June: Nelson Mandela is a flirt! - Dec 6 2007
In the near decade June Sarpong has spent on T4 she has met some amazing names, from Tony Blair to Brad Pitt - but she has revealed that one particular man stands out in her memory.

"Nelson Mandela was brilliant," she enthuses. "I've met him twice. He's funny and has a really witty sense of humour. I remember he really liked my skirt."

"It sounds weird to say this," she adds, "but he's quite flirtatious. Bill Clinton was too. I think it sometimes helps to be a woman when you are interviewing these people.

"I've also chatted to some great bands over the years. We've had everybody from Steps to Elton John and I love just having that amount of diversity under my belt. There isn't another show on TV where you get to do that."

She also sheds some light on diva-like behaviour backstage, saying it's usually the people around the artists who make ridiculous requests on their riders.

"Those diva demands aren't from the guests, those diva demands are from the people who work with them," she says.

"They are the ones who ask for specific bottled water, or this particular candle, but you go in afterwards and it hasn't even been touched!"

June ’flattered’ to be role model - May 17 2007
June Sarpong has spoken out about being a role model for young girls.

The vivacious T4 presenter has been named as an ambassador for Aristoc Ultra Woman - a search to find the nation’s most inspirational, influential and high achieving women.

The 29-year-old said: "It’s quite flattering if someone sees you as a role model and I do take it quite seriously because I do think that, like anything in life, if you see someone else doing it you think maybe it’s possible for you.

"So maybe through what I do people will think, ’June’s from East London, she’s not from a privileged, wealthy background, maybe that could be me’."

She added: "If I am able to achieve something then maybe someone from that background will feel they can too. A young girl may think she may not have to do lots of bikini shoots, fall out of a nightclub drunk or be snorting lots of lines to become famous."

The broadcaster, who was awarded an MBE this year for her services to broadcasting and charity, added that her work for The Prince’s Trust and other campaigns is really important to her.

"It’s really important because I know what being given the right opportunity can do," she said.

"It’s crucial to open people’s eyes because a lot of time if you’re from an area where the aspirations are quite low, you don’t know there’s a world out there. I see hope and opportunity."

June: Steve is my Plan B - Feb 13 2007
T4 presenter June Sarpong has revealed that she has made a pact with co-host Steve Jones - that if neither of them are married by 35, they’ll become a couple.

"Steve and I did have this pact that if neither of us are married by the time we’re 35, we’ll get it on. He’s like my fall guy - my plan B!," she told Star magazine.

But the 29-year-old might have to fight off the competition as Steve gets a huge amount of attention.

She laughed: "There’s obviously some energy that he gives off, pheromones or something. I’ve never seen anything like it.

"You go out for a drink with Steve and it’s amazing how many women feel the need to go to the loo and walk past you!