It's been a good week for … ironing

It's been a good week for … ironing

According to Kirstie Allsopp, women like ironing. The homely TV presenter suggested that working mothers take pleasure in household duties because it keeps them sane.

"I'm absolutely convinced that those repetitive tasks that one does every day, organising and regularising one's home, and keeping it tidy, [are] enormously therapeutic," said the star of Location, Location, Location. "It is for me, and I have many working mum friends who feel the same."

Well, it might work for you and your chums, Kirstie. But I ain't buying it. Therapy? A good book, a blast at the gym, even weeding the garden all spring to mind as pleasant diversions to the daily grind. Ironing? It is the daily grind.

I confess, however, that I am somewhat spoiled in the laundry department since my husband attends (with zealous attention to detail) to the chore of keeping us in clean clothes. (That craftily placed red sock in a white wash all those years ago got me off the hook nicely.) Having mastered the art of the really good shake, he's expert at keeping creases at bay, and folding has become an art form in our household.

Meanwhile, as long as our son calms down with the dumb bells, he may well complete his secondary education before growing out of the miracle that is the non-iron school shirt range from a certain popular high-street retailer.

Repetitive domestic tasks are part of daily life, I suppose. But as an iron lady, I'm not for turning.

It's been a bad week for …

Doctor Who

He's conquered Daleks and Cybermen and has survived 12 regenerations; now the new Doctor has faced a painful encounter with a frock.

The latest incarnation of the Tardis' inhabitant, Peter Capaldi, was left with a dislocated thumb after an on-set accident for a recent TV role. The Scots actor got caught in a co-star's costume while filming his role as Cardinal Richelieu in new BBC drama, The Musketeers.

"I felt a jab of pain," he said. "And when the director said 'cut' I looked down and saw my thumb was on the wrong way round. Nasty. Instinct took over and I shoved it back."

Ouch. Where's your sonic screwdriver when you need it?