Page 78 - 2018 Powerlist

INTERVIEW
Politics, Law & Religion Mayor of London... or pose

Why I didn’t run for

for Playboy!

Best known for her role as a children’s television presenter, Baroness Floella Benjamin has
a hugely varied CV that includes Chancellor of Exeter University; author; a BAFTA chair;
businesswoman; independent producer; film and TV actress. She was awarded an OBE in 2001
for services to broadcasting and made a Liberal Democrat Peer in 2010. She talks to Steve Pope

In your book Coming To England you
talk about leaving Trinidad as a child
and the pain it caused you. How did
those early experiences help shape
you into the person you are? A lot of
It helped me to be resilient. Everything
happens for a reason. I don’t view people
things as a negative. I used all those
experiences as a positive to get me to give up.
the next stage. I never

Was it hard breaking into TV in the give up
1970s?
I have always been very positive. If I
got rejected, I would think they have when I started in TV 45 years ago. I have fond memories of growing up
got the problem, not me. My mother now sit on a diversity advisory panel with me on TV. When I met Princess
always said to me: “Never give up at the BBC trying to make changes Diana, she said “because of watching
and always believe in yourself.” I have both on and off camera. Change does you on Play School it made me want
never seen my colour as a barrier. not come overnight. Things take time, to work with children”. Feeling loved
but it is happening. If you look at TV inspires me to spread the love and try
What challenges have you faced? advertising and the representation to help others.
A lot. But I keep smiling because of Britain’s diversity in them, you can
the people who have tried to hold see a lot has changed from the time I Did you have a strategic plan for your
me back or said I couldn’t do this, or started working in television. career?
rejected me, eventually come around No. Definitely no plan. Every day I
and say “please can you help us”. I What drew you to politics? get emails asking me to be involved
see myself as a winner in the long I come from a family of politicians. My in various things and you never know
term. When I started on Play School, grandfather was the Deputy Prime what it will be. That is what makes
41 years ago, I was reading lots of Minister of Antigua. My father was a life exciting. That is the reason why I
stories for children and I would put trade union activist. Our whole family have had such a varied career. I don’t
on my Caribbean accent. I said to fights for the rights of others. It’s do things just for money. In 1977, I
the producer, “all the illustrations are how we were brought up. It’s in our was in the film Black Joy that got
of white kids, can’t we have some of DNA. For 20 years I campaigned for a loads of press at the Cannes Film
black, Chinese and Asian kids?” She Minister for Children until we got one Festival. Playboy magazine offered
said, “Oh gosh, I never even noticed”. in 2003, because I believe childhood me a lot of money to appear nude
To her credit she sorted that out, lasts a lifetime. in the magazine and make me an
and I realised it was my job to open international star. I told them “no thank
people’s eyes. I have changed diversity What is the secret of your success? you” because I will only do something
in this country for far longer that many It starts with having brilliant parents. I want to do and has a real purpose.
people who are now doing it. My father opened his six children’s
eyes to the world out there. My mother What main approach have you taken
What do you think about diversity in poured love and confidence into us. in your work?
TV now? Then I met my husband, my soulmate. A lot of people give up. I never give up.
There has been a lot of progress from Almost every day I meet people who You stick it out and show resilience.

74 Powerlist 2018