Stars Cars

We don't need much excuse to print a picture of Georgia Salpa on this site, so when an excuse lands on our lap, we feel honour bound to use it.

Georgia has decided to learn to drive and posed with her brand new car - a Fiat 500 - to announce the fact. Fair play to her for giving us warning: not because she'll be driving erratically, but because the sight of her getting in and out of the car may prove too much for some to be able to cope with.

Here, she shares her initial thoughts about life behind the wheel.

So Georgia, why has it taken you so long to start driving?

I just never got around to it, I guess. When I finished school I went backpacking around the world for two years then I lived in Greece for a year, so I only have been living in Dublin the past two years. In that time, though, I’ve been spending a fortune on taxis so I’m extremely excited to get driving.

Surely not having a license makes getting about for work more difficult?

Yes, it makes everything a lot more difficult as I said I spend half my life in taxis. I get on average about three a day, which is way too much. In my line of work every day is different - one day I could be on Grafton Street, the next day in Cork, so having a car for work will make life so much easier: Just throw all the high heels and makeup in the boot and head off!

How has the learning experience been going so far?

It’s been going really well, I was very nervous at first because I had very little driving experience but the guys at Fiat have hooked me up with an instructor from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Tony Toner, who has been just great.

You're driving a Fiat 500C. Is it a good car learn in?

Yes, it’s a great car to learn in because it’s small and very easy to drive. It’s a very girly car, which I love, and I just found out I can hook my iPhone 4 up to it also which is very exciting as I’m never off the phone.

People always have a soft-spot for their first cars. Have you bonded with your Fiat 500C yet?

Yes, I totally I love it! It’s a great car, so much fun. I can’t wait to be able to drive it properly - I don’t think I will ever be out of it!

Your car is a convertible but will you ever actually drive around with the roof down?

Definitely! When the weather gets better I will be driving everywhere with the top down. Hopefully, we will have a sunny summer so I can cruise around with my friends with the roof down.

You’ve got Greek blood – do you think this will influence the way you drive?

No, hopefully not, because the Greeks are crazy drivers! I would rather be a safe driver but I have already noticed Tony keeps telling me to lay off the accelerator so I guess there’s a little bit of that Greek driver in me after all.