Arts & culture

Stacey Says

Presenter and investigative journalist Stacey Dooley on…

Information obsession

Documentaries have come back into fashion over the past few years. Everyone has a growing obsession with Louis Theroux, it’s at an all-time high. I think we are very curious, there is this insatiable appetite for information.

Career high

The films we made concerning the Yazidi community in Iraq are some of the ones I’m most proud of. Having said that, we have just made a really compelling documentary about psychosis and mental health in south London, so that’s much closer to home.

Best Strictly memory

I shouldn’t say winning, should I? Because that’s too showy. Kev [Clifton] and I loved the Paso. I was never going to be the best dancer; I was against a Pussycat Doll and a girl from Steps – both amazing dancers. So it was just about us taking ownership of our own journey.

Credit: Matthew Shave

Amazing encounters

That’s the highlight of the job, you go to the most unusual parts of the world, sometimes in hostile environments and sometimes surrounded by extreme privilege – and you meet people that you just wouldn’t cross paths with ordinarily. I love that.

How to relax

Just sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea watching Only Fools and Horses or The Royle Family. Also scrolling through Instagram looking at stuff I don’t need. I’m very, very low key, not particularly rock ‘n’ roll.

From Glow to Glasgow

Life is non-stop. I’m doing Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star at the minute and I’m going off to do a documentary on spy cameras… After that I go to the USA to spend time with women serving life in prison, and in January and February I will be doing the Strictly tour. I start my book tour in Glasgow [on 10 February 2020]. It’s very exciting.

Lead image credit: Danny Kaan