How long have you lived in the East End?

For about eight years, in Hackney. I love it. It's an incredible mixture – there are really beautiful parks, it's great for art and boozers, and even though it's edgy it's good for families; everywhere you go there are women sitting around with babies. There are good festivals too. I went to Field Day, and saw Metronomy and Mazzy Star, and it's all in my back yard. You can do a lot of damage and then walk home. Another great thing about Hackney is the street art – it's all over the place. Hackney Road has some of the best.

How has the area changed while you've lived there?

It has changed a lot, mainly because of the Olympics. Victoria Park was given a huge makeover, they've made the lakes bigger and given the playground a facelift. They've got everything now.

Favourite places?

The Dolphin on Mare Street is a great pub to stay late in – there's always something happening like karaoke or a band or a hula-hoop competition, and a real mixture of people. You can be drinking with the tramp from down the road and some lunatic from a band. It's great as you get a bit older, you feel like you have a right to be there, it's not all young cool people. The Lauriston is good too, they do fantastic pizzas and let your kids run around. The London Fields on Mare Street is another favourite, and there's a new place called Platform in a building called Netil House, which houses a huge creative community. They've just had inflatable hot tubs put on the roof – you can't beat that.

Favourite restaurants?

There's a great restaurant near Platform called Ombra. It's Venetian, and run by these guys who used to have an architecture business. The menu changes all the time – they write it on a chalk blackboard. The Market Cafe on Broadway Market is a lovely place to go for supper. A cafe called Loafing in the village has fantastic cakes and incredibly strong coffee for after the school drop off. And the Pavilion cafe in Victoria Park, overlooking the lake, has the best scrambled eggs and the best view in London.

Is it safe?

There are areas on the other side of London Fields where there are gangs but there are also people playing cricket. Hackney gets a bit of a bad rap, but it's the only place I've ever lived that felt like a community. I know my neighbours.

Favourite building?

I love Sutton House in Clapton, a beautiful example of Tudor architecture.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?

Less gang violence would be nice, fewer of those yellow signs.

If an alien landed in Broadway Market where would you take them?

To the Dolphin for the mix of lunatics. I'd just maybe advise him to avoid the toilets.