Under the microscope

The TV sports presenter Jim Rosenthal, 65, answers our health quiz

SO, HOW SPORTY ARE YOU?

I’M PRETTY fit. I go to the gym three times a week and do a 45-minute run, 15 minutes on the rowing machine and 15 minutes on the bike. I’ve played football, run half-marathons and I’m still swinging a cricket bat with a team of over-45s in my village. The older you get, the more exercise you have to do to stave off the effects of age.

WATCH YOUR WEIGHT?

WHEN you’re on TV that puts on half a stone straight away so I try to keep my weight between 12-and-a-half and 13 stone (I’m 5ft 11in). If I go over, my clothes tell me and off [the weight] comes. The simplest way to do that is to cut out alcohol and bread and increase exercise.

YOU SOUND VERY VIRTUOUS

EVERY year I have a Bupa medical and at the last one I was told I’ve got the body of a man in his 30s and my son, Tom, who is a comedian, said they probably meant a fat man in his 30s who never exercises, so he ripped me down to size.

ANY VICES AT ALL?

I’VE got a sweet tooth and always want dessert. My favourites are bread and butter pudding and anything with chocolate in. But I have got the sort of body that puts weight on quickly so I’m aware of that and usually have fruit for pudding.

WORST ILLNESS?

CHICKEN pox when I was 40 — it lasted for a couple of months, which was horrible. I had a problem going on TV with spots all over my face, so I grew a beard. It’s not a great thing to get as an adult and it doesn’t look very clever. I also had a knee operation two years ago due to wear and tear.

ANY FAMILY AILMENTS?

BOTH my parents lived into their 90s so they both had a decent old time (although my dad had a stroke and a heart bypass aged 76). But because many conditions are hereditary doctors tell me I’m going to hang around for a while.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?

LUCKILY I’m a good sleeper. My wife, Chrissy, will tell you how I fall asleep on aeroplanes before they’ve even taken off. My only sleepless night was before I presented my first Formula 1 race.

ARE YOU A FAN OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?

THREE or four times a year, I have Amatsu [a form of massage from Japan said to help with muscoloskeletal conditions and other ailments]. I see my practitioner when I’m feeling stiff — it loosens you up and afterwards I can feel a real difference.

IS SEX IMPORTANT?

YES, I’ve always thought so. Hopefully, I always will do until my last day.

EVER CONSIDERED PLASTIC SURGERY?

GENERALLY, I think plastic surgery doesn’t enhance the look. I think I’ve gone beyond the time where I need to have plastic surgery. I’m not considering it although probably a lot of people look at my face and wish I would.

JIM is taking part in the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Walk in Worcester this Sunday. Visit bhf.org.uk/heartwalks for more information.