Influencer James Kavanagh: ‘Since getting a hair transplant, I can walk around windy streets with confidence’

What’s your earliest memory?

My granny, who lived around the corner from me, hated unannounced visitors. I was fiveish and would run around to knock on her door, which I quickly learned would result in a bribe to leave her alone: a Milkybar pushed through the letterbox.

When and where were you happiest?

On holiday in an ancient little city with William, strolling along about to get lunch. I’m always most excited when I’m about to sit down and eat something delicious.

What is your biggest fear?

I’m a big hypochondriac. It’s something I had to really try to manage over the last few years. I’d give myself panic attacks thinking something was wrong with me. No matter how many times my GP told me I was fine, I never believed it. I am much better now with health anxiety, but it’s a thing I always have to work on.

What’s your least, and your most, attractive trait?

It takes me ages to complete tasks and I put everything off to the last minute. Most attractive? I asked William this – he said my sense of humour.

What trait do you deplore most in others?

Stinginess. And I generally see it with people who have a lot of money...

What’s the first thing you’d do if you were Taoiseach?

Hire someone to become Minister for Aesthetics. Dublin city, in particular, needs a lot of help.

What’s your biggest insecurity?

It used to be my receding hairline, but since I got a hair transplant, I approach swimming and walking around windy streets with ease and confidence.

Which fictional character do you most identify with?

Patty and/or Selma from The Simpsons.

What is your most treasured possession?

My Sphynx cat Princess Diana. Although I think I’m her possession.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Being hellishly hungover, eating pizza and watching the Come Dine With Me and Four In A Bed omnibuses on More4 every single Sunday.

Who would you most like to go for a pint with?

Kate Bush. I have so many questions about her songs and where she drew inspiration.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

If you’re upset and want to send a message, write it out and sleep on it. Check it the next day and, chances are, you’ll heavily edit it for the better.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Jacob Elordi. I want to be immortalised as a dreamboat. Who cares if it’s not accurate?

Do you believe in a god?

To paraphrase Stephen Fry’s iconic answer to Gay Byrne, how could an all-loving god show such violent suffering? I do love the idea of an afterlife though.

What’s your favourite word?

Incandescent.

What’s the last TV show you binge-watched?

Mary & George.

What’s been your closest brush with the law?

I was arrested/held in a cell for not having a passport when I arrived to security at Charles de Gaulle Airport. I left it on the plane.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?

Sorting bottles for recycling in a local pub.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Travel for a few years. I went straight into full-time jobs. I wish I got to do a J1 or live in Australia or something.

Ambitions for 2024?

To grow vegetables and have chickens in our new home in Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny. We found it when we were filming The Great Inspo Home Adventure for Virgin Media. It has an acre of land, a polytunnel, and William and I want to grow our own and use them to make recipes.

What star would you like to have met?

Bette Davis. I find her endlessly entertaining. I’ve watched all her TV interviews on YouTube and I’d kill to have dinner with her and listen to her dirt on everyone in Hollywood’s golden era.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

Orinoco Flow by Enya. Love Enya.

Four episodes of The Great Inspo Home Adventure with James and William can be viewed on virginmediatelevision.ie/player/