My Secret Life: Katie Melua, singer/songwriter

Katie Melua was born on 16 September 1984 in Kutaisi, Georgia. A singer/songwriter, she moved to Northern Ireland aged eight before relocating to England seven years later. She made her musical début in 2003 and in 2006 was the biggest-selling British female artist in the world. In that year she also set the world record for playing the deepest underwater concert, 303m under the Troll A oil rig in the North Sea. She lives alone in west London and her third album Pictures is out now

I drive: an Alfa Romeo Spider convertible.

If I have time to myself: I love reading, especially Haruki Murakami. I am also getting into Ian McEwan, who is amazing.

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at: ironing. Especially shirts. I even wrote a song called "Shirt of a Ghost" about doing the ironing for someone who had just passed away. It wasn't a very happy song.

You may not know it but I'm no good at: cooking. I once tried to fry a shepherd's pie.

A book that changed me: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

Movie heaven: horror films – my favourite genre. Especially Japanese horror. I love a lot of Tarantino's films and also Larry Clark – his work is great too.

Comfort eating: cheese. The smellier and richer the better!

When I was a child: I wanted to be a historian. I used to love history, it was my favourite subject at school and I got an A+ in my GCSE.

All my money goes on: gear for my studio.

At night I dream of: weird things, like lots of stairs in different directions – like that scene from the film Labyrinth with David Bowie.

My favourite building: I don't have one favourite building, but I love cathedrals and churches. They are just so massive and detailed and incredible.

My biggest regret: is not having done an AFF (Accelerated Free Fall ) course, but hopefully I will get to do so in the future.

It's not fashionable but I like: flowers and gardening. I've got a small patch of garden with my flat and I try and get out there as much as I can.

If I wasn't me I'd like to be: David Attenborough, I just love the nature programmes that he does. He is such a legend and his work is amazing.

The shop I can't walk past: is All Saints, I just love their stuff. They always have something in there that takes my fancy.

My favourite work of art: Banksy's print of Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse from Santa's Ghetto in 2004.

The soundtrack to my life: Joni Mitchell.

The best invention ever: is probably the electric guitar. It's my favourite instrument to play and I write my songs on it.