Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins has spoken candidly about the challenging reality behind her glamorous television career, revealing the "tough" 2:45am alarm calls that come with waking up the nation.
The reality of early morning television
While viewers see the polished final product each morning, Hawkins admits the pre-dawn starts create a unique bond among the Good Morning Britain team, who she describes as members of an "early risers club" where "everybody feels the pain".
The veteran broadcaster, who has been with the ITV programme for over a decade, shared her survival strategies for these gruelling hours. "You all sort of bond together as members of this early risers club because everybody feels the pain," she explained.
Her practical tips include multiple cups of tea and coffee, strategic napping during the day, and an unexpected fashion choice. "If it's a grey day, if you're feeling like not quite 100 percent yourself, put something bright on and it kind of changes your outlook," she revealed.
Festive family traditions and career highlights
Despite the early mornings, Hawkins remains passionate about her role. "I love being a part of the programme. It really does feel like a family, which is special. It's such a privilege to wake people up in the morning and get to tell them what's going on in the world first."
This December marks another career highlight as she prepares to host André Rieu's Christmas Concert for UK cinema audiences. The event, recorded in Maastricht, transforms the concert hall into what Hawkins describes as a "winter wonderland" and will be shown in over 500 cinemas across the UK on December 6 and 7.
"I think he is just a genius at pulling together so many different and special performers and making such a wonderful, huge, massive, magnificent show," Hawkins said of the Dutch violinist and conductor, whose ensemble includes nearly 1,000 performers.
The concert will feature both Rieu's original compositions and festive favourites ranging from All I Want For Christmas Is You to O Come All Ye Faithful.
Family life and passing on the broadcasting bug
Hawkins' ten-year-old daughter Ella Rose has already caught the festive spirit, having started her Christmas countdown even before Halloween. "My daughter started her Christmas countdown already!" Hawkins exclaimed, noting how children "channel that excitement, that magic" of the season.
The Hawkins family embraces numerous Christmas traditions, including attending their local Christingle service on Christmas Eve, where candles stuck in oranges illuminate the winter darkness as families sing classic carols.
Ella Rose has also developed an interest in her mother's profession, particularly after conducting half an interview with singer George Ezra on Good Morning Britain when she was just eight years old. "She just took it all in her stride," Hawkins recalled. "And she did a brilliant interview and got way more out of him than we did anyway!"
The experience gave Ella Rose "the interviewing bug", and she's been asking her mother when they might secure Taylor Swift for the show ever since.
Reflecting on her own career journey, which included a appearance in the 2015 film Burnt alongside Bradley Cooper, Hawkins emphasised the importance of pursuing dreams. "I say to my daughter, 'Never give up on your dreams'. Because even if you go down a different path, you never know where you'll end up."
André Rieu: Merry Christmas will be shown in cinemas across the UK from December 6.
