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Well, Penny, it's so good to see you.
Well Penny it's so good to see you
Um,
Um
>> great to see you, too.
>> great to see you too
>> This is a program where your husband
>> This is a program where your husband
feels very comfortable. He's a friend of
feels very comfortable He's a friend of
the show, so it's really nice to have
the show so it's really nice to have
you join us as well. Um, to talk about
you join us as well Um to talk about
your memoir, and I would imagine the
your memoir and I would imagine the
life that you've led and the life that
life that you've led and the life that
you're leading as the wife of Sir Rod
you're leading as the wife of Sir Rod
Stewart. You've been asked to put pen to
Stewart You've been asked to put pen to
paper many times. Why now?
paper many times Why now
Well, I think it's that turning point
Well I think it's that turning point
that all us women have at the age of
that all us women have at the age of
around 50 when the menopause hits in.
around 50 when the menopause hits in
Um, for me that was a very very scary,
Um for me that was a very very scary
quite traumatic moment because I didn't
quite traumatic moment because I didn't
realize it was a menopause. I thought I
realize it was a menopause I thought I
was
was
>> I was going through a depression of sorts. It
>> I was going through a depression of sorts It
was in the middle of lockdown
was in the middle of lockdown
>> and my GP at the time put me on
>> and my GP at the time put me on
anti-depressants and then it was my
anti-depressants and then it was my
local swimming gang. They said, "No, no,
local swimming gang They said No no
no, no. This is menopause."
no no This is menopause
And and then you start looking into that
And and then you start looking into that
and you listen to other women's stories
and you listen to other women's stories
and they when they're in the turmoil of
and they when they're in the turmoil of
that they feel like it's the end and
that they feel like it's the end and
they're they're grabbing at straws and
they're they're grabbing at straws and
solutions and they feel that their their
solutions and they feel that their their
worth is no longer. But in fact once you
worth is no longer But in fact once you
come through that you feel that you can
come through that you feel that you can
reinvent yourself
reinvent yourself
>> and find that you have so much more to
>> and find that you have so much more to
give back. So it felt like I suddenly
give back So it felt like I suddenly
realized who I was all along and so I
realized who I was all along and so I
felt ready to write the book. Yeah.
felt ready to write the book Yeah
Ready to write the book and reflect on
Ready to write the book and reflect on
what you've done, are doing, and and
what you've done are doing and and
plan to do. Um, the opening to your
plan to do Um the opening to your
memoir is quite hard-hitting. It's
memoir is quite hard-hitting It's
almost like you get the worst part of
almost like you get the worst part of
your life out of the way first and this
your life out of the way first and this
is the opening chapter talking about a
is the opening chapter talking about a
sexual assault when you're a school
sexual assault when you're a school
girl. You're on your way walking to
girl You're on your way walking to
school. Why did you want to to open the
school Why did you want to to open the
book with that? My decision on becoming
book with that My decision on becoming
a special police constable
a special police constable
>> at 50 has been risen quite a few times
>> at 50 has been risen quite a few times
and I've I've sort of found it difficult
and I've I've sort of found it difficult
to answer, you know, why policing and I
to answer you know why policing and I
was like, well, why not? But actually,
was like well why not But actually
there's must be something deeper to that
there's must be something deeper to that
uh reason.
uh reason
>> Yes, I was involved in a in a TV show
>> Yes I was involved in a in a TV show
that that allowed me to see what it was
that that allowed me to see what it was
like on the front line working with
like on the front line working with
regulars and specials, but why actually
regulars and specials but why actually
decide to take it up? So I did do a bit
decide to take it up So I did do a bit
of soulsearching and through writing the
of soulsearching and through writing the
book it's been a bit of therapy I guess
book it's been a bit of therapy I guess
and backtracking to some of the traumas
and backtracking to some of the traumas
that I went through when I was 12 on the
that I went through when I was 12 on the
way to school and attacked and then
way to school and attacked and then
later when I was 17 and starting my
later when I was 17 and starting my
modeling career um going through another
modeling career um going through another
incident that was pretty harrowing um
incident that was pretty harrowing um
where I was I was drugged and assaulted
where I was I was drugged and assaulted
And
And
I was a victim uh a young girl and
I was a victim uh a young girl and
preyed upon by male predators
preyed upon by male predators
and justice never was served. So somehow
and justice never was served So somehow
I feel like I'm there to help my
I feel like I'm there to help my
community and look out for women um on
community and look out for women um on
on the city the streets of the city of
on the city the streets of the city of
London
London
>> because you're a special police
>> because you're a special police
constable, as you said, started as part
constable as you said started as part
of a reality TV show and it was
of a reality TV show and it was
something that you thought actually this
something that you thought actually this
is a bit of a passion project you know a
is a bit of a passion project you know a
way to give back to the community and
way to give back to the community and
you know you went through the same
you know you went through the same
training as everyone else and passed out
training as everyone else and passed out
and you now operate with the City of
and you now operate with the City of
London Police in the Square Mile
London Police in the Square Mile
>> and just in terms of you know going back
>> and just in terms of you know going back
to that attack when you were 12 you're
to that attack when you were 12 you're
now a woman in her 50s you know
now a woman in her 50s you know
fulfilling this role we talk about the
fulfilling this role we talk about the
safety of women and girls a lot now in
safety of women and girls a lot now in
fact current government have talked
fact current government have talked
about it being an epidemic and something
about it being an epidemic and something
that they want to to have.
that they want to to have
>> What is it like out there at the moment
>> What is it like out there at the moment
for women and girls? Because it feels
for women and girls Because it feels
like not much has changed from when you
like not much has changed from when you
were 12 in terms of girls being safe on
were 12 in terms of girls being safe on
the streets.
the streets
>> Well, I feel when I talk to a lot of
>> Well I feel when I talk to a lot of
women, which is great thing about doing
women which is great thing about doing
something like a book is you have that
something like a book is you have that
platform to be able to um talk about
platform to be able to um talk about
your experiences, which in turn people
your experiences which in turn people
relate to because sadly it does happen
relate to because sadly it does happen
to a lot of other people. Hence why
to a lot of other people Hence why
someone like me because it's it's not a
someone like me because it's it's not a
journey just that I've gone through.
journey just that I've gone through
It's got a journey that so many have
It's got a journey that so many have
gone through and I think it was much
gone through and I think it was much
more prevalent in my day almost like yes
more prevalent in my day almost like yes
well that happens and well you're a girl
well that happens and well you're a girl
and there are they're men and you know
and there are they're men and you know
>> just forget about it move on.
>> just forget about it move on
>> Yeah. Whereas obviously it's it's a
>> Yeah Whereas obviously it's it's a
different world we live in now.
different world we live in now
>> In terms of other topics that picked up
>> In terms of other topics that picked up
in your book obviously policing a big
in your book obviously policing a big
part of your life now. Um, but I know a
part of your life now Um but I know a
lot of people will be picking up your
lot of people will be picking up your
book to find out what life is like with
book to find out what life is like with
Sir Rod Stewart. Um, the encounters I've
Sir Rod Stewart Um the encounters I've
had with him here on the program,
had with him here on the program
>> he is full of energy. Yeah, he's a
>> he is full of energy Yeah he's a
cheeky one. He is full of energy. Still
cheeky one He is full of energy Still
touring
touring
>> and you know, as we speak, he's off in
>> and you know as we speak he's off in
Vegas as part of his residency. And I
Vegas as part of his residency And I
wonder if there's part of you as a a
wonder if there's part of you as a a
rock star's wife who thought, right,
rock star's wife who thought right
we're getting married and at some point
we're getting married and at some point
we will have a normal family life and he
we will have a normal family life and he
won't be on tour so much. But it doesn't
won't be on tour so much But it doesn't
seem that that's the case. What is life
seem that that's the case What is life
like as the wife of a of a rock star?
like as the wife of a of a rock star
>> Well, like you said, when we when we
>> Well like you said when we when we
first met, it wasn't so much eventually
first met it wasn't so much eventually
there will be retirement down the line.
there will be retirement down the line
You know, I I just thought, well,
You know I I just thought well
because of big age gap, it would
because of big age gap it would
naturally, you know, he will be working
naturally you know he will be working
less as he gets older, but
less as he gets older but
>> he's like Benjamin.
>> he's like Benjamin
>> Absolutely. I mean, 80 and there's no
>> Absolutely I mean 80 and there's no
stopping him. I think he, you know, he
stopping him I think he you know he
always often talks about slowing down.
always often talks about slowing down
Um, and it's sort of I think it's partly
Um and it's sort of I think it's partly
my job to help kind of gear that into
my job to help kind of gear that into
place because as much as it's wonderful
place because as much as it's wonderful
that myself and our kids can go and join
that myself and our kids can go and join
him on tour, it you do get to a point
him on tour it you do get to a point
where you just want to spend a little
where you just want to spend a little
bit more quality time at home. But you
bit more quality time at home But you
know what? He absolutely loves every
know what He absolutely loves every
second of it.
second of it
>> So I wouldn't want to take that from
>> So I wouldn't want to take that from
him.
him
>> Um, he did say that that he watched Sky
>> Um he did say that that he watched Sky
News while
News while
>> playing with his train set. Is that
>> playing with his train set Is that
true?
true
>> Can't say train set.
>> Can't say train set
>> Oh my What do I have to say? Railway
>> Oh my What do I have to say Railway
model railway. I imagine a big
model railway I imagine a big
screen in the corner of the room with
screen in the corner of the room with
the model railway in front of it. Is
the model railway in front of it Is
that is that what happens at at Stuart
that is that what happens at at Stuart
Towers?
Towers
>> I think the layout itself probably spans
>> I think the layout itself probably spans
three times the size of this studio. It
three times the size of this studio It
was it was on
was it was on
>> so multiple screens then with Sky News
>> so multiple screens then with Sky News
on to cover the entire track. Well,
on to cover the entire track Well
there's one with Celticon, of
there's one with Celticon of
course,
course
>> and then there's one with Sky and then
>> and then there's one with Sky and then
>> I'm getting a real insight into at home
>> I'm getting a real insight into at home
with the Stewarts. Another difficult
with the Stewarts Another difficult
episode that I want to talk to you about
episode that I want to talk to you about
because you're being so open in your
because you're being so open in your
memoir. um was the scandal surrounding
memoir um was the scandal surrounding
Greg Wallace, the Master Chef. And when
Greg Wallace the Master Chef And when
Greg Wallace was embroiled in that
Greg Wallace was embroiled in that
again, Sir Rod Stewart came out to your
again Sir Rod Stewart came out to your
defense whereas you, you know, sit
defense whereas you you know sit
calmly and, you know, let it all play
calmly and you know let it all play
out, he leaves to your defense as your
out he leaves to your defense as your
husband and he talked about you being
husband and he talked about you being
bullied by Greg Wallace on that program.
bullied by Greg Wallace on that program
Well, we know what's happened with Greg
Well we know what's happened with Greg
Wallace now. He has been removed from
Wallace now He has been removed from
that program.
that program
What was that experience like? Because
What was that experience like Because
we know TV can be a tricky place where
we know TV can be a tricky place where
certain characters and egos are allowed
certain characters and egos are allowed
to act unchecked as it were. We hope
to act unchecked as it were We hope
that the industry is changing but as we
that the industry is changing but as we
know that's not always the case. How do
know that's not always the case How do
you reflect on that whole episode and
you reflect on that whole episode and
your small part in it? Because you know
your small part in it Because you know
all women's voices are important and
all women's voices are important and
need to be heard. How do you reflect on
need to be heard How do you reflect on
that?
that
>> Well, from go going back to the instance
>> Well from go going back to the instance
when I was younger. I wasn't brave
when I was younger I wasn't brave
enough at the time to when I was 17 to
enough at the time to when I was 17 to
go forward with that information um
go forward with that information um
about the details that had happened to
about the details that had happened to
me. Um and it it just highlights how how
me Um and it it just highlights how how
important now it is to to speak out. And
important now it is to to speak out And
if and if you hear one or two people
if and if you hear one or two people
coming forward um there's more gravitas
coming forward um there's more gravitas
to the story and the investigation, the
to the story and the investigation the
more people can come on board. So even
more people can come on board So even
though uh it seemed sort of quite minor
though uh it seemed sort of quite minor
what I had experienced compared to some
what I had experienced compared to some
of the other accusations, it was still
of the other accusations it was still
vital that that added little bit of
vital that that added little bit of
detail to create that that full
detail to create that that full
investigation. therefore um you know the
investigation therefore um you know the
actions that were taken
actions that were taken
uh being bullied as a child I somehow
uh being bullied as a child I somehow
I've learned from that that's you know
I've learned from that that's you know
stood me in good stead moving forward
stood me in good stead moving forward
because then there's bullies in
because then there's bullies in
adulthood
adulthood
>> that you have to contend with and
>> that you have to contend with and
somehow you recognize it maybe you
somehow you recognize it maybe you
recognize it sooner and earlier than
recognize it sooner and earlier than
other people around you might recognize
other people around you might recognize
it but I've always been about looking
it but I've always been about looking
after everybody
after everybody
>> um and and you know women looking after
>> um and and you know women looking after
women um supporting others um especially
women um supporting others um especially
the underdogs and I think in a community
the underdogs and I think in a community
like working on the TV program you feel
like working on the TV program you feel
like it's a collaboration. I didn't feel
like it's a collaboration I didn't feel
like I was supported in that moment. Um,
like I was supported in that moment Um
I was uh I felt ashamed and belittled by
I was uh I felt ashamed and belittled by
the way Greg Wallace had treated me, but
the way Greg Wallace had treated me but
equally I I felt disappointed that the
equally I I felt disappointed that the
production company hadn't come to to my
production company hadn't come to to my
my rescue basically. Um, so there is
my rescue basically Um so there is
there is a long way to go, but um just
there is a long way to go but um just
by people coming forward and being
by people coming forward and being
honest about their experiences, I think
honest about their experiences I think
will help in the long term.
will help in the long term
>> Well, Penny, it's been an absolute
>> Well Penny it's been an absolute
pleasure to talk to you. Thank you so
pleasure to talk to you Thank you so
much for coming in to see us and
much for coming in to see us and
congratulations on the book. As you
congratulations on the book As you
said, you'll be working on the streets
said you'll be working on the streets
of the city of London on publication
of the city of London on publication
day. Um but hopefully there'll be a
day Um but hopefully there'll be a
glass of wine or something waiting for
glass of wine or something waiting for
you when you get home and of course um
you when you get home and of course um
pass our best on to our number one fan
pass our best on to our number one fan
Stewart.
Stewart
>> Certainly will. Thank you Sarah so much
>> Certainly will Thank you Sarah so much
for really good.
for really good
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you
>> Penny Lancaster talking about her
>> Penny Lancaster talking about her
memoir, Someone Like Me. Well, we did
memoir Someone Like Me Well we did
approach Greg Wallace to respond to
approach Greg Wallace to respond to
those comments from Penny Lancaster. He
those comments from Penny Lancaster He
has previously apologized to people he
has previously apologized to people he
has hurt, saying back in July that he
has hurt saying back in July that he
knows he has said things that have
knows he has said things that have
offended people. He has denied a
offended people He has denied a
specific allegation of unwanted
specific allegation of unwanted
touching. The BBC referred us to their
touching The BBC referred us to their
statement from July in which the
statement from July in which the
corporation said, "Although the full
corporation said Although the full
extent of these issues were not known at
extent of these issues were not known at
the relevant time, opportunities were
the relevant time opportunities were
missed to address this behavior both by
missed to address this behavior both by
the production companies running
the production companies running
MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more
MasterChef and the BBC We accept more
could and should have been done sooner.
could and should have been done sooner
We want to thank all those who took part
We want to thank all those who took part
in the investigation, including those
in the investigation including those
who first raised concerns directly with
who first raised concerns directly with
the BBC in November last year. We
the BBC in November last year We
apologize to everyone who has been
apologize to everyone who has been
impacted by Mr. Wallace's behavior.
impacted by Mr Wallace's behavior
Banijay UK, the producers of MasterChef,
Banijay UK the producers of MasterChef
told Sky News, "We are extremely sorry
told Sky News We are extremely sorry
to anyone who has been impacted by any
to anyone who has been impacted by any
inappropriate behavior by Greg
inappropriate behavior by Greg
Wallace whilst working on our shows and
Wallace whilst working on our shows and
felt unable to speak up at the time or
felt unable to speak up at the time or
that their complaint was not adequately
that their complaint was not adequately
addressed. Ways of reporting concerns
addressed Ways of reporting concerns
whilst working on our productions.
whilst working on our productions
Protocols around behavior and training
Protocols around behavior and training
for both cast and crew have improved
for both cast and crew have improved
exponentially in recent years. And we
exponentially in recent years And we
constantly review welfare procedures
constantly review welfare procedures
across our productions to ensure that
across our productions to ensure that
they are as robust as they can
they are as robust as they can
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