In the latest Simon’s Cat Asks, we catch up with Smokey, the Guinness World Record holder for the Loudest Purring Cat!

Smokey has held the title since 2010, although has recently been challenged by other cats who have claimed to reach 100DB. However, these challenges have not been authenticated by Guinness World Record officials.

According to Smokey’s own website, she has been “featured in every UK National newspaper, as well as on Daybreak TV, This Morning, BBC and Anglia. She has also been filmed by ABC News 'Good Morning America', NBC News 'Today', Animal Planet's 'Must Love Cats' show and also Ukraine TV, along with radio stations all over the world including Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, America and the Gulf States and even the BBC World Service. Smokey is featured on web sites all over the World.”

As with all media sensations, Smokey has released a book where she comments on her rise to fame and has even attended events where you can buy a 'pawtographed' copy. There is even talk of her currently working on a sequel!

SC: Hi Smokey! So, can you tell us what your favourite sleeping place is?

Smokey: In the day time I love dripping over the arm of the sofa, my owner says I resemble a rather over ripe piece of Brie as my tummy "pours" over the side. In the summer when it’s warmer, I sit on a blanket in the window sill by the door, but brrrr to cold to sit there now!

At night I sleep in dad’s arm chair or snuggle down on the sofa amongst the cushions. If the family have lit the wood burning stove I will lay on the mat in front of it until the embers die down. Sometimes if I want a bit of me time I will adjourn to a hidden resting face under a sideboard or table and place up the imaginary do not disturb sign.

SC: What is your favourite toy?

Smokey: Anything edible. My favourite pass time is hunting my mum’s socks. I carry out daring raid missions to her sock basket in her bedroom and sneak off with them around the house to "talk" to them. Sometimes I pretend it’s a little kitten and I play mummy and sometimes the killer in me comes out and I play hunter. I have been bought plenty of proper cat toys but they are not as much fun as mum’s socks as they do not smell of her. I have one of those kicker toys with cat nip in and I find it makes a very useful cushion for the odd cat nap.

SC: What is your most annoying habit?

Smokey: According to my family I have lots of them. I am best known for interrupting conversations and television viewing when I decide to sing. I love purring very loudly it makes me feel so good, but I'm told at times its "annoying". Other habits, forgetting I've been fed two minutes after finishing my meal, insisting on darting through doors before my  human staff, depositing hair balls on the sofa, other than that - basically I'm perfect.

SC: What is your most lovable trait?

Smokey: I can melt people's hearts with my big eyes. If I tilt my head a bit they are putty in my paws.

SC: What is your most memorable moment?

Smokey: Being rescued from the animal shelter when I first met my new family. Nothing else can ever compare with the continued happiness I have had since that day.
Memorable Celebrity moments are achieving the Guinness World Record for purring Loudly and being featured in the ITV1 documentary Inside Guinness World Records. I have also appeared on American ABC news and NBC news as well as "Daybreak" and "This Morning" on British ITV.

I am now a published author and my first book "Smokey the Very Loud Purring Cat" has even received a review from Larry the Downing Street Cat and Your Cat magazine.

You can find out more about me on my website www.smokeythepurringcat.com

SC: Thanks Smokey. You’re clearly very experienced in the art of self promotion and know how to pose for the camera!

You can watch other videos featuring Smokey HERE