The award-winning BBC East Midlands presenter and reporter on reoccurring A-level nightmares and how kindness goes a long way...

What was last album you bought?

I can’t remember the last album I bought, but almost Spotify wrapped my most listened to album…Cowboy Carter, Beyonce. Classic.

Are you a morning person or creature of the night?

So I need a coffee or three before I turn into any sort of human creature. So I’m definitely a creature of the night.

Should pineapple on pizza be considered a crime?

It’s a crime. Pineapple does not belong on pizza. Why would you ruin a pizza? I’m going to Italy soon, so whoever disagrees with me, I’ll let the Italians deal with you!

Favourite food takeaway?

I love a pizza, but Japanese or Chinese, I think anything but Indian, because as one myself, I will get disowned by Nani for ordering and not cooking – and I don’t want to ever mess with Nani.

Last song you purchased or streamed?

I think it was Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’.

What’s the mobile app you couldn’t live without?

Obviously, Tiktok. My boss was horrified at work when he found out that I spend up to two and a half hours scrolling on there a day. But I love pointless scrolling. Tiktok is just amazing.

Who was the last person to message you?

I think it’s someone working at a restaurant in Rome. I’m basically trying to get reservation there, and it’s not easy. So we’re having WhatsApp conversations back and forth.

What annoys you most about the world?

So, there are so many things that annoy me about the world, but today, I held a shop door open for so many people for what felt like forever, and not one person said thank you to me, kindness and please and thank you. It goes a long way.

Favourite alcoholic drink?

I would have to say an aperol spritz because it’s essentially sunshine in a glass.

My last ever meal would be…

It would have to be a Punjabi feast. I’m sorry, I’m talking samosa, pakora, roti, chicken…chili paneer. I’m gonna throw dal and aloo gobhi in there as well. Fish pakore. Basically anything deep fried and fabulous with flavour. I’m so here for it.

Best advice you ever received?

Two quotes that I live by are ‘be kind to people on your way up’, because you never know who you’ll meet on your way down and ‘rejection is God’s protection’. The last one is currently my wallpaper at the moment. Seriously, I live by those two quotes.

Favourite sports team?

I don’t really have one, but because I was born in Birmingham, I’m going to say Villa of course, it’ll be wrong not to. Everyone at work supports Forest, so I’m also going to say Forest or I’ll get disowned by the whole office.

What TV show we should all be watching right now?

So I’ve just finished watching the Americas Next Top Model documentary on Netflix as well as Bridgeton. Now I’m currently watching The Night Agent and Dinosaurs – so good! My current obsession and my guilty pleasures are basically food shows on the BBC: Great British Menu and MasterChef The Professionals. I basically aspire to be a judge on those shows; I want to eat everything!

TikTok or Instagram?

100% TikTok

Coffee or tea?

Coffee when I need to wake up is a must, but tea if I want a hug and a mug throughout the day

Do you have a recurring dream?

Oh, my God, this: I have a reoccurring dream that I am late to submit my coursework for A-Level English, and then I get kicked off the course. I literally have it every single month. I’ve completed my A-levels. I’ve got two degrees, and I have a career but apparently no amount of degrees or education can convince my brain that I have passed my A-level English. I have this dream all the time

What time do you get up?

So I get up depending on my shift time. So I’ve done night shifts; I’ve had 4am starts, 2am, 1pm starts. It literally just all depends on work.

What time do you go to bed?

I go to bed depending on what time I’m working throughout the day and what time I need to start the next day.

Favourite joke?

Oh, I think I remember this from a Christmas cracker, and it’s something to do with penguins. Okay, don’t judge me. How do penguins make a decision? Flipper coin. So bad, I’m sorry

Is there anything else we should know?

Monika Plaha is an RTS award-winning news presenter and multi-platform journalist for BBC News. She is currently a senior presenter for BBC East Midlands Today, live on air weekdays and occasionally reads the news for the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.