Kathy Tayler's probably best known for her years as reporter on the BBC Holiday programme and TVam. What you might not know is that she began her career as an international sports star - she was the modern pentathlon world champion at just 19! These days Kathy has returned to what she loves best - TV presenting.

Read more about Kathy

What's your favourite children's story?

I got away from work early on Friday, in the hope that I’d beat the weekend exodus from London and get home without spending hours in stationary traffic.

As it happened, road works foiled that plan, but it felt like one of my shortest journeys home thanks to an enjoyable a trip down memory lane, courtesy of Jeremy Vine and his show on Radio 2.

The best children's stories

He announced the results of a survey to find what his listeners think is the best children’s bedtime story ever written. The top three were The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne and, with the most votes, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

These are all books that I have enjoyed reading to my three (now teenaged) children, and the discussion Jeremy had with viewers, poet and author Michael Rosen and Julia, the winning author, reminded me of so many others that have faded into the past.

Rugby, Greek weddings and Diet Chef!

Hi all!

I'm so cross with myself. I was doing really well, not exactly sticking religiously to my Diet Chef plan, but certainly losing weight slowly, surely and consistently. Now I've blown it. I put on FIVE POUNDS in one week!! How bad is that??

The touchline munchies

It all started with a rugby tournament last Sunday. Billy was playing (not me!) and I was supporting his team, but not equipped for the unexpected wet weather the day threw at us. 

All the parents were cold and wet (but not miserable, as we played well and eventually won - see pix of Billy with trophy and me looking cold and wet but not miserable!!) so one of the dads nipped off to the local supermarket and came back with hot chicken and French bread, flapjacks, strawberries, doughnuts and even cans of gin and tonic for us all. What a star!

Well, I resisted the alcohol, but hot chicken in fresh bread - no way could I say no. I should have taken a steaming thermos of Diet Chef soup to help resist the temptation - next time I will be prepared.

One day falling off a diet shouldn't be too bad, so where did those five pounds come from?

 

Taking part in the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show

Yesterday, I was delighted to be involved in probably the biggest and most important event in the QVC year. I spent the afternoon at the 13th Annual Breast Cancer Care fashion show in the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London.

You can see our footage of this uplifting event on Thursday 15th October, when our 'Be Aware, Show You Care' event will screen from 7pm to 10pm.

Looking and feeling good after breast cancer

The theme of the day was obvious right from the start, with the entrance to the Great Room (right) lined with bright pink carpet.

I went inside to meet 23 women and a man who have all had to cope with hearing those devastating words; "I'm sorry - you have breast cancer". They were all in high spirits, though, because the show is all about showing how good you can look and feel after breast cancer.

My Diet Chef update...

Maxine, Pam, Yvonne, Fiona, Pauline, Marey and David, Rosie, Maxine, Sam and Sue....Hello to you all!!

I'm sorry for the mass reply, but I'm trying to get started on the QVC Diet Chef forum and cook tea for my two sons at the same time (I've just eaten the DC chick pea and apricot tagine with leeks, cauliflower and sugar snap peas mixed in - like the good girl I try to be!).

Thanks for your encouragement

I want to thank you all for your kind words and encouragement, and it will take me hours to write to you all individually. I thought you may not find this if I put it at the bottom of all your postings, so here I am!

I'm so pleased that many of you have signed up to Diet Chef - having had a holiday and a bit of a break, I started again on Monday - so far, so good!

Teenage kicks!

Hello!

I've just realised I've been so busy I haven't kept my promise to let you in on the news about Rebecca's A level results.

Exam euphoria!

You may have heard me say on air that YES!!! She got three A grades which was more than enough to secure her place of choice to read medicine at University College in London.

She was so happy, and the majority of her friends are pleased with a good second option if not their first choice of course or university.

That was good, as to celebrate Rebecca's birthday we were host to about 80 18-year-olds in our garden the evening of results day. They were all surprisingly well-behaved and we had a great time!

Cowboys, cowgirls, squaws and Indians

The theme was the Wild West and there were some great costumes, and a mechanical bull in the back garden which was the cause of much hilarity and amusement. (And no, you can't see a picture of me on it - here's one of Bex instead!).

Billy dressed up as Head Honcho, the local Mexican, and helped me bake and ice what seemed like 100s of cup cakes to eat after the barbeque. It was a good evening and one of the final gatherings for all Rebecca's mates from school before they head off in different directions.

I lost 10lbs in five weeks with Diet Chef!

Six weeks ago a message went out on the QVC bongo drums - does anyone want to lose weight, and would you like to try a new diet that we'll be selling at the end of August?

As our curviest (and that's being kind!) presenter, I thought I'd put up my hand before someone did it for me. And so I became the proud owner of a Diet Chef hamper - all my meals for the next 28 days.

I won't go into the details now as you can hear all about the diet in the Morning Show on Monday at 9am and then again at 11am, but I'm delighted with the results. I lost 10lbs in five weeks and my waist is two inches smaller!

Back from another holiday in Corfu

I know, I know...it must seem like I'm always on holiday!

Seriously, the few days I enjoyed in Scotland were an unexpected bonus thanks to Charlie's success in his hockey. This was the annual jaunt to Corfu that we enjoy as a family every August, and the thought of which makes the dark early mornings of winter bearable.

We head to Kalami on the picturesque north-east coast of the island, and catch up with friends who make a similar pilgrimage, many of whom we only see on holiday.

Two weeks of swimming, boating, socialising (I suppose I mean eating and drinking!) and general relaxing recharges my batteries in preparation for a busy autumn. With Rebecca hopefully heading off to university next month this may have been one of the last times we all travel together as a family. Although, she assures us that if an expenses-paid offer is made, she will always be happy to join us!

Hockey, walks and ice cream in Scotland

Hi Guys,

I was sorry to be away last week as I missed our annual Christmas in July event, but I was busy enjoying summer in Scotland instead!

I was there to be proud mum and cheer on my son Charlie, who was competing for England in the Under 16 Home Nations hockey tournament. 

Scottish hospitality
We had a marvellous time, staying in the quaint seaside town of Largs, on the west coast. We found a wonderful place called the Woodhouse Hotel, whose owners Willie and Lilian made us feel like old friends.

We were very well looked after, with amazing Scottish breakfasts that made the very thought of lunch redundant, and hospitality in the bar until the end of the day (or even the start of the next!).

The Olleys give this Czech cooker top marks!

Hi Folks,

Just thought I'd highlight Wednesday's Today's Special Value in my blog this week, because it's SO good!!

It's called a Czech cooker and is inspired by an Eastern European cooking method dating back to World War II, but it's now been updated and uses the latest technology.

Recipes you can cook up

I borrowed a Czech cooker for an evening, and decided to make up my own recipe based on what I found in my fridge. You can cook so many dishes - from roast chicken with potatoes and veggies to delicious cakes. From toad-in-the-hole (yum yum!) to toasted sandwiches, stews, lamb chops or grilled fish.

Olley's sunny birthday surprise!

Hello!

I promised to tell you what my special surprise for husband Olley's birthday was, so here goes!

It was a big one, but Olley decided not to celebrate with a party as he'd rather spend the time and money with our children, who are rapidly growing up and becoming independent.

We see less of the older two nowadays (Bex, 17, has just finished A levels, and Charlie, 16, is recovering from GCSEs) but offer them a trip abroad and they're hot on our heels. So I thought a birthday lunch somewhere different might fit the bill...