One of the most recognizable faces in the British Media is Christine Hamilton. Christine regularly pops up on our TV screens and was one of the first ever “Queens of the jungle” when she appeared in the 2002 “I’m a celebrity get me out of here”. She is also an accomplished author and has more recently been found touring the world and writing about her adventures in the national press. We caught up with Christine recently when she was in London.

Easily: Good morning Christine. It’s lovely to see you again, but I’ve been hearing a lot from you on Twitter recently under the name “British Battleaxe”. Can you explain the background to your online persona – British Battleaxe?

Christine Hamilton: I first got called a Battleaxe (as well as a lot of very unflattering things) during the 1997 General Election campaign. I thought it was kinda fun and so, inspired by the caricature, I wrote ‘Christine Hamilton’s Book of British Battleaxes’. It’s a light-hearted, entertaining cornucopia of 33 Belligerent British Belles who have enlivened the pages of history and the headlines of the popular press, ranging from Queens Boadicea to Victoria, from Nancy Astor to Margaret Thatcher; from Fanny Cradock to Bessie Braddock; from Joan Collins to Ena Sharples; from Cynthia Payne to Edwina Currie and from Barbara Cartland to Barbara Woodhouse . As if that wasn’t enough, I incorporate it into my email address and even changed my name to Mrs British Battleaxe using the Legal Deed Service Website. All a bit of fun and not to be taken too seriously!

E: So when did you first get the internet bug and start using the web?

CH: Heavens, I’m not sure. I wasn’t in the vanguard but not too late on the bandwagon. Would around 2000 sound about right – that seems right to me – give or take a year or so!

E: So as someone who is essentially self-employed, how often do you spend online per day?

CH: Well that varies enormously. If I’m out and about, working or playing, very little. Although I am wedded to my Blackberry I don’t use it for anything more than e-mails and the occasional Twitter. I am not one of those people who spend hours on the Net – I use it for what I want and need but not for entertainment. I’ve never played a game on it for example.

E: One of the beauties of the internet is that you can easily find out what others are saying about you. Admit it, how often do you “google” yourself?

CH: Honestly, very rarely – there’s too much horror stuff out there – better not to see it! Occasionally, someone draws something to my attention, maybe on Youtube, and I have a peak – but I usually regret it!

E: You are stuck on a desert island but you have a laptop that can access one internet site. What website could you not live without (apart from Easily of course!)?

CH: http://www.thelegaldeedpollservice.org.uk/ Neil (Hamilton) does all their legal work so life would be less easy without them!

E: You are a bit of a cook in your spare time as we can profess to have seen with our own eyes. Have you converted to online grocery shopping yet or do you still need to be touchy and feely with your food?

CH: I’ve used it a couple of times but I go to a Wholesale place where I shop in bulk for as much as possible (it’s great for food too) and for the rest I try and use our village shop.

E: Have you joined the Facebook generation yet?

CH: Absolutely not. Have resisted all attempts to get me on Facebook but I completely see how useful and fun it is for others – especially youngsters. If we had children I probably would but not been tempted on it yet.

E: Away from the internet, what have you been working on recently? And what do you have coming up?

CH: I’ve been lucky enough to do some travel articles this year so been to Russia, Spain and Italy – with more exciting places to get to next year – Cuba, China & Tibet and Mexico. Also spoken on a couple of cruise ships which is great – I love being all at sea! I’ve had a lot of speaking engagements in recent weeks – different kinds of audiences from all-chaps to all-girls and everything in between. I am about to take part in Celebrity Masterchef which is giving me nightmares – I’m an OK cook but I know I shall panic and fluff it up!

E: It would be rude not to mention your time in the jungle with the current crop on ITV suffering, Do you feel jealous about their adventures?

CH: Yes and no. Half of me would love to go back in there but when I see the mega-egos, the rows, the petty squabbling, the ghastly (some of them) contestants – I thank goodness I am snuggled into my armchair watching at a safe distance!

E: Finally, you always seem so jolly and happy with life, what is your motto?

CH: Absolutely – you can’t beat the old wartime axiom ‘Keep Calm and Carry On!

Many thanks to Christine for taking the time out to speak to us. More information on her journey through life can be found on her website

http://www.christinehamilton.info.

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