KRISHNAN GURU-MURTHY

The Channel 4 News anchor splashes out at Otto’s, wants to be cremated along the banks of the Thames and would turn Hammersmith Bridge into a home... with drop-down boat

Home is …

My wife, Lisa, and I moved to Kew 14 years ago when our daughter was a toddler and our son was a baby.

Where was your first flat?

I bought a maisonette just off Portobello Road in 1992 when I left university and started working full time.

Where would you suggest for a first date?

I met my wife in Hakkasan on Hanway Place and proposed at The Electric, but I wouldn’t advise either for a first date. Go somewhere full of distractions to talk about — maybe a flower market like Columbia Road, or Borough Market for the foodies.

What was your first job in London?

I worked for the BBC at Television Centre presenting Newsround from 1991-94.

Most memorable meal?

There are too many to choose from. For family occasions we go to Riva in Barnes or The River Café. For my last birthday we went to Atul Kochar’s Kanishka.

Where would you most like to be buried?

I don’t much fancy rotting in the ground.

If it were made legal I’d have them cremate me on the banks of the Thames Indian-style and brush the ashes into the river.

If you could buy any building and live there which would it be?

On the basis that nobody seems to be able to make Hammersmith Bridge passable any more, I’d turn it into a house with exclusive access north and south of the river and a drop down boat to get to town.

What makes someone a Londoner?

You either feel it or you don’t. There are no qualifications. I was born in Liverpool, grew up in Lancashire and my first job was in Glasgow, but I feel like a Londoner now.

Who’s the most iconic Londoner in history?

It’s pretty close between Paddington Bear and George Orwell.

The best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

‘I had that Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the back of my cab the other day...’ I’m guessing he thought I was George Alagiah or Martin Bashir.

Ever had a run in with a police officer?

I’ve had some lively encounters with

Metropolitan Police commissioners over the years for the news.

Where do you go to let your hair down?

The Calthorpe Arms after any gruelling Channel 4 News.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

There’s an amazing French restaurant next to our newsroom called Otto’s on Gray’s Inn Road, which ought to be for very special occasions but is sometimes just too tempting to walk past on the way to get a sandwich.

What do you collect?

There’s no such thing as too many musical instruments, especially when your children get into them, too.

“I’ve had some lively encounters with Metropolitan Police commissioners over the years for the news”

Which podcast you are currently obsessed with?

In a world of too many podcasts I only have time to obsess about making my own: Ways to Change the World.

What’s your favourite work of art here?

They change depending on what I’ve just seen. I’m very fickle. But the architecture in London often outshines the public art so how about the Trellick Tower? It is stunning from afar and up close.

What’s your favourite grooming spot?

I get my hair cut by a brilliant Korean called Geo in his salon, Klassi Hair, which is classier than the spelling suggests.