Ellie Taylor, a star of Ted Lasso, claims that she still feels a pull after her 2022 starring role in Strictly, but that she would gladly step in if she was called.
Ellie Taylor is known for finding humour in life’s chaos, but even she isn’t immune to the occasional mum meltdown. “In the run-up to last Christmas, everything was frantic and I filmed myself eating an entire Chocolate Orange in Sainsbury’s car park,” the former Strictly Come Dancing star tells us.
“That was a sign of a woman on the edge.” A year on, Ellie, 41, is fronting an amusing campaign for Halfords that encourages parents to use their car as a sanctuary for self-care – or “self-car”. It’s based on recent research that found that half of UK drivers admit “hiding” in their vehicle to escape daily stress.
Because you’ve been wearing the same clothes for two days, you can simply stare out the window, listen to a podcast, scroll through your phone, or hide from your neighbors in your car, Ellie says.
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“I love car time, because no one can get to me.” Ellie, who has a toddler son and a daughter of almost seven, has always been open about finding parenting tough, and our exclusive chat comes at a particularly frenetic time.
“I’ve been working while juggling my kids and husband’s been sick all week.” They both had to be in different locations this morning, and she admits that she felt like she had already lived a hundred lives before 8 a.m.
Many sluggish mothers will agree with that sentiment, but Ellie, author of the 2021 bestseller My Child And Other Mistakes, found motherhood to be particularly difficult during the first few months.
It’s just horrific, but I think it’s important to be able to say, “This is absolute b******t. It’s probably a combination of baby blues and postnatal depression. She claims that the baby is not the baby, but rather the baby. There was nothing, in my opinion, about it that was redeeming.
Thankfully, today’s life is much more orderly, but she still believes in being open about the difficulties mothers and fathers face. Because it’s so full-on, she says, “I can’t imagine being honest about it.”
You can sometimes take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and that your child isn’t the only one who leaves snot trails and wipes your nose on you, but it’s also joyful and gorgeous.
Ellie and her Australian husband, a former CNN reporter, have a solid routine at home. “I’m very fortunate,” He’s a great stay-at-home dad. Although it’s not always beautiful, we consistently deliver. Valentina, their daughter, has a younger daughter and is willing to help.
She’s nearly seven, so I’m asking, “Darling, can you get me a Diet Coke?” Although I don’t have yet faith in her with the kettle, Ellie jokes that she will be very helpful when she can make me cups of tea.
She is a really good girl and has been brilliant about how her crazy little brother has ruined her nice, organized life. She’s the best, and I adore spending time with her.
In terms of her and Phil’s distinct parenting styles, Ellie says, “I think I’m more a soft touch and lazier. For a simple life, I’ll say yes to things I know I shouldn’t. However, you may have to choose your battles depending on how tired you are.
Ellie is a regular on our screens as host of Bake Off: The Professionals, and made it to week 10 of Strictly in 2022 before she and Johannes Radebe were voted off.
She says, “I give him little pep talks because I know how grueling it can be,” and they are still in touch. He and Alex [Kingston] have done a fantastic job. Definitely a wonderful person, Jonnes. She claims that she once referred to him as the “best boyfriend.”
I instantly resembled Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman because of the flowers he gave me. Ellie can finally tune in after her Strictly stint, which will spare her from any agonizing flashbacks.
People frequently claim that watching your ex with a new girlfriend in the year follows. But now that I’m farther away, I can now go back and smile while also going, “I’m glad I don’t have to do that again.” Although I enjoyed it and had a great time, the theme music will always rekindle my interest.
Now there are two presenting jobs up for grabs, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departing, would Ellie throw her hat in the ring? “Oh my goodness, of course!” she says.
“I don’t believe there is anyone in light entertainment who would refuse.” Whoever obtains those positions will be in such awe. If they need me, I’ll happily cut myself a fringe. or dye my hair a color of blonde. I’ll do it, whatever it takes.
Ellie is also known for her role as Sassy in Apple TV+ favourite Ted Lasso. “I feel so lucky to have been part of that,” she says. “It’s such a joyful show, with so much heart, and it keeps finding new audiences as older kids start watching it.” She still chats to castmate Hannah Waddingham – when she can pin her down. “She’s busy taking over the world. She’s doing so brilliantly.”
Like the rest of the country, Ellie was glued to The Celebrity Traitors recently. “The casting was brilliant and it was so nice to have that kind of telly where everyone was watching at the same time. I’d love to do it, but I’d be an absolutely awful Traitor,” she says. “I’d crumble. But I don’t know if I’d be a very good Faithful either, as I don’t have very good intuition.”
I’m A Celebrity returning to our screens, might a trip to the Australian jungle appeal in the future? Do I want a snake to crawl over my face, though? Not particularly. I gag just watching other people eating the disgusting bugs, she says, so I don’t think I could.
The prospect suddenly seems more appealing as Ellie considers a few child-free weeks in Australia. In reality, cockroaches might be a spa break in comparison to young children. Never repeat “never”
A limited edition Car Time Accessory Kit has been created in collaboration with Halfords to encourage people to embrace “car time.” For more details, visit Halfords.com.
