Loose Women's Charlene White opens up on 'dangerous' childhood with 'racists up the road'

Charlene White is no stranger to talking about herself on lunchtime chat show Loose Women, opening up about even the most hard-hitting topics. But now the presenter, newsreader and columnist has shared the full story of her life so far in a revealing new memoir. In her heartfelt book, No Place Like Home, 44-year-old Charlene explores what home means to her, and others, through stories of her life and the challenges she has tackled along the way.

When we sit down for a chat with Jamaican Londoner Charlene, whose parents grew up in the Caribbean, she tells us that home to her is both those places. She says, “I was raised in a Jamaican household in London. So, although I’ve never lived in Jamaica, I’ve been going back and forth to it my entire life, so that also feels like home to me. There’s space in my heart for both.” Here, the mum-of-two, who was the first black woman to present News At Ten on ITV, chats about growing up while facing racism, the parenting style that has caused controversy with Loose Women co-stars, and her worst celebrity encounter…

Hi, Charlene. Which stories did you want to share that you haven’t before?

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I wanted to explore the reality of what it was like for my parents and my grandparents when they first moved here, trying to build a home in southeast London. Growing up in a very strict Jamaican household, there were loads of things I wasn’t allowed to do. But as an adult, I understand why. We had racists living up the road in Eltham, and possible gangs in the area. They were trying to keep us away from those dangers. Writing the book, I realised there were many moments where if one little thing had gone wrong, my entire path in life would have changed.

Your own children – Alfie, seven, and Florence, five – are living in a very different environment to the one you did. Is your home as strict as the one you grew up in?

On Loose Women, Linda Robson always says I’m the strictest parent that she knows. I’m not as strict as my parents were at all, but I am strict. In the same breath, I also want to teach them independence. Once Alfie turned six, I taught him how to make his own breakfast, because that’s what my parents used to do with me. I am quite tough on my kids, but I think that’s important. I can send my kids out with an auntie or an uncle and I know they’re going to behave, because they’re raised in very strict parameters between me and their dad.

Why do your Loose Women co-stars think you are a strict parent?

If Alfie has an accident in the night, he knows he has to wake up and strip his bed, and he knows how to put a wash on. Linda Robson says to me, “I can’t believe you make them do their washing!” But I have to say, “I don’t make them do their washing, Linda.” But Alfie does know how to use a washing machine. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Also, when I go out to vote, I bring them with me, and we have discussions about democracy. Linda says it’s a bit early to be teaching them that, but I think no, I want them to be aware of the world.

What parenting tips have you taken from your own mum and dad?

My kids are loving and kind. I can be tough with them, but they are those things because I am tough with them. Parenting is one
of the hardest jobs you’ll ever do, because the steps you take from the very start are reflective of the grown-ups your children will become. Growing up, I thought my parents had everything sorted. Then you become a parent and you realise actually, a lot of it
is winging it and trying to do your best. But one thing I make my kids understand is that they are blessed to have a safe and secure home, because there are so many kids in the world that don’t have that

Tell us about being raised in a Jamaican household in London…

The food I ate was Jamaican. My parents’ friends were Jamaican. The church I went to was full of Jamaicans. So a big part of my life was within an immigrant community, and the English part of me came out when I’d pop off to school. I didn’t have a full English Sunday roast until I was in my early twenties!

How did that come about?

I was at my friend’s house for her birthday and her mum had cooked a Sunday meal for us. She put everything on the table and sat down, and I turned to my friend, and whispered to her, “Your mum’s forgotten the rice!” My friend had to explain to me that rice is not part of a traditional English Sunday roast. I’d grown up eating a roast in a traditional Jamaican Sunday dinner my entire life, and it absolutely blew my mind that everyone else didn’t do that.

What’s your favourite story about growing up that you’ve never revealed before?

My mortifying first kiss. When I was about 13, I went with my friend to one of the first parties I was ever allowed to go to. I had
my very first kiss with a boy. We were only allowed to go for a couple of hours – but I messed up the timings. So as I was indulging in my first kiss around the corner of the local sports hall, my dad arrived and was trying to find me. My friend and I had to do a military operation to get back into the hall without him realising where I’d been. It was really embarrassing… especially when your dad is picking you up from a party about two-and-a-half hours before everybody else is being picked up.

You get personal every day on Loose Women. Have you ever spoken about something and then thought, “Uh-oh, I think I’ve shared too much there…”?

Oh no, I never say anything I don’t want to say! But, if I ever bring up a subject about an ex-boyfriend or something, I’m guaranteed to get a message from them, even now, years later, trying to explain themselves. It’s like, dude, I’m practically married and have two kids, it’s not that serious! I remember when I first talked about my then-boyfriend from when I was 22, I got a stream of text messages from him when I turned my phone on, trying to explain himself. It’s more other people who have had to get used to me opening up about stuff!

You’ve interviewed everyone, from Tony Blair to Beyoncé. Who has surprised you the most?

Jay-Z. I interviewed him when I was at BBC Radio 1, and I was incredibly nervous. I couldn’t believe I was in the same environment as Jay-Z, and actually he was really lovely and chatty, and glorious to spend time with. We were joking about music, and he was asking where to get a great Jamaican meal in London, and where to go shopping for a new pair of creps. I wasn’t expecting the conversation to be normal!

What’s the worst celeb behaviour you’ve witnessed?

It was with some random boyband I interviewed, whose name has completely escaped me. They had stock answers for everything, and they would only sing all their answers because they weren’t very intelligent. So that’s what they did for the entire 45 minute interview. It was insane.

If you could have any celebrity join the Loose Women panel, who would be your dream co-star?

Kate Middleton! I think she’d have a laugh. Especially with what she’s been through over the past few months, going through cancer treatment. She must have the strongest girl gang, and we don’t really hear her talking that much about the power of friendship. I’d love to have her on the show, because I think there’s strength that women can feel when they’re among their girl gang. And I reckon she’d have lots of fun joining us for an hour! This is a shout out: Kate, come join us!