Sue Cook

Sue Cook (born Susan Lorraine Thomas, in Ruislip Middlesex March 30 1949) is a British broadcaster and author. She lives in North London with her husband, film director Ian Sharp. She has two children, Charlie Williams, son to former husband John Williams, the classical guitarist, and Megan Macqueen, daughter to children's television producer Billy Macqueen.

Her career began as a producer and DJ for London's Capital Radio, and over the next twenty years, she presented programmes for both radio and television, such as the BBC's "Nationwide", "Breakfast Time", "Children in Need", "Out of Court", "Crimewatch", "Collectors Lot" and "Holiday". She also appeared briefly as herself in the BBC television drama serial (1985) "Edge of Darkness " and in "The Life and Loves of a She-Devil" (1986). An honours graduate in Psychology from the University of Leicester, the University conferred on her an honorary D.Litt in 1997 in recognition of her contribution to British broadcasting.

She was famously referred to often in the first series of "I'm Alan Partridge", although she only ever 'appeared' on the other end of a telephone, and personally did not take part in the show. For effect she was portrayed as a foul-mouthed heavy smoker, in contrast to her good-natured screen persona. Cook sent Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan a letter apologising for her fictional behaviour on the show.

Her first novel "On Dangerous Ground" was published on November 6 2006 by Hodder Headline. Her second, "Force of Nature", is published in hardback edition in July 2008, also by Headline. Paperback edition due out in March 2009.