Under the microscope

Former Strictly dancer, Brendan Cole, 43, answers our health quiz

CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?

I CERTAINLY can. I am pretty fit. During Strictly, I’d be dancing every day for five months and then I’d tour for a couple of months. Now I tour for two months of the year but I do workouts at home and go for 3km runs.

GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?

I THINK so. As a family, we do eat a lot of veg. We don’t eat ready meals.

POP ANY PILLS?

VITAMIN C if I think I am getting a cold, and the odd Nurofen.

EVER DIETED?

AFTER hitting my 30s, I noticed my metabolism slowed down so I just cut down on alcohol or anything that isn’t too healthy in order to get trimmer and leaner. I weigh about 12.5 st (80kg) and I am just under 6ft.

ANY VICES?

A NICE glass of sauvignon blanc and I enjoy beer. A shortbread biscuit or ginger nut go down well, too.

EVER HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?

I WOULDN’T be averse to having it.

MOST SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY?

I HAVE been in a few car accidents. The most serious was during a charity race in 2013, where I had a brake failure while going at 110 mph and had to put the car into a tyre wall at 73 mph. I had a big old gash in my knee and needed 25 stitches.

COPE WELL WITH PAIN?

FAIRLY well. Dancers are pretty resilient and nothing really stops us.

HAD ANYTHING REMOVED?

A TOOTH that needed root canal treatment. I was in my 20s and working as a builder, so it was a case of ‘take it out as I can’t afford to fix it’.

IS SEX IMPORTANT?

I THINK it is. Without it, it is very hard to make a baby.

TRIED ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?

I HAVE used osteopaths and chiropractors, mainly for sorting out injuries.

EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?

NO. I have had moments of being down like everyone, but generally I have a very positive outlook on life. I don’t really get nervous either.

HANGOVER CURE?

I HAVE to drink a lot to get a good hangover. If I were to get one, it would be loads of water.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?

WE ALL have little worries in our lives, so sometimes I do go over things in my mind but generally I go to sleep when my head hits the pillow.

LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?

PROBABLY not. I’d like to reach a good age, live a good life and pop off.

■ Brendan Cole’s show Man tour begins on February 19. Go to brendancolelive.com