Car Torque ... with actress, blogger and former CBeebies presenter Sarah-Jane Honeywell

What was your first car?

My first car was an ‘old school’ Mini Cooper S 1.3i in grey with white stripes. It had a choke and no power steering. It also had a walnut dash. Can’t remember the reg. I do remember it broke down a lot and got broken in to a lot. I loved it though but I don’t know that much about cars so it had to go.

How many times did it take to pass your test?

I past my test on the fourth try. I failed for going round a corner in third gear and speeding, first time, speeding, second time, and the third time, failing to know what the white lights on the back of a bus meant – of course I now know they meant it was reversing in to me.

My driving instructor was called George and he gave me jelly babies every week. I also crashed his car in to my mum and dad’s wall one lesson, which I must say he was pretty nice about and still brought me jelly babies each week even after that.

Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger?

Kermit the Frog and we’d take my Phoenix to see the Muppets cos he loves them.

What is your dream car?

I would like the car from the film Harold And Maude – it’s a 1965 Jaguar XK-E Hearse 4.2 Series I. The Goth in me needs this car.

How would you describe your driving style?

I think I’m pretty good. I’ve toured a lot so I’m certainly confident, I’ll happily drive anywhere and for long hours. I love driving.

Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?

I was about 22 years old. It was dusk and I was driving along the Old Kent Road in to New Cross in London. A white van had been behind me and beeping me and flashing me for ages and I just ignored them cos I thought they were being perverts. When the road finally went in to two lanes the three guys in the van drive up beside and were shouting out of the window. At this point I’d had enough, so I wound down my window and said ‘Why don’t you just f*** off!’ They then proceeded to tell me: “You haven’t got your lights on love.” I was mortified and ashamed and so tried my sweetest smile at them as I graciously thanked them and wound my window up. I turned off that road way before I should have done I was so embarrassed!

What are you listening to?

I like punk rock, hip hop, rap and rock. I do like angry music but I try not to listen to it in the car if it’s too angry as I was once listening to Courtney Love and I reversed into my house, even though I have parking sensors!

What do you drive now?

Now I have a BMW M Sport X1 in black. I only like black or dark grey cars. I have to drive this because I’m a mum now. I did think about having a convertible two-seater with a trailer on the back to put Phoenix in but apparently that’s frowned upon. BMW are great cars, I think German cars are the best for safety and as I’m a Beastie Boys kid only a BMW will do. I’ve left the badge on the car though – it’s not on a chain round my neck like the 1980s rappers!