' These are some of the first words out of Angela Scanlon's mouth when she jumps on to our Zoom call. She's running late, striding home from the school run, headphones on, hair an afterthought, looking more like a student than the sophisticate we're used to seeing on our television screens. You could never accuse Scanlon of not showing up as her real self. I'm immediately disarmed and laugh out loud, having expected an immaculately styled Scanlon to appear in a meticulously curated corner of her home; she is, after all, a former stylist and host of a home makeover TV show. But cool, calm and collected isn't Scanlon's vibe. Instead, the 41-year-old fizzes – with ideas, opinions, advice, gratitude and, most of all, good humour. Scanlon is a chatterbox, speaking as if she has a word count to hit by midday. To say she has great energy is an understatement. She comes across as irrepressible and it's not for nothing that the Meath native is following in the footsteps of some of Ireland's most revered broadcasters, from Terry Wogan and Dara Ó Briain to Graham Norton . Scanlon is currently a regular fixture on British TV and radio. She presents prime time shows including Your Home Made Perfect and she took over Norton's highly coveted Saturday and Sunday morning slot on Virgin Radio UK when the Corkonian decided to reclaim his weekends last year. [ Angela Scanlon to take over Graham Norton's weekend Virgin Radio UK show Opens in new window ] She is quick to make clear that she's not trying to replicate Norton's style. 'The truth is that I sit in that chair, but I'm not trying to be Graham Norton. Good luck to you if you are. It's an honour to have been given the opportunity to step into those shoes, but mine are definitely a different shade.' Shoes aside, Scanlon's feet are now firmly under that table, with the station's content director Mike Cass remarking on the amount of great listener feedback the Irishwoman has received since taking over Norton's headset in April 2024. READ MORE Ireland's best-known redhead is veering towards national treasure status, not just here, but across the water, helped by her dazzling turn on one of the BBC's most-watched shows, Strictly Come Dancing, in 2023. Scanlon finished sixth, proving herself to be a terrific dancer – her Charleston was declared by judge Anton du Beke to be 'the best dance of the series' – and winning over audiences with her lively, no-nonsense personality. In a season that boasted the usual line-up of big names (Krishnan Guru-Murthy), big personalities (Layton Williams) and big talents (Angela Rippon), her wicked sense of humour and self-deprecating charm cut through, rivalling Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman's relatability and natural rapport. All of this alongside being mum to 'fiery' seven-year-old Ruby and three-year-old Marnie. 'Raising girls to be independent, confident women has its challenges,' she remarks wryly. 'You want them to be spirited and feisty until you're dealing with a furious kid at the school gate who's got big ideas and big emotions, and you're late for the train.' In the next breath, Scanlon confirms that both of her daughters are 'quite extra' and I instantly think, like mother, like daughter. Scanlon is pretty extra herself. A quick scroll through her Instagram feed and you'll see Scanlon in full comedic form, giving a tongue-and-cheek cooking demo in a strapless feathered top, performing outrageous dance moves in the middle of her livingroom or sliding out of her bedroom door down a staircase, headfirst in the grip of Monday morning malaise. Angela Scanlon. Photograph: Sarah Brick It's surprising to learn she studied business at TU Dublin rather than drama when she finished secondary school in Dunshaughlin. 'It never dawned on me as a kid,' she explains. 'I love the performance side of what I do now, but it almost happened accidentally, to be honest. My dad was a builder and he started a company and my mother worked alongside him. They were from the west of Ireland. I didn't know anyone in RTÉ; the whole media world just wasn't on my radar.' She admits that, looking back, there were signs of a performative side. 'There are certainly plenty of photographs of me dressed as a clown,' she says laughing. 'I suppose I was the class clown, though I don't think I was always comfortable in that role. But I think I've made peace with that side of me now. I just don't feel like I have anything to prove any more.' There's a side of me that's always pushing and sometimes not in a healthy way. But I've learned to kind of enjoy that, as long as I can tell myself to sit the f**k down every so often — Angela Scanlon She describes herself as 'really content', attributing it to a newfound confidence. 'Or maybe it's just because I've taken up gardening,' she interjects with characteristic playfulness. 'I feel really energised and confident in a way that maybe I faked before. I really know what I'm doing. I've hosted plenty of shows, so I feel like I've got the credentials and the experience. 'A lot of it always felt natural to me, but I think maybe I was fudging the craft and the technical side before. But now, I feel like, no, I know how to do this. I'm not faking it any more.' She adds quickly: 'It's not a very Irish thing, though, is it? To be like, I deserve this.' Scanlon has worked hard for it. Her CV is lengthy, spanning more than a decade of prime-time presenting slots on TV and radio, and guest appearances on television favourites such as Richard Osman's House of Games and The Great British Bake Off's spin-off, An Extra Slice. Her presenting gigs reflect her range: RTÉ's travel show Getaways and Saturday night chatshow Ask me Anything, Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and BBC's Robot Wars, World's Oldest Family, Your Garden made Perfect and The Noughties. She's also reported from the Baftas red carpet and hosted London Fashion Weekend. Fashion, interiors, comedy, documentary – Scanlon has done them all. Besides the TV and radio credits, Scanlon also has her own jewellery label, frkl , which she launched three years ago (she's wearing a frkl necklace in this photo shoot, along with pink platform Crocs by Simone Rocha). 'There's a side of me that's always pushing and sometimes not in a healthy way,' she admits. 'But I've learned to kind of enjoy that, as long as I can tell myself to sit the f**k down every so often.' It's fortunate then that her latest project involves a comfortable sofa. Get a Grip is Scanlon's new podcast, which she hosts with ex-MTV Geordie Shore reality TV star and winner of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, Vicky Pattison. The pair met on a panel show seven years ago and Scanlon says she was struck by Pattison's wit and intelligence. 'There've been a lot of judgments made about Vicky – about how she started out and where she's come from – but I just remember being so impressed by her and thinking, she's a bit of me. I loved her from the start.' 'Natural chemistry': Get A Grip co-hosts Angela Scanlon (right) and Vicky Pattison. Photograph: Amanda Akokhia Pattison was a guest on Scanlon's previous podcast, Thanks A Million, in 2022 and the Irish broadcaster appeared on Pattison's, The Secret To, a year later. 'They felt like standout episodes for both of us,' explains Scanlon, 'because we had a very natural chemistry. That, and the fact that I'd been wanting to do something along with someone else as opposed to solo, just made me think that it would work.' The podcast is described as 'the ultimate group chat' where 'speaking up, standing your ground and taking up space are non-negotiable' and explores everything from 'motherhood and navigating newly-wed life to pop culture, internet drama and much more'. Although only six episodes in, Scanlon says it's already evolving. 'From the off, it's gone from being solely about pop culture to really personal topics and serious issues. I mean, we definitely talk about Kris Jenner's face – or her new face, at least – and the Beckham family feud, or whatever's on people's minds, but we also chat about issues that are especially pertinent to women on any given day, like caring for elderly parents or talking down your seven-year-old.' Get A Grip: Vicky Pattison and Angela Scanlon's podcast has ranked ahead of the wildly successful How To Fail by Elizabeth Day and The Blindboy Podcast. Photograph: Amanda Akokhia Scanlon has spoken emotionally on the podcast about her own experience of having an eating disorder, Pattison has revealed the trauma caused by years of misdiagnosis of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and the pair have railed against social media algorithms targeting vulnerable teenagers. But to give you the full 360, they've also talked about something called the 'boob gooch' (episode 3), soggy Spanx and kebab-scented perfume. The show continually flips from light to dark and Scanlon believes this key change is where the podcast's power lies. 'I think Irish people have that ability to go really close to the flame and then just do a little U-turn before it gets too much,' she says. 'I've shied away from that open vulnerability and sincerity sometimes, so I've been learning to let that out a bit more publicly.' Another motivation for joining forces with Pattison was a desire 'to have two heavily accented women on a podcast who are different in many ways but also have a commonality.' Representation is a theme that has influenced Scanlon's work from early on. In 2013, the documentary she wrote and presented, Oi Ginger!, examined prejudice and stereotypes around redheads and was an early indication of the broadcaster's deftness at tackling a serious subject with endearing cheekiness, while her follow-up documentary, Full Frontal, a year later tackled Irish people's nervousness of nudity. Last week, Get a Grip was ranked 56 on the Apple Ireland podcast chart, ahead of the wildly successful How To Fail by Elizabeth Day and The Blindboy Podcast. It's early days, but Get A Grip seems to be finding its niche and Scanlon believes the longform format really works for this kind of girls' chat set-up. 'It just allows for a bit more space and for the full picture of a person. It allows all the complexities we embody as women to spill out and I think that's really important and I also think that's what women are responding to.' It's easy to respond positively to Scanlon. She's generous with her time and self-effacing in her tone, easy to talk to and interesting to listen to. She seems like a genuinely nice person to be around. One of four girls growing up, Scanlon admits she was never acutely aware that there were differences between how, where and with whom boys and girls hung out. 'I wasn't familiar with the idea that boys can do this and girls can do that, or that girls should do this and boys shouldn't. Having three sisters and no brothers, I didn't have that frame of reference,' she says. [ If Angela Scanlon offers to take you to your forever home, do not get in the car. It's a Goodfellas situation Opens in new window ] 'I became aware of it much later than my friends so I remember being quite ballsy. When friends of mine would doubt whether they could do something, my response was always, 'Of course you can. What are you waiting for? You have this idea, go do it. How can I help?' I've always had a fire to push myself and others. That voice has become louder because I've realised more and more how women have been treated. For loads of different reasons, women have always had to hold back or shrink a little.' Scanlon's desire for others to just be themselves often gives her inspiration for her comedy skits. 'I do a series on Instagram called Things I Love That My Husband Hates. Clearly, it's a joke; I mean, I started off with pantaloons. But it seems to have caught fire and people are really responding to it. It's firing up other people to think, 'F**ck it. I'm going to wear whatever the hell I want.' 'Obviously, it has nothing really to do with husbands and what they like or don't like,' she adds, confessing that her own husband Rory is 'frankly unsurprised and slightly amused by whatever I wear.' After 11 years of marriage, Scanlon reveals drily, 'he's used to me'. 'It's more about giving women permission to just do their own thing and saying, 'Don't ask permission because nobody's gonna give it to you. You've got to save yourself. Do the thing. Stop waiting to feel empowered enough to create. It might be s**t, you might fall flat on your face, it might be embarrassing. But what's the alternative? Sitting around, wishing and waiting?' Last year Scanlon got another project off the ground. Called Hot Messers, it's a community that meets up in person to walk and talk and engage in open and honest conversations. 'Last year, I travelled to The Himalayas with the breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!,' says Scanlon. 'Women in treatment, post-treatment and with stage four cancer were sharing the most amazing, heartbreaking, empowering stories with virtual strangers. It was as if they felt a freedom to share openly because they were walking alongside each other rather than sitting opposite someone. I love a bit of therapy, but I think sometimes that scenario can make people feel self-conscious.' The name riffs on the stereotype of the woman who's a hot mess or a car crash. 'She's messy and chaotic and that's fine. It's about taking control of that,' says Scanlon, because despite having 'a brilliant [online] community of like-minded women who are rowdy cheerleaders of each other', Scanlon admits social media can sometimes make her feel 'really disconnected from reality, isolated and quite weird, truthfully'. 'There's such massive value in getting people together in real life and hanging out in a group where you can skulk in the background or you can talk something out.' [ Anorexia, My Family & Me review: Heartbreak and hope as Angela Scanlon narrates stories of Irish families hijacked by eating disorders Opens in new window ] Although she might 'present as an extrovert', Scanlon says her personality isn't that cut and dried. 'When I'm on, I'm on, but I can be very antisocial, shy and awkward – if I have a baseball cap on, don't come near me. Sometimes I want to just hide behind my husband, but then the next minute I'm cracking out the jazz hands and everything's fine. There are two very different sides to me.'
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE star shuts down Botox rumours and reveals cosmetic treatment that's ‘worse than childbirth'
RTE star Angela Scanlon has shut down rumours that she receives any Botox treatment. The UK host is renowned for her chic beauty aesthetic and glowing skin - but it is in fact au naturel. Advertisement 2 Angela Scanlon has opened up about her experience with skin treatments 2 Angela shut down rumours that she had received Botox The star recently took to her After one fan quizzed if she had ever received Botox, The mum-of-two honestly responded: "If you've ever seen me on here or telly you will know I have a face like Play Doh. "It moves a bit too much at times! So the answer is NO." Advertisement READ MORE IN RTE She continued: "Each to their own. I am constantly quizzing friends of mine who do have it and trying to understand it better. "But to be honest I'm afraid I'd end up with a gammy eye." Aside from Botox, the Irish star did reveal one beauty secret which helps give her skin a younger complexion. Advertisement Most read in News TV Microneedling has become a popular trend amongst Irish celebs including Ireland AM star Vogue Williams . However, Angela has confessed that the treatment can be as painful as giving birth. Angela Steps In The funny lady told followers she cannot get the procedure done without "plenty of numbing cream." She continued: "I had two kids without pain relief but I also had facial treatments that were worse than that pain so f*** that! Advertisement "I had Morpheus 8 done before and it was torture. If I'm doing it, they have to give me the full dose of cream to get it done." Recently, Angela and her reality star pal Featuring real talk as they discuss everything from motherhood and navigating newly-wed life to pop culture, internet drama and much more. NEW VENTURE Produced by Audio Always, the exciting new addition to its podcasting slate comprises of no-holds-barred conversation from two female powerhouses. Advertisement Speaking on the exciting new career endeavour, Angela said: "Being told to 'get a grip' is not a new notion for most women , and is something I've experienced a couple of times (a week!), as has Vicky!" The The 41-year-old continued: "We wanted to create a fun and empowering space where we can unpick the good, the bad and the bizarre happenings in the world each week as we move through our own lives loudly, unashamedly and maybe a little unhinged." Listeners can expect honest conversations, laugh-out-loud moments and the kind of wisdom that comes from living life in full technicolour. Advertisement
