Under the microscope

Celebrity hairdresser, Nicky Clarke, 63, takes our health quiz

CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?

YES — two at a time. I aim to exercise in some way every day (at the gym or, during lockdown, at home using a Swiss ball and bench) and I use a bicycle most of the time.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOU?

I FEEL I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a big house with a garden and the lockdown gave me licence to stay home with my family, play with my two youngest and work from home on the product side of my business.

GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?

MY PARTNER Kelly [a fashion designer and hairdresser] and I eat well. I love vegetables and salads, and because of my Greek background there’s always a soup on the go full of veg and pulses.

EVER DIETED?

NOT really, but I fluctuate and if my clothes feel tight I cut down on the carbs and sweet things. I am 5 ft 11 in and three-quarters (I like my threequarters) and weigh between 12 st 7 lb and 13 st 7 lb.

ANY VICES?

I LIKE a couple of glasses of wine or gin and tonic every day. Other weaknesses

are bread, cheese and chocolate.

ANY FAMILY AILMENTS?

NO — MY father died when he was 87 and it was a big shock because he was a very healthy, dynamic figure, had all his hair and was very active and just suddenly had a stroke. My Greek mother is very well and is now 98.

WORST ILLNESS OR INJURY?

I HAD an abscess on my liver five years ago — caused by contaminated water that I had drunk in Turkey — and was in hospital for two weeks. Then two years ago I fell off my motorbike and broke both hands. I was worried it might affect my work but they have healed.

POP ANY PILLS?

I AM not a huge believer in vitamins, as I genuinely eat very well, but I do take vitamin D, magnesium and amino acids daily to preserve my musclemass as I grow older.

HAD ANYTHING REMOVED?

PART of my thyroid gland, two years ago. It kept becoming enlarged and was pressing on my windpipe — then they found some microscopic cancer cells so removed it. I took some chemo-type radioactive pills for a short time and that was it.

EVER HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?

I WOULD if I thought it was going to be absolutely brilliant but I’m so terrified of how bad it could be that I’m put off.

ANY PHOBIAS?

I’M NOT keen on rats.

LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?

MAYBE not for ever, but for a very long time. It will be interesting to see how life evolves — hopefully in ever more positive ways. I’m saddened that in the 21st century there are so many wars.

■ FIND out more about Nicky’s new Azure hair-care range at nickyclarke.com