Nell McAndrew says, Being mum to my two-year-old son Devon is the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. So it's incredibly flattering to have been named Tesco magazine Celebrity Mum of the Year.

Nothing prepares you for having children

You suddenly have all this extra responsibility. I'm lucky that I have family and good friends who were there to support me. I've got two brothers and an older sister, and we're still quite close as a family.

We were always being told 'we can't afford it' as kids. My dad, Ted, worked seven days a week as he had six mouths to feed. My mum, Nancy, had three or four part-time jobs, as well as trying to raise a family. I don't know how she did it.

My upbringing has taught me that you don't get things handed to you on a plate.

And it gave me a good grounding for when I started modelling. It was pretty hard, going to eight castings a day, only often to be rejected.

Sometimes it made me feel rubbish

I'm not that confident as a person, but I guess I just saw it as a way to be independent and earn a decent living.

My goal was never to be famous

Not like lots of young girls now. For me it was more about the financial security. And I'm lucky I come from a stable background, as it would have been easy to crumble.

At 35 I feel a lot more comfortable in myself

I had a boob job when I was younger as I thought it would make me happy. It did for a while, but I've since learned that confidence comes from within.

I am a worrier

But I've come to realise sometimes you have to accept what life throws at you. When I had a miscarriage a few years ago there were days when I'd cry on my husband Paul's shoulder, but you have to get up and get on with it.

And working with various charities over the years, I've been lucky enough to meet the most incredible people

Such as Jonny Kennedy, who suffered from a life-threatening skin condition, that causes the skin to fall off at the slightest touch. Becoming friends with Jonny, who sadly died six years ago, made me think about all the little things we take for granted.

I'm involved, for personal reasons, with various charities such as Cancer Research UK

My dad, Ted, who's 56, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, T-cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, five years ago. Thankfully now he's in remission, but it goes to show you never know when you might be in need of help and support.

I've always been a fitness fan and found exercise a great way to relax

So I've run three marathons for charity and I'm taking part in the London Marathon this year for Cancer Research UK and Help Our Heroes, of which I'm a patron. I'm fortunate to be in a position where I can give something back.

Read more celebrity interviews :

• Katherine Jenkins interview
• David Walliams interview

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