Singer-songwriter Paul Carrack, 64, answers our health quiz

GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?

I TRY to. My wife, Kathy, and I have a box of organic fruit and veg delivered once a week. You’re sent what’s seasonal, so you never know what you are getting. If I’m at home, I have porridge or muesli with fruit in the morning, then something light like a salad for lunch. I eat as healthily as I can at home. It’s different when I’m on tour, as a full English breakfast is always on the menu.

HOW FIT ARE YOU?

I LIKE to go for a walk every day. My son bought me a fitness-tracking wristband and my target is 10,000 steps a day, which I usually manage with a stroll around town and jumping around onstage. I have a treadmill, too, which I used until some friends came to stay last Christmas — it was put away to make room and never came out again.

WORST ILLNESS?

NONE, thank goodness, apart from glandular fever when I was a teenager. I’ve had acid reflux for about ten years, so I take Omeprazole daily to reduce the acid in the stomach. A couple of years ago, after a blood test, my GP advised me that my PSA level was worryingly high — over seven (for a man aged between 60 and 69 it should be less than four). I had scans and a biopsy but I didn’t have cancer. I still have regular check-ups.

POP ANY PILLS?

I TAKE a statin every day as I have borderline high cholesterol. I also take a daily multivitamin, a syrup made from elderberry, rosehip and blackcurrant that’s supposed to boost the immune system, and a high-strength Omega 3 fish oil. They’re expensive, but I will do anything to prevent coughs and colds.

EVER DIETED?

ABOUT 20 years ago, I did the Hay Diet [avoiding certain food groups at the same time, for instance fats and carbohydrates]. I followed it for six months and lost about 2st, although it was pretty brutal. What I missed most was bread. These days, I enjoy my food and wine too much to diet, though my clothes do look better when I lose a couple of pounds. I weigh 12st 9lb and I’m 5ft 7in — I think that means I am technically obese!

ANY VICES?

I AM fond of wine and like to think that I am at the optimum age to gain health benefits from drinking good quality red wine — in moderation, of course.

TRIED ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?

I ONCE tried a honeysuckle tea for colds and flu, after I saw an ad in a newspaper. It was absolutely vile, ridiculously sweet and a complete waste of money. It probably cost around £30 for 20 tea bags.

EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?

I DID have some tough times when I was a struggling musician in my early days, but not in the true sense of the word.

HANGOVER CURE?

DRINK plenty of water, and take a couple of Alka Seltzer before bed. And have a cooked breakfast with plenty of Worcester sauce.

LIKE TO LIVE FOREVER?

NO! MY hope is to have a long, healthy and happy life. The world would be far too crowded if we all lived for ever.

For details of Paul Carrack’s UK tour visit paulcarrack.net. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.