Sex, stories and a spectrum of colour had eyes glued to TVs everywhere at the start of the year. 

I’m a sucker for a good snack. The healthy choices don’t always cut it, especially when my mum rocks up with homemade baking (think apple and cinnamon cake and sticky ginger brownies). Any sense of restraint or moderation flies out the window. 

You could say I’m an all or nothing sort of girl. As in, I want to eat it all right now. 

And it doesn’t end with cake. I’m a sucker for a love story. 

You know, the ones that grab you by the hair and keep you up all night to make it to the end. 

That was my Bridgerton experience. 

I’m generally a little late to view the hottest Netflix craze (if at all). I’m not a huge TV-watcher and when I do, the kids generally have control of the remote. This time, I wasn’t too far behind the masses.

As a greedy story consumer, I’d not pegged Bridgerton as one I’d want to binge, period drama isn't really my thing I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

I got the kids to bed, grabbed a brew and figured I’d sort the washing while the first episode played. Seven hours later, it’s 2am, the sock pile hasn’t been touched and I’m six episodes in, going “just one more…”

Saucy, seductive and a spectrum of beautiful colours.

So what was it that sucked me in? Why were my eyes glued from the opening credit?

Maybe it was the interiors, the grand London houses (that wisteria at Bridgerton House), the country piles (Clevedon for a ball? Yes please), the colourful costumes or carefully crafted characters who brought a level of feistiness you can’t help but love. 

Set during Regency-era England, the story drips with wealth, seduction and betrayal as we sashay our way through the debutante Season.

Lady Danbury was my favourite. Formidable, straight-talking and the queen of the collar, she shows what good can happen when you show someone a little kindness. My kind of woman. 

And then there’s Lady Whistledown, the secret storyteller who spectacularly adds fuel to the fire after every glitzy occasion, jostling nerves and sending the elite into a flurry of chatter and bitter meddling. 

Her tantalising reporting of the Season is a spectacular example of the impeccable power of storytelling and a story’s ability to influence opinions and subsequently, actions. 

And while being a sharp-tongued gossip certainly isn’t something to aspire to, her ability to hook her audience on each and every print run is something of a marvel.

Haven’t watched it? Take a look if you’re hankering for a little lust-fuelled relief but don’t say I didn’t warn you if it becomes an all-out binge fest. 

Why am I chatting about TV? Just look at the impact Lady Whistledown created. It can teach us a thing or two about the power of storytelling when it comes to PR and persuasion:  

Top tips: 

• Never underestimate the power of a good story. 

• Told right, a story has the ability to influence, to change opinions and get people to take action. 

• It’s all about the hook. Hook people in, tantalise them with the detail and they’ll keep coming back for more. 

• Word of mouth recommendations are marketing gold. 

Laura x