AN OPPORTUNITY to take part in a BBC television programme turned out to be a life-affirming experience for mother-of-two Allison Watts.

The 35-year-old aromatherapist from Barming, near Maidstone, was asked to take part in a life-swap item for BBC1’s Morning Show - due to be aired from Monday to Wednesday (February 10-12).

Mrs Watts, who has been a qualified aromatherapist for seven years, and now works from home, swapped lives with Marie Curie PR executive Sarah Nock, from London, who in turn spent a day as an aromatherapist.

After being filmed doing her own job on Monday of this week, Allison spent Tuesday, running around London trying to encourage members of the public to dress up and help promote Marie Curie.

She said: "I found the day very challenging. They had me running round, stopping tourists, asking them to dress up in various Marie Curie PR stuff, and taking their photos by London landmarks. The day was an enlightening one.

“The worst point was the rejection of people. When I asked them to stop they didn't, and one person was quite rude. The highlight was meeting a couple of really great people.

"It just goes to show that the people we meet either make or break what we do.” She added: “Marie Curie is particularly close to home for me as my mother has had breast cancer twice, once 11 years ago and again two years ago.”

Mrs Watts, who works as a representative of Likisma Aromatherapy, says that the experience was positive, but for a different reason than she expected. The whole experience made me very aware of how much I love my job and my life. Although I live a very hectic life with the children and working from home, I do love it.”

The life-swap programmes can be seen from 10am on BBC1 this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a special live interview on Thursday morning.