I don’t to go out on the pull with it all hanging out. Just a nice tight leopard-print outfit! 
Should you be lucky enough to be a student, or an insomniac, or a divorced drunk, you should already be familiar with the late-night ITV cult quiz show The Mint, and therefore aware of the absolute joy that is Kat Shoob, the show’s infectious (in a good way) presenter.
When Maxim meets her for a drink, she’s so absurdly pretty it’s hard not to burst out laughing. Then when she turns out to be charmingly self-deprecating and very funny, you naturally develop a tiny crush. You start thinking about buying some land, tending to the earth all winter, seeding it during spring, then harvesting the crop with your bare hands, just so you can build a giant, golden haystack in which you can roll around with Kat all summer long. Come join the Cult of Shoob. Farmers welcome.
What is a Shoob?
It’s my name, isn’t it? The name is from the Ukraine, I think. But I’ve lived for most of my life in Chester. I moved down to London to do a job looking after TV presenters. Not ‘look after’, like wiping the dribble from their mouths…
You weren’t looking after Stephen Hawking…
No! I was the assistant for an agency. We had Simon Amstell, loads of newsreaders – and its sister company dealt with comedians, so we got to go along to all their stuff. It was a really good two years.
So when did you decide to move into presenting?
"Well, when we were looking after them, I thought… ‘I’m better than them’? No, ‘They’re making more money than me!’ Also it was something that I’d always wanted to do. So I handed in my notice, and did a bit of modelling for a shopping channel. It was Price-drop TV!
So you had to stand there and introduce products?
Every six minutes we had to tell them what was coming up, and then model the jewellery and clothes. I was there about five months, so it was like a crash course in live TV. Then from there I just badgered everyone I knew to get better jobs. It all happened quite quickly.
So now you’re on The Mint. How’s that?
Its knackering because it records so late. It’s in Maidstone, so it’s far. It’d be a lot easier finishing at that time if you didn’t have a drive after it. But it’s a fun show, and the guys I work with are lovely.
Have you said anything embarrassing on it?
Oh, loads. The other week the prize was £30,000. And for no reason I said, ‘Ooh it’s so big, it hurts!’ And in my ear they were going ‘Kat, don’t say that again!’
I’ve got some information about your favourite things. Leopard print’s on there. (Kat puts her feet up on the table revealing some leopard print shoes)
Yep! (Speaks into dictaphone) For the record, it wasn’t my pants I just showed, it was my shoes. Yeah, it’s led to some awful buys. Full-on outfits in leopard print! I am the modern day Bet Lynch, ‘If yer’ve gorrit, flaunt it.’
Apparently you also like fake tan.
(Looking guilty) No!
Is that fake tan?
No! (Laughing, Kat shows Maxim where the tan lines stop abruptly between her fingers) No, definitely not fake tan!
Why didn’t you let them do it on the shoot? They could have done a proper job.
No, ’cos then I’d have to walk around with it drying. I like to do it overnight so it settles. And goes wrong!
Christ, what does your bedspread look like?
It looks awful in the morning.
Right. Celebrity gossip magazines are on there too?
These are quite general, aren’t they? ‘She likes breathing!’ ‘She loves to blink!’
Shopping in the supermarket?
I do particularly love shopping in the supermarket. I just love food, and it excites me.
Presumably you’re single and shopping for one.
(Looking ashamed) It’s so obvious, isn’t it?
Does your trolley just contain tragic things like Supernoodles and a bottle of Pinot Grigio?
Just one tomato, one carrot. No! Don’t be stupid.
On The Mint, contestants try to win what’s in a big vault. If your bedroom was a vault, what would we need to do to be allowed in?
Um, fish, chips and mushy peas always goes down a treat.
What do you wear when you’re out on the pull?
I don’t like to go with it all hanging out. I think less is more. Just a nice, tight outfit. Leopard print and tight!
Yeah, that’s ‘less’ isn’t it? What do you find sexy?
I like guys who look like they’re in a rock band. Unsavory looking fellows. Yeah. I have very bad taste in men. I just don’t like guys who are too nice to me. Maybe I’ll grow out of it. I’m 22. No, I won’t, will I?
What are your turn-ons?
Apart from Scotch eggs andpork pies? Really confident men who take control of the situation. I don’t like guys who are like, ‘Oh what do you want to do?’ I really hate that. Be a man!
What’s the worst attempt anyone’s made to pull you?
I was in the gym the other day on the running machine, and this guy kept walking past. He leaned over and went ‘you’ve got lovely hair!’ And I go, ‘thanks’. And he goes, ‘A lot of women have to pay to get their hair like that.’ And I’m like ‘So do I!’ I just ignored his next question. I’ll probably do that to you in a minute.
I’m amazed its lasted this long. How do you dance when you’re drunk?
Well, when I’m drunk I do tend to think that I’m Carmen Electra. You know when you think you’re incredibly sexy when you’re drunk? The next morning I’m like, ‘Oooh my legs hurt. Was I doing that Beyoncé bootylicious thing again?’
What’s been your worst ever experience?
We had Paul Daniels and Debbie MacGee on The Mint recently. He did the whole ‘kiss on the cheek, turn your head at the last minute’ thing. He tricked me!
You snogged Paul Daniels!
Not willingly though! I’m going to sell it to the papers next week. ‘My night of magic! I liked his tricks… not a lot!’
I’ve got a more embarrassing story about you. Someone I know saw you crossing a road recently, and the wind blew your dress up like Marilyn Monroe!
Oh my God! Did I have pants on?
I like the way there’s a possibility that you didn’t!
That’s hysterical! Fabulous. I love that!
Can you tell us any secrets?
I can get both my legs over my head. I’m quite bendy. I don’t have many secrets. I’m quite honest. That’s my problem.
So there’s not much mystery to you?
No, I’m not very sexy.
Oh brilliant. I’m putting that in. Cheers.
Apart from my Maxim shoot of course!
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