TV presenter Zoe Ball went back to school today and confessed she was bottom of the class when it came to languages.

The wife of DJ Fatboy Slim admitted she chose Latin over German - because the German teacher's legs were too hairy.

She said: "I was absolutely terrible at languages. I chose Latin partly because my dad thought it might help my English and mostly because the German teacher was so scary."

Zoe's confession came during a visit to a new language lab at Hove Park School and Sixth Form Centre, Nevill Road, Hove.

She told pupils she had not been a model student herself but urged them to work hard and get their qualifications.

"I was a flake and dropped out. I would like to go back to university now but I probably wouldn't get in."

Zoe, who lives in Hove, said she was impressed by the facilities and the atmosphere at the school, which is a centre of excellence for languages.

She said although it was early to start thinking about senior school for her son Woody, three next week, she would like him to go to a state school.

"I was sent to a convent school but I wouldn't put him in a private school. I would like him to go to a mixed school and one with a really nice feel to it.

"You never know, he might turn out to be a ruffian, in which case no school will take him."

Hove Park teaches seven languages, with all pupils taking two from Year 7.

Italian is a speciality and Arabic, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese are taught in after-school clubs.

The school boasts a new £1 million language centre on the Nevill campus and has been awarded £150,000 this year to help create three dedicated computer rooms and a library base of 100 PC workstations.

During her visit, Zoe also taste-tested muffins made by food technology students, including a surprise curried chicken one.

Zoe had been due to visit the school last week but had to cancel after suffering from a stomach bug.

She apologised for letting them down and spent an hour talking to students and looking at their new facilities.

She encouraged the pupils to enjoy what they did but work hard.

"I went to polytechnic because I messed up my exams. Work hard because, believe me, it is worth it - you can't even do crossword puzzles if you don't."

Zoe's visit came about after Hove Park headteacher Tim Barclay bumped into the TV star in the Portslade branch of Tesco. He invited her to come to view her local college and she agreed.

Mr Barclay said: "The whole school has an international dimension now.

"Our aim is to provide a well- balanced education to give students an informed view of the world and the skills and qualifications they need to work across international barriers."