Emma Barnett: ‘People ask, is that the radio you or the real you?’

The broadcaster and author talks maternity leave, childhood curiosity and her imaginary radio audience

At school, I was the girl who wanted to dissect sheep lungs. I had a lack of horror around gore, I’m not squeamish at all, which was helpful when it came to all those needles for IVF. I thought about being a surgeon. I also thought it would be interesting to become a fishmonger. I’m fascinated by fish – I don’t know why.

As an only child, radio was my companion. I had a little battery-operated radio at the table next to my cereal bowl.