She's so lucky. To me that's the best job in the world. I'd love it.
It's a nice report about what it's like for her.
WHEN Tracey Chappell left school without any qualifications, little did she know she'd end up a star in her own living room.
But rubbing shoulders with the likes of Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, Hollywood idol Lauren Bacall and chat show king Michael Parkinson is now all in a day's work for the single mum.
Two years ago, Tracey was content looking after her three children Charlotte, 12, Holly, five, and Alex, two, as well as feeding the family's collection of 37 goldfish.
But today, she is the star of her mining village of Tonyrefail, Rhondda, after being plucked from obscurity to be a tea-time TV starlet on The All-New Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4.
Since 2004, Tracey has been a globe-trotting roving reporter for Lily Savage's alter-ego, interviewing some of the biggest showbiz names on the planet.
And her sweet tooth for interviewing the rich and famous has just enabled her to buy her very own confectionery shop in the Valleys, called The Sweetest Feeling.
But anyone thinking of catching Tracey counting sherbet lemons, had better think again.
Because when the 33-year-old isn't putting sweeties on measuring scales, she can be found mingling with the press pack on red carpets around the world.
Just last week, Tracey filed her report to Paul O'Grady after being sent to interview Jon Bon Jovi, Leanne Rimes and Sheryl Crow as they arrived for the 40th Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee.
And she let slip how she managed to get up close and personal with Grammy-winning Mavericks frontman Robert Reynolds during her trip Stateside.
"Let's just say we got on very well. That's all I'm saying," said Tracey.
"He took me and the rest of the crew out for dinner and made sure I got on my plane to come back to Wales! I'm not saying any more. It was harmless flirting really."
Animal- lover Tracey was plucked from obscurity to join O'Grady's daily chat show after she replied to a mysterious newspaper ad.
"It didn't say what the job was for. It just said this company was looking for people who wanted to do exciting things," said Tracey.
"I ended up going for an audition and then a screen test before I got the job. I couldn't believe it. But I think I got it as, like Paul, I say what I feel and I guess they were looking for someone who is normal and speaks their mind."
And Tracey has chased the stars around the world ever since.
As well as spending the day cooking with Jamie Oliver, she has reported from London Fashion Week, the Eurovision Song Contest and Japan, where she learned the art of geisha girls and sumo wrestling.
But despite living the life of a celeb, Tracey is the first to admit that her working class roots have helped to keep her feet on the ground. In fact, her Valleys humour came in useful the day she came face to face with Parky.
"Aw, that was embarrassing," laughs Tracey. "Terrible!
"I was walking down the corridors at ITV towards Paul's studio one day. But as I pulled up my blouse my breasts fell out. Then, who should come round the corner, but Parky. It was awful. Terribly embarrassing, but he gave me loads of advice about interviewing people."
For now, Tracey hopes her TV dream lasts as long as it can. Well, as long as O'Grady can keep himself fit following his recent heart scares.
"Paul and I get on very well. We have a wicked sense of humour. He is outspoken but I've told him to f*** off many a time!" laughs Tracey.
"But he has been very good to me. When my son Alex was in hospital with an eczema infection recently, Paul sent him a bouquet of flowers.
"I returned the favour when Paul was in hospital recently. I sent him flowers with a card saying, 'Don't die, I need the work'. Paul replied with a card saying, 'Selfish bitch'! But Paul's cool. I've told him not to snuff it until I get another job!"
In the meantime, Tracey is the toast of her family.
"My mum and dad are very proud. Everybody has been great to me back home. I'm exactly the same person you see on TV," she says.
"It's great to be recognised though. I've had builders shout at me in the street and everybody has been so kind. It's put my faith back in humanity.
"Being on the show has enabled me to buy my own business and that's great. It will give me an income when I am not on TV. I'm too old now to chase the dream of becoming a real showbiz reporter. I left school with no qualifications and I know my place. I'm not that bright to be honest. After all, I have far too many responsibilities back home."
