Edge Forum

Angellica Bell is probably best known as the enthusiastic face you used to come home to from school, as she was a presenter on Children’s BBC for six years before moving onto ‘grown-up TV, with shows such as Holiday Hit Squad and Fame Academy. She thinks ‘education should be a tool to grow’ and believes that ‘everyone’s talented in some way.’

Hi Angellica, what do you do?

It’s lovely to meet you, I am a television presenter, and have been for 9 years. I started off in children’s television, and now I’ve made the step into grown-up telly.

Do you enjoy what you do?

When I joined CBBC I felt really lucky because I never thought I’d be anything in life. I went from being just Angellica to being known. My parents didn’t have much money, and although I did go to a private school, I was on an assisted place; it was difficult in that environment because everyone around had loads and I wasn’t like them. I have had to work for every single penny I’ve ever earned in my life.

It’s hard for young people to know what to do, and that’s why I valued being at CBBC every day. That’s why I started working for charity and doing marathons to raise money for them, to keep me motivated and grounded.

If tomorrow I never worked again in TV I wouldn’t mind – that period of my life was what it was, and I’m thankful. You shouldn’t have regrets, you need to look at life and think ‘what’s next?’

What subjects were you passionate about at school?

I was alright at school. I did drama and public speaking, a lot of acting. I was more of an arty person. But I was a bit fat and I wore glasses, which a lot of people don’t believe now, and that was quite difficult as a young girl.

When did you become self-confident?

When I went to uni, because I didn’t have my parents around and they were quite strict. You have to have self-confidence – if you don’t have confidence in yourself, no one’s gonna give it to you.

How would you encourage young people who are making their big decisions?

I think everyone should have a dream - sometimes your dreams don’t come true.  I got to be a TV presenter, but I also really wanted to be in the Spice Girls, but you’ve still got to dream!

What have been the lows over your career?

It seems glamorous but it is hard work being a TV presenter. I had to work long hours, and the biggest low is probably the lack of sleep! Being stranded at an airport in Africa flying from Johannesburg with no one there was quite a low point: there’s those sort of moments where you think ‘this is actually dangerous.’

And what about the highs?

Meeting fantastic people like the Spice Girls, Gordon Brown, Bob Geldof, Cilla Black who I used to watch when I was little.

Who are your role models?

I don’t think I’ve ever had someone who I want to be like. I’ve thought about this loads over the years, but it’s hard. Maybe Margaret Thatcher, who was running the country when I was growing up; she didn’t come from a wealthy background but look what she became. I think Oprah Winfrey’s great, she’s the richest woman in the world, and she’s had so many traumatic things happen but carries on. Even now I think President Obama is my role model. I just think it’s amazing that someone is in a high position that is black; it doesn’t matter about his politics but it’s just incredible. Missy Elliott is another one! I love her music.

What is success to you?

I was going to ask you, because you said I was successful! What do you think?

Huda: success is being happy

Adam: I think I would like to be successful in a job, be happy. I’m passionate about music. Success covers a spectrum of things.

I just think, being happy - whatever you do, being happy with your lot is what it boils down to. You’ve got to live for the moment, otherwise you’re not content. I’m not bothered about big cars and being in celeb mags.

Huda: when you stay humble and grounded, the best thing is never to forget where you came from. The only person you need to be real with is yourself.

What did your family think of your job?

They’re proud of me but they’re not going to stop their lives just because I’m on the telly. They are very supportive and keep me down to earth. Of course they were a bit excited, especially my two younger sisters, but, you know but my mum still tells me off.

Would you say you had a good education?

Yes, but I wish I’d worked harder. I wish I’d thought I was more intelligent than I did because at school I thought I was quite thick! When you’re young you think that sometimes it’s easier to just not try because you think you might fail and feel worse, but I regret that. So I might go back and do a Sociology A-Level. I think it’ll be interesting and I’ll get to meet new people.

I think people should just do what they like without feeling pressured by stereotypes, whether that’s a Diploma, or whatever. We’re tied up in so many words and boundaries but everyone’s talented in some way – whatever you want to do, you should go out there and do it.

I think I’d like to do more work with underprivileged people, with people who think they aren’t that good. I think you can break cycles.  When I was younger, maybe if I’d had more role models, it would have been better for me.

What do you think education should be like?

I think education should be a tool to grow.