Friend's wardrobe, a boiler and family: Five things Maggie Philbin can't live without

1. Friend’s wardrobe

My neighbour Ann has this amazing wardrobe stuffed full of lovely clothes which I always seem to be raiding.

I recently spent a week having to film outside with the BBC science show Bang Goes The Theory and before I went on air I was in a blind panic as I didn’t have enough outdoor clothes.

Luckily Ann and her magical wardrobe came to the rescue and one of her coats caused an absolute sensation with viewers.

People were tweeting for weeks asking me where I’d got it.

I am rather ashamed to say that recently I ruined one of Ann’s jumpers by leaving it in the wardrobe in the spare room where it was demolished by moths.

Fortunately she was very understanding and I really do appreciate having such a kind and well-dressed neighbour.

2. My family

My family is pretty small as it consists of Rose, my dad Tom who is 89 and my younger sister Nickie.

Dad and Nickie live in Leicestershire while Rose and I are in London but still the four of us are incredibly close.

Each member of my family brings something special to my life.

Rose is the most efficient and forward thinking person I know, quite unlike me.

She was rather wild and unconventional at school but she now has an incredibly successful job in technology and is such a bright and capable young woman.

As her mother I couldn’t be prouder and I love that she is so good at organising everything, including me.

My dad, a retired accountant, adores her and they have a lot in common as they have the same business acumen.

Dad is one of the kindest and most thoughtful men you could ever meet while Nickie has this ability to always make me laugh.

3. Travel apps

I am by nature rather a last-minute person and planning isn’t my strong point.

This is probably why I am such a big fan of apps such as Google Maps and UK Train Times.

They help me to arrive at my destination on time and without getting lost, which definitely saves me a lot of stress.

4. Coffee machine

I cannot get through the day without a caffeine fix and for Christmas dad bought me a Delonghi coffee machine which I love.

It makes the most fabulous coffee although I do try to limit myself to three cups a day.

Good coffee has now become available everywhere though I am not very keen on those paper cups full of froth that seem to be so popular.

They don’t seem to taste of anything.

5. A boiler

This is going to sound pretty basic but I really cannot function without heat and hot water.

This was brought home to me a couple of weeks ago when dad’s boiler suddenly packed up and we were waiting to get it fixed.

It was so cold and I hated the fact that we couldn’t even wash up because the water was freezing.

I often wish I had some basic plumbing skills as it is so frustrating and expensive when household appliances go wrong.

• Maggie is the CEO of TeenTech which runs events helping young teenagers see the wide range of career possibilities in science, engineering and technology. Visit teentechevent.com for info.