under the microscope

DO YOU EAT FIVE A DAY?

I LOVE runner beans and used to grow very long ones. I don’t like broccoli and I’m not mad about cabbage, although I eat lots of fruit.

EVER DIETED?

I LOST 1½ st in two weeks on I’m A Celebrity in 2002 as I ate only beans and rice. I’m vegetarian so I wouldn’t kill or eat animals. In my 30s, I went on a Slim-Fast diet as the stupid stage costumes I was wearing for my Soul Night shows for BBC Radio London felt a bit tight. I lost a stone in four weeks.

BIGGEST PHOBIA?

HEIGHTS, but in my 20s I did a parachute jump for TV. Never again. It was windy and I was hovering above a motorway for some time. Eventually, I landed badly and cut my lip open — then somebody came and asked for my autograph.

CAN YOU RUN UP STAIRS?

YES, although my dad was a doctor and told me not to exercise too much because people who jog end up with their knees all over the shop.

POP ANY PILLS?

MY UNCLE died of a heart attack in his 70s — he was on a plane, had some wine and never woke up. After that, I decided to take a daily aspirin. Four years ago, doctors discovered by chance I had a leaking heart valve. I feel fine but have yearly checks. I also take a statin and pop an omeprazole every day to manage my acid reflux as well as vitamin D as I’m deficient, and vitamins C and E to ward off colds.

WORST ILLNESS?

TWO years ago, I had a terrible chesty cough that lasted for three months. One day I was at home, feeling drained, then I started to shake. I went to hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia. I now have asthma, I think, and have an inhaler.

SLEEP WELL?

I’VE always had difficulty sleeping, managing just three to four hours of broken sleep a night. I also developed tinnitus ten years ago. More recently, my wife and daughter would have the television volume much lower than I wanted, so I had my hearing tested — and I now wear a discreet hearing aid.

ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES?

I TRIED acupuncture for back pain but it was a waste of time. I also went to a spiritualist healer, which is stupid as I don’t go to church or believe in life after death. It didn’t work.

EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?

BETWEEN my two marriages I lived by myself for 17 years and used to get quite lonely, which can leave you a bit depressed sometimes. When I was going through my divorce, my dad gave me Valium and I quite liked it. Then one day I forgot to take it and got the shakes, so I came off it.

HAD PLASTIC SURGERY?

IF PEOPLE want to have plastic surgery it’s their business, but I do think it looks ridiculous when women aged 70 have no wrinkles.

LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?

WITH my wife and children, and if I had my health.