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Van Der Valk star Maimie McCoy's isolation preservation kit

The boxsets, music, exercises and more that are helping Maimie McCoy stay happy and healthy while staying at home

Binge-worthy boxsets

I’m halfway through Normal People, and I want to savour every tiny moment – it’s exquisite and painful, and the intimacy seems both fresh and raw.

The soundtrack to my isolation

Lockdown has seriously upped the dancing in my kitchen. I’ve rediscovered Jamiroquai’s Space Cowboy (David Morales remix), but also adoring Laura Marling’s Song For Our Daughter, for my quieter cooking moments.

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Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

I loved Hadley Freeman’s House of Glass; an incredibly vivid delve into the story of her grandmother’s family through the 20th century. I learnt so much about the Jewish history and wept through most of it.

Comfort foods

I’m trying to make something new every night, and be less wasteful and more inventive. I’m obsessed with “Half Baked Harvest” and her garlic roasted cheese topped potatoes, washed down with a bottle of red – seems to hit the spot!

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Staying active

Gemma’s Pilates class at 3 Tribes online and Body By Simone’s dance cardio (on the Sweaty Betty website) are getting me through, despite my concentration wandering all over the shop.

New skill

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I wish I’d bought a piano! I’m desperate to start playing again. I’ve planted sunflowers, lettuce and basil. I’m a total novice in the garden and trying to be more green-fingered! I didn’t plan to find a dead rat out there though!

Maimie McCoy stars in Van Der Valk, Sunday nights on ITV

We’ve been speaking to your favourite celebrities as they pick their own isolation kits and let us know what’s getting them through lockdown. Check out northern acting powerhouse Christopher Eccleston’sLine of Duty’s Vicky McClure’s and more.

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Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

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