Ledden Loose

Television |ber-babe Emma Ledden is back in Dublin, in the Fitzwilliam Hotel to be precise, modelling the new spring and summer collection by Lee Jeans. It's all in a day's work for the ex-model, ex-Den pop-pundit, current MTV Daily Edition and BBC children's TV Live And Kicking presenter.

Outside, on the rooftop garden of the hotel, legions of photographers, stylists and a couple of television crews await, dressed as if they were about to embark on an expedition to explore Antarctica. Ms Ledden pauses in her valiant effort to demolish a club sandwich as I arrive. "I suppose you've come to watch me freeze my tits off," she opens. God forbid.

So, Emma, is children's TV the new rock and roll?

"God, I wish," she sighs. "Seriously, I've got to tell you I don't come across people doing coke and having orgies, it's actually bloody hard work. You just don't think about the press stuff. The BBC show is live, so you've got to be really on the ball, and the energy surrounding MTV is such that I can't imagine anybody needing anything else.

"The great thing about the work I'm doing now is that they're both very different shows. MTV has producers and directors who are in their twenties, and that's really exciting and you get a great buzz from that energy. The BBC is like those guys ten years from now, but because it's live you're very aware that you can't f . . ., uh, make a mistake.

"To be honest I'm not really into the whole rock 'n' roll lifestyle thing. I've got to get up too early for a start. I do like the occasional bevvy with my mates, but I'm not what you'd call a drinker. I also have to be careful that I'm not photographed falling out of nightclubs at five in the morning, not that I do, because it'd be on the front of The Sun the next day and my mother would kill me. When you work in kids TV though they don't have a rulebook, they don't tell you what you can and can't do. Obviously you can't show your tits or wear your skirt up to here, but really it's just common sense."

Despite this modesty, she has appeared in photo-shoots for men's magazines such as Loaded and FHM, clad in underwear the size and shape of a trio of Polish stamps, though she insists she'd never model nude.

Has working in British TV provided her with any embarrassing stories that she might like to share?

"Well, I loafed Gary Barlow once, but it was an accident, I think! I once gave Prince Naseem a huge introduction and congratulated him on winning sports personality of the year and he dryly informed me that he hadn't in fact won, which left me feeling very clever, live, in front of millions of viewers. Actually, when 5ive were on I was really embarrassed, but that was because they were really rude and they were swearing in front of the little kids. Ugh! I didn't like the carry on. But most people are lovely. It's great fun to meet people like Tom Jones, and Robbie Williams was gas."

Although currently happy on the glamourous side of the camera, Emma has ambitions to move out of the spotlight and into production, probably in the area of music documentaries. Her own musical taste is broad - "I like a bit of everything" - though she confesses a fondness for guitar bands like Travis and Stereophonics.

By this stage the assorted media types outside are throwing small pebbles at the window. I guess my time is up. So, is she single?

"Yeah, I am, and I don't know how come . . . I mean, I go on dates and stuff, but, I dunno . . . maybe I should pass out cards, or put an ad in your paper . . ."

Emma, you just have.