She rose to fame in Byker Grove and since has carved out a career as a presenter, model and actress, yet Donna Airs most valued role is playing mum to daughter Freya, she tells Sarah Foster

IT isnt quite what youd expect from someone who used to live for parties but Donna Air C the pretty Geordie on the London social scene C is fussy with her food. She eats organic when she can and things like supermarket packaging can really make her mad.

Donna says she first switched on to healthier food when she was pregnant.

Its during pregnancy that most women start to think about what theyre eating and what theyre going to feed their child, says the 28-year-old.

Im realistic C not everything is organic C but I like to know whats in the food I give Freya and its very topical at the moment. I work with the Soil Association and theres huge evidence to support it. There are so many things that shouldnt be in food and its about time the Government listened. About 85 per cent of women would like organic food for their children.

The image Donna now presents is worlds away from what it was. She was the shallow, ditzy blonde who once was mocked for being stupid (she is reported to have asked how family band The Corrs first met); now she has shed her airhead title (an unkind reference to her name) and reinvented herself. Shes ditched her accent C though not RP it has become distinctly plummy C and since the birth of daughter Freya has turned earth mother through and through.

Shes at the helm of a Bold campaign to help all mums make more time for themselves.

Its difficult to get time to yourself, but I do understand how important it is because if we dont, were not going to be much good to anybody, says Donna.

Especially when youve got people depending on you, you have to take care of yourself.

I TS clear Donnas life is less her own since having Freya, whos now four.

She took time out of her career to bring her daughter up herself and says she relishes the closeness they now have as a result.

Shes a great girl C shes lots of fun, says Donna. Ive been very lucky in the sense that Ive been able to be around Freya a lot. Before that Id always worked constantly and Im now going back to work to do lots of drama. Im doing a bit in Hotel Babylon in a few weeks, Ive just finished a movie and then Im doing some TV work towards the end of the year.

With Freya starting school next year there will be even greater freedom. It seems that Donna has relaxed in the four years since she was born.

To start with I thought God, she should be speaking French, Japanese and Russian by the time shes two, but then you get a grip and realise that they dont have to be busy 24 hours a day, she says.

With first-time children, youre learning all the time and Im much more relaxed now. I was just really excited about being a mum, but my approach has changed. Freya is at an age now where I can reclaim a bit of time to do what makes me thrive, so Im able to read a book again and watch a movie and thats a nice place to get to.

When Donna is able to unwind she likes to swim, go out for meals or cuddle up and watch a film C a million miles from the wild life that not so long ago, was hers. The only flaw in the arrangement is that shes now a single mum C she split from partner Damian Aspinall, Freyas father, in the summer C but she insists shes still friendly with the millionaire tycoon.

Were both very hands-on parents, very close, and very much still a family, says Donna. I would say Im pretty happy. How could I not be? I have the most amazing daughter and a job that I love. Its important to keep focused on all the good things that you do have.

No doubt her many high-profile friends C she often used to hit the town with pop star socialites the Appletons C have been a godsend since the split.

Despite her family not being there, Donna says shes blessed with strong support.

I have friends and family in Newcastle and although theyre not close I know theyre there for me, says Donna.

One thing Donna is keen to get across is how well women seem to manage. She doesnt feel she has it harder than the average working mum. We have to be superwomen, and we are, says Donna.

Women have always been good at doing more than one thing at a time. I look at my girlfriends and theyre remarkable.

Thats why women impress me so much C because we rise to the challenge C and I think we do get the balance right and we do make it work.

Though she admits life isnt easy with a four-year-old in tow, its clear that Donna wouldnt change her situation for the world. She says motherhood is all shed ever dreamed of and much more.

Its great, she enthuses. Any woman will understand that no relationship is closer than the one you have with your child. Its the toughest job but its the best job in the world.

ö Donna Air has teamed up with Bold to encourage mums to indulge in me time. Visit www.indulgewithbold.com and see the competition, left.