CHARLIE Charlton co-presents the award-winning Breakfast Show with Alfie Joey on BBC Newcastle. Since the show’s launch, it’s twice been crowned Station of the Year at the Frank Gillard awards for BBC Local Radio, and has reached more listeners than any other local BBC radio station outside London. Nationally, you can hear Gateshead-born Charlie presenting daytime shows on BBC Radio 5Live, filling in for Adrian Chiles, Dan Walker and Peter Allen to name a few. You can also see her regionally on television - as newsreader for BBC Look North, and reporter for the regional current affairs programme Inside Out. Follow Charlie on Twitter @chatcharlton

What was your first car?

It was back in the mid 90s, and a pre-loved maroon Rover Metro was left parked outside our house with a big ribbon on the bonnet. My mam ran a haulage company and had decided I needed to wreck my own car at the depot, rather than her’s. Me and my Metro had great times for almost a decade, but after the door handles had snapped off and I had to crawl through the boot at 4am one winter’s morning to get to work - it was time to sell. When the garage said “that’ll be £50”, I fought the little car’s corner - it had been so loyal. Then the mechanic explained that wasn’t the sale price, but the cost of scrapping it.

How many times did it take to pass your test?

Rather embarrassingly, I passed on my second go because I’d sworn at a group of teenaged boys in a white Ford Escort who’d taunted me for almost my entire driving test through Gateshead. I still wince thinking of my sweet instructor Angus and my horrified parents when I told them the examiner had drawn a line through the whole test, after telling me a would’ve passed with flying colours if only I’d kept two fingers out of it.

Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?

My wonderful husband. He’s a car fanatic and although I love driving too this gives me the chance to sit in the passenger seat and watch the world go by, with great conversation and a cracking soundtrack. We’d probably head down the West Coast of the US again - from Portland, along the Pacific Coast Highway, detouring at Rio Nido Roadhouse after passing through the Redwoods - it’s hard to beat with the top down and the smell of the forests.

What is your dream car?

The Northern Echo: Aston Martin DB5, one of the types of cars owned by Barry Chapman

There are cars which take you to another time and place that I’ve been lucky enough to sit in, but not drive - like the Jaguar Mark 2 - for our wedding and the Aston Martin DB5. However, I’d love to know what it feels like to drive a 1940s Austin, or even a Studebaker Big Six. Hard work I expect!

How would you describe your driving style?

Rather like my father’s. Passionate. I’m always asked to drive so I must be safe - or my friends want to scrimp on the fuel!

Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?

A few of us lived in a converted Nissan Urvan while working and travelling around Australia. Every day was an adventure - you could sleep two in the back on a raised small double, and pitch a tent for the other two to three. We had everything we needed packed into this tiny space - a cool box, kitchenware, all our belongings, and bizarrely a tiny back and white TV which you powered by plugging in the cigarette lighter. We used it a few nights when we’d had to stop driving in the outback to avoid hitting kangaroos.

What are you listening to?

The Northern Echo: Paul Simon is to play at the BIC

I have really fond memories of long car journeys with my dear mam and dad, so I still revert back to our classic car tapes - Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Paul Simon’s Graceland, above. Right now, I’m also making my way though the playlist for a music festival in Portugal we’re going to this summer and I still can’t get enough of the American comedian Jim Gaffigan.

What do you drive now?

The Northern Echo:

I’ve become attached to driving Beetles. Once you get used to the sudden front drop and the wide wheel arches, they’re so much fun! I drive a blue, 60s Edition convertible. I listen to about five radio stations early in the morning and the Fender sound system boosts every word. It’s a joy to drive, other Beetle drivers always wave at you and the car itself has a smiley face. What’s not to love? Oh yeah…the emissions scandal.