STEPH McGovern is the Middlesbrough-born BBC Business reporter. She actually started out work at the Black and Decker factory in Spennymoor. She first appeared on TV after winning the title of Young Engineer for Britain after saving the company more than £1m on a design for its Leaf Hog product. She has worked for Radio Two, Four and FiveLive and provided business news for BBC's One, Six and Ten O'Clock news bulletins.

Away from the TV, she is a school governor on Teesside and regularly runs workshops for schoolchildren around the North-East.

Steph is also a former champion Irish dancer, a talent that BBC Breakfast viewers got to see recently when she performed an impromptu dance for Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid.

WHAT was your first car?

A white Vauxhall Nova which I got when I was 18. I named him Will and he was the absolute love of my life. I remember the first day I got to drive him on my own, on my way to work - I was working at Black & Decker factory in Spennymoor. It was a classic teen moment, windows down and a Smiths album playing loudly for all to hear. I was gutted when I had to get rid of him to pay for uni. I often think of him, wondering where he is now. Sniff sniff.

HOW many times did it take for you to pass your test?

Well this is embarrassing. I failed my theory test three times and on each occasion I cried and went off in a huff. My friends, who thought it was hilarious that the school swot couldn’t pass her theory test, tortured me until I eventually passed. Then came the practical element. The first time - yes it did take more than once - wasn’t great. I was doing fine until it came to a complicated roundabout outside my best friend Tasha’s house. To keep the story short I nearly crashed the car and the driving examiner had to grab the wheels from my hands. I then cried the rest of the way back to the driving centre. I’d like to point out here that I don’t cry very often. But I was so desperate to pass and hang out in the car on my own without having my Dad, the responsible adult, with me all the time. The second time doing the test, was the winner though. Phew.

WHO would be your ideal passenger and where would you like to go?

My ideal passenger would be Peter Kay. I know that wherever we were going he would keep me entertained for the whole journey, whether we’re talking about his Mam’s net curtains or his beefeater outfit at the Queen’s Jubilee. If he wasn’t free though then my ideal passengers would be my best mates Matt and Rach who are two of the funniest people I know. As for where we’d be going, that’s easy, Whitby!

WHAT is your dream car?

I have always dreamed of having a Lotus Elise. I used to go out with a guy who had a convertible Porsche 911 Carrera, that was nice, but for some reason I’ve always wanted a Lotus. I think my chances of ever getting one are probably slim to zero though. I can dream.

HOW would you describe your driving style?

Confident. I don’t have any time for nervous drivers. I don’t get to drive as much as I would like to, but when I do I love it.

TELL me one driving anecdote from your past?

The most surreal driving experience was once after a Radio 2 shift. I was getting a lift home from Chris Evans and we were in one of his amazing Ferrari’s - his car collection is amazing. We pulled up at some traffic lights and in the lane next to us was a guy in a little white Fiesta. He wound down his window and started shouting Chris’ name. I didn’t think much of it at first as this happens to him a lot. Then all of a sudden I realised it was Timmy Mallett. Yeah that guy who I used to watch with a plaster stuck to his face shouting Wack-a-day. They chatted for the whole time the lights were on red, with me in the middle just thinking about how mad my life was becoming.

WHAT is playing on your in-car iPod or CD player at the moment and why?

Rita Ora’s album. But normally it would be some 80s tunes or a bit of Morrissey. I love listening to music in the car.

WHAT do you drive now and why?

I’m about to buy a car so I’m not driving anything at the moment. I’ve just moved from London, where I didn’t need one, to Manchester, where I do need one. Any suggestions for what I can get would be greatly received!