SHE has been a star of TV, radio and newspapers and theatre too. She was even a prospective politician. Now Esther McVey is setting about mastering the business world.

And, judging by both her clients and the numerous awards she is winning, she is well on the way to succeeding there too.

It's a wet January Wednesday night and the bubbly Liverpudlian is hosting a drinks reception at Stockton Heath's Loch Fyne restaurant.

As the inspiration behind Winning Women, the fastest growing women's business network in the country, Esther has organised a night with the press for the owners of various businesses from across Cheshire and the wider north west.

As Warrington Guardian news editor, I have come along to give them tips about how to get business stories in the regional press.

And from the beginning, it is clear the former GMTV star is in her element.

At ease chatting with waitresses, the Kiwi manager of the restaurant and the women, she positively buzzes around.

Meetings such as these are part and parcel of her new life, with at least one a week across the region.

The businesswomen clearly respect and revere Esther before she introduces me to them in the kind of confident way you would come to expect from such a media veteran.

Born in 1967 - she admits she hits the big 4-0 later this year - Esther was educated at Liverpool's esteemed Belvedere School, a girl's only independent school that regularly tops the league tables.

She studied law at the Queen Mary and Westfield University before completing a post graduate course in radio journalism.

And after presenting and radio work, it was alongside Eamonn Holmes that she rocketed to fame on GMTV.

She was also a regular on The Heaven and Earth Show and Holiday on BBC One as well as other shows such as Channel 4 legal series Nothing But The Truth and award-winning current affairs programme Reportage.

And TV is still clearly close to her heart as she remains a consultant to several TV companies and works with Sky News, ITV and the BBC.

She said: "I have always enjoyed TV and more importantly always enjoyed what I have been working on. Whether that was getting up early in the mornings to work for GMTV or jetting around the world with Holiday.

"I believe in the power of the media."

And the media still clearly remains close to her heart - she has a column in the Liverpool Echo and guests present on independent radio station City.

She speaks fondly of a stint on the Vagina Monologues at Liverpool's Empire Theatre.

Yet you get the impression news is still so important to her.

On telling her my slightly late arrival was down to a late, breaking story, Esther bursts into life.

She speaks intelligently yet passionately about news being the lifeblood of local papers, and unlike many other public relation professionals, she has the respect of journalists too.

She has been there and done that - and she has promised never to call with a story when we are on deadline!

She says to the gathered businesswomen: "Gareth will be telling you all the secrets of the trade, but the most important one I would say is never call on deadline!"

Now as the inspiration behind Winning Women and public relations firm Making It, she passes on her wealth of experience with the people she works with.

"One of the things I have learned is the old adage, you never get a second chance to make a first impression - it's vital you get it right first time.

"And we can help with that," she added.

When it's not working in TV or for her various other companies, Esther has another life as a potential politician.

She claims to have taken a rest over Christmas, it was great to get sorted earlier and be able to close the office for a couple of weeks', but it is hard to see how.

At the last general election in 2006, she lost a narrow Wirral West seat to Labour.

But the determination that is so clear from the moment you shake her hand is still strong.

She is back on the A list of candidates for the next general election for the Conservative party, harbouring real hopes of making it to the House of Commons.

Back in Stockton Heath, this is just the latest event in a three-year rise to the top.

Last year more than 600 guests packed a gala dinner in Liverpool to hear from a number of women including double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes.

It is impossible to spend time with Esther without talking Liverpool.

The soft Scouse accent remains in place but the passion about the city is strong.

"It is my home, the head office of Winning Women is here and rightly so."

Yet she also knows Cheshire too.

"Stockton Heath does offer something different from Warrington - lovely bars and restaurants such as this - and I get to park outside!

"This is why I choose it for events like this," she quipped.

Whenever we speak, the concept of hard work always shines through.

She has clearly worked hard to achieve her success and it is something she passes on to the women who seek her advice.

At Loch Fyne are women from as far away as Bolton and Manchester but also as close to home as Middlewich and Appleton Thorn.

And from photography to property selling and exotic lingerie and pole dancing to film making, these businesses cover all sectors of society.

So what is it, other than hard work, that she puts her success down to?

The answer seems simple.

"We are friendly, dynamic and enterprising. It is all about helping women succeed in life.

"We provide work opportunities, business support and if you wish, the means and the know how and office space to set up in business yourself.

"In short, it is about fun, information and infrastructure - capturing opportunities that come your way in life."

And it is hard to imagine that there are many opportunities in life that have passed this woman by.