Dawn O’Porter: ‘My greatest fear? Clothes moths – and the imminent threat of world war three‘

Born in Scotland, Dawn O’Porter, 47, studied at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. She began her career in TV production and during the 00s presented documentaries including Super Slim Me and My Breasts Could Kill Me. In 2014, her debut YA novel, Paper Aeroplanes, was shortlisted for the Waterstones children’s book prize. Her first novel for adults, The Cows, was published in 2017 and became a bestseller. Her new book is Hungry Eyes: A Memoir of Appetite, Ambition and the Odd Bag of Wotsits for Dinner. She lives in London with her husband, the actor Chris O’Dowd, and their two children.

When were you happiest?
The early days of motherhood. We lived in a sweet little bungalow in LA that had a pool. We threw lots of parties. We had a cute dog and a mad Siamese. Trump had never been president, we’d never heard of coronavirus, Claire’s Accessories was still going strong. Good times.

What is your greatest fear?
Clothes moths (and the imminent threat of world war three).

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
My Auntie Jane. She took me in, aged 10, and, after my mother died, healed my broken heart by filling our dining room with food and people. Still cooking at the grand old age of 89. My icon.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
When I ruin someone else’s story because I think mine is better, so butt in before they’ve finished theirs.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
When they ruin my story because they think theirs is better, so butt in before I’ve finished mine.

Describe yourself in three words
Hungry, hard-working, cats.

What makes you unhappy?
Running out of HRT.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My tummy. I often imagine how different life would have been if even one muscle in my middle section was visible.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Billie Piper.

What scares you about getting older?
So far, getting older has made almost everything better.

Who is your celebrity crush?
Chris O’Dowd.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A drunk woman who threw epic dinner parties.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I could eat chips from the second I wake up to the second I go to sleep.

Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it?
I once signed off a conversation with my mobile phone service provider with “I love you, bye.” So, yeah.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?
I don’t want to say anything that could affect my chances of re-entry to the US.

What has been your biggest disappointment?
Not winning Celebrity MasterChef. I am still gutted, despite many months of pretending to be fine with it.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
Can I be a Spice Girl, please?

What would you like to leave your children?
My Siamese cat, which I had freeze-dried after she died. I really think their future partners will like it.

What keeps you awake at night?
Perimenopausal anxiety, the terrible feeling of impending doom, something awful happening to my children, writing deadlines. Apart from that, I’m quite chilled.