Under the microscope
CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS? YES, and I play golf three times a week and walk five miles.
GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?
YES, at least five. I live on salads — lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, peppers — and eat an enormous amount of fruit. I’ve got blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and gooseberries growing in my garden. My wife Diana, 61, and I call ourselves salad fiends, as we love fruit and veg.
EVER DIETED?
I WATCH what I eat and avoid sweets. But I don’t worry about my weight — it’s pretty constant. I have tried to be about 83kg (13st) all my life; I used to be 6ft 1in but am now 5ft 11½in.
ANY VICES?
I’LL have a craft beer each night and two glasses of wine. But generally I’m not a big drinker.
ANY FAMILY AILMENTS?
NO, LUCKILY. My mother and father lived to a ripe old age and didn’t have any health problems — I’m an only child and, touch wood, I seem to be fine.
WORST ILLNESS/INJURY?
PLAYING professional sport, you’re going to get injuries — about seven years ago I got a new right knee, which is metal and far better than the one I had. I have lower back trouble now and again, and plantar fasciitis in one foot, which is awful, causing inflammation and pain in the heel.
POP ANY PILLS?
I TAKE vitamins D and C each day, and glucosamine for my joints.
HAD ANYTHING REMOVED?
NO, I’M all intact.
EVER HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?
NO. GROW old gracefully.
COPE WELL WITH PAIN?
IF IT’S man flu, I’m not good. But pain-wise generally, if there’s a tablet I’ll take it.
IS SEX IMPORTANT?
IT’S vastly overrated.
TRIED ANY ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES?
NOTHING except the glucosamine, which my wife put me on.
EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?
YES I think so, from work stress, which I didn’t think would affect me but it did. Last year I saw a doctor for depression.
WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
NOTHING. I’m a great sleeper.
LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?
YES, to see if this prime minister can cock up anything else.
Interview by LOUISE FLIND