Picture:WireImage :60second interview Lauren Laverne Lauren Laverne, 31, started her career in indie group Kenickie. Shes since presented programmes including CD: UK and now fronts The Culture Show and a BBC6 Music radio show. She also supports a campaign to fight cervical cancer (www.showyourstyle.co.uk) Interview by Andrew Williams The only time you get into problems interviewing is if you need people to like you. If people dont like me, thats fine Why are you doing this campaign? Women die of cervical cancer every day. Its caused by the HPV virus, which you can now get a vaccination against. Its preventable. Go and get screened because if you find out early enough, its treatable. Its still the most common cancer in women under 30. Whats your new novel, The Broken Biscuits, about? Its a comedy for teenagers about a teenage girl growing up in the North-East of England who wants to be a rock star but then discovers her mum was a groupie and her dad might be the worlds most famous musician. To what extent is it autobiographical? All books are to some extent, arent they? Its that clich: Theres a little bit of me in all my characters. I grew up in the North-East of England, started a band and some of the book is set at Glastonbury and I know the festival very well one of my best friends runs it. So its a bit autobiographical but not completely. Lynda La Plante has said celebrities getting book deals has ruined the publishing industry. What do you think? Weve got the same agent so its all grist to the mill. I can understand that frustration. Even my friends asked if I was writing the book myself, and I really was. Im not one of these novelist/equestrian/cage fighter types. Everyone has the right to have a go at things. Ive written songs and lots of pieces for newspapers. Its not the same as: I was on Hollyoaks, someones written a book for me, look at my breasts. Are you planning to resurrect your music career? No, Im happy presenting. I had a brilliant time but its always been about communicating. Maybe people dont see the link but whether Im on the radio or singing a song its the same thing: communicating with people. and Emmas in London. I still see them from time to time. Do you still use Snazaroo glitter as eyeshadow? No, and I wouldnt recommend it. We used to have to buy it at clown shops and it says on the packet Do not apply to eyes, which we ignored. We wore it at gigs and my eyes have been puffy and sensitive ever since. Youre pals with Myleene Klass. What do you make of her knife- wielding antics? Its not my place to comment but I know it was a scary experience for her. She was just trying to protect her daughter and Id have done the same. Who is the worst interviewee youve had to deal with? Ive never had anyone who has been unexpectedly uncooperative. With people such as Mark E Smith its part of their charm. The only time you get into problems interviewing is if you need people to like you. If people dont like me, thats fine. Id rather they were difficult than boring. Whats the worst gig you did? At a UK festival in Leeds. Everything went wrong and at the end I said, See you in Hell to the audience because theyd been so miserable. At the end two girls came up and said: Did you say See you in Hell or See you in Hull? Because if its Hull well pop down. Did you ever consider getting a proper job when you split up? I was already presenting when the band finished. It all fell into place very quickly but Im not one of those people who are like Oh my god, I have to present forever or my life wont be worth living. Ive always fancied opening a beauty salon, having some girliness and your regulars popping in for a chat. Thatd be nice. Do you still see the other members of Kenickie? I see my brother, who was in the band, a lot. Maries in the North-East of England D Monday, February 1, 2010 metrolife 15 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html