“I was an only child.” — Angela Rippon

My mother, Edna, was a seamstress and my father, John, was a Royal Marine, and at war when I was born - so I didn't see him until he came home in 1947.

My mother Edna was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2004, and for the next four years I looked after her at home with the help of live-in professional carers, allowing her to live a life that was as near to normal as her condition would allow. In that way I was lucky, but it was still heart-breaking to see her decline.

Television cannot be seen as a 'job for life.' My CV is full of programmes that I used to present. I was the 16th presenter of 'Come Dancing,' the second presenter of 'the Antiques Roadshow' and the first presenter of 'Top Gear.'

It won't be easy for any broadcaster in the future to write off Fiona Bruce, Sian Williams and Gabby Logan when they reach their 50s. If they do, they will be wasting an incredibly rich seam of talent and ability.