The Honesty Box's Vicky Pattison: 'I grew up understanding you never vote Tory'

Vicky Pattison has been on our TV screens for almost 15 years. She burst into public consciousness in Geordie Shore then confirmed her reality superstar status with Ex on the Beach, with a crowning glory becoming queen of the jungle in the 2015 series of I’m A Celebrity…

A decade on she’s an author, DJ and presenter of Channel 4’s latest dating show The Honesty Box. Answering our Big Questions, she tells us about being a fan of 90s pop and A Street Cat Named Bob, while not liking Mr Blobby or Margaret Thatcher quite so much…

What was the defining event of your youth?

I had a relatively normal childhood and good parents who tried their best but I think being the child of an alcoholic had an effect on me – both as a child and as an adult. It set me on a quite difficult path and resulted in a lot of trauma that I had to unpack as I grew up. But as a kid, without the tools to navigate what I was experiencing or feeling, it just left me feeling quite angry and lost.

What music was biggest for you growing up?

Oh my god! I know everyone problem says this but I grew up in the best era for music! Specifically pop music! I loved Take That, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Eternal, Boyzone! All of it! And don’t get me started on the 90s dance I would listen to at my school valentine’s disco! “Rhythm is a Dancer” [by Snap!] will forever make me think of body glitter!

What contemporary artist are you a big fan of now?

I should be better at this, as a radio presenter and DJ at Heart Radio, I should be more up to date! But I still love the classics and the cheesy stuff I grew up listening to! If I had to pick someone current I’d say Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter! Love those lasses!

Big book?

I was obsessed with To Kill a Mockingbird as a child – so much so I was convinced I’d call my first son Atticus – haven’t quite convinced Ercan [Ramadan, Vicky’s husband] yet mind! And really recently I read The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella. That book SPOKE to me. I read it on holiday and I was sobbing on the beach… quite heavy for chick lit! I would encourage any woman struggling with the pressures of modern society to give it a go! It really resonated with me.

Was there a big film that stayed with you?

Films from my childhood were just iconic! They just don’t make them like they used to! Homeward Bound, Andre the Seal, Flipper. Anything by Disney! Every Wednesday my mam ran a slimming club above a pub and my dad would take me and my sister to the local Somerfield to buy a VHS, a bag of crisps and a bottle of pop and we’d rush home to watch it! Those are some of my happiest childhood memories.

What TV show stands out?

I distinctly remember watching a lot of Noel’s House Party but being vaguely terrified of Mr Blobby.

Who has been the biggest influences on your career? How have they helped you?

My inspiration is always my mam. She’s raised two children, cared for my dad, worked hard and never stopped believing she deserved happiness. She’s been through a lot my mam and never given up. Lost her parents, a partner, but remained the same positive, hopeful and resilient woman. If I’m half the woman she is, I’ll be very grateful. And then in terms of other people who influenced me, it was always fictional characters! I wanted to be strong and powerful like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Xena Warrior Princess, Mulan, Olivia Pope – quite an eclectic mix there looking at it! I just love strong women who do good and stand up for the little guy.

What was the big political issue you remember?

Even though it was predominantly before my time, Margaret Thatcher and her time spent as prime minister left a long tail in my region. I grew up hearing stories of how she broke the miners and destroyed communities that she didn’t understand. My family were miners and seeing big strong men get so upset leaves a mark on a young girl. I grew up understanding you never vote Tory, it’s a lot more complicated than that now of course.

What do you see as being your biggest success? And failure…?

My biggest success will always be managing to parlay my time spent on a controversial reality TV show into something with a bit of longevity. I’m very proud of the woman I’m becoming, the causes I champion, using my platform for good, making TV that matters. No one thought I was capable of that. Being where I am now, means something to me. I’d rather not dwell on my failures (there have been many) and because of the beauty of reality TV and the internet they’re available for everyone to see. But I wouldn’t be where I am now without some grazed knees. And I’m sure there’ll be more to come. That’s just life.

Biggest fear?

My biggest fear is losing everything. Is that one day I’ll wake up and everyone will realise I’m nothing special and it’ll all just go away. This life I really like. And that scares me and keeps me awake at night. I know I’ll never be the most talented, the prettiest or the smartest person in the room, but I work harder, I’m on time, I learn everyone’s name, I am polite, grateful. All the things that are within my power to make sure I make a good impression. Because regardless of whether everyone thinks I deserve to be where I am or not. I am doing my best to make sure I don’t go anywhere. A little girl from Wallsend.

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What was the moment where it felt you’d hit the big time?

Winning [I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here] in 2015 was pivotal for me. I’d gone in there as a relatively unknown person and those who did know me were utterly convinced I was just going to be tragic, car crash TV. But something special happened in there. I changed the public’s perception. For the first time in my life on TV I was 110% myself and people got to see a different side. And after my first 24 hours in there, when I’m assuming people were terrified I was going to down Jägerbombs and punch a kangaroo, I became the favourite to win. Winning was a remarkable feeling and one I won’t forget in a hurry.

Biggest regret?

⁠It will come as no surprise to most, but I do regret a lot of my behaviour on Geordie Shore. No point in trying to sugarcoat it! I was out of control and whereas the format almost called for it, it still wasn’t my finest hour. It would be really easy for me to sit here and cry ‘they edited this, and they set me up, and producers that…’ and don’t get me wrong there is an element of all of that at play here but ultimately I made my choices. I was a young, lost little girl who sacrificed respect for attention and I believe I will have to work the rest of my life to try and undo some of that damage. But like I said, I’m not intending on going anywhere anytime soon.

Your current big issue?

As a woman I am constantly terrified about a number of things. Our rights declining slowly, almost imperceptibly on an international scale, period poverty, misogynistic men in power becoming bolder and more powerful by the day, medical misogyny, our right to autonomy and safe and accessible abortion being taken away. People think I’m mad ranting and raving on my Instagram – unless you want to be a part of the problem I think it’s our duty to speak up against all forms of violence against women.

What is your big idea to save the world?

This is such a big question. I’m naive, I just want everyone to start being nice to each other. Stop caring so much about power and money and just consider the human element! But I know that’s a really romanticised and innocent take on a very complex situation. Closer to home and probably more achievable than world peace I think I’ll end up opening an animal shelter. Both my furry boys are rescues and I’d love to provide a safe space for these gorgeous animals before they find their forever homes.

Is there a person or organisation creating positive change you want to give a big shout out to?

There are so many amazing dog shelters doing their best in the current very difficult climate, South East Dog Rescue, Many Tears Rescue, Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter, The Hygiene Bank, Jackie and everyone at the People’s Kitchen in Newcastle and an amazing woman named Angie who runs a community hub called Hebburn helps near where I’m from. Just a few of the organisations and people who are doing their best to help vulnerable people and animals and make the world a slightly better place.

Biggest dream?

My dream has changed a lot as I’ve got older, I probably wanted fame and fortune when I was a kid, which all just sounds so vapid now. As an adult I want to be content. I want to leave a decent impression on the people I meet, do my bit, be successful and happy. I want to go to sleep knowing that I’m doing my best to be a good person.

What Big Issue means to me.

I read A Street Cat Named Bob when I was younger and that’s always shaped my opinion of Big Issue and those that sell it. A decent person, who’s fallen on hard times and is trying their best to better themselves. So I always buy it when I can. Because that’s the least I can do.

The Honesty Box is available to watch on E4 and to stream on Channel 4.

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