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How To Spend It Magazine of the Financial Times

Wim Ouboter in a Pioneer, the first Microlino model, in Zurich in 2022. Photo: Micro



The Bubble Car Reborn – Financial Times, How To Spend It

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Felicity Kendal, 75, spent much of her childhood in India on tour with her father’s repertory company. She shot to fame playing Barbara in the BBC sitcom The Good Life in 1975. She is about to tour in Michael Frayn’s farce Noises Offand is writing the follow-up to her 1998 bestselling memoir, White Cargo.

First stage play I saw
My family’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream — but I was nine months old, so does that count? I was the Changeling Boy to my mother’s Titania and my view was from a basket. My childhood was spent watching Shakespeare plays from the wings or performing in them all over India. The first play I saw that was not ours was a school production of Richard II at the Doon, a posh boys school in Dehradun, in the north. It was an open air production with a forest as the backdrop. My sister Jennifer, who was 13 years older than me, played Queen Anne and King Richard made his first entrance on a real stallion. Fabulous!

First film I saw at the cinema
This will date me. The original Walt Disney Peter Pan from 1953 when I was about seven. My aunt Mary took me to see it in Bangalore. I loved Captain Hook and his wicked smile and Tiger Lily, but I thought Tinker Bell was a pain in the arse. One of my very few regrets in life is that I turned down the Peter role in a great production at the Coliseum in 1976 because I was having problems in my love life. Damn. Whoever that boyfriend was, he wasn’t worth it.

First actor I admired
Paul Scofield
playing Timon in Timon of Athens at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1965 when I was 19. I went on my own and sat up in the gods. Paul was mesmerising. He was physically beautiful and I remember him striding the stage like a panther, his voice filling the theatre. He had such charisma that he commanded concentration from the audience. I went again the following week, even though I had so little money.

His performance gave me the determination to fight to get into the business. I went on to work with him three times — in Amadeus, Othello at the National and in Heartbreak House. He was very special and I loved him dearly. I flatter myself that, as much of a recluse that he was, I became one of the few who could claim to be his friend.

First TV show I never missed
I was never that interested in television when I was young because I saw it as second class compared to theatre or films. Plus, there weren’t many televisions on tour in India. Back in England, I first lived with my mother’s family in Solihull and they watched TV every evening after supper. It was me and my three cousins, my aunt and uncle, all crammed into a tiny front room. The Avengersand The Man from U.N.C.L.E were firm favourites — but if there was anything remotely sexual my uncle felt so uncomfortable that he’d get up and go to his study.

First sitcom that made me laugh
Dad’s Army
was unmissable. All the cast were fantastic, the scripts were to die for, and the comic timing was blissful. They made it all look so effortless. My favourite was John Le Mesurier as Wilson. I called him Eeyore because he was always the gloomy one. Comedy is all about timing and great scripts, which is what we had in The Good Life. I have done a lot of comedy over the years because it is fun and lifts my spirits. That’s why I’m doing Noises Off.

First book I loved
A thrilling biography about Mary Queen of Scots, simply called The Queen of Scots by Stefan Zweig. I remember reading it in my early teens on a voyage from Bombay to Singapore. Our theatre company always travelled in the cheapest cabins and I could not wait to crawl on to my top bunk, open the book and disappear to the 1500s. It was a total escape.

First album I bought
We only had a very basic portable gramophone in India and we had very little money, but when I was about 14 my sister Jennifer gave me an LP of Albinoni’s Adagio for Strings in G minor. I listened to it endlessly and I still love it. It is haunting and beautiful and it takes me straight back to those years. Jennifer died of cancer in 1984 when she was only 50, which was awful. She was the star of our family and that piece of music always reminds me of her, so it is particularly moving. It makes me want to cry.

First famous person I met
Nehru
[the Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru] when I was about six. He came to our production of The Merchant of Venice in Delhi. He always invited my dad to lunch whenever we were in Delhi. I also met the Maharani of Jaipur — Gayatri Devi — when I was 12. She invited our company to tea. She wafted into the room on a cloud of glorious jasmine perfume. To this day, she is still the most beautiful person I have ever seen. I didn’t know at the time that she was famous, but I was stage struck.

First time I cried at the cinema
The first film that made me cry as an adult was Brief Encounter with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. They gave such subtle, beautiful performances — a masterclass in the lesson that less is more when acting in films. Being real is what works, not hamming it up.

Felicity Kendal is in the 40th anniversary production of Noises Off, opening at Theatre Royal Bath on Sep 22, then touring until Oct 29

Felicity Kendal – My Cultural Firsts, Sunday Times. Writer’s Cut

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Sir Richard Branson – Sixty Seconds, Metro

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Feeling slim is all about the company you keep…. Copyright: Rob McGibbon

Cyprus’ Got Talent – Absolutely Kensington & Chelsea

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How to make yourself feel slim: (Photo Copyright: Rob McGibbon)


Cyprus’ Got Talent – Absolutely Kensington & Chelsea

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‘This account will not be verified because…we could not reliably verify that the account is a notable person, organisation or brand.’ Try saying that to my mum…


I smiled wryly the other day whilst relaxing on my windswept Devil’s Island when I read on Press Gazette that a militia of 80-plus fellow islanders are waging a desperate campaign for Twitter to recognise them with the Blue Tick verification badge.

The skirmish has broken out because these humble freelancers have been rejected, despite Twitter’s grand gesture last May to let more people of “note” into its fancy blue club – including freelance journalists. Golly, the honour.

It was the unabashed neediness underlying the campaign that tickled me most – not least because I could relate to this embarrassing affliction. About six years ago, my faltering ego took me in search of a Blue Tick. I was miffed that certain staff journalists, ones who delivered a fraction of my output for far less high-profile publications, had a hallowed Tick of acceptability. How so? I want one.

I can’t remember exactly how I applied, but I got rejected and I gave up being bothered long ago. Then I read that even lowly freelancers – the Morlocks of the media – might now be allowed out into the sunlight, to step inside beyond the light blue velvet rope. So, I thought I’d try again.

On Tuesday, I faithfully loaded links to recent cuttings – Daily Mail, The Sun, Metro. Not too many to choose from, it has to be said. Foolishly, I also added a scan of my passport (Dammit! Idiot! Oi, Twitter, delete this private document, or at least explain what you are doing with it on your server farm).

About twenty minutes later, I got exactly what I deserved: REJECTION. Ahhh, the freelance’s most consistent companion. Twitter’s pet bot had lovingly emailed a brief, sniffy dismissal:

‘This account will not be verified at this time because the evidence provided did not meet our criteria for notability. As a result, we could not reliably verify that the account associated with the request is a notable person, organisation or brand.’ Try saying that to my mum.

Twitter bot added archly: ‘If you believe the account (that’s my career you’re talking about) may be a good candidate for verification in the future, we encourage you to submit again after 30 days. Thanks, Twitter.’  Now run along and fuck off.


Rob McGibbon – Most definitely NOT a notable person….

Ha! I immediately updated my Twitter profile (10 years, 20.6k tweets, 2,502 Followers, folks) to celebrate the fact that I am officially not ‘a notable person, organisation or brand’. Proud. And then I did what all self-starting freelance journalists should do: I dusted myself down, spotted an angle for a story, and pitched the idea for what you are reading now to the editor of Press Gazette. Freelancing is all about turning a negative into a positive. Optimism is oxygen. It leads directly to heating and food.

So, exciting times ahead. I have now got a month to prove my ‘criteria for notability’ and re-apply for a Blue Tick. Maybe I can upload all my cuttings from national newspapers since that first shift on The Sun in October 1986. You see, I actually do have them ALL! Sad, but true. They’re in huge scrapbooks, or paper files, or boxes. I’m leaving this hard-won archive of journalistic genius to the British Library or the V&A – whether they want it or not.

But maybe I can narrow down the area of ‘review’ for Twitter’s bots to a few bite-size chunks of work, like my 400-plus celebrity interviews for the Daily Mail’s Weekend mag from 2011-18, or those easy-peasy long pieces for The Sunday Times Magazine. Or maybe I can just lob in a few hundred spreads with the ‘stars’ of London’s Burning and Bad Girls for the red tops throughout the 1990s.



Nah. Of course I’m not going to re-apply and today I encourage all freelance journalists to do the same. Don’t fall for this vanity badge bauble. It’s just a crass humblebrag to your mates, a little ‘ooh, look at me’ swagger. It is definitely not a calling card of credibility that will secure more work from editors, as one campaigner laughably suggests. No one has ever rejected a feature idea from me because I don’t have a digital blue thingy on Twitter. It was because the idea was not for them.

In fact, I am going one step further – I am launching a rival badge of authenticity, something that will ONLY be awarded to journalists. Comedians, politicians, doctors, lawyers, rappers, candlestick makers and, influencers – especially influencers – need not apply. This will be the journalists-only club. And what could be better or more credible? Staffers are welcome. Freelancers go to the front of the queue.

This badge will be for the people who create the content that becomes the news. I have been freelancing for national newspapers since February 1990 (after I told Kelvin MacKenzie to shove the job) and if I have learnt one thing, it is this: no newspaper, magazine, radio show, or TV bulletin, stands a chance of getting produced if it were not for the loyal army of long-suffering freelance journalists.

So, comrades, hold your heads up high. Kiss goodbye to the silly Blue Tick and say Hello to the ‘Blue-J’. The powers behind Press Gazette are on board and between us, we will authenticate all applications – personally, not robotically. With your support, we hope that this will become the global kitemark of journalistic excellence to be displayed on your social media profiles.

When I started writing this piece, I noticed that my dear showbiz light acquaintance Joan Bakewell was blue badge-less. Now, she’s done a bit of journalism in her time, so I wondered why. I emailed her and she promptly replied:

“Rob,  It has never occurred to me to be concerned….or to apply. I don’t even know what the blue tick signifies. People have such fancy notions of themselves! Joan”

Ha! Good on you Joan. I will invite her to be the honorary president of the J-Badge Club and I hereby invite all 80+ of the desperate Blue Tick brigade to apply and become our founding members. Be proud to be part of a group that actually stands for something: JOURNALISM.

ENDS!



Tell Twitter to shove its Blue Tick vanity bauble. Press Gazette

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The McBeatles Tour – Escape, Daily Mail

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FINALLY the lost fifth Beatle is revealed

Daily Mail Travel cutting



The McBeatles Tour – Escape, Daily Mail

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Tips From The Top



Sir Richard Branson – Tips From The Top, Metro

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The Legend of Wembley 1999 meets the coaching staff. Clearly, a big moment for them

Top of the League – Cyprus travel feature, Daily Mail

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Dame Joan Bakewell has been a leading broadcaster, journalist and author since the 1960s, when comedian Frank Muir dubbed her “the thinking man’s crumpet”. Now 86, she was awarded a life peerage in 2011 and took the title Baroness Bakewell of Stockport to reflect her Northern upbringing. She has been married twice and famously had an eight-year affair from 1962 with playwright Harold Pinter, which inspired his 1978 play Betrayal. Bakewell lives alone in Primrose Hill, North London, and has two children from her first marriage, Harriet, 59, and Matthew, 57 and six grandchildren, aged 18-26. 

My day begins with a rigid routine that gradually gets ragged as the day continues. The alarm goes off at 6.50am, which gives me time to fetch a cup of tea and come back to bed to listen to the Radio 4 news at 7am. I have Earl Grey – always decaffeinated because I have a lot of adrenaline of my own. I’ve not had caffein for at least ten years, so if I ever have it these days without knowing I’m as high as a kite. 

I never listen to the Today program after the news because there’s far too much testosterone for me at that time of the morning. I have The Guardian delivered, so instead I read that cover to cover, except for the sport and pop music. 

I am very much a morning person and wake up with lots of energy and buzzing with ideas – well, probably more attitude, than ideas. I go on Twitter and send out a few tweets in response to the news, as a way of getting any irritation out of me. I also respond to any comments from friends on Twitter, as a way of staying on touch.

Just before Christmas, I moved into my new home after living in the same big house for 55 years in Primrose Hill. Moving was a great trauma and a lot of stress, but it is important to make the move at my age before it’s too late. I had moved into the old house with my husband Michael in 1963 when the area was really shabby and unfashionable. The house cost us £12,500, which was a lot of money then and we needed a mortgage, but I will not say what I sold it for.

I have downsized to a very large former artist’s studio, which is just a ten minute walk from where I used to live. It is far easier to organise and manage, so I’m loving it. I have even prepared a small bedsit in the attic area for a carer, should I ever need one. It’s best to think ahead.

I take three pills each morning: two supplements – Omega 3 and Glycocyamine for my bones – and Statins to stop me having heart trouble. For years, breakfast was marmalade on toast, but recently I started having granola with fresh fruits, honey and yoghurt. I spend most mornings working from two desks I have on a mezzanine level overlooking the main room – a large one for general work, such as writing book reviews or speeches, and the smaller one for household bills and Thank You notes.

As you get older, you have to rely on people to help. My housekeeper and friend Frances turns up every weekday at 10.30am. She has been with me for 20 years and sorts me out. I work from a MacBook Air laptop, but I’m not particularly techie, so I have a man called The Mac Doctor who is a delight. If something goes wrong, I scream down the phone and he comes round and saves me.

Two mornings a week, from 8-9am, I go to the same pilates class I have been doing for 25 years at a studio a short drive away in Belsize Park. This has kept me agile and my posture in good shape. There are six of us in the class and we have become good friends. 

I usually have something light and simple  for lunch at home – a bowl of homemade soup, avocado with smoked salmon, or some cheese and biscuits. Quite often I will fry up leftovers from another meal. I was a war child, so I hate to throw anything away. I always listen to the World at One with Sarah Montague – and then it is time for my daily snooze!

I have been having an afternoon nap ever since doctors advised me to rest during the day when I was pregnant with Harriet in 1959. These days, I even have one whenever I’m on location filming for television. Storyvault Films, the production company I work for, really look after me and always fix up a local hotel room for my nap. If there isn’t one nearby, they bring a fold out bed, with sheets and pillows, which they put up in a Winnebago. I have a mediative technic that helps me neutralise my brain and sleep for 20 minutes. I believe in the great merit of a snooze because I come out bouncing and refreshed and will keep working happily long into the evening when everyone else is flagging.

My afternoons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 2.30pm are spent at the House of Lords. I drive there in my red Mini Cooper, which is an extension of home. I crawl through the traffic thinking, listening to the radio and working. I park at the House where the Mini looks a bit lonely alongside all the big Audis and Lexus’s. 

I was invited to be a working peer by Ed Miliband and I was more frightened when I was giving my first speech than I had ever been when broadcasting to millions. You are talking to an extremely learned lot who are very authoritative, but is a collegiate atmosphere and I enjoy dealing with ideas and engaging with interesting people. I get a sense of fulfilment going there.

I chose my title Baroness Bakewell of Stockport because I felt that it was important to go back to my roots. Initially, I thought of using Camden Town or Primrose Hill, but that would hardly authenticate any views I wanted to express about the great Northern Powerhouse! Besides, my roots are important to me.

My younger sister Susan and I were brought up on a new plot of houses on the outskirts of Stockport that had been built on the road to Macclesfield. The development remained unfinished for years because of the war, so we could turn left out of our house and within a matter of yards be in fields and then the countryside. It was a wonderful place to grow up. Susan died from breast cancer when she was 58 in 1997.

Joan with her little sister Susan

I had a complicated relationship with my mother Rose. She was a highly intelligent woman, but she had married young, as they did in those days, and felt completely unfulfilled in her life. She was depressed, although no one described it as that then. I just thought she was being difficult. She died from leukemia, also at 58, when I was 28.

At about 4pm I need a sugar rush, so I go to the River Restaurant at the House and have a cup of tea and a scone with cream and jam, or a piece of chocolate cake. Work there usually finishes at 6.30pm, unless there’s a debate, and then I creep home. Often I go out to dinner with friends, either locally or in the West End. I will have a glass of white wine, but don’t drink much these days. I also go to the theatre a lot and enjoy the opera. One of my great indulgences is using taxis. I either hail a black taxi in the street, or book one with the same local radio cab company I have been using for years.

House of Lords restaurant

I’m a news junkie, so my day ends with watching the headlines and the newspaper review on the BBC News Channel, and then I’m in bed by 11.15pm. I always have a couple of books on the go, so I will read for a while before nodding off. I’m a good sleeper, so I will be out until the alarm goes. I used to like a small brandy as a nightcap, but I have stopped that because, like most old people, I do not want to get up in the night.

Joan Bakewell – A Day in the Life, The Sunday Times Magazine. Writer’s Cut

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A Great Greek Revival – Athens, Daily Mail

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Daily Mail: A Great Greek Revival. Published 18th April 2018

Athens

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By Rob McGibbon
Published on 1st September 2012

I have never been one for ambitions or seeking things out. Life has just happened for me. I have just been incredibly lucky

The prized possession you value above all others…

A beautifully inscribed piece of paper signed by the Queen conferring a knighthood on me in 2005. It was an enormous honour and is hanging in a prominent position in my study.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend…

I have been too lucky in life to have any regrets. It really has been charmed, so it would be invidious of me to say I wish something had been different. Besides, I am an optimist, with a reasonably sunny nature, and I believe that regrets are futile. Things go wrong in every life, but you must move on.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions…

I would begin with a breakfast of fresh mango on a boat in the Andaman Sea off Thailand with my wife Helen, followed by a stroll on the beach at the Banyan Tree hotel in the Seychelles. Our three children and five grandchildren – the whole cotton-pickin’ lot of them – would then join us for a fun al fresco lunch at Club 55 in St Tropez. After that we’d all head to Crane Beach in Barbados where I would attempt to body surf, but probably drown. I’d then have a cup of tea in a boat beside the Fastnet Rock off Cork in Ireland, followed by cocktails at the Borgo Santo Pietro hotel in Tuscany. Helen and I would have a candlelit dinner in a garden in Marrakech and I’d end the day with a large Armagnac on the terrace of our holiday home in Gascony, South West France. As you can see, my perfect day is geared around regular intakes of food and drink!

The temptation you wish you could resist…

Trying to do everything at once. I am not much good at preparing and I like to do things quickly, so I tend to do at least two things at the same time. My whole professional career has been built on no preparation.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance…

The Catcher in the Rye. I read it when I was 17 and it was the archetypal book for your late teens that spoke to my generation.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day…

I always longed to be invisible around exam time so I could get an early peak the questions. But the general thought of being invisible doesn’t appeal to me now because I would see things I’d be better off not seeing!

The pet-hate that makes your hackles rise…

Hatred in all its forms. It is futile and worthless and causes all the ills in society. Hate ends in nothing but tragedy.

The film you can watch time and time again…

High Society. There’s never been a cast like it – Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly – and the music of Cole Porter. I’m a great fan of musicals and this one never fails to lift me.

The person who has influenced you most…

It has to be Helen. We have been married for 47 years and not only has she given me the greatest thing imaginable – my family – she has also made me a better person. She is kind, loyal and gentle, and I have to live up to that, rather than think of myself. She’s also a bloody good cook!

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint…

I’d never buy a pie and a pint for anyone because it’s a recipe for indigestion! I’d like to have a chat with the ancient Greek warrior Alexander the Great and ask him what drove him on. He is the antithesis of me. I’m lazy by nature and can’t understand why he didn’t just stay in Macedonia and enjoy himself, instead of conquering all those countries.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child…

That’s easy – be kind. Kindness is the most important thing in life, but sadly there is not enough of it in the world.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity…

I have a keen interest in birds. To say I’m a twitcher would be going to far, but I am fond of sitting in the garden looking at the parakeets or red kites. The beauty of birdsong in the morning is something to behold.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again…

I don’t recall mislaying anything, but when you get to my age – I’m 73 – possessions are less important. I am more concerned about losing my marbles and my memory. I am forever putting my glass down in the evening, then saying, Who’s taken my drink?!

The unending quest that drives you on…

I have never been one for ambitions or seeking things out. Life has just happened for me. I have never been driven. I have just been incredibly lucky.

The poem that touches your soul…

I am a great lover of poetry, particularly the First World War poets. Wilfred Owen is my favourite and his Dulce et Decorum Est is very powerful. It is a testament to the false gods of nationalism and the futility of war.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase…

That I have more brains than I actually have! I seem to be credited with intelligence way beyond the reality. I am in a privileged position, so people think I have the answers, but it is important to always have humility and be aware of your limitations.

The event that altered the course of your life and character…

In 1967 I sent a tape of a radio programme I did in Ireland to Mark White, the assistant head of the BBC’s gramophone department. He wrote back and offered me a slot on Midday Spin, which I did down the line from Dublin. I was astonished to get a reply, let alone a job. I had always wanted to work for the BBC and everything grew from there. It was the changing point of my life. It wouldn’t happen nowadays because no one at the BBC would listen to an unsolicited tape.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it…

Crime is not something that we should encourage. I am too bourgeois and law abiding to want to do a crime. I wouldn’t even rob a bank because I worked in one for four years, so it wouldn’t feel right!

The song that means most to you…

Stardust by Nat King Cole with the arrangement by George Jenkins is a masterpiece. Like all great music, it speaks to your heart. That song brings back romantic memories, but I’m not telling you what they are! 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever…

It’s hard to single out one happy moment because I have been happy through most of my life. But it was incredible when I sunk the longest televised putt in history at Gleneagles in 1981 during one of Peter Alice’s Pro-Celebrity Golf games. I was playing with Fuzzy Zoeller against Lee Trevino and Trevor Brooking when I holed out on the 18th to win the match. Perhaps it will be the only thing I am remembered for.

The saddest time that shook your world…

When our daughter Vanessa died from heart complications a few weeks after she was born in 1966. They were terrible days, but I don’t like to dwell on it, or say too much publicly. You deal with tragedy as best you can. Life has to go on.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you…

To have played rugby for Ireland. My left knee was injured badly when I was younger, not that I would have been good enough to make it. I was walking around with a duff knee for fifty years, until I got it replaced two years ago.

The philosophy that underpins your life…

I believe in stoicism. Life happens and we cannot control it. Accept whatever it brings.

The order of service at your funeral…

I’m not gone yet! Give me another 10 years and I might start thinking about it, but I haven’t got a gravestone marked, or told anyone what I want because I am not ready to go. I am not religious, but I would expect to have a service at our local church and be buried in England, not Ireland, because this is where my family is. I would want a party afterwards where everyone will say, “Well, that’s the end of him, let’s have a drink!” Death doesn’t scare me. There’s a lovely song called When You Are Old, which has the lyric: ‘When you are old and full of sleep/And death no longer makes you weep’. I’m stoic about it all.

The way you want to be remembered…

With affection. For people to have liked you is about all you can hope for.

Sir Terry Wogan died aged 77 from cancer on 31st January 2016.

Terry Wogan: The Definite Article – Writer’s Cut

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Veteran crooner Tony Bennett

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Actor David “The Hoff” Hasselhoff

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Actress Leslie Ash

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Bargain Hunt presenter Tom Wonnacott

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England fast bowler Stuart Broad

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Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy

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Olympic diver Tom Daley

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Tennis commentator Andrew Castle

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Click image to see how the article appeared in Weekend magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Formula 1 ace David Coulthard

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 index-1

Jane Asher TD

Click image to see how the article appeared in Weekend magazine

 

‘I wish I could have my virginity back, it would be fun to lose it again – without all that guilt!’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: actress and cake queen Jane Asher

The prized possession you value above all others...My wedding ring, which Gerald [cartoonist Gerald Scarfe] and I chose together before we got married in 1981.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...That my father Richard never got to meet his grandchildren Katie, 40, Alexander, 33, and Rory, 31. He died far too young, in 1969, when he was only 57.

The temptation you wish you could resist...The second and third glasses of wine that I keep promising to refuse!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Stoner by John Williams from 1965, about a young farmer who falls in love with literature. It sums up the loneliness and frailty of the human condition.

The person who has influenced you most...My doctor father. He still constantly inspires me.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Harmful unscientific nonsense, from ‘detox’ and ‘colon cleansing’ to the waste of money in taking unnecessary supplements.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...God. I’d ask Him why He set the world up in such an over-complex and cruel way.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...You’re more likely to regret the things you don’t do than those you do, so go for it.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d zip around supermarkets taking all the packaging off the fruit and veg.

The film you can watch time and time again...Laughter In Paradise from 1951, in which a joker instructs his heirs in his will to undertake tasks that are totally out of character. It’s funny and moving as they improve their lives in ways they couldn’t have predicted.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My virginity! It would be fun to lose it again without the guilt and pregnancy fears linked with it in the past.

The unending quest that drives you on...I don’t believe there’s any ‘meaning of life’, but the not knowing keeps one going.

The poem that touches your soul...The House Is Not The Same Since You Left by Henry Normal. It’s so poignant how it expresses love and loss through the everyday objects that surround us.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...In showbiz you have to give up minding about what people think of you. I’ve read so many ‘facts’ about myself I never knew that I take them all with a pinch of salt.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Giving £100 to support Private Eye magazine in 1970. As a Thank You I was invited to its 10th birthday party in Brighton – where I met Gerald. It was fancying at first sight!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal the stunning antique Chanel diamond necklace I saw in a Knightsbridge shop window a few weeks ago. When I asked the price I nearly fainted.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I loved reading horror comics as a child, which developed into an adult love of horror films – the scarier and gorier the better. I enjoy being really frightened, while knowing deep down that I’m safe.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’m a bit of a messy hoarder, so I need to sort out the cupboards, drawers and corners in my house that are full of unused stuff.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...It’ll start at 8pm – I’ll be in a hit new Broadway play, then Gerald and I will stay on the beach at the Rosewood Mayakoba hotel in Mexico. I’ll have an enormous breakfast: fresh berries with porridge, then poached eggs on toast with crispy bacon and very strong coffee. After reading the great reviews of my play I’ll go snorkelling, then we’ll meet our children for lunch in a mountain restaurant in Meribel, France. Afterwards I’ll ski like a dream. In the afternoon I’ll film an Emmy-nominated new TV series in Milan, then hit the shops there. In the evening Gerald and I will watch Don Giovanni, and we’ll end the day at Lulworth Cove in Dorset where I’m magically the owner of a cute cottage. We’ll eat fresh lobster with Veuve Clicquot champagne. Before sleeping, time stretches so I can finish all the wonderful books that have been piling up by my bed.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Realising aged ten that religion was a man-made invention. To know I only had this world to worry about came as a huge relief.

The song that means most to you...Gerald and I have always thought of Nilsson’s Without You as our song. Part of a good marriage involves the dependency reflected in the haunting line, ‘I can’t live, if living is without you…’

The saddest time that shook your world...Like most people I’ve had tragedies, but I’m afraid I can’t reveal any details out of respect for those involved.

The philosophy that underpins your life...To be kind is the most important attribute of all, but it’s not always easy.

The order of service at your funeral...Whatever will help my children not to be sad. If they’d rather there was no official ceremony that’s fine by me.

The way you want to be remembered...Alive!

The Plug...Jane stars in The Gathered Leaves at Park Theatre, north London, 15 July-15 August. For tickets call 020 7870 6876 or visit parktheatre.co.uk.

 

Cake entrepreneur Jane Asher

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Published: 13 June 2015

Tennis ace Tim Henman:

‘Retiring from tennis in 2007 was the happiest moment of my life. For once I could do normal things without worrying about training or travelling’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: former tennis ace Tim Henman 

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My wine cellar at home in Oxfordshire. I have about 1,200 bottles and I’ve spent far too much money on them. I love champagne, white Burgundy and red Bordeaux.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not being able to cook properly. I’m excellent at scrambled eggs on toast and pasta, but that’s about it.

The temptation you wish you could resist...That extra glass of wine that always leads to the hangover.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. My mum and dad always read it to me on Christmas Eve. I read it to my three girls – Rosie, 12, Olivia, ten and Grace, seven – so there’s a lovely continuity.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d put all the cheats in sport out of business.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Impatient drivers who jump the queue.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad Tony. He introduced me to sport and taught me about the will to win. There aren’t many dads more competitive than mine!

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...My grandfather Henry Billington, who died when I was six. He played tennis at Wimbledon in the late 40s and 50s, so I’d love to talk to him about his experiences.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Good manners don’t cost anything, but they are so important. We’ve brought up all our children to be well-mannered.

The film you can watch time and time again...Wedding Crashers with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. I’ve seen it at least 30 times, but I still find it funny.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Watching Bjorn Borg play at Wimbledon in 1981. I was six and he was the defending five-times champion. It inspired me to be a professional tennis player.

The unending quest that drives you on...To putt as well as US golfer Ben Crenshaw.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Fires! I love building a bonfire, or sitting by an open fire in the house. I find flames mesmerising.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My healthy right shoulder! I injured it when I was 11, then aggravated it over the years and had an operation when I was 21. It aches when I play tennis.

The poem that touches your soul...If by Rudyard Kipling. The lines about treating triumph and disaster just the same are above the door as you walk out onto Centre Court.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I sit on the fence. For years, I had to give what was considered the ‘right’ answer to the media. Now, as a commentator, I can give the honest answer!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal the contents of the cellars at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. There are 600,000 bottles of the finest wine.

The song that means most to you...Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams. It was played at the arena in Birmingham during the Davis Cup against America in 1999. We lost 3-2 but it was an amazing weekend of tennis.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up in a villa on stilts in the ocean in the Maldives with my wife Lucy and our girls. We’d have a huge English breakfast and exotic fruit before swimming with dolphins. I’d play 18 holes with my golfing mates at Augusta and shoot a course record 62. We’d have a lobster and seafood platter for lunch at the clubhouse with a bottle of Montrachet white wine. Then I’d join the family at the Boulders Lodge at Singita Game Reserve, by Kruger National Park, South Africa where Lucy and I stayed on our honeymoon. We’d spend all afternoon watching animals, then have some Dom Pérignon Rosé in the bush. We’d go home and take our black Labradors Bumble and Bella for a walk, then end up at The Sweet Olive pub in the village of Aston Tirrold near our home. We’d take over the place for friends and family and enjoy fillet steak with magnums of Petrus ’82. The day would end in my own bed.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I retired from tennis in September 2007! I remember taking the girls to school and thinking, ‘Wow, I can do this without worrying about training, travelling or playing.’

The saddest time that shook your world...When our 12-year-old Labrador Bonnie died two years ago. The vet put her down at home because she was so ill. I held her and sobbed.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To travel more. I’ve visited 81 countries and want to see as much of the world as possible. New Zealand is top of the list.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Always give 100 per cent. I never won Wimbledon, despite being in four semi-finals, but I’m happy with my achievements because I gave everything I had.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m too busy living to dwell on it.

The way you want to be remembered...As a good father, husband and friend. And he had a great wine cellar!

The Plug...Tim Henman’s Charity Foundation and Centrepoint host a Pro-Am tournament in London on 24 June. For tickets to the gala dinner visit henmanfoundation.org.

 

Tennis Ace Tim Henman

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Published: 6 June 2015

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain:

 ‘I’ve become enthralled with netball since my daughter Leila started playing’

We ask a celebrity a set of probing questions and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain 

The prized possession you value above all others...My dad Joe’s old watch. He died six years ago when he was 68 after a long illness and my mum gave it to me. I plan to leave it to my two boys Jacob, 13, and Joel, 12.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not reading more when I was a kid. I was always off playing cricket.

The temptation you wish you could resist...A glass of chardonnay at about 8pm each night after putting our three kids to bed. And a second glass depending on what kind of day it’s been!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein about life as a professional golfer. I love golf and this really takes you inside the mind of a pro.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d listen to a José Mourinho half-time team talk at Chelsea. Even though I’m an Arsenal fan, I sense that he always says something that lifts the team, but what is it?

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Rudeness. Manners get forgotten all too often these days.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad. He sacrificed so much so I could pursue my love of cricket as a boy. He drove me all over the country.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Nelson Mandela. I’d talk to him about how he managed to continue fighting for his beliefs without bitterness.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Be the best you can be. As long as you’ve given 100 per cent, you can hold your head up high.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Shawshank Redemption. I’ve seen it 50 times. It’s so powerful and Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are an amazing double act.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A gold cricket bat medallion I bought on my first tour of the Caribbean with England in 1990. I wore it for five years, but then it just disappeared.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’ve become enthral-led with netball since my nine-year-old daughter Leila started playing. But I’m obsessed with the ‘footwork rule’. I have absolutely no idea how it works!

The unending quest that drives you on...To have no regrets.

The poem that touches your soul...Daffodils by William Wordsworth. To me, it represents the arrival of spring and the cricket season.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m angry. I was caught on camera shouting at the players when I was captain and that became my image. I’m a lot more chilled than people expect.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being caught out soon after coming in at No.3 in a Test match against India in 1996. But I stayed put and waited for the umpire’s decision, which is a bit naughty, and was given Not Out. I went on to score 128 and was named Man of the Series. That was a turning point in my career.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d break into the Picasso Museum in Paris, steal one of his paintings and give it to my wife Karen. She loves his work.

The song that means most to you...Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor. I was listening to it during a period when I was scoring lots of runs, so I kept playing it. We cricketers are a superstitious lot!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake in my own bed at home in Essex and have a fry-up with Karen and the kids. Then we’d arrive in Ullswater in the Lake District for a walk. We’d take a steamboat ride, then have a ploughman’s lunch in a pub. I’d only have a pint of lime and lemonade because any alcohol at lunchtime sends me to sleep. After that I’d play a round of golf at Augusta. Maybe I’d squeeze in a parachute jump after that. I’ve never done one, but it’s good to be taken out of your comfort zone! Later I’d join the family on Crane beach on the south coast of Barbados for some boogie-boarding, then have a rum punch and a roti in a beach bar. We’d spend the evening in Barcelona having tapas with a decent bottle of white wine. The day would end back home.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Watching Jacob score the winning goal in a league decider for his school when he was nine. All his team-mates went ballistic and hugged him.

The saddest time that shook your world...The day my dad died. I wish I’d spent more time with him, but I was away travelling so much.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To own a private jet to bypass all the hassle at airports.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Don’t sweat the small stuff. I’m a worrier by nature, but I try to limit my worrying to the things that matter.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d want a private ceremony with a few pleasantries and no fuss. I’ll leave provision for a wake with some decent wine, so it can end on a happy note.

The way you want to be remembered...With a smile by the people I love.

The Plug...The Investec Ashes begin on 8 July. For information about Investec private banking visit investec.co.uk/pb. Twitter @InvestecCricket.

 

 

Former England Cricketer Nasser Hussain

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Published: 30 May 2015

Riverdance creator Michael Flatley:

"The saddest time? My father’s passing. It shook me deeply. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was deliver the eulogy. But he is still guiding me and I feel his presence with me all the time"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Riverdance creator Michael Flatley

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses from 1922 with illustrations by Henri Matisse. It’s signed by both men and I keep it in the library at Castle Hyde, my home in County Cork.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not marrying my wife Niamh 20 years ago! We met in 1993 when she was in Riverdance. Our wedding in 2006 was one of the happiest days of my life.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Dancing in my show Feet Of Flames at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2000. It was thrilling to be on the stage where so many heroes, such as Muhammad Ali, had performed.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Don’t resist – cut yourself some slack and enjoy life.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Meditations by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. So much of what he wrote is still relevant today.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d stay at home looking in the mirror – it’d make a nice change from what I normally see!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who drive slowly in the fast lane on the motorway.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Mission with Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons is stunningly shot and has the best soundtrack ever.

The person who has influenced you most...My father Michael taught me self-discipline, hard work and integrity. He died in March aged 88 and I miss him terribly. He was my hero.

The poem that touches your soul...The last page of Ulysses is like the finest poetry. It’s timeless and elegant and I’ve memorised all the words.

The unending quest that drives you on...To do something of greatness that makes the world a little bit better.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A 1968 Corvette Stingray, which I had when I was growing up in Chicago. It was a real beauty, but I had to sell it to pay the rent.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Julius Caesar. I’d like to know if he was aware he was going to be assassinated.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Believe in yourself and in your dreams.

The song that means most to you...Yesterday, When I Was Young by Charles Aznavour is about living for today and not letting life pass you by.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The opening night of Lord Of The Dance in Dublin in 1996. I was fired from Riverdance in 1995 and everybody seemed to abandon me, even though I’d created it. My father said, ‘Forget about them, just create a new show.’ I finally did it and we got a standing ovation.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...To break into Rome’s Colosseum at night and dance my heart out would be incredible.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...What people think about me is none of my business.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m a flautist too and I collect antique wooden flutes. I have about 50 and I keep them by the bar at home. I like nothing more than mixing a perfect martini and playing a couple of them.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all day with Niamh and our son Michael St James, who’s seven. Breakfast would be on the balcony of the Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy: espresso coffee for me and two croissants with melted chocolate. Then a Mangusta 130 yacht would power us along the Amalfi Coast – where we’d walk through Ravello – then to Monte Carlo for lunch at Le Louis XV restaurant at the Hotel de Paris. I’d have risotto with fresh truffles and some Château Latour 1982, then we’d relax on the beach at the Reethi Rah hotel in the Maldives. I’d spend the rest of the day playing Lego with my son. In the evening, I’d drink a dry martini at the George V hotel in Paris, then have dinner with Niamh in London: I’d have a pasta starter at Harry’s Bar with some Petrus 1990, then head to C London for a veal chop with mashed potatoes and some Cheval Blanc 1990, before finishing with dessert at Mark’s Club with a glass of Château d’Yquem 1947. After that we’d go dancing in New York at a place I always keep secret. We’d dance to Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra.

The saddest time that shook your world...My father’s passing. It shook me deeply. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was deliver the eulogy.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have my new paintings accepted by the art world. My first exhibition is in London in June.

The philosophy that underpins your life...When the bell rings, get out there and throw your best punch.

The order of service at your funeral...I just want plenty of good Irish whiskey and music, so everyone has a good time.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who gave every last drop of energy on stage to make people happy.

The Plug...Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games is at London’s Dominion Theatre, and then touring. For tickets visit lordofthedance.com.

 

 

Riverdance Creator Michael Flatley

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Published: 23 May 2015

TV presenter Chris Tarrant:

‘I love flower arranging. Seriously! It gives me great satisfaction – and gives me wife a big laugh!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s presenter Chris Tarrant’s turn

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My lucky 1949 George VI sixpence. It was handed to me in 1984 by a stranger who said, ‘Be lucky.’ My first marriage had collapsed and my career was in bad shape. Then I got a job presenting on Capital Radio.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Pork pies. They have no nutritional value but they’re so tasty.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...David Niven’s memoir, The Moon’s A Balloon. It made me laugh and inspired me to write about my own life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d follow Kim Jong-un around. North Korea is such a mystery, it would be fascinating to see what really goes on.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Footballers swearing on TV. Children are watching.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Deer Hunter with Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken. It’s riveting, especially the Russian roulette scene.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...That I never learnt to play the violin. I had lessons when I was ten but I packed it in.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad Basil. He was such a kind and honourable man. Dad died from heart failure in 2005 when he was 85.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Henry VIII. He was creative and sensitive, but also capable of brutal acts.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Treasure every day because you never know when your number is up. When I was 11 one of my best friends was knocked off his bicycle and killed.

The song that means most to you...A Day In The Life by The Beatles. As a DJ, it was the only song I could play and always enjoy.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Flower arranging. Seriously! I like walking in the country, picking wild flowers and putting them in vases. My wife has a good old laugh about it.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The ability to bowl fast. I was a decent fast bowler, but now I’m 68 I’ve lost my speed. It’s nothing to do with the stroke I had last year – I’ve recovered. I’ve become a wily spin bowler now.

The unending quest that drives you on...To catch a 100lb carp.

The poem that touches your soul...For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon. I think it’s the best war poem.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a motormouth who talks all the time. I can be larger than life when I’m working, but I’m a quiet, sensitive person.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Presenting Tiswas, which started in 1974. Everything in my career has come from that.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would murder Aleksandr the Meerkat from those TV ads. I have to turn the telly over when he comes on.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d begin fishing for salmon at the River Gaula in Norway. I’d be with my mate Sean who loves fishing, but isn’t very good, which makes me look better. We always put the fish back, but after that I’d have smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast with coffee at a cafe by the river. Then I’d watch a Test match between England and India in Calcutta where Alastair Cook would score a fast century. Lunch would be in Cambodia with Jane. They make the best curries in the world. I’d have a few local beers, visit some ancient temples, then go to the Maldives with Jane and my kids [he has six, aged 22-38, from two previous marriages]. We’d snorkel alongside the great manta rays, then hang out on the beach. I’d watch the sunset in Yukon, Canada, and have a huge steak for dinner. I’d end the day at home in Berkshire. I’d pour myself a glass of red wine and watch an episode of The Sopranos.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Getting the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Television Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in 2000. Dad came on stage to give it to me disguised as the Phantom Flan Flinger from Tiswas.

The saddest time that shook your world...My mum Joan dying in 2012. She was 92. It was made worse when her house was burgled three days later.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To sleep with Tina Turner! That smile, those legs…

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never lose sight of the things that really matter. Even when I was working all hours on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, I’d go to a river at midnight to do a bit of fishing.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d want a very positive and uplifting service at a local church with Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy. I want my ashes scattered on the River Kennet in Berkshire and later all my family and mates can have a big cricket match in my memory at Lord’s.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who made people smile.

The Plug...Dad’s War – Chris’s tribute to his war hero father – is published in paperback by Virgin priced £7.99.

 

 

TV Presenter Chris Tarrant

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Published: 16 May 2015

Sherlock actor Rupert Graves:

‘People think that the writer Robert Graves was my dad and that the diver Tom Daley is my son!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Sherlock star Rupert Graves 

 

 The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not concentrating at school. I left at 15 with a few low-grade CSEs, and I’ve had to wing it ever since. I’ve always felt a bit insecure about my education.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Showing off. Whether it’s telling bad jokes, pulling funny faces or doing silly accents, I can’t help myself. I’ve even broken bones doing mad stuff.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The US detective novel Black Cherry Blues by James Lee Burke. It has beautifully drawn but flawed characters.

The person who has influenced you most...The theatre director Frank Hauser. He directed me in my second professional play, the comedy Candida by George Bernard Shaw, when I was 23. I hadn’t trained as an actor so I felt out of my depth, but he taught me to go on my instinct.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Philadelphia Story from 1940, with Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart. It’s brilliantly funny.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’m an Arsenal fan, so I’d listen to manager Arsène Wenger talking tactics in the dressing room at half-time.

The prized possession you value above all others...My 1965 Gibson ES-120T electric guitar. I bought it last year for £1,100 and I love its rich, jazzy sound.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...My own intolerance to other drivers. I’m probably as guilty of bad driving as them.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Nelson Mandela. I didn’t appreciate just how great he was until I read his obituaries.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Darts. I used to play at the pub, but I can’t now because I’ve got five kids! It’s thrilling that the difference between winning and losing is a fraction of a millimetre.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...I’d encourage them to trust their own judgement.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Perfect vision in my right eye. I got stabbed in it with a sword in a school play, and I’ve had tunnel vision on that side ever since.

The unending quest that drives you on...To squeeze as much enjoyment out of life as possible.

The poem that touches your soul...The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock by TS Eliot. It’s full of sadness and regret.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That writer and poet Robert Graves was my dad, and Olympic diver Tom Daley is my son because he looks like me!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Joining the circus when I was 17. I replied to a YTS offer at my local Jobcentre in Weston-super-Mare and became Tomato the Clown for a while on £25 a week. It was my first chance to perform professionally, and it helped me get my Equity card.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d devise a brilliant, Italian Job-style raid on the Bank of England’s gold bullion stocks.

The song that means most to you...I’m always uplifted when I play Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...The day would begin on an island in the Maldives with my wife Susie and our children [Joseph, 11, Ella, ten, Noah, eight, Isaac, six, and Zoe, four]. After tropical fruit and coffee we’d snorkel over the coral reef and swim with turtles. I’d harpoon some fish for a beach barbecue, then go on the best eight waterpark rides imaginable, which will have been installed on the island just for us. Later, Susie and I would take the bullet train from Tokyo to the Japanese countryside and climb some awesome mountains. After that, I’d look at some ancient ruins in Ethiopia, then airlift some actor friends to our tropical island for a sunset game of beach football. Later, Susie and I would have dinner with friends at the amazing Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark. The day would end at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in Soho watching David Bowie doing a super-exclusive gig, during which I’d come on stage and play guitar perfectly. Spectacular!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Our wedding day in 2001 in a park by Sydney Harbour. I’ve never felt such happiness and excitement.

The saddest time that shook your world...When I saw my mum dead. She [Mary] died in 1993 when she was only 59. She had been ill with cancer for a long time, so I knew she was going to die. There was a sense of relief that she was no longer suffering, but seeing her body in the hospice and to be faced with the finality of death was overwhelmingly sad. I was with her for about an hour and, basically, I howled with emotion.   

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play guitar brilliantly like Johnny Marr from The Smiths or King Crimson’s Robert Fripp.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Treat life as an adventure and keep your sense of humour.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a funeral pyre in a big field, then as it burned people would party around me with some great live music and plenty to drink. My loved ones can throw my ashes to the winds somewhere special to them.

The way you want to be remembered...Fondly by my family and friends.

The Plug...The Stroke Association funds research, campaigns for better prevention and care, and supports survivors. To donate, visit stroke.org.uk/donation or call 0303 3033 100.

    

Sherlock Actor Rupert Graves

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Published: 9 May 2015

Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli:

‘My mother’s death made me grow up, but even now it is like a constant stabbing in the heart. Nothing takes away the pain’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My mother Fulvia’s gold wedding ring and bracelet. She died suddenly from a heart attack in July 1994 when she was 63. It was a great shock, so I have huge emotional attachment to her jewellery and I keep it near me.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...I wish my parents had lived to see me on Strictly. My father Werther died in 2001 when he was 70 after suffering from Alzheimer’s.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Smoking. I started when I was 14 and I smoke about ten a day, but sometimes I get through 20. It’s my only addiction and I can’t control myself.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez blows my mind. It’s like you’re reading in 3D.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d see the private rooms at Buckingham Palace and find out if the Queen watches Strictly! I hear that Camilla does.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People in cinemas with trays of stinking junk food who sit there munching and slurping during the film.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Alexander the Great. He conquered half the world by the time he was 30. I want to know how he did it.

The person who has influenced you most...The theatre director Frantz Salieri. I was 18 and an amateur dancer, but he gave me the lead in the hit show La Grande Eugène, which went to Paris and London and started me on my path.

The piece of wisdom you’d pass on to a child...Never lose your curiosity – you never know when a piece of knowledge will be useful.

The film you can watch time and time again...Singin’ In The Rain. It makes you want to be in showbusiness and the dance numbers are brilliant.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be open to opportunities and ready for the next adventure.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Gardening. I’ve never been taught, but I can plant anything – even a twig – and it grows. My ancestors were farmers and I garden by instinct.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A gold chain my grandmother Ines gave me when I was 18. It was stolen in a burglary in London a few years later. I never told her.

The poem that touches your soul...John Lennon’s Imagine has universal value. Even without music, its words speak for themselves.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m an exuberant, larger-than-life character. That’s a performance I create to entertain people. Away from TV I’m quiet, low-key and private. I’m happy cooking, gardening and being with friends.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My mother’s death, because it made me grow up. It’s like a constant stabbing in the heart. Nothing takes away the pain.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal one of Chris Evans’ Ferraris, just to see his face when he realises it’s gone. I’ve never owned a Ferrari, so his collection makes me green with envy.

The song that means most to you...The aria Casta Diva from Bellini’s opera Norma. I once saw Montserrat Caballé sing it and I sobbed uncontrollably right from the introduction.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’m single, so I’d meet gangs of friends in different locations. Breakfast would be at the Grand Hotel Timeo, in Sicily, which has breathtaking views of Mount Etna. I’d have a cappuccino and Sicilian pastries. After that I’d snorkel over the coral reef of an island in the Maldives and feed tropical fish. Lunch would be fried baby calamari in the bay at Positano, Italy. I don’t drink much, but I’ll have a glass of rosé, then stroll around Rome. I’d have a coffee in a café, then do some shopping. I’d watch the sunset over cocktails on the island of Santorini in Greece, then go for dinner at The River Café in west London. A group of us would sit outside on a hot summer’s night, sipping some Gavi white wine and eating whatever the chef recommends. After that I’d see a show on Broadway and end the day in my own bed at my flat in Maida Vale, London.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I took my parents to the Royal Opera House in the 1980s after I’d found some success as a choreographer. They’d never seen an opera and they were so startled they could hardly speak. It was a precious time and I thank God I took them.

The saddest time that shook your world...Any bereavement is sad. Each one brings back the pain of the others.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play a baddie in a movie. I’ve choreographed about ten films and appeared in two, but it would be great fun to play an evil genius or a heavy-duty Mafioso or even a vampire!

The philosophy that underpins your life...Keep believing in your dreams.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a couple of big opera arias for dramatic effect, then a party. I’d like my ashes scattered under a tree in a beautiful garden in London.

The way you want to be remembered...He did the best he could.

The Plug...Fight For Life is a charity that helps children with cancer. Please support it by visiting fightforlife.org.

 

 

Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli

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Published: 2 May 2015

Historian Dan Snow:

‘Life is best organised as a series of adventures from a secure base’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: broadcaster and historian Dan Snow.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My books. I have about 1,000 and each one evokes memories of what life was like when I read them.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not taking up a rowing scholarship at University of California, Berkeley, after I finished at Oxford. It would have been amazing. Instead, I went to work with my Dad [broadcaster Peter Snow] at the BBC, but sometimes you face big decisions and there’s no wrong answer.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I read it when I was 17 and it filled me with a yearning to enter an adult world that was exotic, erotic and thrilling.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d film the intimate moments of the world’s most powerful and pompous men, then broadcast it. Hopefully, it would take them down a peg or two.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Losing the Boat Race with Oxford in 1999. I realised that life was not a golden progression from one success to another and that I needed to work harder.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Betraying children by discouraging them from aiming high.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Salt and vinegar crisps. I ration myself to one packet a week because they’re so bad for you.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Last Of The Mohicans with Daniel Day-Lewis. The acting, story, look and sound are amazing. I’m fascinated by 18th-century America.

The person who has influenced you most...My mum, Ann. She’s always struck a balance between work and fun, compassion and tough love.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Horatio Nelson. I’d love to experience his legendary charisma. He got seasick, so I’d give him a wide berth at sea.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m obsessed with preparing for the apocalypse! I doubt our infrastructure could cope with a large solar flare.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...You will fail at lots of things, but never let that stop you.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The fearlessness of my 23-year-old self. When my daughter was born [Zia, now three], I went to Syria to make a programme about the war and I realised I was being selfish. I have responsibilities now and shouldn’t have been running around a battlefield [Dan is now 36].

The unending quest that drives you on...To see all the ancient ruins of past civilisations, particularly those in Central and South America.

The poem that touches your soul...Ulysses by Tennyson. It has a verse for almost every situation we face in life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...Nearly everyone thinks that Jon Snow is my dad. Dad is Peter and Jon is my first cousin once removed!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d assassinate warlords from Syria to the Congo.

The song that means most to you...Slide Away by Oasis. I was 15 when it came out in 1994 and my world was opening up as childhood slid off me.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all day with my wife Edwina with our six-month-old son Wolf strapped to my stomach and Zia in the backpack. We’d watch dawn come up on a kayak in Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand. Breakfast would be pastries in a cafe in Paris. We’d hike along the South Downs then whizz around the Roman ruins in Libya. A speed boat would then take us to a lunch of local delicacies in Byblos, Lebanon. After that, we’d raft down the Columbia River in Canada, stopping off in Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia. I’d have a Kokanee beer there before watching the sunset in Stone Town, Zanzibar. We’d have a cocktail on the quayside in Portofino, Italy, before watching the Northern Lights in Scotland. Then we’d have Beef Wellington for dinner in a pub in Derbyshire with a glass or two of red wine. Edwina and I would have a night out in New York, then I’d finish the day looking at the stars from a raft floating 1,000 miles east of Newfoundland.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day I left a summer job in the Canadian Rocky Mountains when I was 18. To re-enter civilisation, I had to run along tiny trails, shouting out to ward off grizzly bears, but I didn’t have a trouble on my mind.

The saddest time that shook your world...In 2013, my wife lost our child six months into her pregnancy. It was difficult to smile for a long time.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To read War And Peace. I have got to get that sorted!

The philosophy that underpins your life...Life is best organised as a series of adventures from a secure base.

The order of service at your funeral...Just friends and family telling silly, weird stories. My ashes can be thrown into the wind on the South Coast.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who never took being happy and alive for granted.

The Plug...Dan has produced a series of history Apps. Find them in the Apple App Store or visit timelineww2.com.  

 

Historian Dan Snow

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Published: 25 April 2015

England rugby player Danny Cipriani:

‘I love philosophy. My motivational coach quotes philosophers like Aristotle and I keep a journal of the sayings’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s rugby player Danny Cipriani

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My medal for winning the Heineken Cup – the European Cup for rugby – with London Wasps in 2007. It was an incredible feeling to win in front of 82,000 at Twickenham.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Breaking my ankle during a Wasps match against Bath in 2008. I missed a tour of New Zealand with England and it took months to get fit again.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Peanut butter Chunky Kit Kats. I’m on a strict diet to maintain my fitness but I often give in to a Kit Kat at the petrol station on a long motorway journey.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Blink: The Power Of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell. It reaffirms that you must trust your instincts when playing sport, and in life.

The poem that touches your soul...If by Rudyard Kipling always inspires me. It helps me deal with challenges and remain positive.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d infiltrate all the major teams ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup to find out how they plan to play against England.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Untidiness. I’m the one telling the guys to clean up the training ground. It’s part of discipline.

The film you can watch time and time again...Any Given Sunday with Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx. It’s about an American football team and is spot-on about the way sport works.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Philosophy. My motivational coach, Steve Black, is always quoting philosophers like Aristotle and I keep a journal of the sayings.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d pull off an intricate robbery on a Las Vegas casino, like in the Ocean’s Eleven film, and give the money to the poor.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My first pair of rugby boots. I was given them when I was seven and it felt like my birthday and Christmas had come at once. They disappeared after we moved house when I was 12.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Find the courage to be true to yourself, no matter what.

The person who has influenced you most...My mum, Anne. Her and Dad split up when I was two. She did The Knowledge to be a black taxi driver and get me through private education.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Martin Luther King. I’d like to know how he found the strength to fight against such extreme odds.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a party boy and a drinker. It started when I was photographed at a nightclub, but I was dropping some tickets to a friend. I’m very committed to my profession.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be the best I can be. I’m only 27, so I still have everything to play for.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Attending a week’s training camp at London Wasps academy when I was 15. After that I knew I wanted to be a rugby player.

The song that means most to you...The Motto by Drake. It reminds me of my friend Tom Maynard [the Welsh cricketer who died on a Tube track in 2012 after fleeing police]. I remember him dancing to it with a big smile.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start in the South Yarra area of Melbourne, Australia. I played for the Rebels there a few years back, so I’d have a reunion brunch with mates at a local cafe. I’d have scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, exotic fruit and good coffee. Later I’d go to Tobago where my dad Jay lives. We’d have a big family lunch of crab and dumplings on the beach at Store Bay. As I’m on holiday I’d have a few beers, then we’d all go snorkelling over the reef. In the evening, I’d meet friends for dinner at Nobu in LA. We’d have sushi and wagyu beef, with plenty of sake and then I’d fly everyone to Las Vegas in a private jet for ringside seats at the Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao fight. We’d all end the day by checking into a high-roller suite at the Aria hotel.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My England debut against Ireland in 2008 when my boyhood dream came true.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my uncle Peter died of throat cancer before Christmas last year. He was only in his late 50s and I was with him when he died.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To win the World Cup with England.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never give up.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d only want a modest church service. Then I want my ashes scattered on the sea in Tobago, followed by a big beach party for my friends and family.

The way you want to be remembered...He was occasionally on time!

The Plug...Danny is ambassador for the Welcome Back To Milk campaign for a2 Milk. Visit a2milk.co.uk.

England Rugby Player Danny Cipriani

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Published: 18 April 2015

Master chef Michel Roux Jr:

 

‘I was a bit of a rocker in my teens, I still love a good head bang!’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of chef Michel Roux Jr 

The prized possession you value above all others...My collection of cookbooks and old menus, particularly a signed 1903 first edition of Le Guide Culinaire by the legendary chef Auguste Escoffier. My father Albert gave it to me when I was in my 20s. It’s priceless to me.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not letting my daughter Emily, 24, go to the Champions League semi-final, second leg, between Arsenal and Manchester United in 2009. I was meant to have two tickets, but only got one. I’m a big United fan and it took about five seconds for me to decide to take it. She still reminds me about it!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...Time is my most precious commodity, so a perfect day would be cutting away from London to enjoy peace with my wife Giselle and Emily, hopping between islands in the Seychelles. I’d wake up in the luxurious cotton sheets of the hotel on Frégate Island. Breakfast would be a croissant, mango juice and an espresso. Then I’d go for a run, a swim and snorkel. We’d then take a speedboat to a bigger island called Mahé for lunch at the Plantation Club Hotel, where Giselle and I got married in 1990. We’d have grilled local fish with a bottle of Chapoutier Le Meal 1990. Then we’d spend the rest of the day on Bird Island where I’d swim and read, then go fishing on the beach with a fridge next to me full of Taittinger and Krug champagne!  

The temptation you wish you could resist...Good-quality confectionery, especially Amedei chocolate from Italy. If I open a box I go on a feeding frenzy.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Cod by Mark Kurlansky, which recounts the fish’s impact on the world. It will get anyone hooked!

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d love to have been in the Man United dressing room in 2003 when Alex Ferguson kicked a boot at David Beckham.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Apart from traffic in London, it’s graffiti on beautiful old monuments.

The film you can watch time and time again...I love Quentin Tarantino movies, especially the two Kill Bill films. They’re gory but hilarious.

The person who has influenced you most...I’m hugely indebted to my first head chef Henri Hellegouarch. He taught me so much, especially to never be late. To this day, I’m always on time.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Napoleon. I’d love to know if he was really such a great tactician.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Keep a diary of important moments in your life. You can refer back and be inspired, or learn from your mistakes.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Shark fishing. I love pitting my wits against them with a light rod. The biggest I’ve caught is a 170lb blue shark, but I always release them unharmed.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A gold ring my father gave me in my teens. He’d inherited it, but I lost it fishing in the Thames.

The unending quest that drives you on...Perfection, but I seldom reach it.

The poem that touches your soul...Poetry doesn’t float my boat but I love rugby and adore Jerusalem. I sing it out loud.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Raymond Blanc. People stop me and say, ‘How lovely to see you, Raymond.’ I often don’t correct them, and just let them go on their way, delighted to have met the great Raymond!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The day Emily was born. It was our fourth and final attempt at IVF, so it was extra special.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I enjoy fast cars, so I’d steal a McLaren road car and drive it as fast as I could.

The song that means most to you...Child In Time by Deep Purple. It’s a belter that takes me back to my teenage years when I was a bit of a rocker. I still love a good headbang to it.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Watching United beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League Final in Barcelona in 1999. I was sitting behind the goal where they scored.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my uncle Jean died about 15 years ago from cancer in his 50s. He was super, and I was very close to him.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To hook a big black marlin. I’m planning a trip to the Azores soon to try my luck.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Fill each day with new challenges and tackle them head on.

The order of service at your funeral...I always shun big parties because I don’t feel comfortable, so I don’t want anything grand. But I’ll leave provisions for a feast with great wine, including Pol Roger champagne, Château Haut-Brion red and Château d’Yquem sweet wine. If I manage to buy a plot at Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris, I’ll be buried there.

The way you want to be remembered...For inspiring youngsters to work in my industry. That’s the most important thing you can do.

The Plug...Michel and his father Albert have created the Chez Roux @ Blue Riband restaurant for the Investec Derby Festival, 5-6 June. For tickets visit epsomdowns.co.uk.

 

 

Master Chef Michel Roux Jr

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Published: 18 April 2014

Master chef Michel Roux Jr:

‘I was a bit of a rocker in my teens, I still love a good head bang!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of chef Michel Roux Jr 

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My collection of cookbooks and old menus, particularly a signed 1903 first edition of Le Guide Culinaire by the legendary chef Auguste Escoffier. My father Albert gave it to me when I was in my 20s. It’s priceless to me.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not letting my daughter Emily, 24, go to the Champions League semi-final, second leg, between Arsenal and Manchester United in 2009. I was meant to have two tickets, but only got one. I’m a big United fan and it took about five seconds for me to decide to take it. She still reminds me about it!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...Time is my most precious commodity, so a perfect day would be cutting away from London to enjoy peace with my wife Giselle and Emily, hopping between islands in the Seychelles. I’d wake up in the luxurious cotton sheets of the hotel on Frégate Island. Breakfast would be a croissant, mango juice and an espresso. Then I’d go for a run, a swim and snorkel. We’d then take a speedboat to a bigger island called Mahé for lunch at the Plantation Club Hotel, where Giselle and I got married in 1990. We’d have grilled local fish with a bottle of Chapoutier Le Meal 1990. Then we’d spend the rest of the day on Bird Island where I’d swim and read, then go fishing on the beach with a fridge next to me full of Taittinger and Krug champagne!

The temptation you wish you could resist...Good-quality confectionery, especially Amedei chocolate from Italy. If I open a box I go on a feeding frenzy.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Cod by Mark Kurlansky, which recounts the fish’s impact on the world. It will get anyone hooked!

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d love to have been in the Man United dressing room in 2003 when Alex Ferguson kicked a boot at David Beckham.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Apart from traffic in London, it’s graffiti on beautiful old monuments.

The film you can watch time and time again...I love Quentin Tarantino movies, especially the two Kill Bill films. They’re gory but hilarious.

The person who has influenced you most...I’m hugely indebted to my first head chef Henri Hellegouarch. He taught me so much, especially to never be late. To this day, I’m always on time.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Napoleon. I’d love to know if he was really such a great tactician.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Keep a diary of important moments in your life. You can refer back and be inspired, or learn from your mistakes.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Shark fishing. I love pitting my wits against them with a light rod. The biggest I’ve caught is a 170lb blue shark, but I always release them unharmed.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A gold ring my father gave me in my teens. He’d inherited it, but I lost it fishing in the Thames.

The unending quest that drives you on...Perfection, but I seldom reach it.

The poem that touches your soul...Poetry doesn’t float my boat but I love rugby and adore Jerusalem. I sing it out loud.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Raymond Blanc. People stop me and say, ‘How lovely to see you, Raymond.’ I often don’t correct them, and just let them go on their way, delighted to have met the great Raymond!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The day Emily was born. It was our fourth and final attempt at IVF, so it was extra special. The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I enjoy fast cars, so I’d steal a McLaren road car and drive it as fast as I could.

The song that means most to you...Child In Time by Deep Purple. It’s a belter that takes me back to my teenage years when I was a bit of a rocker. I still love a good headbang to it.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Watching United beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League Final in Barcelona in 1999. I was sitting behind the goal where they scored.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my uncle Jean died about 15 years ago from cancer in his 50s. He was super, and I was very close to him.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To hook a big black marlin. I’m planning a trip to the Azores soon to try my luck.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Fill each day with new challenges and tackle them head on.

The order of service at your funeral...I always shun big parties because I don’t feel comfortable, so I don’t want anything grand. But I’ll leave provisions for a feast with great wine, including Pol Roger champagne, Château Haut-Brion red and Château d’Yquem sweet wine. If I manage to buy a plot at Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris, I’ll be buried there.

The way you want to be remembered...For inspiring youngsters to work in my industry. That’s the most important thing you can do.

The Plug...Michel and his father Albert have created the Chez Roux @ Blue Riband restaurant for the Investec Derby Festival, 5-6 June. For tickets visit epsomdowns.co.uk.

 

Master Chef Michel Roux Jr

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Published: 11 April 2015

TV presenter Ben Shephard:

‘People don’t expect it of me, but I love classical music. When I was 12, I won a school scholarship for playing piano and clarinet’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilish questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Good Morning Britain host Ben Shephard 

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t propose to my wife Annie sooner – we’d been together nine years. Marriage gave me calmness.

The temptation you wish you could resist...That extra glass of wine at the end of a boozy night. It’s the one that really hurts in the morning.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Tao Of Pooh. It uses the characters from Winnie The Pooh to explain Taoist philosophy. The simplicity is magical.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...I get impatient with people who take life too seriously.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d follow political leaders to hear what they’re really planning.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Sting with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The chemistry between those two is electrifying.

The prized possession you value above all others...A Bremont MB1 watch. You can only get one if you’ve been ejected from a plane in a Martin-Baker ejection seat. My mate is an RAF fighter pilot and he and his passenger had to eject from a Tornado. The passenger didn’t want his watch so I bought it. It’s unique.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The youthful elasticity in my skin. Now that I’m 40 you can see every line on my face and I’ve got bags under my eyes.

The person who has influenced you most...My mum Jo. She’s incredibly generous and is always the life and soul of a party. She taught me so much.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Bobby Moore. To talk to him about the moment he lifted the World Cup at Wembley would be amazing.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My first date with Annie in 1995 when I kissed her for the first time. We’ve been together ever since.

The unending quest that drives you on...To live by a beach, so I can kite surf every day.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Playing classical music. It’s not exactly unusual, but I don’t think people expect it of me. I got a scholarship when I was 12 for piano and clarinet. I played in orchestras and bands throughout my teens but stopped in my 20s. I’m coming back to it now because my kids are learning piano.

The poem that touches your soul...I love Jerusalem by William Blake as a hymn. I’m very patriotic.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...My son Sam passed this on to me after he came back from nursery with a grazed knee. He said, ‘The most important thing about falling over is learning to pick yourself up!’

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m short! People meet me and always say, ‘You’re much taller than I expected.’ I’m 5ft 10½ – the half is very important!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d do an ingenious con against bad people to right an injustice, just like in The Sting.

The song that means most to you...Górecki by a band called Lamb. A friend introduced Annie and I to it not long after we got together and it always reminds me of our early days together.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up in Sydney with Annie and our boys – Sam, nine, and Jack, eight – and have a fry-up for breakfast at a cafe by the harbour. Then we’d hang out with my godmother Auntie Chris and my cousins who live there. After that, I’d go to Queenstown in New Zealand for a few hours of extreme sports, such as bungee jumping and river surfing. I’d stay there for lunch and have roast lamb with a decent bottle of red wine. In the afternoon, Annie and I would check into Burgh Island Hotel in Devon where we got married in 2004. We’d have a few whisky sour cocktails in Gary’s bar at sundown. Guests usually dress up for dinner, so I’d be in black tie and Annie would wear a 20s dress. In the evening, all my family and friends would gather at the Golden Lion pub in Port Isaac, Cornwall, where my parents live. We’d have fish and chips and too many pints of Doom Bar bitter. We’d end the night staggering up the hill to Mum and Dad’s for a nightcap before crashing out.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Watching West Ham win 2-1 against Blackpool at Wembley in 2012 in the play-off final to get into the Premier League.

The saddest time that shook your world...When our Jack Russell Daisy disappeared when I was 13. She went off hunting rabbits in Epping Forest and never returned.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To hit the winning shot in the Ryder Cup.

The philosophy that underpins your life...There’s always tomorrow to sleep, so grab every opportunity now.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a church service with hymns. There’d be a game of football followed by a big party. Annie’s reserved two plots for us at a church near our home in London. It’s a bit macabre – but at least I know where I’m going to end up!

The way you want to be remembered...He brought out the best in people.

The Plug...Ben Shephard presents the obstacle course gameshow Ninja Warrior with Rochelle Humes and Chris Kamara on ITV on Saturdays at 7pm. 

 

 

TV Presenter Ben Shephard

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Published: 4 April 2015

Documentary-maker Louis Theroux:

‘People think I’m a calculating inquisitor , but I’m just as bumbling off camera’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: documentary-maker Louis Theroux

The prized possession you value above all others...A print of the outlaw Ned Kelly by the late Australian artist Sydney Nolan, which my dad [writer Paul Theroux] gave me for my 40th birthday.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t go to art school before going to study history at Oxford. I’ve always enjoyed painting but I went to teach in schools in Zimbabwe instead.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Chocolate with sea salt. I’m particularly weak in the evening.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Love In The Time Of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. The sweep of his writing is bewitching.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go to the headquarters of the church of Scientology. I’ve been working on a film about them for a year, but access has been tricky. It would be a coup to follow its leader David Miscavige.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Casual snobbery from people obsessed with materialism. I tell people I live in Harlesden in north-west London and I can see them thinking, ‘Why do you live there!’

The film you can watch time and time again...Coraline, about a girl who finds a secret passage to another world. My children loved it when they were younger.

The person who has influenced you most...The film-maker Michael Moore. He gave me my first break in television on the show TV Nation in 1994 and encouraged me to break the rules.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Shakespeare. I’d document his writing process and get to know about the difficult passages in his life that gave him his craft.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Look after your body because there will be a bill to pay when you’re older. I’m 44 and things are happening that I never dreamed of – like bad joints and man boobs!

The poem that touches your soul...The Embankment by TE Hulme always moves me.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The Crossrail tunnelling machines. I’m on an email alert list that tells me when they’ve reached a certain point. I then click through to see some pictures.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d hunt pigeons and squirrels to use as food. A lot of money could be saved if we ate urban wildlife. I’ve heard of people ‘harvesting’ squirrels from parks and serving them at dinner parties!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My healthy left knee. It’s been damaged by jogging.

The unending quest that drives you on...To make the perfect TV programme. It always becomes a damage-limitation exercise, from what you hope to film to what you actually get.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a calculating inquisitor who affects a pose to achieve his ends. The word ‘faux-naive’ is used a lot. It’s flattering that people think I have a plan but I’m as bumbling in real life as I am on camera.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Going to work on a weekly newspaper in San Jose, California, when I was 21. It was my first proper job and I discovered a love for journalism and America.

The song that means most to you...Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright by Bob Dylan. It’s about being heartbroken, and it reminds me of a turbulent romance ending when I was 25.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have breakfast at the cafe in Roundwood Park near our home with my wife Nancy and our children – Albert, nine, Fred, seven, and Walter, who’s five months old. I’d have the full vegetarian breakfast – veggie sausages, tomatoes, fried eggs, baked beans and toast with coffee and tea. I’d then spend a few hours hang-gliding over London. Lunch would be oysters and champagne with Nancy at Grand Central Station’s oyster bar in New York, although I might start off with a Bloody Mary. We’d hang out with the kids all afternoon on Santa Monica beach and I’d have some fresh mango with salt and chilli. We’d drop the kids off with granny and go to the Louvre in Paris. We’d then wander around Le Marais district and have dinner at a bistro. We’d end the day with the kids in a town in Provence, playing pétanque with locals, drinking wine as the sun goes down on a summer’s evening.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Winning a Spelling Bee in New York when I was 25. I was against 15 other journalists. I won by spelling ‘shillelagh’ – an Irish walking stick.

The saddest time that shook your world...My parents getting divorced. I was about 22, but even when you’re an adult it’s upsetting.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play tennis well. I go on court thinking I can execute great shots, but they end up hitting the net.

The philosophy that underpins your life...To be honest and kind. Sometimes for a journalist being honest means being unkind. It’s a conflict, but above all you must be honest.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a Quaker-style service on the South Downs in Sussex. People could share a few memories of me then throw my ashes to the breeze.

The way you want to be remembered...As a gifted athlete and artistic colossus. Failing that, as a thoughtful person.

The Plug...Transgender Kids, tomorrow, 9pm, BBC2. Louis’s archive documentaries are repeated on Tuesdays at 10pm on the Really channel.

 

Documentary-maker Louis Theroux

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Published: 28 March 2015

Actor Richard E Grant:

‘My features suggest I’ve just heard bad news. But it doesn’t mean I’m not laughing inside’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actor Richard E Grant’s turn

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...I’m haunted by the moment a doctor told my father, Henrik, that he only had months to live after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. To witness his absolute loss of hope was devastating.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Eating Christmas puddings once a month throughout the year. I stockpile them in the January sales.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Alice In Wonderland, which I’ve returned to time and time again since I was a boy. It’s a perfect guide to the British sensibility with sublime imaginative leaps and droll wit.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d fly around releasing fragrances that would prompt people to live their dreams. Nothing beats olfactory nirvana!

The prized possession you value above all others...My Pelham Puppets. I had a marionette theatre in my parents’ garage in Swaziland, where I grew up. I have 40 now and keep buying more.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Casual racism.

The film you can watch time and time again...Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway never ceases to make me laugh with its skewering of actors’ egos.

The person who has influenced you most...My wife Joan Washington. We began a conversation in 1982 and we haven’t stopped talking since. Her kindness and compassion never cease to surprise and amaze me.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Neil Armstrong. I was 12 when he stepped onto the moon in 1969 and hearing his voice from space on the radio made me want to be an astronaut. I’d love to hear every detail of his trip.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Everyone was your age once. Even if they appear crinkly, inside they’re not.

The poem that touches your soul...The Hollow Men by TS Eliot. It’s deeply moving.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Smelling things! I love putting my nose to flowers, food, fabric or the necks of people I like. Last year I fulfilled a dream and brought out my own fragrance, Jack.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...In 1986 our first daughter was born at 27 weeks and only lived for half an hour. You never get over the loss of a child, you learn to navigate your way around it.

The unending quest that drives you on...My father instilled in me that heaven and hell are to be found here on earth and that you only get one crack at it, so grab it while you can.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...Like everyone with a long face, my features suggest I’ve just heard bad news but it doesn’t mean I’m not laughing inside. Ha ha!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting the part of Withnail in Withnail And I in 1986. If Daniel Day-Lewis had accepted it when offered, I wouldn’t be answering these questions now!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d round up despots, starting with Mugabe, lock them in a room, each armed to the teeth, and let them sort themselves out.

The song that means most to you...When I was a waiter in Covent Garden in 1982, The Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams played endlessly. It inspired me to believe that I’d make it as an actor.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all day with Joan and our daughter Olivia, 24, beginning at dawn with breakfast on the terrace of The Gritti Palace hotel in Venice – fruit salad, croissants and orange juice. This would be followed by swimming on Macaroni beach in Mustique and lunch at La Petite Maison in Nice – truffle macaroni, tuna with their special sauce and mashed potatoes, then mango sorbet. I’d have an hour’s kip in a hammock at Steve Martin’s house in Beverly Hills, then a bike ride along Venice Beach with Steve giving a commentary on everyone we pass. Dinner would be with James Brolin and Barbra Streisand at their house in Malibu. Later I’d dance at the House On Fire club in Swaziland, then sleep in a tent at the Mkhaya game reserve. The next day would begin at 5am in a hot-air balloon over the Masai Mara in Kenya to view game.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The final day of filming my autobiographical film Wah-Wah in the Mkhaya game reserve in 2004 when a family of elephants appeared. It happened just as the film ran out.

The saddest time that shook your world...My father’s death at the age of 52 when I was 24. Although he was an alcoholic I remember his charm and provocative sense of humour most.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d like to write and direct another film.

The philosophy that underpins your life...The here and now is everything. Make the most of it while you can.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not ready to go yet!

The way you want to be remembered...Swaziboy was here and had the ride of his life.

The Plug...Richard E Grant’s 7 Deadly Sins is on Fridays, 9pm, Discovery Channel. Discover his fragrance at jackperfume.co.uk.  

 

Actor Richard E Grant

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Published: 21 March 2015

MasterChef judge Marcus Wareing:

‘If someone cuts a corner in my kitchen I turn into Mr Shouty, but I’m always fair’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of chef Marcus Wareing

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My two-Michelin-starred restaurant Marcus At The Berkeley Hotel in London. I created it from scratch. It’s my life’s work and I love it.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not studying hard enough. I worked at my dad Raymond’s fruit and potatoes business when I was 11 and left school at 16 without qualifications to go to catering college, so I’ve had to catch up.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Not switching off my iPhone or iPad long after work. I do 16-hour days and I’m always thinking about business.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A Kestrel For A Knave by Barry Hines. It’s about a troubled boy who bonds with a kestrel – Ken Loach based his film Kes on it. I read it when I was 12 and identified with the boy being a loner.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d spend the day in Google’s HQ in California to see what ideas they have in development. I’m fascinated by technology.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Mess and untidiness. I go to someone’s house and see the state of their kitchen and think, ‘Jesus Christ, why?!’

The film you can watch time and time again...The Wolf Of Wall Street with Leonardo DiCaprio. I love the way he motivates his staff to make money. The environment was similar when I was training to be a chef and I enjoy that competitive spirit.

The person who has influenced you most...The chef David Nicholls, whose son Dan broke his neck in 2003. He’s doing so much with his charity [Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation]. David helped me when I was having a tough time. He’s special.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Maggie Thatcher at her peak in the 80s. I’d like to know how she remained so strong when she was fighting so many battles, like with the miners. She was unique.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Take advantage of your schooling – it will be the bedrock of your life.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have been a top boxer. I started at nine and I was good, but I gave up at 17 when I moved from Southport to London.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Politics. I love the battle of it and the complexity of the issues. I see the country as a company, and it should be run like one.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My Nanna Emily, who died in her 60s when I was 11. She was great fun – I always asked her to take her false teeth out. I wish she’d lived to see me get on in life.

The unending quest that drives you on...To never give up.

The poem that touches your soul...I’m not into poetry but I love the hymn Lord Of The Dance. It reminds me of going to church at school for the Harvest Festival, which taught me the importance of giving back.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Mr Nasty. If someone cuts a corner in my kitchen I turn into Mr Shouty, but I’m always fair. I can be very relaxed.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Working for my dad’s business as a boy. On Saturdays I did the deliveries with him on the wagon and I got to see inside kitchens at restaurants and hotels. I loved the buzz and it inspired me to be a chef.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...Speeding – and I would do it very regularly. I drive a Jaguar F-Type and I love speed. But I have a clean licence.

The song that means most to you...How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees. It was the first dance at my wedding to Jane in 2000.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d begin at the top of The Shard in London to watch the sun rise, then go for a full English breakfast in the restaurant there. I’d then take Jane and our kids – Jake, 13, Archie, ten, and Jessie, seven – on a helicopter ride over Paris. We’d walk around the city before going to New York for lunch at Eleven Madison Park where I’d have the Tasting Menu and some wine. In the afternoon, we’d go skiing at Courmayeur in Italy. I’d stop for hot chocolate on the slopes. Later, I’d like a sail on a boat near St Tropez at sundown and some rosé wine before heading to Las Vegas. I love boxing, so I’d have ringside seats with my dad and brother Brian to watch Floyd Mayweather Jr fight Manny Pacquiao. I’d end the day with the family at the One & Only Reethi Rah hotel in the Maldives with a seafood barbecue and some decent wine.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The births of my three children and, professionally, taking over the lease of my restaurant Marcus in 2008.

The saddest time that shook your world...The attacks on New York on 9/11. It was the beginning of war on the West and it was devastating to see.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Work hard. Then work harder.

The order of service at your funeral...A simple church service followed by a cremation and I’d leave plans for a party with a fantastic meal. I want my ashes scattered in the South of France, so I’ll always be in the sunshine.

The way you want to be remembered...As a great father.

The Plug...Marcus owns three restaurants – Marcus At The Berkeley Hotel, The Gilbert Scott Bar and Tredwell’s. Visit marcus-wareing.com.

 

 

MasterChef Judge Marcus Wareing

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Published: 14 March 2015

Wildlife presenter Kate Humble:

‘I know I look as though I haven’t brushed my hair for years – but I like being scruffy and caked in mud’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s wildlife presenter Kate Humble.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...Upper Meend Farm in Wales’s Wye Valley, which my husband Ludo and I bought in 2011. It’s harsh land but beautiful, and connects me with nature.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not going to see my dear friend Pablo in Peru five years ago when he emailed to say he was ill. He had hepatitis, but didn’t let on how serious it was. He died two weeks later – I was devastated.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Smelly cheese like Stinking Bishop or Roquefort. I can’t sleep properly for three days after I’ve eaten some.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The novel Picture Palace by Paul Theroux. It’s about a 70-year-old photographer looking back on her life. It’s funny and moving.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d disable the internet and all mobile phone networks to reintroduce everyone to the wonderful world that we live in.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...How the English Government refuses to charge for plastic bags. In Wales it’s making a tangible difference.

The film you can watch time and time again...Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid. Paul Newman and Robert Redford look so completely edible and it’s hopelessly romantic.

The person who has influenced you most...David Attenborough. I first met him at a dinner party when I was 27, before I was on TV. I was struck by how polite, modest and gracious he was.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Freya Stark, the 20th-century British travel writer who visited parts of the Middle East long before other Western women.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Always go with your gut feeling and never let anyone sway you.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The circus. As a girl I dreamed of being a trapeze artist and I still love going to circuses – it makes me feel five again.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...That bounce in your body you have when you’re younger, which means you can fall over without hurting yourself. I’m 46 and if I ever fall in a heap nowadays people immediately think about calling an ambulance!

The unending quest that drives you on...To show the natural beauty of the world through my work, so people strive to help preserve it.

The poem that touches your soul...Silly Old Baboon by Spike Milligan is seared into my soul from my childhood and always makes me smile.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...Magazine editors always seem to think that I want a make-over, so I can be glammed up in designer dresses and wear Jimmy Choo shoes. I know I look as though I haven’t brushed my hair for years, but I actually like being scruffy and caked in mud.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Filming Lambing Live on a farm in Wales in 2009. I was driving there one morning at 5.30am and a light bulb came on – I suddenly knew I belonged on a farm.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d arrange the mass destruction of every plastic shower curtain in the world. Everything about them is disgusting.

The song that means most to you...The Muppet Show Theme – it always makes me feel perky. Our dogs, Badger, Bella and Teg, are known as The Muppets and we sing it to them every morning.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at 5.30am in my camper van on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, then Ludo and I would go for a walk with our dogs. Later we’d have lunch with friends at a tiny fisherman’s shack we own in the northern Dordogne, France. I’d buy food from the local market and we’d drink plenty of local wine, then go for a dip in the lake. After that, Ludo and I would go scuba diving in Papua New Guinea. In the evening, we’d go on safari at Luangwa Valley, Zambia, to watch wild dogs at twilight. We’d have fresh fish with flat bread for dinner cooked at the portside in Essaouira in Morocco, then watch the Northern Lights from the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia with a group of reindeer herders. I’d end the day in a hammock high up in a Canadian redwood tree.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...A night in September 2012 when I was driving a tractor as we cut hay on the farm. I had a dog on my lap and a bottle of cider in my hand as I drove under the stars. It was heavenly.

The saddest time that shook your world...The day Ludo’s sister Lucy died suddenly in 2006 when she was 40. She was so special and too young to die.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To ride in the Grand National like Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Take responsibility for your actions and never make excuses.

The order of service at your funeral...I don’t want one – no ceremony, nothing. My choice would be for my body to be left on a hill in Wales to be eaten by red kites, but I doubt it will be allowed.

The way you want to be remembered...Do you remember that girl on telly who never brushed her hair?

The Plug...The Humble By Nature Big Day Out is on our farm on 4 July. Join us for fun events for all the family. Book at humblebynature.com.

 

 

Wildlife Presenter Kate Humble

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Published: 7 March 2015

Actress Siân Phillips:

 

‘The misapprehension about me? That I’m Sheila Hancock!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of actress Siân Phillips

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A quick charcoal sketch of my late Burmese cat Barnaby by the artist Stephen B. Whatley. He was painting my portrait at home and when I left the room he drew Barnaby. I love it.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not asking my mother, Sally, about her life. I only know the bare bones of her story and would give anything to know more. She died in 1985 from lung cancer when she was 85.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Saying ‘Yes’ to challenging projects. I can’t stop myself, but I put myself under so much pressure. I’m 81, so I should know better.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Goshawk by TH White. It’s his own story about training a goshawk while he was living in the country and having a breakdown. It’s about a man right on the edge.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d shadow Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England. I find his breezy Canadian charm intriguing.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Loud voices in public, particularly from girls. They’re not taught to cultivate the lower register as we were 50 years ago.

The film you can watch time and time again...The 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai. It’s a wonderful adventure story about a group of Samurai trying to defend a village from bandits.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother for her work ethic and strength.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Sydney Smith, who was an English cleric and writer in the 18th century. He was one of the great wits of his time.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Get to know yourself.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The Samurai fascinate me – I buy books to immerse myself in their fighting techniques, weaponry and rituals. They devoted their lives to an immense code – I find them so exciting.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A Louis XIV desk I bought in the early 60s for £700, which was a lot of money then. I took nothing with me when I left Peter [ex-husband, actor Peter O’Toole] in 1976. After that, the desk just got lost in the mix.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d fix the Lottery, so I could help people I care about – and keep plenty for myself!

The unending quest that drives you on...To deliver a performance that turns out exactly as I meant it to.

The poem that touches your soul...The Prelude by Wordsworth. It’s about being alone in the countryside and I identified with it because I grew up as an only child in a remote part of Wales.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Sheila Hancock! I’ve known Sheila for 50 years and it’s happened many times. We laugh about it.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting into RADA in 1955 when I was 22. I’d always wanted to be an actress.

The song that means most to you...I love old Welsh songs about homesickness. They’re full of melancholy.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up in Connemara in Ireland and have a full Irish breakfast – black pudding, fried eggs, soda bread – followed by tea. Then I’d go for a walk in the rain by the Fan Lakes in the Black Mountains in Wales. I’d join a friend of mine in Venice for lunch at Trattoria alla Madonna, where I’d have squid in black ink with polenta. I’d spend the afternoon in London and have the best seats at a matinee at the Royal Opera House. After that I’d check into a quiet hotel I know on the East Side of Manhattan with my daughters Kate and Pat, and her daughter Jessica, who’s 15. I’d take my granddaughter to a cabaret at The Carlyle Hotel. If I could go back in time, we’d watch the great English singer Mabel Mercer perform. She was a sensation in the 1930s. I’d end the day at home watching The Big Bang Theory.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Finding my cat Barnaby after he’d been missing for three weeks in the early 1980s.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death from cancer in 2005 of my friend, the writer William Corlett. He was a wonderful, talented man who was funny and loyal.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To get a degree in science – but it’s quite unlikely now!

The philosophy that underpins your life...Choose happiness.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like a simple service at the Actors’ Church St Paul’s in Covent Garden, then to be buried alongside my mother and grandmother in South West Wales.

The way you want to be remembered...I have no interest in being remembered. I want people to get on with living!

The Plug...Siân plays Fania Fénelon, the French musician who survived Auschwitz, in Arthur Miller’s Playing For Time at Sheffield Theatres, 12 March- 4 April. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.  

 

Actress Siân Phillips

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Published: 28 February 2015

Broadcaster Selina Scott:

 

‘Thankfully, I’ve reached that state of grace when, frankly, I don’t give a damn what people think about me’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s broadcaster Selina Scott

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My Scottish grandmother Beatrice’s press cuttings. She was a singer who performed all over Scotland from 1907-12. She left the book to me when she died in 1974 at 91.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Giving up ballet when I was 13. Margot Fonteyn was my heroine and I’d love to have followed in her footsteps, but I grew to be too tall [5ft 9in]. I was devastated to give it up.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...My Family And Other Animals by Gerald Durrell about his life on Corfu in the 30s. It’s full of innocence and laughter.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Opinionated twerps who cannot see the bigger picture. Local politicians are the worst.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...Steal Donald Trump’s hairpiece, then bury it in the sand dunes of Aberdeenshire – the unique landscape I believe he’s wrecking with his golf development.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Giving a home to animals at my farm in North Yorkshire. I have 11 goats, two cats, four dogs and several hedgehogs. I can’t take any more!

The film you can watch time and time again...Doctor Zhivago for Omar Sharif’s eyes! I once ran into him at a dinner and he paid me one of the best compliments ever. He’s a smoothie, but I won’t reveal what he said!

The person who has influenced you most...My father, Charles. I have three sisters and a brother and he imbued in us all a strong sense of independence. He died in 2008 aged 81.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Queen Boudicca. She wore a big gold necklace in battle, so I’d like to know what happened to it and to witness her legendary piercing stare.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Never let your chances, like sunbeams, pass you by.

The poem that touches your soul...The Soldier by Rupert Brooke. It is so moving.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Archaeology. My farmhouse is littered with Stone Age artefacts. I even discovered a 6,000-year-old flint axe head.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The athleticism of my youth! I was a jolly good runner and I could even bend over backwards to walk like a crab.

The unending quest that drives you on...Turning my new luxury natural fibres business into a global brand.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...I’ve reached that state of grace when, frankly, I don’t give a damn.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Interviewing Prince Andrew on The Wogan Show in 1985, when he asked me for my telephone number. A vice president of the television company CBS saw the show and offered me a job in America.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d hack into the Government computer to change the Honours List. Virginia McKenna should be made a Dame for her Born Free Foundation.

The song that means most to you...My Luve is Like a Red Red Rose by Robert Burns. It’s followed me through emotional moments of my life.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at the Wakaya private island resort in Fiji and have fruit for breakfast overlooking the South Pacific. No tea or coffee, I always have hot water first thing. I’d spend the morning scuba diving, then fly to Kenya to see the lions. I’d grab a quick salad for lunch before arriving on the Island of Bute in Scotland. I’d enjoy a cream tea at Kildavanan Bay, then sail in a small boat up the west coast. I’d pop to Whitby for fish and chips and a cup of tea. The day would end with a long walk on the North York Moors with my dogs Nip and Kiki before going to bed with a great book.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The last time I dived into the warm Mediterranean after a long cold winter in the North.

The saddest time that shook your world...Seeing desperately poor children in Ethiopia come alive with joy when they were given T-shirts and plastic footballs. I was on a relief mission with the Red Cross in 1985.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...Interviewing Prince Philip. He’s a fascinating man and I was disappointed to be thwarted by internal politics at the BBC after setting up an interview with the Duke for his 90th birthday in 2011. Fiona Bruce got the job, but I don’t hold anything against her for that.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d want it simple and for a choir to sing The Lord Is My Shepherd. Then throw my ashes to the wind.

The way you want to be remembered...I’d like a big bell cast and hung in Rievaulx Abbey on the edge of the North York Moors. When it rang out, it would echo through the loveliest of valleys.

The Plug...Naturally Selina Scott is my online company selling luxury socks, scarves and hats made from natural cashmere, mohair and, soon, yak! Visit selinascott.com.  

 

 

Broadcaster Selina Scott

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Published: 21 February 2015

Writer and comedian Barry Cryer:

 

‘I remember a boy at my infant school saying, "Your dad’s dead" and I punched him’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: writer and comedian Barry Cryer

 

The prized possession you value above all others...‘The Black Book’, an address book I’ve had for 20 years. My life is in it, if it was lost I’d be devastated.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not knowing my dad. He died when I was five, so I only have one or two memories of him, like us building an Airfix model plane, which I flew straight into the fire! His name was John and he died in his late 40s in 1940. My mother, Jean, never liked to speak about him.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Pork scratchings. They go so well with a pint that I’m prone to pig out!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Good Companions by JB Priestley, about a group of dancers and singers on the road. Priestley is my literary idol and we were friends for the last ten years of his life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d follow Tony Blair to see what he says when the mask is off.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People looking at their mobile phones when they should be talking to you.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Live for the moment, that’s all there is.

The film you can watch time and time again...Groundhog Day. It’s about a man living the same day over and over again, which should get tedious, but never does. And Bill Murray is superb.

The person who has influenced you most...My wife Terry. We married in 1962 and she’s very honest, whereas I can be devious. She’s kept me on the straight and narrow.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Churchill. He was such a charismatic man. I’d love to tease out the lesser known details of his life.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Spiritualism. I believe there’s something in it, but I think there are a lot of fraudsters making money out of people’s sadness.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My hearing. I’m 79 now and I struggle to hear conversation when there’s a lot of background noise.

The unending quest that drives you on...Survival – in both life and work. I’ve been in showbiz since 1956 and in this game you don’t retire, the phone stops ringing. It hasn’t stopped yet!

The poem that touches your soul...Willie Rushton’s version of the limerick about the young man from Montrose – but you couldn’t print it here!

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Barry Took! I’m always mistaken for other people. I was introduced to Princess Anne at Comic Relief as Tooky. Three weeks later I saw her again and was introduced as Barry Cryer and she said, ‘You were Barry Took last time!’

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Having a drink with David Frost in Danny La Rue’s club in London in 1963. I was with Ronnie Corbett and David asked us to work on The Frost Report. I was catapulted to writing full-time for TV.

The song that means most to you...Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers. It reminds me of falling in love for the first time at Leeds University when I was 19. The girl broke my heart – she told me she was gay!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...Terry and I would take the Orient Express to Venice. I’d have porridge, then fried eggs, bacon and fried bread on board. We’d wander around Venice, then pop to Sydney for a boozy lunch by the Opera House, I’ve never been to Australia. I’d have a BBQ-style lunch with a nice cold lager – Carlsberg, not that Australian Foster’s rubbish! Later we’d hang out on a beach in Oz with our four kids and seven grandchildren, aged seven to 23. In the afternoon, without the family, we’d see the sights in Vienna and go on the Ferris wheel that was in The Third Man. I’d have drinks with friends at the Gilded Balloon comedy venue in Edinburgh. In the evening, we’d check into The Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan. We’d have Dom Pérignon champagne, followed by decent chardonnay and the special of the day for dinner. We’d watch a Broadway show before heading back to our house in Middlesex where we’ve lived since 1967. These days I end every night out with a cup of builder’s tea.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The birth of my first son, Tony, in 1963 when I was 28. I finally had responsibilities, although I’m not sure it made me grow up!

The saddest time that shook your world...My father dying. I remember a boy at my infant school saying, ‘Your dad’s dead’ and I punched him.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To eat a prawn sandwich without some prawns falling out. I can never quite achieve it.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Think things are going to be awful, then whatever happens is usually an improvement and you cheer up.

The order of service at your funeral...It will be a humanist service, with people speaking about my life. I’ll pop up on a screen saying, ‘I know where you’re all going later: the pub! But I’m off for a drink with Eric Morecambe and Tommy Cooper.’ I want my ashes scattered in the garden of my local pub.

The way you want to be remembered...Family and friends have dominated my life, so to be remembered fondly by them is all that matters.

The Plug...Mrs Hudson’s Diaries – the life of Sherlock Holmes’s housekeeper as imagined by me and my son Bob – is out now, £12.99, therobsonpress.com.  

 

Writer And Comedian Barry Cryer

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Published: 14 February 2015

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor:

‘I want to do a course to learn how to stuff a mouse but only if it died naturally’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor

The prized possession you value above all others...A Blythe Doll from 1972. She has an oversized head with big eyes. I bought her for £300 on eBay 15 years ago – she’s worth £800 now.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not going to the funeral of a girl at school who died suddenly from a heart problem when we were 18. Loads of other girls went and I should have too.

The film you can watch time and time again...Grease. I first watched it when I was seven and loved it. I remember when Kenickie says his condom has broken I asked my mum what that was. She said, ‘A medal he got for sports!’

The temptation you wish you could resist...I’m addicted to eBay. I think I’m buying treasures, but other people might describe them as junk!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr. My mother [ex-Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis] read it to me when I was four and I read it to my boys [Sonny, ten, Kit, six, and Ray, two]. I loved that the little girl was called Sophie.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d stand on stage during a big West End show to watch the actors up close.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Trust your instincts.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Taxidermy! I’m fascinated by anatomy. I want to do a course to learn to stuff a mouse – but only if it died naturally!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...When people say, ‘I’m going to give 110 per cent.’ Above 100 per cent doesn’t exist!

The person who has influenced you most...My parents. My dad Robin took me to my first gig when I was eight – to see Pink Floyd at Earls Court. Mum is a very optimistic person who taught me to look for the positives in life.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson. I’d ask about the inspiration for her work, but she was a recluse so I doubt she’d want to see me.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Dick Van Dyke’s autograph. I got it on a trip to New York aged 14. The box I kept it in went missing during a house move.

The unending quest that drives you on...Writing the next song.

The poem that touches your soul...Emily Dickinson’s Because I Could Not Stop For Death. I’m a bouncy, optimistic person, but this poem makes you think about the darker backdrop to life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I always look perfect. People are surprised if they see a ladder in my tights, but while I’m often styled for TV, away from it I’m much more relaxed.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Releasing my song Groovejet in 2000. It was a success and it changed everything.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d paint a zebra crossing on a road near my house in west London because it’s a nightmare to cross with kids.

The song that means most to you...Mickey by Toni Basil. I love the odd choreography and the gurney faces she pulled in the video.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend the day going to places I’ve never visited. I’d be with my husband Richard and our sons and we’d wake up in Tokyo. We’d have sushi for breakfast, then wander around the city. After that, we’d arrive in rural Vietnam. We’d see the beautiful countryside, then have a stir-fry with glass noodles for lunch. Later we’d go to Delhi and see the real India. At sunset we’d head to a beach in Mexico. The kids would play on the sand while Richard and I relax in a cabana drinking margaritas watching the sun go down. For dinner I’d go to J Sheekey in Covent Garden for lobster and chips with champagne. Richard and I would end the day curled up at home watching a DVD.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I launched my last album Wanderlust last year. It was a big step because the work was so different and it was my first album not released by a major record label.

The saddest time that shook your world...My grandfather, Mike, dying in December last year. He was 83 and died from pneumonia. I miss him.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play the piano. I gave up at Grade 4 when I was 14. I can play a bit, but I’m quite rubbish.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Cherish your relationships with friends and family.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like Chopin’s Prelude in D Minor played and for my ashes to be scattered somewhere near the Thames.

The way you want to be remembered...She wasn’t bad at writing songs.

The Plug...Sophie Ellis-Bextor has designed Pretty Polly’s spring range of tights. Visit prettypolly.co.uk.

 

 

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor

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Published: 7 February 2015

Sky News presenter Kay Burley:

‘People say I’m po-faced, but they’d be amazed how naughty I am’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Sky News presenter Kay Burley 

The prized possession you value above all others...My sense of humour! It’s essential for the job I do. The team at Sky are very serious, but in the downtime they’re hilarious. If it wasn’t for humour, I’d probably not be quite as sane as I am.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...My parents died quite young, so serious regret isn’t in my DNA. I live every day as if it were my last because one day it will be. That said, I wish I hadn’t bought my Range Rover Evoque last year. It cost about £40,000 and has been terrible. I’m going to replace it with a Porsche Macan.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. It’s the best love story ever told.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It’s funny but deals with serious issues like ageing and unrequited love. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench are brilliant. I can’t wait for the sequel.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Having the last word, whether I’m arguing with friends or interviewing someone on TV. I can’t help myself.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d go to No 10 and listen to David Cameron to find out why he really doesn’t want to take part in the party leaders’ General Election debates. I think it’s because, as Prime Minister, he has the most to lose, but he can’t admit it.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Drivers at traffic lights who only indicate to turn right after the light’s turned green. You’re then stuck behind them if you want to go straight on. It drives me nuts.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad Frank. He was wise and had a great sense of humour, which my 21-year-old son Alexander has inherited. Dad died from a heart attack in 1995 at 65.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...There is no rush. Take your time, you have your whole life ahead of you.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be first with the news. If I’m beaten to it, I’m gutted!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Formula 1 motor racing. I used to find it ridiculous and boring but I’ve grown to love it thanks to my son.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The American writer Dorothy Parker. She was a great wit who’d be terrific company.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A 9ct gold necklace my mum Kathleen bought for my 12th birthday. It had my sign of the Zodiac, Sagittarius, on it but I lost it while playing in a park. I still think about it.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Covering the Herald Of Free Enterprise ferry disaster in Zeebrugge in 1987 for TV-am. I was a very a junior reporter but I volunteered to go. When I got back I was promoted to presenter and my career took off.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d break into Buckingham Palace and have a nose around. I want to know what the private rooms are like and if the Queen really keeps food in Tupperware.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m po-faced. People have a go at me on Twitter and say I’m too serious. They’d be surprised to know how mischievous and naughty I am away from the telly.

The poem that touches your soul...If by Rudyard Kipling. I first read it when I was 11 after my mum gave it to me. It’s a brilliant guide to how to live life.

The song that means most to you...Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. I remember watching the video on Top Of The Pops in 1975 and it blew my mind.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d corral all my friends at Heathrow and take a private jet to Ulusaba, Richard Branson’s game reserve in South Africa. We’d see the animals then have a big lunch in the bush. Antelope burgers are tasty, but I wouldn’t tell my friends what they’re eating. After, I’d leave my friends there and go to base camp at Mount Everest with my son Alexander. Later I’d trek along the Inca trail at Machu Picchu, in Peru. It’s meant to be quite a spiritual journey, so I’d go alone to give me time to think. After that I’d nip back to Ulusaba for cocktails with my friends. I’d end the day at home in London with my three Irish setters, quietly reflecting on an amazing day.

The happiest moment you’ll cherish forever...Ringing my mum on 12 April 1993 and saying, ‘It’s a boy. You’re a grandma!’ I didn’t know at the time but she was very ill. She’d had breast cancer when she was 50 and it had come back.

The saddest time that shook your world...Walking with my mum a few weeks later, pushing the buggy, when she told me about the cancer. I said, ‘I can’t manage without you Mum.’ She was my world. She died on 11 December when she was only 59.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...Never breaking 12 seconds for the 100 metres when I was a kid. The best I did was 12.4.

The philosophy that underpins your life...It’s Kipling’s line, ‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, And treat those two impostors just the same…’

The order of service at your funeral...Gin. Laughs. Gin. No songs. More gin – I just want people to get drunk and tell a few stories.

The way you want to be remembered...Great mother, loyal friend, dog lover.

The Plug...Kay Burley presents Sky News from 2pm-5pm Monday to Friday. Follow her on Twitter @kayburley.

 

 

Sky News Presenter Kay Burley

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Published: 31 January 2015

Veteran broadcaster Michael Buerk:

‘People think I’m a bit of a snob…I’m not entirely convinced they are wrong’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s broadcaster Michael Buerk

The prized possession you value above all others...My Spitting Image puppet, which I bought at auction about ten years ago for £180. It makes me smile.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not asking my mother Betty about my childhood before she died of a heart condition when I was 16. I wanted to know about my father and how their relationship ended [Michael’s parents separated when he was three after his father, Gordon, was revealed to be a bigamist].

The temptation you wish you could resist...Sudoku puzzles. I do one every day and they make me believe that I’m clever, but they’re just a waste of time.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The mangling of the English language. Top of my list is using ‘decimate’ to mean completely destroy something. It means to reduce by one tenth.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Passage To Juneau: A Sea And Its Meanings by Jonathan Raban. It’s a wonderful sailing adventure, but also an historical analysis of the British naval officer Captain George Vancouver.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit in a meeting of TV executives as they pick ‘celebs’ for a reality show. I’ve yet to find out why I was chosen for I’m A Celebrity.

The person who has influenced you most...My wife Christine. We’ve been married for 46 years and she never fails to tell me when I’m being an idiot.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My eyesight. I wore bottle-bottom glasses as a teenager which I blame – wrongly – for my lack of romantic success. I also failed my medical for the RAF because of it.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Samuel Pepys. He was an incredible gossip who would be wickedly fun company.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Butterflies. I was a keen collector as a child, and now I spot them with my grandchildren.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Churchill’s dictum, ‘The secret of success is to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.’

The unending quest that drives you on...To avoid being found out! Journalism is bluff; I hope to stay a step ahead.

The poem that touches your soul...Wilfred Owen’s Dulce Et Decorum Est. It distils the tragic gap between the leaders in a war and the soldiers.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My mother’s death. It made me wayward at school and left an enormous hole in my life.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I wish I’d tipped Jimmy Savile over the side when I met him on the QE2 years ago.

The film you can watch time and time again...Kind Hearts And Coronets with Alec Guinness and Dennis Price. It’s so deft and deliciously witty.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That because I was a newsreader I’m a self-important authority figure and a bit of a snob. I’m not entirely convinced it’s wrong!

The song that means most to you...Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits. It was the favourite song of cameraman Mohamed Amin, who filmed with me during the Ethiopia famine. That song reflects our camaraderie. He died in a hijacking in Africa in 1996.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start with a canoe ride down the Zambezi with Christine and our twin sons Roland and Simon, who are 41 now. Breakfast would be a full English with HP Sauce at Il Blandford’s cafe in London. After that we’d check into the Singita Pamushana Lodge in Zimbabwe and go on a game drive. Lunch would be at L’Hirondelle restaurant in Monte Carlo, where I’d have lobster salad and Provençal rosé wine. In the afternoon, my four grandchildren, aged five to eight, would join us in Turkey on our boat Skysong as we sail around Skopea Limani. Later, Christine and I would drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point in South Africa, then we’d have tea at Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. Dinner would be in London at the Garrick Club. I’d have the set menu with club claret.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Professionally, discovering my report about the famine in Ethiopia in October 1984 was having an impact.

The saddest time that shook your world...My mother’s death. My grandparents didn’t allow me to go to the funeral, which is a continuing regret.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be made a member of the House of Lords, but I’d be completely unqualified.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Churchill again: ‘Keep b*******g on!’

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have an Anglican service with an African choir singing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa). I’d be taken out to Show Me The Way To Go Home.

The way you want to be remembered...He tried to be a good son, husband, father and reporter.

The Plug...Michael Buerk presents The Moral Maze on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday. Visit bbc.co.uk.

 

Veteran Broadcaster Michael Buerk

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Published: 24 January 2015

Wildlife TV presenter Michaela Strachan:

‘People send me photos of obscure insects asking what they are, but I don’t have a clue’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Springwatch host Michaela Strachan

The prized possession you value above all others...As I’m a vegetarian, it’s my vegetable garden at my home in Hout Bay, near Cape Town in South Africa. It has eight tiered veg patches in which I grow everything possible.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not learning to play a musical instrument properly. I learnt the flute for a few years, but gave up when I was eight because it made my neck ache!

The temptation you wish you could resist...Singing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody when there’s a karaoke night. It’s excruciating – for everyone!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Born Free by Joy Adamson. I read it when I was 12 and it fuelled my love of wildlife. I wanted to be Joy and have my own lion cubs.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be Doctor Who’s assistant. David Tennant would be my Doctor.

The person who has influenced you most...My mum, Jo. She’s 75 and never sees the bad in people.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Humans hunting elephants and rhinos just to make chopsticks out of their tusks or grind their horns into medicine. It drives me insane.

The film you can watch time and time again...Monty Python’s Life Of Brian. I knew most of the dialogue even before I saw it at the cinema – my older brother Gary and his friends were obsessed with it and kept acting the scenes to me.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Dian Fossey [the US zoologist who protected gorillas in Africa in the 60s-80s]. She gave her life to save animals [Fossey was murdered in Rwanda in 1985].

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Cricket! I always thought it was boring, but my partner Nick and our nine-year-old son Ollie love it, so now I go to matches with them and enjoy it – though I often take a book!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My flexibility. I trained as a dancer and used to be able jump off a table and land in the splits. Now I’m 48 I can’t do it any more.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t judge people by your own circumstances. You have to broaden your knowledge to understand them.

The poem that touches your soul...I’m always moved by a poem I wrote about a baby orangutan called Lomon, who featured in a series I made called Orangutan Diary in 2007. It was about saving orphaned orangutans and I really connected with Lomon.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I know everything about British wildlife! People send me photos of obscure insects asking what they are, but I don’t have a clue. Chris Packham does know everything, so they should ask him!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Buying a holiday home in South Africa in 2002. Because I made that leap, I met Nick, then I moved there and we had Ollie.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d rescue all the moon bears in China and Vietnam that are locked up while tubes drain them of their bile to make medicine.

The song that means most to you...Tubthumping by Chumbawamba raised my spirits if I ever got low when I had breast cancer last year [she had a double mastectomy]. I’m doing really well now.

The unending quest that drives you on...To inspire people to care for and love the environment.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d live with Mongolia’s snow leopards. They’re very elusive and little is known about them.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d be with my family all day [Nick, Ollie, and Nick’s three children from his previous marriage – Jade, 26, and twins Tom and Sam, 24]. We’d watch the sunrise by a river in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia, and have coffee and rusks [African biscuits] before going on a walking safari. Later Nick and I would scuba-dive off Malaysia’s Sipadan Island – while the kids snorkel – among barracuda, turtles and sharks. After a quick veg stir-fry on the beach we’d go to Knight Inlet in Canada to see grizzly bears salmon fishing in the rivers, then take a boat trip to follow orcas and humpback whales. We’d end the day back in Cape Town walking up Table Mountain – you can see the sunset on one side and the moon rising on the other. At the top Nick and I would share a bottle of chardonnay and a packet of cashew nuts. Then we’d take the cable car down and head home to bed.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Finding out I was pregnant with Ollie when I was 39. I was filming in Vietnam when I found out and I ran around showing the test to all the crew!

The saddest time that shook your world...When I was 16, my dad lost his job and our family lost everything. It resulted in me suffering from anorexia. But we came through it all.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Always look on the bright side of life. The world can be a harsh place, but you have to find the positives.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll be buried in a biodegradable box, or have my body fed to sharks! I also want people to be sad – having a party and getting drunk seems so disrespectful.

The way you want to be remembered... She got children interested in wildlife.

The Plug...Michaela will perform her children’s show Michaela Strachan’s Really Wild Adventures at zoos, wildlife parks and family festivals this Easter and summer. michaelastrachan.co.uk.

 

Wildlife TV Presenter Michaela Strachan

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Published: 17 January 2015

Super chef Heston Blumenthal:

‘I’m obsessed with table tennis. It’s like meditating because you can’t think of anything except hitting that flipping little white ball!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s chef Heston Blumenthal’s turn

The prized possession you value above all others...My OBE. I received it from the Queen in January 2006 for services to British gastronomy. It was unforgettable – one of my proudest moments.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...I believe regret’s a futile emotion because it’s carrying the past into the future. That said, I do regret blowing up the oven the day after I opened The Fat Duck [his three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Berkshire] in 1995.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Picking at food. I love to see how many flavours I can discover.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...On Food And Cooking: The Science And Lore Of The Kitchen by Harold McGee. I read it in 1986 when I was 20 and it affected me deeply. He wrote about the chemistry of food and challenged the accepted wisdom of how to cook.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Lewis Carroll. I’d love to ask what was really in his head when he was writing Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go to one of my restaurants and freak out the chefs with daft pranks during service.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...I hate it when people are impolite and when someone takes the kudos for someone else’s work.

The film you can watch time and time again...Zulu with Michael Caine. I love how the soldiers fought against such odds. My dad bought a video recorder when I was ten and it was the first film we taped. I watched it 24 times!

The person who has influenced you most...Harold McGee. His writing reassured me that it was OK to challenge everything.

The piece of wisdom you’d pass on to a child...Blame, shame, guilt and fear are tied to the past. They’re not worth spending energy on.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...It may surprise people that I meditate. I’m all over the place because I’m so busy, but I’ve learnt to take time to be mindful.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My right hip! It had been damaged by osteoporosis and I had it replaced last year.

The unending quest that drives you on...To find answers to all my questions. I am endlessly inquisitive.

The poem that touches your soul...William Blake’s Jerusalem. The words carry a powerful metaphor about life. My eyes always mist up when I hear it.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m an über-smart scientist! My only A-level is in art. I just find knowledge wondrous and I’m enthusiastic and determined.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My first fine-dining experience at 16. My parents took me and my sister to France and we had dinner at L’Oustau de Baumaniere. The world of gastronomy was revealed and I knew I was going to be a chef.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...Speeding.

The song that means most to you...Father And Son by Cat Stevens. It reminds me of my dad, who died in 2011, and of my son, Jack.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...My day would begin at sunrise with my girlfriend Suzanne on Signal Hill in Cape Town, then I’d meditate on a beach. After that I’d visit Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, where I’d buy fish for a sushi breakfast. I’d spend the morning skiing with my kids [Jack, 22, Jessie, 21, and Joy, 17] in Zermatt, Switzerland, then we’d ski in Courmayeur in Italy where we’d have lunch at Maison Vieille. I’d have white truffle spaghetti with Italian red wine. Afterwards I’d play table tennis with an instructor. I’m obsessed with it – it’s a bit like meditating because you can’t think of anything else except hitting that flipping little white ball! Later I’d visit the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania then go to San Sebastián for dinner with some chef mates. I’d end the day at midnight somewhere remote with the family watching the Northern Lights while cooking burgers on an open fire.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Personally, it’s the births of my children and, professionally, the day I got my third Michelin Star for The Fat Duck in 2004.

The saddest time that shook your world...The day in 2012 when two of my kitchen team died [a taxi carrying Ivan Aranto Herrera Jorge, 34, and Magnus Lindgren, 30, was hit by a bus in Hong Kong]. It’s made me understand what really matters in life.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To attain perfection in my work.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Question everything. I had a coat of arms made last year and that’s even the motto on my heraldry.

The order of service at your funeral...I just want there to be a lot of laughter and celebration. I know I’ve been really lucky, so I’ll have had no regrets.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who lived in the moment, questioned everything and had fun.

The Plug...Historic Heston, a 21st-century take on British recipes from medieval times to the Victorian era is £40, bloomsbury.com/uk. Visit thefat duck.co.uk.

 

 

Super Chef Heston Blumenthal

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Published: 10 January 2015

Singer Paul Young:

‘I wish I could resist a big night out getting drunk especially when I end up on the tequila!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s musician Paul Young’s turn

 The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not writing more songs when I was young. I was happy to do cover versions because there were too many distractions, like going out, so I didn’t learn the craft seriously. It would have made a big difference to me financially.

The temptation you wish you could resist...A big night out getting drunk -especially when I end up on tequila! I used to party all the time when I was younger and I’d recover quickly. I’m 58 now and I only overdo it once a month.

The unending quest that drives you on...To keep discovering new music.

The film you can watch time and time again...One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. I love Jack Nicholson in that, he’s superb. It’s such a sad and moving story, yet it has great comedic moments.

The prized possession you value above all others...My Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorbike. I bought it as a wreck in the 90s and restored it. I love the sense of freedom on the bike.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit among gorillas and lions without fear of being attacked. That would be fascinating.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse. It’s about a journey to self-knowledge. I read it in the 80s when I was experiencing fame for the first time and it taught me to appreciate it.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Violence against old people. These kind and helpless people have survived so much and they end up being attacked by some nasty piece of work.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad Tony. He’s 86 now and he taught the importance of good manners. I have a lot of respect for him.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Winston Churchill. I’d love to hear how he prepared himself to boost the morale of the troops in the darkest hours.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Always be polite.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m desperate to learn how to sail a boat. I’m fascinated by the challenge of navigating the oceans.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My right ear! It got damaged in a car accident in Spain in 2012. I had surgery to repair it and I can still hear perfectly, but it sticks out. I’d like it to be normal again!

The poem that touches your soul...I’m moved by song lyrics, particularly Tom Waits’ Take It With Me. It’s about a man on his deathbed, wanting to take the heart of the woman he loves with him when he goes.

The song that means most to you...Wherever I Lay My Hat [his Marvin Gaye cover that reached No 1 in 1983]. It was a huge hit in the UK and launched me internationally.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Leaving my band The Q-Tips and signing my solo record deal. It was a new beginning.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That my record company styled me when I went solo in 1982. It all started because I wore a suit on the cover of my first solo album, but it’s ridiculous because I was wearing suits before that in The Q-Tips.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d pull off a bank heist, and steal enough cash to keep me and the family going.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d go to a little place in West Hollywood, LA, for a breakfast of corned beef hash with pancakes and coffee. Then I’d chill out on a beach in the Bahamas with my wife Stacey and our kids – Levi, 27, Layla, 20, Grady, 18, and Jude, eight [Stacey’s son from another relationship]. We’d go snorkelling, then have lunch in Sardinia, again by the sea. I’d have sea bream baked in salt with chilled local white wine. After that, I’d captain a sailing boat to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. We’d settle in at a beach bar and listen to a band and Stacey and I would sink a few margaritas as the sun went down while eating local food. We’d end the day in Las Vegas. I’m not a gambler, but the mad atmosphere is such a laugh. We’d check into a high roller suite at the Bellagio hotel.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Marrying Stacey in 1987. She taught me to enjoy myself.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my bulldogs Ronnie and Nancy died. I was in bits.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To own a fabulous sailing boat. It will happen one day.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Keep moving forward.

The order of service at your funeral...I want a church service with New Orleans funeral jazz music. I’d like people to say a few words about me and I may have my ashes scattered in the sea.

The way you want to be remembered...He sang some sad and mournful hits, but he partied until the end.

The Plug...My band Los Pacaminos have an album, A Fistful Of Statins, out now and there’ll be a Paul Young solo album this year. Visit www.paul-young.com. Twitter @PaulYoungParlez.

 

 

Singer Paul Young

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Published: 3 January 2015

Author Fay Weldon:

‘My unending quest is to write a sentence that says exactly what I intended it to’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s novelist Fay Weldon’s turn

The prized possession you value above all others...A book called The Story Of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, about a gentle bull who’d rather smell flowers than fight. My father Frank gave it to me for my fifth birthday and it’s the only possession I have from my childhood. He died from a stroke when I was 16.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Canapés at parties. They spoil your dinner and it’s easy to eat too many.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I read it aged 19 and it showed a world dependent on drugs, which is what we’ve become, not least with statins.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d love to walk alongside a hurricane without getting hurt. Extreme weather fascinates me.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Choosing to play hockey at school instead of netball when I was 11. Hockey was full of brutish, angry girls; netball was for smart, skinny ones.

The film you can watch time and time again...Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It’s magical and brings back such happy memories of watching it with my boys [now aged 30-55] when they were growing up.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Think for yourself, and never believe what you’re told.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Because they’re utterly uncontrollable, volcanoes intrigue me, to the extent that every morning I check online to see the progress of Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Meeting my second husband, Ron Weldon, in 1961. Suddenly I was the wife of an artist, mixing with creative types. It was the beginning of a new life.

The poem that touches your soul...London by William Blake…It’s about the tragedy of city life, and it makes me cry.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...Serious people think I’m frivolous, frivolous people think I’m a serious, man-hating feminist. I’m neither.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The magpies in our garden in Dorset. They’re thugs that scare off all the sweet songbirds I love.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A blonde-haired doll called Panama Polly, which my mother Margaret gave me when I was four. It went missing during a house move about five years go.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother. She was an intelligent, brave feminist whose strength of character rubbed off on me. She died ten years ago aged 94. I still miss her.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...William Blake. I’d want to talk about the inspiration for his greatest poem.

The unending quest that drives you on...To write a sentence that says exactly what I intended it to say. I’m 83 now but I write every day and it’s a constant challenge to think of the right words.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d make all the cash machines dish out as much money as possible.

The song that means most to you...Little Wheel Spin And Spin from the 1960s, by Native American singer Buffy Sainte-Marie. It’s simple yet profound.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...My [third] husband Nick and I would have breakfast at the Hotel Continental in Oslo. I’d have figs, mango juice, scrambled eggs, bread and croissants, with lots of strong coffee. After that I’d buy the finest bed linen at Liberty in London, then spend a fortune on the most delicate lingerie at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. Lunch would be at The Ivy in London, where I’d have a vodka martini then fish and chips. Afterwards we’d tour Rome’s ruins with my four sons and six grandchildren, aged from 6-22, then eat ice cream in St Mark’s Square, Venice. At dusk I’d walk by the sea at Renvyle on the west coast of Ireland, where the singing of the seals sounds like mermaids. Dinner would be moussaka and chips in a taverna on Crete, where we’d all drink the local rosé and do some Greek dancing. My day would end back at home, reading a book in a deep hot bath. Bliss!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Getting my CBE from the Queen in 2001. She said, ‘You’re the one who writes television plays’ and I replied, ‘I write anything they pay me to, Ma’am!’ It made her smile.

The saddest time that shook your world...My elder sister Jane’s death in 1969 from cancer when she was 39. It felt as though half of me died with her.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to be a ruthless businessman like Alan Sugar.

The philosophy that underpins your life...What goes around, comes around.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d be taken out in a cardboard coffin to the Radio 4 theme tune Sailing By [played before the Shipping Forecast], and buried in the graveyard of a church I go to.

The way you want to be remembered...Oh, didn’t she die?!

The Plug...Fay’s new book Mischief, an anthology of her short stories with a new sci-fi novella The Ted Dreams, is published by Head Of Zeus in February.

 

 

Author Fay Weldon

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Published: 27 December 2014

Motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss:

‘When I was 15 I read a book about a racing driver and was so amazed by all the crumpet he was chasing that I decided to become a racer’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss

The prized possession you value above all others...My ten Gold Stars from the British Racing Drivers’ Club for being the year’s top driver, starting in 1950 when I was 21 and the youngest to win one.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Retiring at 32 after a terrible crash in 1962. I was in a coma for a month and paralysed on one side for six months, and I was talked into making a rash decision. But I was at the height of my career and could have had another ten years.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Ordering ridiculous gadgets from those magazines that come free in newspapers. I’m a sucker for things like atomic clocks and foldable suitcases.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit among the tigers of Nepal. They’re quite extraordinary.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Road Star Hat Trick by Prince Chula. It’s about his cousin’s life as a racing driver in the 1930s. I read it at 15 and I was amazed by his stories of racing and chasing crumpet. That’s when I decided to be a racing driver.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Untidiness and disorganisation. I expect my PA to ensure my desk is clear when I come in of a morning.

The film you can watch time and time again...Top Hat. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are wonderful together and the music always puts a spring in my step.

The person who has influenced you most...My father Alfred. He raced in the Indianapolis 500 and was so encouraging of my career. He was like my best friend. He died in 1972 aged 76.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Fred Astaire. He was a fantastic dancer and actor and what a life he led. I used to be a fairly good dancer myself – maybe Fred could give me a lesson!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a 1950s Ferrari racing car and drive it around Hyde Park as fast as I could.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Make sure you always tell the truth.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...My guilty pleasure is watching the courtroom TV show Judge Judy. It’s great entertainment.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My sex drive! I first lost the ability to have sex after I had my prostate out when I had cancer at 70. I took pills which solved it and even became the face of them. There was a billboard with my photo that said ‘Arise Sir Stirling’! But five years ago the pills stopped working – I ran out of steam.

The unending quest that drives you on...To keep busy. ‘Movement is Tranquillity’ is a motto I live by. I want to keep travelling the world having fun.

The poem that touches your soul...The only poems I’ve liked are the limericks my father taught me, but they’re far too naughty to repeat here.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m confident. I hate walking into a room full of people on my own.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...That crash in 1962 changed everything. It was great to survive, but it meant I gave up racing and suddenly had to work for a living. I went into the property business. It was a shock – nothing could live up to racing.

The song that means most to you...I’m Glad There Is You by Frank Sinatra. My wife Susie and I love it because it takes us back to when we were courting.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with Susie on a Seabourn cruise liner sailing somewhere hot in the Far East, then have a full English breakfast, exotic fruit, and coffee, followed by a stroll on the deck. Later, I’d ski at Les Trois Vallées in France with my children – Allison, 42, and Elliot, 34, and my grandchildren – Oliver, 16, Emily, 12, and Katie, nine. Lunch would be gravadlax at Le Gavroche. I’d spend the afternoon on Copacabana beach with Susie and do some window-shopping. By that, I mean looking at the crumpet! Susie doesn’t mind because she knows it reminds me that I already have the best! We’d head to Singapore for dinner of black pepper prawns, sweet and sour pork and chicken with cashew nuts at a restaurant we love called Fatty’s. I’d spend the evening on a sunset game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. We’d end the day sipping Pimm’s at a luxury lodge there.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Winning the Mille Miglia in 1955. It’s a 1,000-mile endurance motor race around Italy and I was one of the first non-Italians to win it.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my friend David Haines in 2009. He was 80 and had cancer. We’d been all over the world together and were closer than brothers.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I wish I’d driven the Indy 500 – I never had the time.

The philosophy that underpins your life...I’ve always tried to live by two simple things: honesty and loyalty.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll leave the details to Susie. She’s 23 years younger than me, so that’s a fair bet. Maybe my ashes will be scattered inside the racing circuit at Goodwood.

The way you want to be remembered...For being fast and fair.

The Plug...Please support the charity Hope for Tomorrow, dedicated to bringing cancer treatment closer to patients’ homes. hopefortomorrow.org.uk.

 

Motor Racing Legend Sir Stirling Moss

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Published: 12 December 2014

Only Fools star John Challis:

‘Because of Boycie people think I know about cars. I’m clueless’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Only Fools And Horses star John Challis 

The prized possession you value above all others...My 12th-century home in beautiful Herefordshire. My wife Carol and I moved here 16 years ago and it has an extraordinary atmosphere. You can really feel its history.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Losing the £50,000 inheritance left to me by my mother. I helped a friend out on an aloe vera farming idea in Portugal. It was a con and I lost the lot.

The temptation you wish you could resist...I’m addicted to BBC1 antiques show Flog It! We bought some antiques from the presenter Paul Martin’s shop in Wiltshire and he brought them to the house himself. He’s such a nice bloke.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...First Light, Geoffrey Wellum’s memoir of being a Battle of Britain pilot. It’s very inspiring.

The person who has influenced you most...Spike Milligan in The Goon Show. His surreal humour lit a spark in me.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Avarice.

The film you can watch time and time again...Apocalypse Now. It sums up the futility of war and Marlon Brando is riveting.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Buying a copy of The Stage when I was 19 and doing odd jobs. I replied to an advert to be an actor in a travelling children’s theatre company and got the job. I’ve never looked back.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Charles I. I’d like to ask him why he wouldn’t compromise and avoid such a bloody civil war.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...I don’t have children but I tell friends’ kids never to be afraid of failure. Just have a go.

The poem that touches your soul...Ode To Autumn by Keats. It’s a beautiful summing up of nature that uplifts me.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Geraniums. I propagate them and give them as presents to people. I keep them for years. You’d think they were my children!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My youth! I’m 72 and still have lots of energy, but everything creaks now.

The unending quest that drives you on...To stay alive! I’ve seen so many friends fall off the perch lately.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a second-hand car dealer! Because of Boycie in Only Fools people think I know about cars. They’re disappointed when they discover I’m clueless.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d destroy every wind turbine intruding on our landscape. I think they’re grotesque.

The philosophy that underpins your life...How little can I do to get away with it? I’m quite lazy!

The song that means most to you...The Show Must Go On by Queen – the version sung by Paul Rodgers of Free after Freddie Mercury died. His voice gets to me and I love the sentiment.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I support Tusk Trust, which protects wildlife in Africa, so I’d infiltrate the ivory trade and take out the Mr Bigs who run it.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...Carol and I would have breakfast on the Orient Express on our way to Venice. We’d be in the Côte d’Azur carriage, designed by René Lalique, and I’d have scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. We’d spend all morning in Venice, which would be devoid of crowds, then take a gondola to the Cipriani Hotel for lunch overlooking the lagoon. I’d have roast chicken and vegetables with champagne. After lunch we’d head to Reid’s Palace hotel in Madeira for tea and a cheese sandwich. The hotel decor is a throwback to the 30s and 40s, a period I love. After that we’d arrive in Hawaii and meet friends for a ride in a traditional outrigger canoe. We’d have a party and watch the sunset with Piña Colada cocktails. Carol and I would end the day by checking into the Ava Gardner suite at the Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy. On this day, we’d be in the 40s and the hotel would be full of Hollywood stars of that era. I’d sip a chilled glass of Vin Santo and watch the fun.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Renewing my wedding vows with Carol in 1997 – two years after we got married. I’d been married three times – which I’m not proud of – and I felt like the luckiest man in the world to have finally met the right woman.

The saddest time that shook your world...The day my dad Alec died from a heart condition. He’d suffered from dementia for ten years. I felt guilty because I’d never really got to know him, or how he felt about anything.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play Doctor Who. I was a henchman alongside Tom Baker in 1976, but to be the Doctor would really be something.

The order of service at your funeral...I want a wicker coffin covered in geraniums and a church service with Thank You For The Music by Abba and Here I Go Again by Whitesnake.

The way you want to be remembered...He had a go and made people smile.

The Plug...John begins his Boycie one-man tour on 23 January in Croydon. Visit www.wigmorebooks.com.

 

Only Fools Star John Challis

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Published: 6 December 2014

MasterChef presenter John Torode:

‘I love flying big hefty kites. I like the sense you’re going to be lifted into the air’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s MasterChef host John Torode

The prized possession you value above all others...My Condor bicycle. It’s hand-made specially to fit me. I eat a lot for my job so I cycle to stop getting fat.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Opening my first restaurant, Pasta Connection, in Melbourne when I was 20. I should have learned more about business before I took that step, but I was a total donkey. It went bust in a year.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Puff pastry. I love pasties, sausage rolls and especially Aussie meat pies with tomato ketchup.

The film you can watch time and time again...Crocodile Dundee. It’s corny but also brilliant and funny.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...To Kill A Mockingbird. I read it when I was 14 and it was an eye-opener. It was like voyeurism into another world. The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d just sit on the beach and relax. That’s one of my favourite things, but these days it’s impossible without someone asking for a selfie with me.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People making a hash of expensive ingredients. I find waste abhorrent.

The person who has influenced you most...John Dench, the chef at Tsindos Bistro in Melbourne where I did my apprenticeship. He taught me how to cook, clean and how to listen.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...HG Wells. I’d love to know how he managed to come up with such amazing ideas for his stories.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Blow your own trumpet, otherwise someone will use it as a spittoon! My dad taught me that.

The poem that touches your soul...I like Ogden Nash because he’s funny. ‘The cow is of bovine ilk; One end is moo, the other is milk.’ Fabulous!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Flying big hefty kites. I have one 9m long. I like to feel the power of the wind and that sense you’re going to be lifted into the air.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m gruff. I’m blunt on MasterChef because there’s no point wasting time with platitudes. But off the telly, I’m pretty nice.

The unending quest that drives you on...To never stop learning about food.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A St Christopher medal that I lost last year. Lisa [his girlfriend, actress Lisa Faulkner] gave me a new one and I keep it close.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d get rid of traffic jams and bad drivers in London.

The song that means most to you...Gold by Spandau Ballet reminds me of driving to the beach when I was 18, singing it at the top of my lungs.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My mother dying [Ann died from a heart condition when she was 31]. I was four at the time and I don’t remember it, but my two brothers and I moved away from Dad to be brought up by my grandmother. Nanna was wonderful and I had an idyllic childhood. I have a few memories of my mum but I’m not sure if they’re real or if I constructed them later when I was a kid. I visit her grave every time I’m back in Australia.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all day with Lisa and my kids (two boys aged 19 and 17 from his first marriage, and a son, ten, and a daughter, eight, from his second). I’d begin with a swim on Manly beach in Sydney, followed by coffee and toasted banana bread in a cafe. I’d ski in Courchevel and have lunch at the Bel Air restaurant on the slopes. I’d have salad and steak-frites with mustard and good red wine. I’d spend the rest of the day chilling out on the Phi Phi islands in Thailand with the family. I’d get fish from the market and cook for everyone while I have a few cold Singha beers. The day would end with a swim in the sea at night as the water glows with phosphorescence.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Going to the beach in Australia as a teenager, sailing a boat, and hanging out with mates are the happiest moments I’ve had.

The saddest time that shook your world...I was upset when my Nanna died when I was 18, but she was 77, so I was prepared for it. I’m not sure I’ve had particularly sad times.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To do slalom waterskiing on one ski. I’d love to zip in between the buoys at full stretch, but at 49 I’m too old and afraid to do it.

The philosophy that underpins your life...In life, you get back what you put in. Put in a lot and a lot comes back. Give little, then very little comes back.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d want a very simple church service with people bellowing out hymns, like Bread Of Heaven. I’m undecided about burial or cremation, but I want to end up next to my mum in Morpeth, Australia.

The way you want to be remembered...There’s no need to remember me. I’ll be happy to just fade away.

The Plug...John has partnered with hot drinks machine Tassimo as one of their Perfect Host panel, to help teach people how to host the ideal gathering. Visit www.tassimo.co.uk.

 

 

MasterChef Presenter John Torode

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Published: 29 November 2014

Naturalist David Bellamy:

‘I’ve loved ballet ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a dancer but I was too heavy’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s naturalist David Bellamy’s turn

 The prized possession you value above all others...A compass I bought for my wife on our 50th wedding anniversary in 2009. It’s the one that guided Henry Morton Stanley across Africa to find fellow explorer David Livingstone in 1871, and it makes me feel in touch with a very special happening in history.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Selling my Lotus Super 7 in the 1960s when we needed a bigger, more sensible family car. Being so low to the ground gave a great sense of speed.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Saying ‘Yes’ to all requests! I’m 81 but I love working and helping others.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A Girl Of The Limberlost from 1909 by Gene Stratton-Porter, which I read with my mum as a boy. It’s about the destruction of trees in the US, and it made me want to read more about nature.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d visit Florence and see treasures such as Botticelli’s The Birth Of Venus without having to queue.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Boy racers playing loud bass music in fast cars.

The person who has influenced you most...My cockney granny Sarah Low. She lived with our family in south-west London during the war and took over. She was always there when you needed her and she got us through it.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Winston Churchill. I queued to see him lying in state in 1965. He was so concerned about our diminishing butterfly population he created a butterfly garden at his home Chartwell.

The film you can watch time and time again...Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I must have been about 36 when I first saw it but I was still mesmerised. What a car!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Think for yourself.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Ballet. I read Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes when I was a kid and it inspired me to want to be a dancer, but I was too heavy – better built for rugby.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My sense of smell. I lost it when a hockey ball collided with my nose. Sadly I can’t smell flowers.

The unending quest that drives you on...To save all plants and animals from extinction around the world.

The poem that touches your soul...The Old Vicarage, Granchester by Rupert Brooke. It’s so moving.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m the Jolly Green Giant! I’m a botanist and an academic but I’ve been stuck with that nickname for decades. I’m not complaining though – it’s helped my career.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting a job as a school lab technician in Ewell, Surrey when I was 20. That’s where I met my wife and fell in love – and I still am! Rosemary is my pillar.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would steal The Garden Of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch from the Prado Museum in Madrid.

The song that means most to you...Sparrows Can’t Sing by Barbara Windsor. It was the first record I bought, and it reminds me of carefree times with Rosemary before children came along.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d take in the dawn at the North Pole with Rosemary, then have a slap-up breakfast on the shores of Lake Huron, one of North America’s Great Lakes. We’d relive a trek we did on the West Coast of Scotland in our younger years, then climb Ben Lawers mountain; I’d have a nip of Springbank whisky to keep me going. A magic carpet would then take us and our children – Rufus, Henrietta, Brighid, Eoghain, Hannah – and our nine grandchildren aged from eight to 24 to an exotic beach in Malaysia. We’d all go snorkelling and look at wonderful marine life, then eat oysters for lunch. After skiing at Plagne Montalbert in France, with a break for my favourite andouillettes – tripe sausages – we’d take all the kids to Fortnum & Mason in London for cream tea and Knickerbocker Glories. I’d end up in Italy’s Apuane Mountains drinking red wine and watching the sunset.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Spending New Year’s Eve with my young family at Ayers Rock in Australia in 1978. It was hot, the light on the rock was incredible, and the family was together. A wonderful moment.

The saddest time that shook your world...My granny dying. It was as if the sun had gone out.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be Father Christmas at Hamleys. Every child seems to think I’m Santa, so it would be good to actually do it one year.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never give up.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m too busy living to think about it. But when it happens I hope it’ll be sunny and they’ll play Henry Burton’s hymn There’s A Light Upon The Mountains.

The way you want to be remembered...As a loving dad and grandad and a happy botanist who fought for conservation.

The Plug...Look at these two websites as proof that I’m still working hard! www.bna-naturalists.org, and www.conservationfoundation.co.uk.  

 

Naturalist David Bellamy

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Published: 22 November 2014

Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter:

‘I’ve been ice-skating since I was a child, I don’t do jumps but I love to dance on the ice’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter

The prized possession you value above all others...A silver apple engraved with the letter ‘D’ that Princess Diana gave me for helping with her first solo work trip to New York in 1989. I was media manager for Charles and Diana for five years.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d been a better dad. I was a single parent to my daughter Victoria after her mum and I divorced when she was three. I missed so much time with her until she was ten because of work.

The film you can watch time and time again...Zulu with Michael Caine. It makes me wonder what Southern Africa would be like today without the Zulu war.

The temptation you wish you could resist...German marzipan. It has a thin layer of dark chocolate and I can eat a whole box.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Scramble For Africa by Thomas Pakenham. I spent 13 years in Africa when I was young, and this tells how greedy Europeans developed the continent.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...If you want something in life, go out and get it.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Dirty shoes and nails. There’s a lot of scruff around these days.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d swim with hippos to see what they’re like up close.

The person who has influenced you most...My 93-year-old mother Ruth, who lives in a residential home in Zimbabwe. She taught me that anything is attainable if you really want it.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...King George VI. He was a shy man forced into the job because of the abdication, but he stepped up when our country needed him.

The unending quest that drives you on...To make sure the day isn’t wasted.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A pair of cuff links given to me by a girlfriend in 1965. They were stolen from my home in south London in 2002.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Ice-skating. I started as a child. I’m 74 now and still skate five times a week at 6am. I don’t do jumps but I like to dance on the ice.

The poem that touches your soul...Charles Wolfe’s The Burial Of Sir John Moore After Corunna, about the great general dying in 1809. It’s so emotive.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...I give the impression that I’m always right. In truth I probably am right – but not always!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My headmaster telling my mother that I must leave school before my O-levels because I wasn’t working. We duly went to live in Rhodesia, and leaving school without any exams made me live on my wits.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a painting called Field Of Battle, painted by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter Princess Victoria. It’s owned by the Queen and I saw it while working at Buckingham Palace. It depicts a woman holding a soldier who’s died in a battle in Crimea. I’m amazed how the Princess captured such anguish.

The song that means most to you...The Evening Hymn And Last Post. It’s usually played by a military band and reminds me that each day at sunset, someone somewhere’s lost a loved one.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start the day with an early morning skate, then have breakfast of grapefruit, kippers and coffee at The Wolseley. Later my wife Rosemary and I would walk around Paris, which would magically have far fewer Parisians! We’d have lunch at Fouquet’s restaurant. I’d have oysters and steak tartare. I don’t drink alcohol much, so I’d just have Coca- Cola. Later we’d relax at a game lodge in Zimbabwe and go for a swim before heading out on a walking safari to see elephants at a watering hole at sunset. We’d end the day in New York having dinner at a simple diner with Victoria, who’s 40, my grandson Raff, who’s 11, and my son-in-law Ryan. I’d end up back at home completely knackered!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day I found my uncle Harry Stock’s war grave in Israel. He died aged only 24 in 1947 when he was with the British Army in Palestine. I last saw him when I was five. He was a wonderful man and I’ve always thought about him.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my dad, Hans, died soon after I turned six. He’d been terribly ill with TB and diabetes. Soon afterwards I was shipped off to boarding school, which was horrific.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To anchor a TV chat show. Do they hire old people?

The philosophy that underpins your life...Live it to the full.

The order of service at your funeral...No service, just a party. I want the song Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered, dancing and for people to get drunk!

The way you want to be remembered...Despite his bluster, underneath it all he was a pretty OK guy.

The Plug...My book, On Duty With The Queen is out now (Blink Publishing). Visit www.dickiearbiter.co.uk.

 

Royal Commentator Dickie Arbiter

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Published: 15 November 2014

Actress Rula Lenska:

‘People think I’m tough but in reality I’m a real softie’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actress Rula Lenska’s turn

 The prized possession you value above all others...A tiny 2in by 2in book given to my mother, Bisia, by her sister Lula for her 23rd birthday when they were in Ravensbrück concentration camp in Germany. Lula had made it and added a story about St Peter writing Mamma’s name at the gates of Heaven. It’s the most moving piece of memorabilia. She gave it to me 15 years ago and I was so touched I cried. Sadly, Lula died in September aged 90.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day....I’d be a fly on the wall on a submarine in crisis. I’d love to see how the men react under pressure.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...That my mother was not with us when our family gathered at our ancestral seat in Poland. She’d died four months earlier in 1996. Mamma lived at that stately home until the Nazis invaded. We scattered her ashes beneath her favourite tree there.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Smoking. I gave up a year ago, but I still feel strong urges.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Princess Of Siberia by Christine Sutherland, about a Russian woman trying to find her husband who’s been sent to Siberia. It’s so reminiscent of what my family went through during the war.

The film you can watch time and time again...Quo Vadis. It’s a bit dated but I love Peter Ustinov as Nero.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Unpunctuality.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother. She came from an aristocratic background then lost it all and had to restart in England. But she never carried any bitterness.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Cleopatra. I’d love to see just how beautiful she was.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Professionally, it was getting the part in Rock Follies, the TV drama about a female rock band in the 70s. I went from being a jobbing actress to getting recognised in the street. Personally, it was visiting Tibet in 1991. I became a quasi-Buddhist. I chant every day.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...All alternative medicine, from acupuncture to massage.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Do as you would be done by.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I will be very brave and tell you that it is my hearing. It has deteriorated over the last 10 years and I need hearing aids for both ears now. I can still hear birdsong and quiet music with them, but I struggle in rooms with lots of people and ambient noise. It has never stopped me working and it never will, but my business is fairly cut-throat and if you let people know that you have a problem of some sort, then they might use it against you. It is a mystery as to why my hearing started to go and may have been down to an ear infection I got whilst diving in Africa. Thankfully, it is not getting any worse, so it has nothing to do with old age.

The unending quest that drives you on...To have balance and harmony.

The poem that touches your soul...Chief Seattle’s speech in 1854, when the native Americans surrendered land to white settlers. It’s about how Man should live in harmony with nature.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d park on double yellow lines in London.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m tough. I give the impression of being in control and I’m good at the ‘Don’t mess with me’ face. But I’m a great softie.

The song that means most to you...Send In The Clowns sung by Glynis Johns. The words imply that however perfect things are in a relationship, the person you’re with is in another place, physically and mentally. It reminds me of my marriage to Dennis Waterman.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d begin with a safari on elephant-back in Chitwan park in Nepal. I’d then fly over Mount Everest to have a full English breakfast in Kathmandu. After that, I’d arrive in Monkey Mia on the west coast of Australia with my daughter Lara, 32, and my grandson, Ethan, two and a half. My mother would be back with us and we’d swim with dolphins, then have a fish barbecue. I’d have coffee in Piazza del Popolo in Rome, before seeing Verdi’s Nabucco at the Sydney Opera House. I’d have dinner in first class on a flight back to London with a few Wyborowa or Zubrowka vodkas and end the day at home in London with a hot water bottle, a book and a cuddle with my cat.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Standing in the water at Monkey Mia in 1987 with my mother while dolphins swam around us.

The saddest time that shook your world...My mother’s death in 1996 from emphysema when she was 74. She was too young. Her four children were by her side and it was extraordinary feeling of coming full circle. I was holding her hand as she died. There was a great sense of relief to see her pain and effort to breathe finally end. All the worry disappeared from her face and she looked 20 years younger and very peaceful. We were then able to brush her hair, put on her perfume and put her rosary on her hand. It was a special, holy moment for all of us, but then I was hit by devastating sadness. I still miss her enormously.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play the queen of the vampires in a Hammer horror film.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Give positive and you get back positive. But the same goes for negative.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll have a biodegradable coffin covered with flowers. It will be a Catholic and Buddhist ceremony with chanting and shamanic drumming. I’d like my niece to sing Pie Jesu and I want my ashes scattered in Poland with my mother, in Africa and in my daughter’s garden.

The way you want to be remembered...Game for a laugh, daring, loyal and fair.

The Plug...Rula is in The Frozen Scream at Wales Millennium Centre from 11-20 December and Birmingham Hippodrome from 7-17 January. Visit www.wmc.org.uk or www. birminghamhippodrome.com. 

 

 

Actress Rula Lenska

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Published: 8 November 2014

Singer and TV presenter Aled Jones:

‘People think I’m still a 13-year-old choirboy in a ruff. They see me in a pub with a pint and look shocked’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: singer and TV presenter Aled Jones

 

The prized possession you value above all others...The gold disc for my first album as an adult. It was released in 2002 when I was 31 and was called – imaginatively – Aled! As a child I’d sold seven million records, so it was a huge relief when that album went gold.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Turning down The Johnny Carson Show in America when I was 14. Neither me, nor my mum and dad had heard of him, so we said no.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Ginsters Cornish pasties! I drive a lot and I’m weakest at 1am when I stop at a motorway service station. Those pasties smile at me like the devil.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Bible. I’ve spent my life singing church music, so its spirit is seared onto my soul.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’m a big Arsenal fan, but I’m dismayed by our team of late, so I’d go into the dressing room at half-time to hear what Arsene Wenger says to them.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...All-vaulting ambition. You come across it a lot in ‘showbiz’ and it’s ugly.

The film you can watch time and time again...Die Hard. It’s kept me entertained on countless nights in hotels because it’s always on. Alan Rickman is brilliant as the baddie.

The person who has influenced you most...My wife Claire and our children Emilia, 12, and Lucas, nine. We got married in 2001 and I’ve been so happy ever since.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Freddie Mercury. He was such a showman, so a pint with him would be entertaining.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Treat others how you want them to treat you.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Wine and gastronomy. I’m not brilliant in the kitchen, but I’m getting better. I love wine, especially if it’s from Tuscany.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a private jet.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My boy soprano voice. I took it for granted.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be as good at my job as I can be.

The poem that touches your soul...For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon, about the First World War. It’s so moving.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My voice breaking. It happened gradually after my 16th birthday, but we announced that I was retiring before it had gone. Not many careers end at 16. But it made front-page headlines all over the world.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To write more music and to have a go at breaking America.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m still a 13-year-old choirboy in a surplice and ruff! People see me in a pub with a pint and look shocked. I’m a middle-aged man of 43.

The song that means most to you...Walking In The Air. It’s played a huge part in my life. I even get builders shouting ‘I’m walking in the air…’ when I go by.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend the day with my family and start with a full English breakfast at The Olympic – a cinema and restaurant near my home in Barnes, west London. We’d sit outside because I love watching the village wake up. After that, I’d play tennis on Centre Court at Wimbledon, then we’d go to Circular Quay in Sydney for lunch. I’d have a Balmain Bug lobster and a few glasses of Australian sauvignon blanc. I’d have a snooze in the afternoon, then wake up on Macaroni Beach on Mustique. I’d swim, then sit on the sand with a cold beer as the sun went down. On this day, I’d see the optical phenomenon known as the ‘green flash’ as the sun disappears. In the evening, Marco Pierre White’s Oak Room restaurant would re-open in Piccadilly. I loved that place and on this night Marco would cook for Claire and me. Marco’s a friend and he said he used to listen to my music when I was a kid to calm him down after a night in the kitchen! I’d leave the menu to him, but we’d tuck into a bottle of Brunello wine. I’d end the day at home.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Getting my MBE from Prince William in 2013. I knew Princess Diana and had sung for her and Charles, so it felt like I’d gone full circle.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my grandmother Annie died when I was about eight. It was the first time I had to comprehend death.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Terry Wogan gave me this bit of advice, ‘Spread yourself as thinly as possible – then it’s very hard to get rid of you!’

The order of service at your funeral...It will be a church service, but I won’t be there, so I don’t mind what’s played or what readings there are.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who tried, who was kind and, hopefully, made a difference.

The Plug...Aled Jones stars in White Christmas at the Dominion Theatre. Visit www.whitechristmasmusical. co.uk. His new album The Heart Of It All is out on 24 November.

 

Singer And TV Presenter Aled Jones

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Published: 1 November 2014

Actress Patsy Kensit:

‘I wish I could erase the misapprehension that I got married lightly and quickly. Each time I married for love’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of actress Patsy Kensit

 

The prized possession you value above all others...Two objects made for me by my two sons. A small ceramic box in the shape of a heart with ‘I love you’ on it, made by James when he was seven – he’s now 22. And a stunning wooden dolphin that Lennon, who’s now 15, made two years ago. They’re priceless.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Turning down the part of Ross’s girlfriend in Friends in 1998. I was married to Lennon’s dad Liam [Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher] and our life was in London, so I said no.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Giant Toblerone bars. I see them in Aldi and throw them in the trolley.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Jennie by Paul Gallico. It’s about a little boy who turns into a cat. My mother read it to me when I was ten and we cried our hearts out. It’s so moving.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d come out of the house looking like a bag of laundry with no worries about being photographed.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The lack of manners on the Tube. It can be pretty rough.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Royal Tenenbaums with Gene Hackman and Ben Stiller. It’s full of nostalgia, and dark humour. I’ve seen it at least 50 times.

The person who has influenced you most...My mum Margaret. She was told she was going to die of breast cancer when I was four, but she kept going for nearly 20 years. She never cried or got depressed, she just got on with life. She died when she was 54 and I was 23.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Jackie Onassis. She was so elusive and had such grace. There’s so much myth around her I’d love to hear the truth.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Sleep on it.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Tapestry. I’ve been doing it for years because it calms my mind. I’m currently working on some poppies from a John Lewis kit!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A letter Ava Gardner wrote to me after we filmed The Blue Bird in 1974 when I was six. She called me ‘the sweetest girl’. One of our pets chewed it up years ago, I was heartbroken.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal Elizabeth Taylor’s Krupp diamond ring, given to her by Richard Burton. It was sold at auction in 2011 for £6 million. We played catch with it when we were filming The Blue Bird in Russia.

The unending quest that drives you on...To keep changing for the better.

The poem that touches your soul...How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I’m a hopeless romantic and I relate to that sense of an all-consuming love for someone.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I got married lightly and quickly [Patsy’s been married and divorced four times]. Each time I married for love. Divorce is horrid, but I still believe in marriage.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Downsizing my house and scaling back on work after leaving Holby City in 2010. I became a hands-on mum and it’s been the happiest time of my life.

The song that means most to you...The Who are the greatest rock band and I love The Seeker for its energy.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I hate technology, so every gadget would be disabled in my house. I’d have a peaceful morning meditating and doing yoga. Later, a handyman would arrive and fix every single job in the house – in five minutes! I’d have lunch with the boys at Benihana in London. I’d have the filet mignon and prawns with mushrooms. Then we’d go to Sicily and check into Villa Angela – a hotel owned by James’s dad [Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr]. James is working there at the moment and loves it. We’d all climb up to Mount Etna. Dinner would be white truffle pasta at Bice in New York, then I’d go to The Book Of Mormon musical on Broadway which I’ve been dying to see. I’d spend the evening back at home in my flannelette pyjamas from Primark reading a book with just a rose-scented candle for company.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I got the all-clear from ovarian cancer in October 2013. It made me determined never to take another day of my life for granted.

The saddest time that shook your world...The day my mother died. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think of her. My only wish is that I can be half the mother that she was.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To make a film directed by Ken Loach.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Treat every day as if it’s your last – because it could be.

The order of service at your funeral...I want it to be more celebratory. Everyone would get a shot of something to warm them up as they go into the church, then my coffin would come in to Pharrell Williams’ song Happy. Later, I want them to have a big party and get drunk.

The way you want to be remembered...For my boys to be proud of me and to think, ‘Yeah, Mum was there for us.’

The Plug...Patsy Kensit hosts Seven Deadly Sins Week each day from 2-9 November at 9pm on ID channel on Sky 522 or Virgin 214. 

 

 

Actress Patsy Kensit

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Published: 25 October 2014

Gameshow host Richard Osman:

 

"The sadness day of my life? When my father told me he was leaving home. I remember every second in complete detail"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Pointless co-host Richard Osman.

The prized possession you value above all others... My grandad Tom Wright’s six Second World War medals. He was a very special person in my life – he helped bring me up after my parents divorced.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Wasting ten years from the age of 17 being shy. I thought I was different because I’m tall [6ft 7in] and have nystagmus [a condition that makes his eyes flicker]. You learn later that everyone has things they’re embarrassed about.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Salt and vinegar crisps. I’d happily have them as my main meal.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Catcher In The Rye, which I read when I was 20. It was moving and funny.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d go into bankers’ offices, find their passwords and transfer a day of their wages to charity, particularly Child’s i Foundation, which finds families for orphaned children in Uganda.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... It sounds geeky but I love snooker. I’m encyclopaedic about it and go to watch the World Championships. I love how these guys have such mental strength.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... When people get angry if you disagree with them. Can’t we just agree to disagree?

The film you can watch time and time again... Woody Allen’s Annie Hall. It’s funny, charming and intelligent.

The person who has influenced you most... Tim Hincks, president of the TV production company Endemol, where I’m his deputy. I did a six-month trial at his company 14 years ago and I’m still there. Tim and I just clicked. We still do.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... I’d love to sit in a pub in Dickensian London and just chat to the regulars.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Never judge people by what they say, but by what they do.

The song that means most to you... Suede’s Metal Mickey. My brother Mat is the bass guitarist and seeing them on Top Of The Pops in 1992 was monumental.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... The cruciate ligament in my left knee. I damaged it playing football when I was 23 and it’s affected me ever since.

The unending quest that drives you on... To maintain happiness.

The poem that touches your soul... Wendy Cope’s Valentine is a very beautiful poem. If you want poems about love, Wendy’s the one.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... I wish the fact that I’m 6ft 7in was a misapprehension. People always comment on it and they mean well, but I’ve had it all day, every day, all my life.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Being born with nystagmus has made me the person I am. I can’t see properly. The world to me is like driving in fog – not that I’m allowed to drive!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d create my own airline tickets that automatically upgrade me to first class.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have a lazy morning at home in west London, reading the papers with a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich. Then I’d go for a walk at Chiswick House with my dog. I haven’t actually got a dog, but I’m dog-broody. After that I’d arrive in Dubai with the kids [a daughter, 16, and a son, 14. Richard is separated from their mother] and go to Wild Wadi Waterpark, which is a wonderful place. Later I’d walk along the Thames to Craven Cottage to watch my team Fulham play. I’d have a pie before the match and we’d win. After that I’d go to New York. It would be snowing and I’d go to an art house cinema to watch It’s A Wonderful Life. I’d end the day at home with friends drinking decent red wine and having a takeaway while we played games and had some laughs.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Watching Fulham beat Juventus 4-1 in a second-leg match in the Europa Cup in 2010, thereby winning 5-4 on aggregate.

The saddest time that shook your world... The day my dad told me he was leaving home when I was 10. I remember every single moment in complete detail. It was an awful, but I was brought up by a fantastic mother and grandparents and I’d like to say to any kid out there who is going through something similar, that it does get better. It will be OK in the end.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To get a tattoo, but recently my daughter said, ‘If you get a tattoo I’m going to take heroin.’ So this ambition may frustrate me a bit longer.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Try to be kind.

The order of service at your funeral... I want my coffin to come in to The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash. I’ll create a quiz for the congregation, pitting one side of the church against the other. I’d like my ashes scattered in a garden of remembrance on the hills overlooking the sea at Brighton, which is where my grandparents are.

The way you want to be remembered... With love by my children and friends, and for them to remember I love them, too.

The Plug... The Very Pointless Quiz Book by Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman is published by Coronet priced £14.99. It’s guaranteed to ruin your Christmas Day! 

 

 

Gameshow Host Richard Osman

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Published: 18 October 2014

Dr Miriam Stoppard:

‘People think I’m frivolous because I love fashion but I can be deeply serious too’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: childcare guru Dr Miriam Stoppard

The prized possession you value above all others...My collection of drawings, birthday cards and Thank You notes from my 11 grandchildren – aged six to 15. I look at them each day and feel loved.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Buying books. I buy four or five a week and my house has piles of unread or half-read books everywhere.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Florence Nightingale. She defied convention to succeed in a man’s world. I’d love to talk to her about the Crimean War.

The film you can watch time and time again...I love all Humphrey Bogart’s films, especially To Have And Have Not with Lauren Bacall. The sexual chemistry crackles.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The History Of Love by Nicole Krauss. It’s about love transcending time.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Not learning to speak Mandarin. I used to watch Chinese films in the 80s and have loved it ever since.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who feel the world owes them a living. I’m from a poor Geordie family and we had a strong work ethic. It was impressed upon me that you have to work.

The person who has influenced you most... John Ingram, my mentor when I was training to be a doctor in my 20s. He took me under his wing and lit the fuel in me to pursue medicine.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Be the best you can be and take failure in your stride.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The origins of the universe. I could listen to Professor Brian Cox for hours. I love the science of working out how everything began.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A pencil drawing of a horse by the late artist and friend Elisabeth Frink. She gave it to me, but it was thrown out by mistake during a house move.

The unending quest that drives you on...Discovering knowledge, particularly about medicine. I’m 77, but my brain is as voracious as ever and I keep engaged.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m frivolous because I love fashion, make-up and hair. I love those things but I can be deeply serious.

The poem that touches your soul...Seamus Heaney’s Digging. He talks of his father’s ability to dig peat and shape earth, while he only has a pen.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Passing my 11-plus. We were from a slum area and my ambitions were not great. Passing that exam got me into Central Newcastle High School and a new life. I realised that by working hard and passing exams anything was possible.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My life’s full of happy moments. A recent one was collecting my ten-year-old granddaughter Esmé from school when she told me she’d been voted Form Captain.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my son Will, now 42, got whooping cough when he was three months old. We had to rush him to hospital and he was put in an oxygen tent. I thought I would lose him.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal all the art squirrelled away in private collections and put it on display.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d watch the painter Frank Auerbach work.

The song that means most to you...Richard Strauss’s At Sunset. It’s about the brevity of life and how one day you’ll no longer see the things you most cherish.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up in a bolthole I own by Bamburgh beach, Northumberland, where I spent much of my childhood. I’d begin the day with my favourite walk to Stag Rocks then have a coffee and a croissant at Noel’s village shop, which hasn’t changed since I was a child. Later, I’d go fishing in the Bahamas with my husband Chris, Will and my other son Ed, 40. Their dad Tom [playwright Tom Stoppard] and I are great friends, so he’ll join us. Lunch would be with the wider family at my house in southern France. I’d prepare salad, vegetables and local cheeses and open some local white wine called Le Perlé. In the afternoon I’d go trekking in the Himalayas. In the evening, Chris and I would go to Opéra Comique in Paris to watch Debussy’s Pelléas Et Mélisande. I’d end the day with dinner at my friend Nicole Farhi’s house with girlfriends. She makes a delicious Provençal rabbit dish and she’d treat us to some wonderful wine.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To travel the trans-Andean train through Peru and Bolivia.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Onwards and upwards.

The order of service at your funeral...I just want a party, which can take whatever form my family decides. I’d like my ashes scattered at Stag Rocks.

The way you want to be remembered...For introducing the concept that women should choose how they give birth.

The Plug...I’m an ambassador for Shampoo Heads, quality shampoo and bubble bath for children. Visit www.shampooheads.com.  

 

 

Dr Miriam Stoppard

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Published: 11 October 2014

BBC economics editor Robert Peston:

‘My voice comes out stilted on the BBC, it’s not how I speak all the time’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: BBC economics editor Robert Peston 

 

The prized possession you value above all others... All the letters and notes left by my wife Siân (author Siân Busby, who died of lung cancer at 51 in 2012). On the day of her funeral I came across the letters we wrote to one another in our early 20s, which was wonderful.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not working hard at Oxford University. In three years I only attended one lecture. I took far too keen an interest in wine, women and song. I had a wonderful time though.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m obsessed with 70s music – new wave, punk, The Clash, Roxy Music and David Bowie. I’ve got 3-400 albums and often go to gigs by old bands like Blondie and the Pixies.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Chocolate ice cream. I have a habit of making late-night freezer raids.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd. I read it at 14 and was moved by its romance.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d attend a meeting between Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and the club’s directors to see who’s responsible for our parsimony in the transfer market.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... People smoking outside buildings.

The film you can watch time and time again... DodgeBall with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn is a great family favourite. We’ve watched it countless times and it always makes me laugh.

The person who has influenced you most... Siân. She saw through my weaknesses, like my tendency towards vanity. She’d poke fun at me and made me understand that it’s more important to think about others than myself.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Karl Marx. I’d love to know what he makes of what Stalin and Mao did with his ideals of Communism.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... You have to respect yourself in life and, to do that, you have to respect others.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... Three rings I gave Siân, which were stolen in a burglary in 2012 – an engagement ring, a platinum wedding band that was my grandmother’s, and a gold one which spelt out the word ‘darling’ in semi-precious stones. I’d hoped to give them to the boys (Max, 17, and Simon, 28, from Siân’s first marriage).

The unending quest that drives you on... To improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It’s not good enough.

The poem that touches your soul... Marvell’s To His Coy Mistress. It’s about how you must seize the day. It’s very romantic – and I’m a terrible romantic.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That the way I speak on the BBC is how I speak all the time. My voice comes out stilted when I’m broadcasting. I can’t explain it – something happens that makes me sound weird. But I’m not complaining because people recognise me and Rory Bremner does impressions of me.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting a job as a journalist on Investors Chronicle in 1984. I’d been a stockbroker, which I hated. Then I got the job on the Chronicle and discovered journalism. I’ve never wanted to do another job.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d imprison all of Black Lace the day before they were due to record Agadoo.

The song that means most to you... Here, There And Everywhere by The Beatles. Siân put it on a tape she made for me early on in our relationship.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d spend the day with Max and Simon doing a tour of cities. We’d start in Havana with fresh mangoes, which are delicious there. I’d seek out a decent cup of coffee, which is hard to come by in Havana. We’d walk around all morning then have lunch in Beijing. I’d get a Chinese mate to take us for a spicy Sichuan meal. Later we’d walk around the hutongs (ancient neighbourhoods) then visit the Forbidden City, which would be emptied of tourists. We’d have tea in Mumbai, then go to Istanbul for the evening. We’d walk round the sights then have a big dinner of local dishes, houmous and grilled meats with decent white wine. I’d end the day at home in north London.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When Siân and I got back together in 1994. We’d gone out in our early 20s, then drifted apart. We met up again in our early 30s and over dinner at The Ivy we worked out that we wanted to be together forever.

The saddest time that shook your world... The 3rd of August 2012 when Siân’s doctors said they couldn’t prevent the cancer from killing her.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To dive elegantly.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Try to do the right thing.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d like the Busch Quartet’s recording of Beethoven’s String Quartet No.14 Opus 131 played while people eat delicious food and drink the best claret.

The way you want to be remembered... For doing some decent journalism and for the charity I set up…

The Plug... Speakers For Schools provides leading speakers to state schools free. www.speakers4schools.org.  

 

 

BBC Economics Editor Robert Peston

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Published: 4 October 2014

Magician Paul Daniels:

‘I wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds on flash cars in the 80s. I call it Clarkson Syndrome’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s magician Paul Daniels

The prized possession you value above all others...Two steel bowls that the British magician Robert Harbin used in a trick back in the 1940s. They were a gift, and they’re incredibly rare.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Checking Twitter and Facebook every morning when I should be getting on with work. It’s a big distraction, but I enjoy the interaction with people.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...John Northern Hilliard’s Greater Magic. It covers tricks, but also the meaning of life and how magic fits into it.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Wizard Of Oz. My dad Hughie was the projectionist at our local cinema [in South Bank, near Middlesbrough]. I was nine when I watched the film there and was amazed by it.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...The magician Mac King is a friend who does a skit in his Vegas show when he pretends to be invisible. I’d freak him out by being a real invisible man during that.

The song that means most to you...Handel’s Zadok The Priest. It was played at the end of my wedding to Debbie McGee in 1988.

The piece of wisdom you’d pass on to a child...Read as much as you can, and be sure to question everything you read.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Buying flash cars in the 80s and 90s. I had a Citroën Maserati, then a Ferrari and a couple of Bentleys. I threw away hundreds of thousands of pounds on what I call a Clarkson Syndrome.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...My own untidiness. Every day I promise to put things in the right place, but I don’t. So Debbie puts things away, which I struggle to find.

The person who has influenced you most...My father. He could do everything from mending cars to electrics. He inspired me to want to know more about things.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To appear in a movie.

The unending quest that drives you on...The pursuit of knowledge. But nobody likes a know-all, that’s why Debbie will never watch Eggheads with me.

The poem that touches your soul...I’m tickled by Ogden Nash’s work because of its silliness.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The human memory. I’ve studied it and now coach people how to remember things.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The tip of my left ring finger, which I accidentally cut off with a saw in 2012. Nerve damage means everything I touch with that finger feels like it has a hole in it.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I perform the same on stage as I did on TV. My live performances are way funnier.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Reading about the age prediction card trick when I was 11. I found a Victorian book with instructions on how to do the trick and it opened up the world of magic to me.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Kiss A Tit! Keep it simple, stupid, and think it through.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d wipe out the people who decided not to dredge our rivers. Our house in Berkshire was flooded because of them.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Stalin. I’d simply ask him why he murdered all those people.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend the day with my family including my three sons Gary, Paul and Martin, and my grandchildren – Martin’s kids Lewis, 15, and Camilla, 12. We’d have breakfast at the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood, then head to Disneyland followed by Knott’s Berry Farm, a theme park in California. Lunch would be in a Red Lobster restaurant in LA, then we’d head to Universal Studios stopping off at the Bates mansion from Psycho. I’d pop back to London for double egg and chips with white bread and butter at the Windows Restaurant at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane. In the evening, Debbie and I would check into The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas then go and see O by Cirque du Soleil and Mac King’s magic show. We’d then relax at La Chevre d’Or hotel in Eze, in the South of France. I’d have a glass of sancerre on the terrace and watch the lights of the boats on the Mediterranean.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Pulling off a tough gig in the 90s. The audience were bankers and aristocracy – people not known for laughing. But not long into the gig people were crying with laughter.

The saddest time that shook your world...The day my father died 20 years ago when he was 73. I felt like i had lost my best mate. I miss him, but I talk to him all the time. I’ll be making something and I’ll say, ‘Come on Dad, how do I do this?’ And he’ll help me.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like a service at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End, with friends telling lies about how much they loved me. I’d like my ashes to explode over the Thames in a firework.

The way you want to be remembered...As the only man who lived to see the end of the DFS Sale!

The Plug...My new UK tour Back Despite Popular Demand is now on. Visit www.pauldaniels.co.uk. Twitter @thepauldaniels.  

 

 

Magician Paul Daniels

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Published: 27 September 2014

Sixties pop icon Sandie Shaw:

‘If I was invisble for a day, I’d forage inside you pants!’

 

 We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s singer Sandie Shaw’s turn

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My Gohonzon [an ancient Buddhist scroll]. I’ve had it since I became a Buddhist when I was 30. I chant under it every day to focus my mind.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t appreciate my mother Rosie when she was alive. I was the apple of my daddy’s eye and Mum stepped aside so I could be a daddy’s girl, which must have been a sacrifice. She died 20 years ago from old age at 73.

The film you can watch time and time again...Ben-Hur. My dad, Pat, took me to see it at our local cinema in Romford when I was ten. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the action scenes.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Alice In Wonderland. My godmother Auntie Doreen used to say, ‘If our Sandra can read and write, she’ll do alright in life.’ I was eight when she gave me Alice and it blew my mind.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Chocolate, especially dark chocolate with ginger.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d forage inside your pants! If that answer is not allowed, then I’d empty people’s wallets of all their cash, fill a room with the notes and roll around naked in it singing Big Spender. You don’t see real money any more, it’s all credit cards, which is a shame.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Trespassers. I can’t stand it when people walk across my land in Oxfordshire and don’t show it any respect.

The person who has influenced you most...A Japanese man called Kazuo Fujii, who taught me the concepts of Buddhism and how to apply them.

The poem that touches your soul...Cargoes by John Masefield. My English teacher Miss Parrot made us learn it parrot-fashion. It didn’t touch my soul but I remember thinking, ‘I don’t want to be like her, I want to do something more exciting.’ That was the moment I decided to follow my dreams.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Nelson Mandela. I feel sad that I never got to meet him. His achievements were extraordinary and he was so loved.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Judge somebody by what they do, not what they say.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Architecture. I’ve done a lot of studying and love drawing diagrams. I’ve designed a house that I’m going to build on my land in Grenada.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The money my first husband lost! [Sandie was married to designer Jeff Banks from 1968-78]. I was rich but he lost the lot through not paying his tax. But I’m rich again now!

The unending quest that drives you on...To live up to my principles in an environment that is so unprincipled.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That Essex girls are stupid. I’ve come up against it all my life. I know I’m bright, but I’d erase that joke for other girls’ sakes.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being a mother. I have three grown-up kids [Gracie, Amy and Jack] and I see motherhood as one event that has shaped my life. I feel the same about being a grandmother [Sandie has four grandchildren aged four to eight].

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d park anywhere I want in central London.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d do totally new things. My husband Tony and the kids can come along if they want, but I don’t mind being on my own. I’d make a tour of forests and immerse myself in nature. I’d begin in a deciduous forest in England with a bowl of nuts and fresh fruit for breakfast, then go to a wood in northern Portugal, then one in Norway. In all of these places I’d forage for food and listen to birdsong. In the afternoon, I’d go to Sri Lanka for some mangoes and have a doze in a hammock. Later I’d go to Nepal to see the lotus tree where the Buddha became enlightened. I’d end the day in a wood in Japan sleeping in a treehouse.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...It sounds crass but making my new record. It’s the first time I’ve sung something that I’m totally proud of.

The saddest time that shook your world...Watching the news and seeing how mothers are suffering across the world in wars like in Syria.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To build my house in Grenada. After that I’ll have another ambition lined up that I will achieve. I believe in getting things done.

The philosophy that underpins your life...‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo’, my Buddhist chant. It means everything and enables me to live to my full potential.

The order of service at your funeral...I honestly don’t care because I’ll be dead. It’s up to my family to do whatever is appropriate for them. But a few tears wouldn’t go amiss!

The way you want to be remembered...Just fondly.

The Plug... The new single Riot Pictures by Neil Davidge featuring Sandie Shaw is out on 6 October on 7HZ records. Sandie is currently celebrating 50 years in the music business.

 

Sixties Pop Icon Sandie Shaw

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Published: 20 September 2014

Actor and comic Ben Miller:

‘Everyone thinks I’m Rob Brydon. Even Stephen Fry thought I was him at the BAFTAs!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actor and comedian Ben Miller

 The prized possession you value above all others... One of Eric Morecambe’s pipes. I bought it five years ago for a fortune on condition that I never reveal how much I paid for it or who I bought it from. I’m a huge fan of Eric’s and I treasure it. I keep it in a safe.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I’ve never had a fistfight! I had scrapes at school, but I’ve never punched anyone or been punched. I’ve missed out on a part of social discourse.  

The film you can watch time and time again... Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are the all-time great movie double act.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Fight by Norman Mailer. It’s about the Rumble In The Jungle fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa in 1974. It captures the essence of fighting.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Cake, especially carrot cake from Gail’s bakeries around London.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Find what you love to do as a job and you’ll never have to work in your life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d hang out with The Rolling Stones as they record an album. To see how they create their songs would be an amazing experience.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Bad manners. We’re all happier when we’re considerate to other people.

The person who has influenced you most... My father, Michael. He was a very principled, intelligent and funny man, who was also incredibly kind and giving. He taught me so much and, if I can be a quarter of the man he was, I will be very happy. He died of cancer in 2011 when he was 73. I had a terrible time dealing with it. I doubt I will ever really get over losing him. He was such a special man and a fabulous father.       

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Albert Einstein. I studied physics and did a PhD for three years. I’d love to hear Einstein’s take on the advancements since his work.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... The search for life on other planets. I think we’ll find something within 20 years.

The unending quest that drives you on... To create comedy that will stand the test of time.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My first guitar, which was given to me when I was 14. It went missing about ten years ago.

The poem that touches your soul... Mending Wall by Robert Frost. It’s about two neighbours building a wall and reveals a truth about human nature.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m Rob Brydon! It’s extraordinary and I wish I could convince people I’m not him. It happens sometimes five or six times a day. Even Stephen Fry thought I was him at the BAFTAs last year.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d impersonate a detective during a gangland murder investigation. It would be incredible to see how murder teams work.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Meeting my comedy partner Alexander Armstrong in 1990. He was living on a barge in Chiswick and we clicked one booze-sodden evening. He’s like a brother – without him, I wouldn’t have a career or a life!

The song that means most to you... Love Minus Zero by Bob Dylan on his record Bringing It All Back Home. It’s so romantic. A friend read the words at my wedding to Jessica last September.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d watch the sunrise at Topanga Canyon in Malibu, then have breakfast at Made By Bob, a deli in Cirencester, Gloucester. I’d have pancakes, poached eggs, bacon, maple syrup and a double espresso. I’d walk that off in Gairloch in the Highlands of Scotland with my wheaten terrier, Ruby. Lunch would be with Jessica on the island of Ischia, Italy. After that, we’d drive from Cape Town to the Franschhoek vineyards to taste white wine. Then we’d head to Sydney where we’d be joined by our kids Harrison, who’s two-and-a-half, and Sonny, eight [from his first marriage]. We’d take a boat around Sydney, where I’d have cuttlefish for dinner. We’d end the day at the Shutters On The Beach hotel in Santa Monica. My nightcap would be a tonic water with lime juice and cane syrup.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Winning the 1,500m in 5 min 16 sec, aged 15, at school in Nantwich, Cheshire. My record still stands!

The saddest time that shook your world... Seeing the countryside where I grew up get over-developed. It used to be wild with hedgerows and rivers.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To be in a band. I was in one called The Dear Johns at college and that’s still what I’d love to do.

The philosophy that underpins your life... If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him! It comes from Buddhist teaching and is, of course, not be taken literally. It means always be mistrustful of anyone who positions themselves as a guru and says they have the answers.

The order of service at your funeral... I want the hymns How Great Thou Art and Jerusalem and a Monty Python sketch. I’m undecided about burial or cremation – I don’t fancy either.

The way you want to be remembered... With love and as someone who brought a bit of laughter.

The Plug... Ben’s movie What We Did On Our Holiday is out on 26 September.

 

Actor And Comic Ben Miller

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Published: 13 September 2014

Desert Island Discs’ Kirsty Young:

‘People think I’m standoffish. I should be more gregarious but I’m shy’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My family photos. They trigger so many memories.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not savouring my youth. I wish I’d appreciated being full of energy and not having responsibilities.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Sourdough bread and salted Irish butter. If I didn’t like it so much I wouldn’t have to go to the gym so much!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Nothing To Be Frightened Of by Julian Barnes. It’s an incredible memoir about how you deal with it when people close to you die.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Elizabeth I. She was a pioneer in a man’s world. And I’d like Elvis Presley to be with us too. He could paint my toenails, which he supposedly did for Barbra Streisand.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d love to be in the Today programme studio when a big story kicks off. I’m a radio nut and to present that programme is the absolute pinnacle.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Making my own jam and chutney. I got into it when we moved from London to Oxfordshire in 2011. It’s my secret ‘granny’ activity.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Seeing rubbish in hedgerows gets up my snout! I wish people wouldn’t abuse the countryside.

The person who has influenced you most... My mother, Catherine. She’s 72 now and we’re very close. She’s loyal, very stylish and has a terrific sense of humour. She also taught me how to be a mother.

The film you can watch time and time again... Woody Allen’s Crimes And Misdemeanours. It’s so clever and the acting is superb.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a bit standoff-ish. I’m reserved, which is a Scottish thing, and that can be misinterpreted. I should be more gregarious, but I’m quite shy.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A pair of diamond earrings given to me by Nick [her husband, hotelier and club owner Nick Jones] and my daughter Freya [13] on the birth of my second child Iona [now eight] in 2006. A thief stole them from my bag five years ago.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Everything passes.

The unending quest that drives you on... To find the perfectly cut dark blue jacket! You can shove it over anything and you immediately look done.

The poem that touches your soul... Late Fragment by Raymond Carver. It’s very short – only 30 words – but it articulates how all of us want to be loved.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Meeting my husband 16 years ago. I’d gone to Babington House [one of Nick’s hotels] in Somerset with my sister, Laura. He carried my bags and had lunch with us. By the end of lunch he’d captured my heart.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Live your life kindly.

The song that means most to you... Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Andy Williams. It was played in the bar later that day when I met Nick. Everybody was having a big night and we were up on the tables and chairs singing, and he was sort of singing it to me.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal one of Samuel Peploe’s paintings from the Scottish National Gallery.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... The day would begin at home. Both my daughters would sleep late, then Nick would make us scrambled eggs. We’d take our dogs, a Labrador called Olive and a Maltese crossbreed called Pierre, for a walk then Nick and I would go for lunch with my Scottish family at The Shore seafood restaurant in Leith. Then we’d walk on the beautiful Gullane beach. We’d be collected at the seafront by a speedboat which would reappear on the northwest coast of Majorca, where we’d go swimming.We’d drop anchor at Cala Foradada and walk up the hill to a restaurant we know for some rosé wine. The day would end back at home. We’d have all the family there – including my two stepchildren – as well as the neighbours for a barbecue. I’d do salads, but Nick is head of operations on the wood oven. We’d laugh into the night with the kids running around us.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When I was six and I made Laura properly laugh for the first time by doing a funny voice. We’d found our secret language of humour.

The saddest time that shook your world... When the 11-year-old daughter of someone dear to me had E. coli seven years ago. We knew she could die and I felt totally impotent. Luckily she made a full recovery.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To do the perfect interview on Desert Island Discs.

The order of service at your funeral... I will have a humanist funeral. All I ask is that someone reads the poem When I Am Dead, My Darling by Christina Rossetti and that they serve Ruinart Blanc de Blancs champagne. I’d like my ashes scattered in our garden.

The way you want to be remembered... For small kindnesses.

The Plug... Meningitis Awareness Week runs from 15-21 September. Kirsty is a patron of the Meningitis Research Foundation. For more information visit www.meningitis.org.  

 

Desert Island Discs’ Kirsty Young

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Published: 6 September 2014

Broadcaster John Suchet:

 ‘I would forcibly extract the tonsils of anyone who coughs during a classical music concert!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s broadcaster John Suchet’s turn

The prized possession you value above all others...My trombone. My mum Joan bought it for me when I formed a school jazz band aged 17. I still play it – badly.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend...Turning down the chance of a posting to Congo by Reuters when I was 26. My then wife, Moya, was pregnant and I needed to stay in London.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Brazil nut chocolate. As a kid I saw my dad eating some, pleaded for a piece, and it changed my life! No meal seems complete without it.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck. What Rose of Sharon does on the last page still moves me to tears. I won’t give away what she does, but it’s a remarkable act of compassion.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d fix every faulty London Underground signal and train so there’s no disruption for a day.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Smoking. Not just for what it does to the smoker, but for what it does to me if I get anywhere near them. My voice is my livelihood and smoking destroys it.

The film you can watch time and time again...Cinema Paradiso. The scene where the little boy, now a famous film director, returns to his hometown and looks towards the cinema where he befriended the projectionist brought tears down my cheeks.

The person who has influenced you most...My grandad, James Jarché, a press photographer. I listened enthralled as a child as he talked of his adventures. I’m sure that’s where I first got the urge to travel to far-flung places.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Beethoven. I’d ask, ‘Who was the woman we call the Immortal Beloved, the only woman who ever returned your love?’ It’s the greatest mystery of his life.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Blow your own trumpet – because no one else is going to blow it for you.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Snooker. My dad Jack was a gynaecologist who looked after world champion Joe Davis’s wife. He gave us a table when I was 14, and I was hooked.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A volume of short stories about Sherlock Holmes, a present when I was in hospital after knocking myself out at school. One day it just wasn’t there any more.

The unending quest that drives you on...To get just one radio link to come out as I want it to! They’re never quite as good as they were in my head.

The poem that touches your soul...I’ve never got poetry. Kipling’s If is probably the closest I’ve come to liking a poem, but I’d still probably prune a few lines.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m ‘such a nice guy’. Really? You should see me when I get angry!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The fall of Communism. I presented the ITN news from the Brandenburg Gate days after the Berlin Wall came down in 1989; I’d watched it go up when I was still at school in 1961.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d forcibly extract the tonsils of anybody who coughs during a classical music concert.

The song that means most to you...Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. I was playing it in my room as a teenager when Mum came in with tears in her eyes and told me her great secret. It stays a secret.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...After a lie-in (my days normally start at 5.30am to present Classic FM) I’d have a two-hour brunch, made by my partner Nula, at our Docklands flat. We’d go to Vienna for lunch at Zum Schwarzen Kameel, where Mozart and Beethoven ate, and then onto our hideaway hotel in the Bavarian Alps for a steam bath and massage. We’d see Beethoven’s Fidelio at the Sydney Opera House, followed by dinner in Saint-Paul de Vence, with views of the French Alps and the Med. We’d end the day watching the sun go down on the Kerala coast in India.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The first time each of my four grandchildren [from his three grown-up sons] called me Grandad.

The saddest time that shook your world...Watching my wife Bonnie suffer from dementia. Nula and I both have spouses in end-of-life care with dementia. They have no recognition, no bodily control, no dignity left, yet the priority is to keep them alive. We are kinder to animals. The Bonnie I remember no longer exists.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be able to play any of Beethoven’s piano sonatas.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Live every day as if you will not see tomorrow. One day you won’t.

The order of service at your funeral...No funeral service, no mention of a deity, nothing religious.

The way you want to be remembered...Simply as a good broadcaster.

The Plug...John Suchet presents the flagship morning show on Classic FM, weekdays from 9am to 1pm, available on 100-102 FM, on the Classic FM app and at www.classicfm.com.  

 

Broadcaster John Suchet

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Published: 30 August 2014

Veteran actor Bernard Cribbins:

‘Like anyone else I have my downs, and acting can be tough – I was doing a 70-hour week when I was 14’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s veteran actor Bernard Cribbins 

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My TV! I spend too long watching it. Sport is my big thing. I’m a fisherman and even like watching fishing.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not learning to play the guitar properly. I used to play a few folk songs and some blues, but I broke my wrist in 1975 and haven’t played well since.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Milk chocolate. Mars, Snickers, Kit Kat: you name it, I’ll probably eat it.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Tarka The Otter by Henry Williamson. I read it aged 12 and loved the adventure. It set off my interest in fishing.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d watch a heart transplant operation. I had a triple bypass in 1998 and it saved my life. I’m 85 now and still going strong. Those surgeons are truly amazing.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Drivers who tailgate. It’s inconsiderate and unsettling.

The film you can watch time and time again... Singin’ In The Rain from 1952 with Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor. The song Make ‘Em Laugh is genius.

The person who has influenced you most... A theatre director called Douglas Emery, who ‘discovered’ me in a little play when I was 12 and told my parents I might have some talent. He was kind and caring and set me on my way.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The actor Johnny Weissmuller. I loved him as Tarzan when I was a boy. I’d like to know how he got along with Cheetah, his chimpanzee sidekick!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Listen to your mum. She knows best!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... For 50 years I’ve been growing little trees and giving them to friends. One pal’s garden has a Cribbins Copse, containing birch, oak, ash and walnut trees.

The unending quest that drives you on... To keep working. I love the variety of my job – movies, stage, TV, singing – and don’t want to stop.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have gain... My knees! I’ve had them both replaced. They work well but I can’t kneel without feeling the metal.

The poem that touches your soul... Rudyard Kipling’s Tommy. It’s a bitter poem about the way some soldiers weren’t respected when they came back from WWI. It angers and saddens me.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That actors are permanently jolly and don’t have a proper job. Like anyone else I have my downs, and acting can be tough – I was doing a 70-hour week when I was 14.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Marrying my wife Gill on Saturday 27 August, 1955. She was an actress so she knows my trade well and has always been there for me and organised me. She’s made me a better person. She’s wonderful!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d fix the Lottery when it’s a mega jackpot. I’d keep half for us, then spread the rest to people who need it.

The song that means most to you... I’m choosing, very selfishly, one of my own: The Hole In The Ground. It got to No 9 in 1962 and Noël Coward even chose it for his Desert Island Discs in 1963. It brings back so many happy memories.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... Gill and I would have breakfast looking at the sea from the Mount Lavinia hotel, near Colombo in Sri Lanka. I’d have fresh pineapple with lime juice and some fine local tea. We’d then fly to Port Douglas in the north of Australia, where I’d catch a barramundi fish, which we’d have for lunch with chips at a café on the jetty. We’d pay a quick visit to the top of Mount Everest to enjoy the view without having to do the climb! Supper would be at a little Italian restaurant in Covent Garden. I’d have veal with prosciutto, then spaghetti with garlic sauce. We’d see Guys & Dolls at the National Theatre – with me in it! I had the best time ever playing Nathan Detroit there in 1983. I’d watch a bit of TV at home in Surrey before crashing out.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Completing my first parachute jump during my National Service when I was 18. It was exhilarating, but also a great relief to get to the ground.

The saddest time that shook your world... Watching my father die. He was 67 when he had a stroke. I was holding his hand when he disappeared.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’d love to be in a Western. I could be the old chap driving the wagon with the mules.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Do as you would be done by.

The order of service at your funeral... I’m a lapsed Catholic, so I’d probably have a church service – as I may be clutching at straws at the end! I’d like a friend to read Joyce Grenfell’s poem If I Should Go, for the line, ‘Parting is hell, but life goes on, so sing as well’. I’d want some classic guitar music from Big Bill Broonzy and Eric Clapton, and I’d like my ashes sprinkled on the Thames near the National Theatre – so they’d end up in the sea where I’ve enjoyed fishing.

The way you want to be remembered... As a good actor.

The Plug... Catch Bernard in Old Jack’s Boat daily at 12.40pm on CBeebies. 

Veteran Actor Bernard Cribbins

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Published: 23 August 2014

Straight-talking Baroness Trumpington:

‘Rafa Nadal picking his bum all the time really annoys me. My nickname for him is Piles!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Baroness (Jean) Trumpington

The prized possession you value above all others... My flat in Battersea, south London. I’ve been here since 1988. Every old bird needs a nest and this is mine.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not having more children. I have a son, Adam, so I’m lucky. My husband [historian and writer Alan Barker, who died in 1988] and I tried for another child, but it wasn’t to be.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Cigars. Twice a month I like a Cuban Cohiba – a big fat cigar for a big fat girl! I smoked 50 cigarettes a day, but I quit in 2001. Cigars are a naughty treat.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Alan’s The Civil War In America. It brings to life the tragedy of the war. He dedicated it to me.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d go to a men’s Turkish baths then become visible, just for the fun of seeing the shock on their faces!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... If you are in any doubt, go by your instincts.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have eggs and bacon with coffee for breakfast at The Farmers Club in Whitehall with Adam. I’d swim in Lake Como, Italy, before lunch at the House of Lords with Baroness Turner. She’s a great buddy, even though she’s a trade unionist! I’d have pan-fried skate with anchovies, salad and a carafe of white wine. After, I’d play tennis with Roger Federer at the River Club in New York, and I’d win.  Later I’d wander around Turenne in France and have a glass of champagne. I’d have a spicy Bloody Mary at the Knickerbocker Club in New York, then dinner there with George Clooney. We’d have lobster and vintage Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin red wine. I’d end the day dancing at Annabel’s in London – with Mikhail Baryshnikov!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Rafa Nadal picking at his underwear when he serves. I love tennis but I find that so unattractive. My nickname for him is "Piles"!

The unending quest that drives you on... To go to sleep at night with no regrets.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal a Rolls-Royce with a chauffeur and a police escort! I worked for the Queen in the 80s [as a baroness-in-waiting] and had to greet heads of state at Heathrow. Driving back to London with a police escort was thrilling.

The film you can watch time and time again... Casablanca. It’s so romantic. Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart are wonderful together.

The person who has influenced you most... Rab Butler [a Tory minister in the 40s, 50s and 60s]. He was a generous and wise advisor and friend.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Charles II. He turned England back into a lovely place to live after Cromwell. He was jolly attractive, so we’d probably have a good flirt!

The philosophy that underpins your life... Be prepared to take chances.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Needlepoint. I used to make cushions for rich friends with images of their fine houses, but I’m 91 now and my eyesight is bad, so it’s not possible.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My mother’s and grandmother’s recipes dating back to the 19th century. They were destroyed in a fire. It’s very sad.

The poem that touches your soul... Rupert Brooke’s The Soldier. I lost three boyfriends at Dunkirk and another one and a cousin at El Alamein. I knew the pain of losing people I loved and that poem brings back the raw emotion.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I don’t get nervous when I’m doing public speaking. I’m all of a quiver beforehand.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting married in 1954 at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. It was lovely to be able to share things in life, to love and be loved. Alan and I were very happily married and I miss him dreadfully.

The song that means most to you... J’ai Ta Main [known in English as Holding Hands] by Charles Trenet. I went to Paris after the war to study art and that song reminds me of a wonderful romance I had there.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... VE Day. I worked at Bletchley Park during the war and we had an early idea that it was to end, so I went to London. I danced all night and remember kissing lots of men.

The saddest time that shook your world... Selling our family home, Luckboat House in Sandwich, Kent, in 1988. I have happy memories of our lives there and I still miss it.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To be a portraitist. I studied art but I was a very bad artist.

The order of service at your funeral... The service will be at St Margaret’s, Westminster, with everyone singing All Things Bright And Beautiful and the Battle Hymn Of The Republic. I want my ashes scattered under a cherry tree in Kew Gardens that I planted in memory of Alan and where his ashes are.

The way you want to be remembered... For giving pleasure to other people.

The Plug... My two grandchildren have started businesses. Virginia’s furniture design business is 9191 (www.9191.co.uk) and Christopher’s personal training company is Over-Training (over-training.com).  

 

Straight-talking Baroness Trumpington

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Published: 16 August 2014

House of Cards author Michael Dobbs:

"My life changed when I was verbally beaten up by Margaret Thatcher in 1987"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: House Of Cards author Michael Dobbs

The prized possession you value above all others..My family tree. It tells me where my parents came from, which gives me a greater understanding of them and, consequently, my own life.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not getting to know my mother, Eileen, better when she was alive. She died from ovarian cancer when she was 50 and I was only 26. She was a marvellous woman who did everything possible to raise her four kids, often as the main breadwinner. Whatever the Dobbs family is today, we owe to her.

The film you can watch time and time again... Casablanca. Play it again, and again, Sam! All the acting is magnificent, especially Humphrey Bogart’s.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Politics (Michael held senior posts in the Thatcher and Major Governments and is now in the Lords). It’s a rollercoaster ride and the pay is awful, but it’s endlessly fascinating. And it matters.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. I read it at the age of seven by torchlight under my bedcovers. It taught me that books are doorways to different worlds.

The crime you’d commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d lace together the boots of the opposition goalie so England wins a penalty shoot-out.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Intolerance.

The person who has influenced you most... Ernie Vale – my headmaster at primary school. He taught me there are consequences when you do wrong.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Jesus. I’d like to judge him as a man. I wouldn’t ask him anything, just listen and decide for myself.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Love your parents. If you can’t, then try and remember it wasn’t all their fault!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Driverless cars, which will make traffic jams a thing of the past. I’m appalled by the time people waste driving.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... The ability to sprint across the rugby field. I was pretty speedy in my younger days and played prop for my county.

The unending quest that drives you on... To provide for my family.

The poem that touches your soul... The Listeners by Walter de la Mare. My son Harry, who’s 16, recited it for a school competition. It was beautiful.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m ‘Westminster’s baby-faced hitman’. That was a nickname given to me by a newspaper in 1987 when I was Margaret Thatcher’s chief of staff. Obviously, I had to be tough and sack a few people, but that was a long time ago.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Being verbally beaten up by Margaret Thatcher in 1987. She needed a victim and I was it. Two weeks later, I sat down to write House Of Cards as a form of therapy.

The song that means most to you... Adagietto from Mahler’s Fifth always brings tears to my eyes.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... To sit in a British woodland on a sunny spring day surrounded by wildlife – I’d marvel at the foxes, birds and deer.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d breakfast on muesli and Darjeeling tea on a balcony in Les Mazots de Gryon in the Swiss Alps, gazing at the mountains with my wife Rachel. I’d go snow-shoeing while my four sons (Will, 26, Mike, 24, Alex, 18, and Harry) skied like maniacs. I’d then have a massage while looking out on the wonderful landscapes of Vietnam. Then I’d go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and feed giant grouper fish hard-boiled eggs, which is thrilling. Teatime would involve a glass of ice-cold Mythos beer at Petros’s bar in Spartochori on the island of Meganisi, Greece. I’d then head to the Moon and sit alone, thinking and looking back at Earth. I’d have some nuts and a glass of good Gevrey-Chambertin red wine. I’d end the day with a walk on Mars.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... A day years ago when I was telling one of my sons off and realised I should stop being so pompous.

The saddest time that shook your world... The Brighton Bomb in 1984. Seeing what my friends Norman and Margaret Tebbit went through was awful. Since then I haven’t taken anything in life for granted.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To be 14st again, like I was at 19 when I rowed for Oxford. These days the scales are tipping 15st.

The philosophy that underpins your life... They’re coming to get you, so run as hard as you bloody well can.

The order of service at your funeral... I’ll be fired into space then have the best wake my Irish ancestors could devise.

The way you want to be remembered... Who cares? It’s what you do before then that matters.

The Plug... Watch House Of Cards on Netflix and read my novel The Lords’ Day. Visit www.michaeldobbs.com.

 

 

House Of Cards Author Michael Dobbs

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Published: 9 August 2014

Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter:

‘People always think I’m cleverer than I am because of the Morse plots’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Inspector Morse author Colin Dexte

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A signed first edition of AE Housman’s A Shropshire Lad. I have about 75 first editions, but I’d rescue that one if the house was burning down.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Having four operations on my ears in my 20s. I began losing my hearing at 18, but the surgery hurt and didn’t help.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Ginger nuts. I have diabetes but I find them hard to resist, and then my wife Dorothy tells me off. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Bleak House by Charles Dickens. It’s a masterclass in writing.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d see what life is like in private for the Queen and Prince Philip. I heard they liked Morse – maybe they watch Endeavour now!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Litter. I’m 83 now and in a wheelchair, but each day Dorothy takes me for a walk and we pick it all up. 

The film you can watch time and time again... The African Queen. It has such tension and chemistry.

The person who has influenced you most... My big brother John. We shared a bed for 19 years as we were so poor. One night, when I was 16, he woke me up playing Beethoven’s 7th. He was in tears and I was intrigued. Classical music’s been one of the great joys of my life. Sadly, John died two years ago.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Richard III. I’d love to know what happened to the Princes in the Tower (the sons of Edward IV who were put in the Tower of London by Richard, then vanished).

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... When I taught classics from 1952 to 1966, I’d tell my pupils that asking questions is vital.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Greek mythology – but I’ve forgotten much of it now, not least the names of Zeus’s 117 daughters!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... The ability to follow The Archers. I loved it for 56 years, but gave up in 2011 because the female characters all sounded too similar. I really do miss it.

The unending quest that drives you on... To write the best page I can.

The poem that touches your soul... Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray from 1751. It’s so lyrical it’s like music when you read it.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting my first book, Liberal Studies, published in 1964 started my writing career.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m cleverer than I am! The Inspector Morse plots made people think I’m very smart. I’m definitely not as smart as Morse.

The song that means most to you... Something by The Beatles. It reminds me of my daughter Sally, because it was her favourite when she was young.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... It’d help if I were younger – so let’s say I’m 50! I’d start with porridge in a hotel in the Austrian mountains.Dorothy and I would go for a walk in the hills of mid-Wales and stop in Machynlleth for tea, then drive through Florida for some sun. Later, we’d have fish and chips at The Trout Inn in Oxfordshire, with Sally, 55, and our son Jeremy, 53, and his children – Thomas, 24, and James, 22. I’d paddle in the sea at Skegness, which I loved as a boy, and then see England win The Ashes at The Oval. I’d end the day at the Bayreuth Festival in Bavaria listening to Wagner’s Die Walküre.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal Vermeer’s The Milkmaid from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

I love it so much I put a print in Morse’s home.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Being given the Freedom of the City of Oxford in 2001. At the time, the only living recipients were Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.

The saddest time that shook your world... When my daughter’s dog Mycroft died. He was very poorly and he looked at me with such sadness as the vet prepared the needle. I could hear Sally, who was 13, weeping next door. It was one of the few times I’ve wept.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To be World Chess Champion. I was pretty good at school – but never good enough. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Initium est dimidium facti, which means ‘The beginning is half of the deed’. I’ve always found that the beginning is the hardest part of anything. Once that’s done, I’m off and away!

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have a simple service with the hymn O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go. I don’t believe in the afterlife – so for all I care you can put my ashes in the dustbin.

The way you want to be remembered... As a good teacher.  

The Plug... Colin’s book Cracking Cryptic Crosswords is published by Offox Press, £7.99. www.offoxpress.com.   

 

Inspector Morse Author Colin Dexter

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Published: 2 August 2014

Tennis Ace Pat Cash:

"I’m a Reiki Master and heal people by channelling the universal energy"

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. Here, former Wimbledon Tennis Champion Pat Cash serves up his answers…

The prized possession you value above all others... Three electric guitars given to me by great rock guitarists – Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest and Mick Cocks of Rose Tattoo. I play guitar and music is my big passion in life. Those guitars are all black and make a lot of noise.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Losing a match point against Ivan Lendl in the US Open semi-final in 1984. That haunted me for years, but it ultimately helped motivate me to beat him in the Wimbledon final in 1987.      

The temptation you wish you could resist... Kettle chips. I always have a bag in my pantry. If I need to lose weight they’re the first things I sacrifice.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... I’d ask Jesus, Buddha and Krishna for advice on how to save the world from the mess we’re in.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... A Course In Miracles by Helen Schucman. It’s has 365 daily lessons to help your spiritual transformation. It’s helped me be a happier person.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’d love to learn to fly a small plane and then jets.   

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Shoes left by the front door. My kids [Pat has four: Daniel, 28, and Mia, 26, by a former partner, and twins Shannon and Jett, 19, by his ex-wife] did that for years. I’d walk in and the door would hit them and rebound in my face. They knew Dad was home when the shoes got kicked around!

The film you can watch time and time again... Forrest Gump. It’s funny but sensitive too, with real depth.

The person who has influenced you most... Two tennis coaches guided my career and my life – massively. Ian Barclay got me through to the Wimbledon final. And recently Brad Langevad has kept me injury-free and still playing.  

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... The coolest chunky silver bracelet I bought in Mexico. It’s the only bit of expensive jewellery I’ve ever bought, but it was stolen.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Trust your instincts and try not to judge yourself too harshly.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m a Reiki Master, which is a form of healing by channelling the universal energy. I got into it in the late 90s – I’ve helped a lot of people but I don’t practise it as much these days.

The unending quest that drives you on... To understand the big questions in life. I may never find the answers, but I’ll learn while looking.

The poem that touches your soul... I’ve never really got poetry, but songs move me. One Of These Nights by The Eagles has really powerful lyrics.    

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d go back to the 2000 presidential vote in Florida and rig it so Al Gore won, not George Bush. Bush caused irreparable damage with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I’d like to see what the world would be like if he hadn’t become president.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m an outspoken loudmouth. In Australia anything I say gets turned into a ridiculous headline. I speak my mind, but I don’t say anything for the sake of it.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Winning Wimbledon. I was 22 and my dad said I could live off it for the rest of my life. He wasn’t far wrong!

The song that means most to you... Exciter by Judas Priest. I heard the roaring guitar of that song when I was 16 and it changed my attitude to music. I’ve loved rock ever since.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d hang out with tigers – without the fear of being eaten.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have breakfast at home in south-west London. I make great wheat-free pancakes with maple syrup. I’d then go hiking in Bryce Canyon in  Utah. I love its stone sandcastles whipped up by the wind. I’d meet up with all my kids and my two grandchildren [Mia’s children, Talia, four, and Patrick, one] in St Anton in the Austrian Alps, which is beautiful. Later, I’d go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, then have a few beers on a beach in St Vincent in the Caribbean. In the evening, I’d go and see the American rock group Cheap Trick play at the House of Blues in LA. I got the idea for the chequered headband I wear for tennis from them. I’d waste the night away watching them rip it.  

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When my son Daniel was born on my 21st birthday. Watching him arrive was astonishing.

The saddest time that shook your world... The three years between 1996-98. My marriage was falling apart, my career was coming to an end, and I was deeply depressed.

The philosophy that underpins your life... This too will pass.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have a simple service in Melbourne where I was brought up, with some great music, wine and food. I’d like my ashes scattered on the ocean.

The way you want to be remembered... As a great dad and a loving friend.      

The Plug... Pat is part of family festival Sportfest, sponsored by Weetabix,  on 2 and 3 August. Visit www.weetabix.co.uk. Download Pat’s Tennis Academy App via www.patcash.co.uk.

 

 

Tennis Ace Pat Cash

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Published: 26 July 2014

BBC TV presenter Matt Baker:

‘I got the bug for auctions from Dad – the other week I bought an accordion I can’t even play’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s TV presenter Matt Baker’s tu

The prized possession you value above all others... My wedding ring. It’s made from ten links of the chain on my maternal great-grandfather’s fob watch.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not finishing a Paratroopers cross-country course on Blue Peter in 2004 (Matt was a presenter until 2006). I gave up with 150m to go. The sergeant major bawled, ‘Baker. You’ll regret that for the rest of your life!’ And I have.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Robin Hood. I’d like to know if he really existed.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Buying things at auctions or on eBay. I got the bug from Dad – he once bought the contents of a school library! The other week I bought a mother-of-pearl accordion I can’t even play.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The children’s book Old Farm, New Farm by Felicia Law, which I read when I was seven. It’s about a farmer who renovates his farm. It inspired me to do jobs around our family farm in County Durham.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d watch spies being briefed at MI6, then follow them to see them carry out their orders.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Litter. If I see someone dropping it, I ask them to pick it up.

The film you can watch time and time again... Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It’s a great comedy and I was called Ferris at school because I looked like Matthew Broderick in the film.

The person who has influenced you most... Either of my parents – Mike and Janice. I get a love for animals from Mum and my work ethic from Dad. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Luck is a lifetime of preparation for a moment of opportunity.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Painting. I’ve always loved drawing and recently I started painting as a way to relax. We’ve converted our spare room into a studio.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... An orange Tonka Toy tractor with a trailer that went missing 20 years ago. I learnt how to reverse with a real trailer by playing with it.

The unending quest that drives you on... To not waste time and always make the best of my abilities. 

The poem that touches your soul... Anthem For Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen. The way he describes the horror of war is so haunting.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I just turn up in front of the camera on Countryfile and say some lines off the top of my head. I spend a lot of time preparing and thinking about what to say.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... The day my mum took me to a gymnastics club when I was six. After that gymnastics was my life. I trained hard and became British Junior Champion but I had to give up when I was 14 because I had anaemia.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d love to devise an ingenious bank robbery. 

The song that means most to you... Billy Ocean’s Love Really Hurts Without You. I was in a dancegroup in my teens and we danced to it in clubs. My wife Nicola was in the crowd one night and that’s how we met.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d start at dawn in Wyoming herding cattle on horseback like a cowboy. Then I’d have breakfast on the west coast of Scotland. I love the mountains. I’d have a full Scottish fry-up with haggis and I’d be joined by Nicola and our kids Luke, seven, and Molly, four. Then we’d cram into an Aston Martin DB5 and drive through the English countryside to London where we’d take a private jet to Vietnam for a lunch of fish and chips on the floating communities at Ha Long Bay. I’d go snowboarding in Canada in the afternoon, then meet the family for tea at a watering hole on safari in Tanzania. Nicola and I would have prosecco by the Grand Canal in Venice, then take the Orient Express back to England. They’d serve roast beef and Yorkshire pudding for dinner with fine wines. I’d end the day at my local pub in Hertfordshire with a pint or two of ale.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When I got a perfect ten for my floor routine in the National Gymnastics Championships when I was 13. It was a dream come true.

The saddest time that shook your world... The day my Border collie Meg was put down three years ago. I’ll never forget watching her eyes close. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To take my wife and kids to the places I went to when I was presenting the Blue Peter Appeals. I saw people in the remotest places who have tough lives. It taught me how to appreciate what you have.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Push yourself to your limit – you have more to offer than you imagine.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have a church service, but I’d want it to be uplifting. I’d like my ashes scattered outside our farm in Durham so the wind takes me across the countryside.

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who had a go and inspired others to have a go too.

The Plug... Matt Baker is presenting the BBC’s gymnastics coverage at the Commonwealth Games. He also presents The One Show and Countryfile on BBC1.

 

BBC TV Presenter Matt Baker

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Published: 19 July 2014

Hairy Biker Dave Myers:

‘I used to deal in antique ceramics in the 80s. Now I have about 200 pieces’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Hairy Biker Dave Myers’ turn

The prized possession you value above all others... A Breitling Colt watch which my wife Lil and Si (King, his sidekick in The Hairy Bikers) bought for my 50th birthday. It was very generous.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I stopped painting after I left Goldsmith’s art school. It was my dream to be a professional artist. But I went in a different direction.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Fattening foods like fish and chips, pies, beer and pork belly. I love them, but I got fat and unhealthy, which is why we started The Hairy Dieters. I’ve gone from 18st to 14st 12lb recently.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon, about his four years travelling the world on a motorbike. It opened up my eyes to what was possible on two wheels.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d stand on stage at an Aerosmith concert and play air guitar alongside Steve Tyler and Joe Perry in front of 10,000 screaming fans.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Racism, particularly towards immigrants. Lil is Romanian and there are too many sweeping statements about nationalities that cause a lot of hurt.

The person who has influenced you most... Phil Eaton, my art teacher at school. He was a breath of fresh air in a stuffy place and so inspiring. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Don’t fret about something that may never happen.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a Geordie! People come up to me and say, ‘Howay, man, it’s great to meet a fellow Geordie’, but then I have to disappoint them. I’m born and bred in Cumbria.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Antique ceramics and glass. I have about 200 pieces. I owned an antique shop in the 80s, so I always had to sell things I liked. Now I can buy stuff and not have to sell it.

The film you can watch time and time again... Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Audrey Hepburn is fabulous. I’ve seen it 12 times, but it still makes me weepy. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal a Suzuki Hayabusa motorbike and take it for a fast ride on the motorway.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A train set my dad bought me when I was three. I sold it for £45 when I had my antique shop and I’m sad I let it go.

The unending quest that drives you on... To never lose my love of cooking.

The poem that touches your soul... Auguries Of Innocence by William Blake. He can sum up the whole cosmos in four simple lines.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Meeting Si on the set of the Catherine Cookson series The Gambling Man in 1992. He was ordering a curry for lunch when everyone else was having salad. We got talking and became inseparable.

The song that means most to you... Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. It was everywhere in 2006 when I met Lil in Romania. Whenever I hear it now it gives me a happy glow.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To ride in the Isle of Man TT Race. It’s utterly thrilling.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti. I’d ask him about the women he hung out with – and why he loved his pet wombat so much!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d start the day with Lil at Sharrow Bay Country House hotel at Ullswater, Cumbria, where I’d have a Cumberland breakfast – bacon, sausages, the works, and a pot of coffee – served on Royal Worcester china.Then we’d arrive in Cape Town and pick up a Harley-Davidson and ride into the Great Karoo desert. Elevenses would be a bacon and banana sandwich on dark South African bread. Then I’d go fishing for tarpon at Barra del Colorado in Costa Rica with Si and some mates. Later, I’d check into the best suite at the Faena Hotel in Buenos Aires and have a bottle of Bollinger.  After that I’d dance the paso doble with my Strictly partner Karen Hauer at Sadler’s Wells Theatre with Brucie in the stalls. Supper would be in Venice with Penelope Cruz. Lil would understand and there’d be no hanky panky. I’d take her to the fish restaurant Trattoria alla Madonna. We’d drink Tears of Christ (Lacryma Christi) white wine and have spider crab. I’d meet Lil later at Deauville for a glass of calvados.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When our producer rang to say The Hairy Bikers show had been commissioned in 2005. I was a make-up artist on Spooks at the time.

The saddest time that shook your world... The day my fiancée Glen (short for Glynnis) died. I’d proposed to her on New Year’s Eve in 1997 and then we found out she had cancer. She died that May and she was only in her early 50s.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Never limit your ambitions.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d like vodka martinis before a service with a reading of Blake’s Innocence. I’d be carried out to The Scorpions’ The Best Is Yet To Come.

The way you want to be remembered... The bloke who had a go.

The Plug... The Hairy Bikers’ Diet Club is perfect for anyone wanting to lose weight. www.hairybikersdietclub.com.  

 

Hairy Biker Dave Myers

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Published: 12 July 2014

War Horse author Michael Morpurgo:

‘I can’t resist pork pies, I eat them secretly so my wife doesn’t catch me’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s author Michael Morpugo’s turn

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not playing rugby for England. I played for my school and Hertfordshire County when I was 16. But as I got older I discovered that many others were stronger and faster than me.  

The temptation you wish you could resist... Pork pies. I’ll buy some, then eat them secretly so my wife Clare doesn’t catch me. I’m 70, so I should be chewing on celery, not eating pork pies.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Man Who Planted Trees by the French writer Jean Giono. It’s a simple, powerful story that shows how every life can make a difference.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Horatio Nelson. He was a complex man and a true hero. I’d ask if he really put the telescope to his blind eye.

The prized possession you value above all others... A pair of bright red ‘Stratford’ Church’s shoes, which were part of a special range made for the Olympics. They make me feel light-hearted and fun.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d walk in the African savannah alongside a herd of elephants. They’re my favourite animal.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Cruelty.

The film you can watch time and time again... Jour de Fête with Jacques Tati from 1949. I’ve seen it many times but it still makes me laugh.

The person who has influenced you most... Robert Louis Stevenson. Reading Treasure Island when I was ten made me realise I could be transported to other worlds by a book.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Do as you would be done by, it’s at the heart of everything.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Classic cars. I love their look and smell and their romance.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... The ability to sleep through the night. I generally go to sleep and wake up three hours later. Deep sleep is for the young and content.

The unending quest that drives you on... To keep having new experiences. I don’t want to become a boring old goat.

The poem that touches your soul... The Christmas Truce by Carol Ann Duffy. It’s about the un-official truce on the Western Front in WWI. It’s so moving.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That because I’ve written about animals, I must be an animal lover. I live on a farm and I like animals, but not all of them!

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Meeting Clare when I was 19 and on holiday in Corfu. I was heading for the Army, but her principles changed the way I thought. Eventually I quit Sandhurst and became a teacher and then I started writing. We’ve been married for 51 years.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal the Alfred Jewel from the Ashmolean museum in Oxford. It’s an Anglo-Saxon artefact and it’s beautiful.

The song that means most to you... The Year Turns Round, which was written by John Tams for the National Theatre’s adaptation of War Horse. It’s so stirring to see the whole cast singing it.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up with Clare at Samson Hill Cottage B&B on the Scilly Isles. I’d have granola, scrambled eggs, bacon and coffee, followed by a walk in the snow in the Engadine Valley, Switzerland, watching the dipper birds on the river. Lunch would be grilled fish and a glass of prosecco at Trattoria Altanella in Venice and we’d be joined by our eight grandchildren, who are aged six months to 27. I’d walk up the Pyrenees to Lescun, where you have Spain and France on either side. Tea would be at our home in Devon with a pot of lapsang souchong and lemon drizzle cake. For dinner, Clare and I would go to the Hotel de la Marine at Barneville-Carteret, Normandy. I’d have lobster and a nice bottle of Château de Beaucastel 2009 white wine. We’d finish the day back on the Scilly Isles with a moonlit walk on the beach.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When I saw two large brown hares boxing each other in a ploughed field in Essex when I was nine. It was a beautiful, fleeting moment that has always stayed with me because it triggered my love for the countryside.

The saddest time that shook your world... The day my mother died 15 years ago. She was 75 and had been ill for some time, but it was still unexpected. It doesn’t matter how old you are when you lose your mother, it still leaves you feeling insecure and alone.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’d love to go down deep into the ocean in a submarine.

The philosophy that underpins your life... People matter. My late godmother Mary taught me that you have to value every human being.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d love Thomas Tallis’s Spem in Alium, which is heavenly, and friends can sing or play some pieces of classical music. I want my ashes to be scattered on the River Torridge in Devon or on the sea by the Isles of Scilly.

The way you want to be remembered... With affection by friends and family. I’d love my books to be remembered, but it’s fine if they forget my name.

The Plug... Michael Morpurgo presents In Flanders Fields, a celebration of songs, stories and poetry from WWI, on 25 August at Kings Place, London. Visit www.kingsplace.co.uk

 

 

War Horse Author Michael Morpurgo

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Published: 5 July 2014

Tennis coach – and Andy’s mum – Judy Murray:

‘People think I’m a hard, pushy mum but I’m very light-hearted’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Judy Murray’s turn.

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My house in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, just outside Dunblane. I spend so much time travelling I feel like I’m on holiday when I’m there.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not taking up a tennis scholarship at the University of Virginia when I was 16. I wasn’t brave enough.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Devil Wears Prada. My life’s been saturated with tennis, so I love how it takes you behind the scenes of a fashion magazine. And Meryl Streep is brilliant.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Godiva chocolate melted over strawberries. It’s fantastic!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. I don’t know about resonance, but it’s a great story. I couldn’t put it down.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Darts! I went to the World Championships last year. The audience was chanting, ‘There’s only one Judy Murray!’ It was hilarious.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Shoeshiners. Seeing someone at the feet of someone else makes my stomach turn.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d listen to commanders give speeches to soldiers. Seeing how they prepare their men for the ultimate sacrifice would be fascinating.

The person who has influenced you most... Frank Dick, the former sports coach and motivational speaker. He opened my mind to how to build a support network around an athlete. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Prince Philip. He’s been a part of history for so long already and I love that he doesn’t suffer fools lightly.

The unending quest that drives you on... To set up a tennis centre in Scotland. I want to leave a legacy.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... It’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... Andy and his brother Jamie’s first teeth that fell out. I kept them in a box, but I lost it when I moved two years ago.

The poem that touches your soul... Robert Burns’ Address To A Haggis. I love it because it’s fun and for its Scottishness. I also like haggis!

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a pushy mum, hard, overbearing and serious. Away from the court, I’m very light-hearted. I’ve never pushed my boys to do anything they didn’t want to do.

The song that means most to you...Caledonia by Scottish singer and songwriter Amy MacDonald. It reminds me how much I love my country.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To dance an Argentinian tango with Artem Chigvintsev from Strictly Come Dancing.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... When Andy won the US Open Juniors in New York in 2004. We were all catapulted into the media spotlight. We had to learn to live in the public eye, which isn’t easy.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d be part of an Ocean’s Eleven-style heist on a Las Vegas casino. Then I’d give all the money to help prevent child poverty.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have breakfast at the Carlisle Bay hotel in Antigua – with George Clooney! I’d look at the sea and George – two lovely views! I’d have coffee later at Le Pain Quotidien in Wimbledon with Baroness Trumpington – she’d be entertaining company. I’d have lunch at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, with golfer Bubba Watson. Afterwards I’d like to see him have a go at The Himalayas course, which is really hard. Then he’d take me for a spin in the General Lee, the car from the Dukes Of Hazzard, which he owns. Later, I’d relax at the spa of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge with the singer Lulu; she seems feisty and fun. Andy, Jamie, their partners and I would have dinner at the Cromlix Hotel near Dunblane, which Andy bought last year. I’d have cheese soufflé and New Zealand sauvignon blanc with soda and ice. I’d end the day at the Inverlochy Castle Hotel in Fort William with a glass of Baileys by a roaring fire.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Jamie’s wedding at Cromlix in October 2010. It’s so rare for all our family to be together. People might think it would be seeing Andy win Wimbledon, but when he won I felt relief more than anything!

The saddest time that shook your world... The Dunblane tragedy (when 16 children and their teacher were shot dead in 1996 at Jamie and Andy’s school). I have friends who lost their children that day and I will never forget how lucky I am to still have my kids.   

The philosophy that underpins your life... Reach for the stars, but keep your feet on the ground.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have Caledonia played at St Blane’s Church in Dunblane. I’d like my ashes scattered on the Isle of Eriska on the west coast of Scotland.

The way you want to be remembered... She worked hard and made a difference. 

The Plug... Judy Murray is an ambassador for Lavazza, the official coffee of Wimbledon for the fourth year running. For details visit www.lavazza.com.

 

Tennis Coach – and Andy’s Mum – Judy Murray

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Published: 28 June 2014

Chef and restauranteur Antonio Carluccio:

‘Everyone assumes I’m grumpy. Some people think I look like a Mafloso’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s TV chef Antonio Carluccio’s turn

The prized possession you value above all others... My home in south-west London. I moved in eight years ago and I call it Il Castelluccio – The Little Castle. My garden is full of fruit. I have prunes, pears, quinces and plums.

The film you can watch time and time again... Il Postino (The Postman) is the most beautiful and touching film. It takes me back to happy times in my childhood in northern Italy when my father was a railway stationmaster.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The great actor Peter Ustinov. I met him briefly at a party in the 90s and he was such an interesting, intelligent man with a great sense of humour. I’d love to go back to the 50s when he was playing Nero in Quo Vadis (released in 1951). I loved him in that film.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I no longer have any communication with my ex-wife Priscilla and her children. They were such a happy part of my life for so long, but something has happened and I cannot explain what. 

The temptation you wish you could resist... Asking so many questions about everything.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d follow a traffic warden around and cause chaos as he gives out tickets.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Ignorant people.

The person who has influenced you most... My mother, Maria. She was always ready to defend her six children, and mother taught me a lot about cooking. She died 20 years ago and there are only three of us children left.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. I love the fantasy and losing myself in the stories.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Think big and if things don’t go as you plan, just try again.

The philosophy that underpins your life... MOF MOF: Minimum of Fuss, Maximum of Flavour.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Whittling wood to make walking sticks. I started when I was a boy and I now have about 300. I’m even a member of the British Stickmakers Guild. I find it relaxing.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A bronze statue of a girl holding lilies. She was stolen during a house move about 40 years ago and I miss her.

The unending quest that drives you on... I wish I could cook Chinese food but even though my friend Ken Hom has taught me a bit I still can’t do it.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m grumpy. My face is not entirely sympathetic and some people think I look like a Mafioso! But I’m jolly and gentle.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... The death of my little brother Enrico when he was 13 and I was 23. He drowned in a lake. I don’t think I’ve ever got over it. It made me question the Catholic Church and the existence of God.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal the secret treasures from the Vatican, then give the proceeds to the poor.

The poem that touches your soul... I Love You So Much by the German Joachim Ringelnatz. I lived in Vienna in my 20s and a girl called Inge was my first true love. It reminds me of her.

The song that means most to you..I Would Like To Kiss You, an old Neapolitan song recorded by Pavarotti and others. I remember my father Giovanni singing it to my mother.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... My day would begin in my garden listening to the birds. I’d have porridge, coffee and fruit from my trees. I’d meet my girlfriend Sabine and go to the Amazon rainforest to meet a tribe that is lost to civilisation. Later I’d go for a walk in woodlands in Hampshire to pick mushrooms. Sabine and I would spend the afternoon in the Caribbean. I’d go snorkelling to look at turtles. Lunch would be salad with fresh fish and tomatoes dipped in the salty sea water. After lunch I’d relax in a hammock with a Havana cigar, then have a nap. Then I’d go to a fishing village by the Black Sea and eat a kilo of Beluga caviar. Sabine and I would watch the sun go down on safari in Africa, then arrive at a tranquil lake in Kerala, India, for a spicy dinner. I’d end the day with a malt whisky.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... The day in 2009 when I awoke from depression. I’d tried to kill myself (Antonio stabbed himself in 2008), but after going into The Priory hospital I slowly got better.

The saddest time that shook your world... Enrico’s death. That awful moment I saw him in the mortuary is an image that will never leave my mind.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To organise all the photos from my life. They’re all over the place in boxes and drawers.

The order of service at your funeral.. I want my body laid on a bed of sliced truffles then carried into the crematorium by six beautiful women. I then want a party in the foothills of Mont Blanc in Italy, where my ashes will be put into a firework which will explode and scatter me across the countryside.

The way you want to be remembered... As a jolly fellow who was good to people and enjoyed simple things.

The Plug... Antonio’s new book, Pasta, is published by Quadrille, priced £20. Visit www.antonio-carluccio.com.

 

Chef And Restauranteur Antonio Carluccio

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Published: 21 June 2014

Veteran war reporter Martin Bell:

‘I’d love to go on Strictly and win – they’ve asked me twice but I never will’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of former MP and veteran BBC war reporter Martin Bell.

The prized possession you value above all others... My military memorabilia. I covered 18 conflicts as a BBC correspondent and brought back souvenirs. I have bullets from Vietnam in ’67, a shotgun cartridge from Rhodesia in ’72 and shrapnel from the Yom Kippur war in ’73. The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Leaving my wife Hélène for another woman in 1980 after ten years of marriage. We had two young daughters at the time. I was lucky that Hélène and I remained friends until she died from cancer in 2001 when she was 57, and my daughters and I are close.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Third Man. The screenplay is beautifully written by Graham Greene, and Orson Welles is superb.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Collected Poems by Wilfred Owen. He writes wonderfully about the wastefulness of war.

The temptation you wish you could resist... A glass or two of Bushmills Irish whiskey at the end of a day.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d follow George Osborne around. I’d like to see how he balances the work in his constituency with holding a high office of state.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Classic FM! The music is OK, but the inanity of the chatter is dreadful.

The person who has influenced you most... The BBC broadcaster Charles Wheeler. He taught me that it was possible to be fair, but not necessarily neutral when it came to the armed and the unarmed.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Rudyard Kipling. I read the Just So Stories to my grandchildren and I would be fascinated to get to know him.

The song that means most to you... Amazing Grace by John Newton, particularly when played on the bagpipes. It’s the song of songs and the ultimate hymn.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Lift up your eyes off the screen and look at the world. I’m 75 and I’m concerned to see the amount of time children spend in front of a computer.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I love military music and often listen to regimental marches. They’re stirring and full of historical resonance.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A wooden windmill made by a German prisoner of war which I bought when I was seven. When you wound it up a little woodman chopped wood. It was stolen from my house five years ago.

The unending quest that drives you on... To make sense of the experiences I had in my career.

The poem that touches your soul... Kipling’s Epitaphs Of The War, which he wrote after his son John’s death at the battle of Loos in 1915. He wrote, ‘If any question why we died/Tell them, because our fathers lied.’

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m holier than thou because I stood against Neil Hamilton and Tory ‘sleaze’. I’m full of flaws. But my parliamentary expenses were always most reasonable!

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Being wounded in Sarajevo in 1992 when I was hit by shrapnel in the abdomen. Before then I’d been totally cavalier with the risks I took. But I stopped taking things for granted after that.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d fly first class on an

economy ticket. For most of my life I’ve turned right when boarding, so I’d enjoy the thrill of turning left.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have a full English at Simpson’s-In-The-Strand, then fly to Saint Helena in the South Atlantic – it’s beautiful. After that, I’d have lunch in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, and look at its ancient skyscrapers. Later, for old time’s sake, I’d nip into the bar at the Europa Hotel in Belfast  – the most bombed bar in Europe – for a Guinness and a Bushmills. Then I’d watch Norwich City win at Carrow Road. The day would end in Normandy at my daughter Melissa’s house with my three grandchildren – Max, 15, Natacha, 13, and Clementine, ten – and my other daughter Catherine. I’d cook roast lamb and spend the evening relaxing.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Waking up from the anaesthetic in Sarajevo and knowing that I did not have a life-changing injury.

The saddest time that shook your world... My father Adrian’s death in 1980. He was 79 and died of old age. He founded The Times crossword puzzle in 1930 and I admired him hugely.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To dance with freedom and grace, but sadly I’m hopeless. I’d love to go on Strictly Come Dancing and win. They’ve asked me twice, but I never will.

The philosophy that underpins your life... To try and leave this world in a little better shape than when I found it.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have a church service with music and readings, but one with more fanfare than sadness.

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who did his best to make a difference and as a professional broadcaster who didn’t make things up! 

The Plug... My memoir, National Service, about my two years in the Army stationed in Cyprus, will be published in November.

Veteran War Reporter Martin Bell

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Published: 14 June 2014

MasterChef’s Monica Galetti:

‘Everyone thinks I’m grumpy. I’m always smiling on MasterChef but it gets edited out!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s MasterChef’s, Monica Galetti…

The prized possession you value above all others... Family photos. I was brought up in Western Samoa and then New Zealand and have very few photos from childhood, so those that remain are precious.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A white gold pendant in the shape of a chilli, which was a birthday present from a friend in 2003. It broke at work, so I wrapped it in clingfilm and put it in my pocket, but I must have somehow thrown it away. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... King George VI. I became intrigued by him after watching The King’s Speech. I’d love to meet him at that pivotal time in his life.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Drivers who indicate randomly. You never know what someone who does that will do next.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Cake in all its forms. Walnut and ginger is one of my favourites.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the 19th- century anti-slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It’s so moving how Tom never loses his faith in humanity.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d follow the Spanish chef Ferran Adrià, who created El Bulli, around. He’s one of the best chefs in the world. 

The film you can watch time and time again... Forrest Gump. I love its humour. When I want someone to work faster in the kitchen, I say, ‘Run, Forrest. Run!’  

The person who has influenced you most... Michel Roux Jr, my boss at restaurant Le Gavroche, which has two Michelin stars. He taught me yelling at people doesn’t get results

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Make sure you travel a lot before you settle down. Seeing the world feeds your imagination.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Scuba diving. I really love watching the fish and coral. It’s so peaceful.  

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Letting my husband David [head sommelier at Le Gavroche] drive our new Mercedes ML first! When it was my turn he got annoyed because I had to adjust the seat. That started an argument and I vowed never to drive it again.

The unending quest that drives you on... To keep learning new tricks in my industry. The day you stop learning is the day you hang up your apron.

The poem that touches your soul... Comme Un Chef (Like A Chef), by a French judge at the Bocuse d’Or, the World Cooking Championships in 1997, which I competed in. He read it out and it was very inspiring. It really captured the passion of our craft.

The song that means most to you... When We Dance by Sting. It’s very romantic and it was played for our first dance at our wedding in 2004.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m stern and grumpy! I’m always smiling when we make MasterChef, but it gets edited out! People meet me and say, ‘You’re much nicer in real life!’

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Coming to England on holiday in 1997. I got a glimpse of London life and loved it so I went home, saved up, and came back a few years later. I’ve been here ever since.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d cook a banquet in the State rooms at Buckingham Palace for friends and family, then leave without clearing up! 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d watch the sunrise at Savaii Island in Western Samoa with David and our daughter Anais, who’s seven. I’d eat local fruit and drink from the freshest coconut. After that I’d take pictures of the salt flats at Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. We’d have a picnic lunch – prepared by the best chef in South America – at Machu Picchu in Peru. I’d spend the afternoon relaxing in the hot springs in Turkey, then have a glass of Krug champagne with David before ending the day at Riomaggiore in northern Italy. We’d be joined by all my family from New Zealand and then the Italian chef Massimo Bottura would cook us one of his wacky pasta dishes. We’d see out the day gazing at the view while drinking Meursault.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Anais’s birth. She’s brought a sense of balance to my life.    

The saddest time that shook your world... Moving from Samoa to New Zealand. I was raised in Samoa by two aunties while my mum worked in Auckland. I joined her when I was seven and I remember arriving there in winter. I was so homesick.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... For David and I to open our own restaurant.

The philosophy that underpins your life... The show must go on.   

The order of service at your funeral... I’d want something short and simple, followed by a party to celebrate my life. I will leave a menu of fantastic food and great wine.

The way you want to be remembered... As a loving wife, mother and friend. And as someone who smiled a lot! 

The Plug... Monica will be at the Taste of London festival, Regent’s Park, 18-22 June. www.london.tastefestivals.com.

 

MasterChef’s Monica Galetti

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Published: 7 June 2014

Running legend Sir Roger Bannister:

‘People often ask me if I meant to break the four-minute mile. I spent two years training for it. That was my sole aim!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s runner Sir Roger Bannister’s turn

The prized possession you value above all others... My lifetime achievement award from the American Academy of Neurology in 2005. I was a neurologist for 40 years and it is quite an accolade to be honoured in that way.  

The temptation you wish you could resist... Using my wife Moyra’s calligraphy pens. She’s an artist and her pens are precious. She quite rightly tells me off!

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The 18th-century writer Samuel Johnson. I’ve such respect for his achievements and the fine life he led. He struggled with religion for much of his life, so maybe we could discuss that.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Diseases Of The Heart And Circulation by the doctor Paul Wood. It had a huge impact on my work in neurology.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Never bringing down my golf handicap from 28.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d go to the Oval Office and help Obama get his healthcare programme implemented. 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... When people are downbeat about the state of the world. I’m 85 and I remain hopeful and optimistic.

The film you can watch time and time again... A Matter Of Life And Death from 1946, which stars David Niven. It’s powerful and entertaining.

The person who has influenced you most... Moyra. She’s also 85 and we’ve been married nearly 60 years. She’s my most valiant supporter and a wonderful mother to our four children.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... People often ask, ‘Did you mean to break the four-minute mile?’ It makes me laugh because I trained for two years with that sole aim. (Sir Roger ran the first sub-four-minute mile on 6 May 1954.)

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My right ankle! It was crushed in a car crash in 1975 and I was never able to run again.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... ‘When you are facing an exam paper, read every question three times!’ When I was 14 I misread a question, which cost me dearly.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m fascinated by spies. It’s incredible how they can betray the people they love.  

The unending quest that drives you on... To remain physically fit for as long as possible. I started showing signs of Parkinson’s disease three years ago, but they’ve been slow to develop.

The poem that touches your soul... Everyone Sang by Siegfried Sassoon. It’s about the end of the First World War and is filled with hope.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Coming fourth in the 1,500 metres at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. I was favourite to win gold and had planned to retire from running, but when I got home I vowed to break the four-minute mile. The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’ve never done anything criminal and nothing could persuade me to start now!

The song that means most to you... The Messiah by Handel. From the age of eight, my parents took me to church, which is when I first heard it. It fills me with happy memories.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up at 4am and go sailing with Moyra along the south coast of Britain to Selsey Bill in West Sussex. We’d have a full English breakfast on board. At various stages of the day we’d see our four children – Erin, Clive, Thurston and Charlotte – and our 14 grandchildren. I’d have lunch at my club, The Athenaeum, on Pall Mall, but on this day I’d be joined by Chris Chataway and Chris Brasher – the two pace men for the sub-four-minute mile run, who are both dead now. I’d have lobster thermidor and a pint of bitter. After that, I’d go mountaineering in Switzerland. Clive has a chalet there, so I’d have tea with him. Moyra and I would have cocktails on top of the Empire State Building in New York then fly back to London for a performance of The Magic Flute at the Royal Opera House with the entire family. We’d all have dinner during the interval. Moyra and I’d end the night back at home in Oxford.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Breaking the four-minute mile. I always feel that the triumph is shared equally with the two Chrises.

The saddest time that shook your world... The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. I remember being acutely anxious that the world could end.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To start carving wooden animals again. I took it up three years ago but last year I had an arthritic shoulder replaced and I haven’t got the strength back to do it.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Do as you would be done by. 

The order of service at your funeral... My daughter Charlotte is an Anglican priest, so she’d conduct the service at St Mary’s Church, Oxford. I’d have Fauré’s Requiem and Abide With Me. Moyra and I bought a plot in a cemetery north of Oxford five years ago, so we can be buried next to one another.

The way you want to be remembered... Simply with affection.

The Plug... Sir Roger’s memoir Twin Tracks is published by The Robson Press, priced £20.

 

Running Legend Sir Roger Bannister

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Published: 31 May 2014

Singer James Blunt:

 

"The biggest misapprehension about me? That I am a romantic! Like a lot of men, I’m uncomfortable talking about emotions – I prefer to put them into my songs."

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the singer James Blunt’s turn

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Neglecting friendships. I’ve been on the road for eight of the past ten years, so I’ve missed weddings, funerals and the births of dear friends’ children.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Smoking when I’m drunk. But I guess if I do it enough I might end up singing like a man!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Catcher In The Rye. I read it at 15 and related to Holden Caulfield’s frustration. It was how I felt about school.

The person who’s influenced you most... Elton John has been an amazing guide. I signed to his Rocket Music Management company when I started and he’s still my ‘over’ manager – I have a manager, but Elton’s the boss of the company.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I was a reconnaissance officer in the Army for six years, so I know about trying not to be seen! I’d follow Vladimir Putin and hear what he’s planning for Ukraine.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Selfies! If I could go back in time, I’d give the guy who created phone cameras a lobotomy.

The prized possession you value above all others... A tuk-tuk taxi I bought in Bangkok. It cost £300 and I had to pay £2,000 to get it home to Ibiza, but now I drive it everywhere. 

The film you can watch time and time again... This Is Spinal Tap. I first saw it when I was 14 and loved it. It’s amazing how true some of those clichés are.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Adolf Hitler. I’d try to understand how such evil can exist in a man’s mind.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Success should not be measured by fame and fortune, but by happiness and friendships.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Motorbikes. I keep a CCM 450cc at my sister’s home in England. It’s the best way of getting across London.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... An Iggy and the Stooges T-shirt that was stolen from my suitcase on a trip six years ago.

The unending quest that drives you on... I love my life as a musician, so I’m driven to keep on writing and performing.

The poem that touches your soul... Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. It has a good code for life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a romantic! Like a lot of men, I’m uncomfortable talking about emotions – I prefer to put them into my songs.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Leaving the Army in 2002 and moving to LA to make the Back To Bedlam album. I’d been saying for years that I wanted to be a musician, so to finally do it was wonderful.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... Streaking was a great victimless crime of the 70s and 80s and I miss it. I’d make it a feature at major sporting events.

The song that means most to you... Fall At Your feet by Crowded House. It was the first song I learnt to play on the guitar, which was like the moment of discovery in music for me.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up à deux (with his fiancée Sofia) and watch the sunrise from an atoll off Belize in Central America, then go scuba diving. I’d have breakfast at NoMad hotel in New York with friends – eggs and corned beef hash. I’d spend the morning skiing the Vallée Blanche in Chamonix, then lunch would be a drive-through takeaway from In-N-Out Burger on Mulholland Drive in LA. I’d be in a convertible and order a Double-Double Animal Style. I’d then park up and eat while looking at the view. After that I’d head to Mexico to surf at Puerto Escondido and stay there until the sun went down. The evening would be at home in Ibiza with Sofia and friends. We’d have dinner at a local restaurant – I’d have fresh fish and start with a few cold beers, then some decent wine. After dinner we’d all head to Pacha nightclub, where I’d hit the vodka and dance. That normally goes on until dawn and then it’s back to mine for a party. We usually crash out at 11am, which is a bit more than 24 hours, but hopefully that’s OK!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Leaving Harrow School at 18. I’d been boarding for ten years, so it was euphoric to finally have freedom.

The saddest time that shook your world... Seeing acts of genocide in Kosovo in 1999 was horrendous and devastating. To witness how people can hurt one another will never leave me.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To play at the Super Bowl – and have the obligatory costume malfunction. I’ll never be big enough in the States, although it might be possible if it’s ever staged in Luxembourg!

The philosophy that underpins your life... Life is not a dress rehearsal.

The order of service at your funeral... I’m on the fence about religion, so I’ll hedge my bets and have a church service. I want to be buried in an environmentally friendly cardboard box under a tree, overlooking the Hampshire countryside where I was brought up.

The way you want to be remembered... As that guy who wrote that song about that girl on the Underground. You know, Wotshisname…?!

The Plug... James Blunt plays at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 3 July. Tickets: 0844 579 3004. His Moon Landing arena tour arrives in the UK in November, visit www.jamesblunt.com.

 

Singer James Blunt

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Published: 24 May 2014

Opera singer Alfie Boe:

 

"I love ghost-hunting TV shows. I believe in an afterlife and want to go on a ghost hunt myself one day"

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of tenor Alfie Boe

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... I was invited to sing to Luciano Pavarotti in private in 2002 but didn’t have the confidence. I kick myself now because I could have had the most amazing masterclass. He died a year later.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Pastries! I can happily eat four or five almond croissants in a row.

The film you can watch time and time again.. The Dad’s Army film from 1971. My dad Alf got me into the TV series when I was seven and I love the movie.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d sit in on a meeting of the executives at my record company. You never know what’s being said behind your back in this business!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... My luggage being lost by airlines. It’s happened about four times in the past year alone.

The prized possession you value above all others... My Harley-Davidson. I’ve had it two years and it’s a beauty. I live in Utah in the US now and love riding it into the desert or the mountains.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... I’ve never been one for reading, but I made myself read Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables when I was rehearsing to play Jean Valjean in 2010. It’s astounding. It made me feel the characters’ emotions and changed me as an artist.

The person who has influenced you most... My dad. He loved music and shaped my tastes, and I try to emulate how he was with me when I’m with my kids (Grace, six, and Alfie, two). He died in 1997 from a brain tumour.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Elvis. I’m a big fan and I’d love to ride out with him on our Harleys and talk to him about his life and music. Maybe we could do a duet together.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Ghost-hunting TV shows. I believe in an afterlife and want to go on a ghost hunt myself one day.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My first drum kit. It was a three-drum set from 1960. Dad bought it for me when I was 12 as a surprise. I sold it three years later for £150 to buy a bigger set. I’d pay thousands to get it back!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Believe in your decisions.

The poem that touches your soul... A monologue from Henry V that begins ‘O, for a muse of fire…’, which I had to learn for an audition. It fills you with strength and confidence. I still read it every now then for inspiration, even though I didn’t actually get the part!

The unending quest that drives you on... To make my best album. It keeps me striving and improving.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I only sing opera. I sing a range of genres, from opera to rock and country, and I especially love Italian folk songs.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Singing Bring Him Home at the 25th anniversary of Les Misérables at London’s O2 in 2010. I got a record deal after that.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d hack into the Inland Revenue’s computer system and alter my tax bill. 

The song that means most to you... Beautiful Dreamer by Slim Whitman. Mum (Pat, now 79) and Dad used to sing it to me in bed. It takes me right back.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin the day at Hawaii’s Grand Wailea hotel with a huge platter of exotic fruit, then make my way to its pastry counter, which is always piled high. I’d relax on the beach with my wife Sarah and our kids, then we’d go skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho. We’d have lunch at the Pioneer Saloon, a Wild West-themed restaurant with sawdust on the floor, swing doors and walls covered with animal heads. I’d have prime rib steak and a gigantic jacket potato, with a couple of steins of local ale. After a nap I’d nip back to Hawaii to watch the sunset, then take Sarah to Pompeii for a Pink Floyd gig. They’d magically reform just for us, then we’d have dinner with the band and stay up all night jamming.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When I first saw Sarah in 2003. She was sitting on a bench in the building where I was rehearsing in San Francisco. I said, ‘Any idea how I can get a decent cup of tea around here?’ and she fell for it! It was love at first sight.

The saddest time that shook your world... My dad’s death. He was only 63 and I was 23. Dad was fun-loving, caring but very strong, and was always smiling and singing. I miss him every day.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’d love to play a villain in a big Hollywood action movie.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Work hard, believe in what you do and surround yourself with people you can trust, who’ll tell you the truth.

The order of service at your funeral... After a traditional service I’ll be carried out to Led Zeppelin’s Rock And Roll.

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who brought joy to people.

The Plug... Alfie’s new album Trust is out on Decca Records and he’ll be touring the UK later this year. For tickets visit www.alfie-boe.com.  

 

Opera Singer Alfie Boe

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Published: 17 May 2014

Broadcaster Peter Snow:

‘I was asked to audition for James Bond, but I was so tall they’d have to put the girls on soapboxes’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s broadcaster Peter Snow’s turn…

The prized possession you value above all others... The 30 or so scrapbooks containing 50 years of our family’s history. We’d all be devastated if we lost them.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not being cast as James Bond! The producers asked me to audition in 1968, but then said, ‘You’re rather tall, aren’t you?’ I’m 6ft 5in, and they said they’d have to put the girls on soapboxes.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Coating my toast with far too much marmalade or Marmite.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Edward Gibbon’s The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire. It captivated me when I read it at 16 and led me to read ancient history at Oxford.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d go into a behind-closed-doors meeting Margaret Thatcher had with China’s leaders in 1977 in China. She was cross about something, and I wish I could have witnessed how she harangued them.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Nouvelle cuisine. I want food, not a pretty picture!

The film you can watch time and time again... The Wages Of Fear from 1953 about a lorry loaded with nitroglycerine that could explode at any moment. It’s the most tense, realistic film I’ve seen.

The person who has influenced you most... George MacMillan, my Greek and Latin teacher at school, who’s in his late 80s now – an inspiring man who helped get me into Oxford.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The Duke of Wellington, an extraordinary character. I’d love him to explain what was behind his knack for winning – he never lost a battle.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Be good-mannered and always listen to people.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Model railways. I have a 60-metre 00-Gauge layout in my loft – I’ve had it 30 years. I find it mesmerising watching the trains go round.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... Patrick, a boyhood teddy bear. I took him to boarding school at seven, but the other boys laughed so much I posted him home. I lost him years later in a house move.

The unending quest that drives you on... I’m a sailor, and own a 43ft boat, so discovering exciting new anchorages is a constant delight that never ends.

The poem that touches your soul... Tennyson’s Ulysses, which describes what a man should think about the wide world. I’m 76 and it’s forever inspiring.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m the father of Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow! We’re cousins, and he’s only nine years younger than me!

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Turning down a job as a management trainee at Mobil Oil in 1962 after I came down from Oxford. I taught for three months, then joined ITN as a sub-editor. That made me realise I wanted to be a journalist and I’ve never looked back.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d flatten the Lion’s Mound monument the Dutch built on the Waterloo battlefield to commemorate the Prince of Orange. It’s a hideous blot on the landscape.

The song that means most to you... Remember The Alamo. I love the song’s lyrics, melody and vision it conjures up of that great battle.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have breakfast in Athens with my wife Ann and take a good long walk to the Acropolis, then we’d visit some dear friends in Nicosia in Cyprus. We’d go to Kyrenia beach on the island, to be joined by the family, including my six children [three with Ann and three from two previous relationships] and eight grandchildren. After lunch at a local restaurant, I’d go to my home in south-west London to do a few hours’ writing – I’m currently writing about the Battle of Waterloo. Then I’d head to Beirut for a delicious mezze dinner with some very rich Lebanese wine.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Watching my son Dan win the 2000 Boat Race with Oxford.

The saddest time that shook your world... Losing my mother, Peggy, to liver cancer at the age of just 60. She was such a wonderful, sparky woman.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I always wanted to be an architect and I’d love to have designed a magnificent building.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Be ready for anything, do your homework and be lucky.

The order of service at your funeral... My wife refuses to tell me! In truth, it’s not something I’ve considered because I’m too busy living life to the full to think about death.

The way you want to be remembered... As an enthusiast, particularly on General Election night!

The Plug... Peter will be talking about his new book, When Britain Burned The White House, at the Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival on 26 May. Visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk.

 

 

Broadcaster Peter Snow

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Published: 10 May 2014

TV presenter Gaby Roslin:

‘People think I’m saintly but I lose my temper and get frustrated – and I get drunk too’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s TV presenter Gaby Roslin’s turn

The prized possession you value above all others... My photo albums. I have about 20 and I love dipping into them.

The regret you wish you could amend... That I never bought my mum, Jackie, a Mini. When one drove past she’d say, ‘I’d love one of those.’ She died in 1997 at 62. It would have given her such pleasure.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Chips from the chippy with extra salt and vinegar and ketchup.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My 20/20 vision. I’m 49 now and my eyesight is going, so I need to get reading glasses soon.

The film you can watch time and time again... Grease. I saw it at 14 and fell in love with John Travolta. I watched it endlessly on video and his picture was on my schoolbook.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d love to record a meeting at a corporation when it takes a decision that will have a negative impact on the environment, and then humiliate them with the evidence.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Peter Pan. My Granny Moo [Muriel] read it to me and I’ve read it to my daughters Libbi-Jack, who’s 12, and Amelie, seven. I love Neverland.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... I get angry during the school run when I let drivers out and they don’t raise a hand, or nod to say thank you. What happened to manners?

The person who has influenced you most... Granny Moo. She taught me never to be judgmental. She also had a wicked sense of humour.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and  a pint... Nelson Mandela. His gift to the world was truly extraordinary and I was devastated when he died.

The wisdom you would pass on to  a child... Never give up on your dreams – but don’t hurt anyone in the process.  

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Penguins! I’ve adopted a penguin at London Zoo, which costs £35 a year. He’s a Rockhopper called Ricky and once a year my kids and I get to go into the enclosure to feed him. Penguins are full of character.

The unending quest that drives you on... To continue working as a television presenter. I’d love to present a live daytime show again. 

The poem that touches your soul... I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud by William Wordsworth. As a child  I didn’t get poetry, then I went to drama school and I had to recite that poem for an audience. Something clicked in me and tears streamed down my face. I suddenly appreciated poetry’s power.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m saintly. I’m known for being happy, keeping fit and eating healthily. But, of course, I do lose my temper, get frustrated and get drunk too.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting the presenting job on The Big Breakfast with Chris Evans in 1992. I had to do five screen tests but then Chris said, ‘Give this girl the job!’ I was beside myself with excitement.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d break into Selfridges, then spend the night trying on the best designer clothes and jewellery and eating the best food and drinking champagne in the food hall.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have a tropical fruit platter followed by toast and Marmite while watching the sunrise from the Victoria Falls Hotel with my husband (publisher David Osman) and the girls. Then we’d walk through Central Park and around Manhattan, visit the Museum of Modern Art and take a boat trip to the Statue of Liberty. We’d visit Rome to see the sights, then have a glass of prosecco and a lunch of fresh fish and grilled vegetables. Later, we’d walk along London’s South Bank watching the street entertainers, followed by a country walk. Next we’d head to a beach in the Caribbean so the kids could play in crystal-clear water, while we have a few cocktails. We’d end the day with a barbecue on the lawns of the Victoria Falls Hotel watching the beautiful sunset.

The song that means most to you... Lady by Kenny Rogers. He sang it to me live on The Big Breakfast.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... In 2012, when David proposed to me. It was on holiday on the beach in Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean with our girls. The stars were out and I turned around and he was down on one knee. I said yes and we all started jumping around together.

The saddest time that shook your world... When my mum died in 1997. She had lung cancer. Mum was such a strong woman but so kind.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To climb to base camp at Mount Everest. I have no desire to get to the summit, that would be enough.  

The philosophy that underpins your life... Do as you would want others  to do to you. 

The order of service at your funeral... All I’ll insist on is for it to be a cheerful occasion with plenty of laughter to celebrate my life. I think I’d prefer to be buried rather than cremated.

The way you want to be remembered... For being a good friend, a great mummy, but most of all for smiling.

The Plug... Gaby presents Food Inspectors, Thursday, 8pm, BBC1.

 

TV Presenter Gaby Roslin

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Published: 3 May 2014

Radio and TV presenter Johnny Vaughan:

‘I collect Edward VIII Coronation souvenirs. It’s funny they celebrate something that never happened. I look at them and think, That’s showbiz!”

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: TV and radio presenter Johnny Vaughan

The prized possession you value above all others... The original manuscript  of the short story by Bruce Robinson that became his film Withnail And I.  I bought it through a rare books dealer about ten years ago, but I won’t say how much for. I totally love the film.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Shaving my head when my hair started receding eight years ago. You can’t go bald gracefully on TV – you either have hair, or you shave your nut.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Making jokes about almost anything, which can get annoying. I hide behind humour.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Horatio Nelson. He was a real maverick and a proper Englishman.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Dead Souls, by the 19th-century Russian writer Nikolai Gogol. It’s about the value of a single life and the dehumanisation of people.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d attend the G7 Summit and play puerile practical jokes on the world leaders to show them up for what they are: idiots.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... The MPs’ expenses scandal. I watch the expenses I charge for my business, yet we can’t trust that lot to behave properly.

The person who has influenced you most... My dad, Randall, who’s 79. He’s an engineer so he really understands things and is always there with advice.   

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... When faced with a dilemma, follow your instincts.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My hair. I put thickening spray on it when it started falling out, but it looked like Fuzzy Felt and I lived in fear of sweating on TV and dye flowing down my face.

The poem that touches your soul...Walking Away by Cecil Day-Lewis. It’s about letting go of the things you love.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Collecting Edward VIII Coronation souvenirs. I have tea cups, mugs and plates. I love that they commemorate something that never happened.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m the action film actor Jason Statham. It happens often, especially with Germans. I was in Portugal once when a group of them befriended me. I only twigged when they asked me about martial arts.

The unending quest that drives you on... To find new questions to answer.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... The birth of my daughter Tabitha when I was 34. From that moment I’ve done everything in terms of what it will mean for Tabitha (now 13), and my son Raff (11).

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To be the President of Chelsea Supporters club.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... Nothing could persuade me to break the law again. Prison is not a nice place!  (Johnny served 24 months for cocaine dealing when he was 22.)

The philosophy that underpins your life... Leave all decisions until the last minute. It means you have the best chance of having all the information. 

The film you can watch time and time again... The Searchers from 1956 starring John Wayne. It’s the greatest Western ever made.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up in an Italian palazzo, which I’d own because on this day I’d be a mysterious and handsome Italian billionaire. I’d run my empire effortlessly all morning while having the finest food and wearing the best clothes. In the afternoon, I’d watch Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-2 at Stamford Bridge with Tabitha and Raff. After that, I’d board my private jet with all my mates – who would also be billionaires – and we’d fly to the Victoria’s Secret fashion show at an unbelievable Las Vegas hotel and hang out with all the beautiful girls.Then we’d eat the best steaks at Peter Luger steakhouse in Brooklyn, with the finest red wine, followed by the biggest Havana cigars. I’d end up back in bed at home in south-west London with my wife, Antonia.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When Chelsea won the FA Cup Final on 17 May 1997. 

The saddest time that shook your world... When my bulldog Harvey died four years ago aged 12. I was smashed up and sobbed like a baby.

The song that means most to you... Is It Something You’ve Got by Tyrone Davis. It takes me back to the era of my early 20s when I had a blast.

The order of service at your funeral... I’ll lay plans for a joke to be played during the service, like for a bunch of musicians to play sombre music but mess it all up. I want something amusing to remind people of my humour.

The way you want to be remembered... As a good mate who helped people be a bit happier as they started the day.

The Plug... Johnny is nominated for Speech Personality Of The Year for his talkSPORT show, The Warm Up, at the Radio Academy Awards on 12 May. Visit www.radioacademyawards.org.

 

Radio And TV Presenter Johnny Vaughan

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Published: 26 April 2014

Actor and writer Nigel Planer:

‘I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time getting drunk and partying in my 20s. It only led to hangovers.’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actor and writer Nigel Planer

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A dark green Silverline metal filing cabinet. For the past 40 years all my notes, ideas and drafts have been a total mess. A few months ago my wife, Roberta, suggested a filing cabinet and it’s absorbed the lot. Miraculous!

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Wasting time getting drunk and partying in my 20s and 30s. All it leads to is a hangover. I’m 61 now and the ticking clock has really hit me.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d hang out in Naomi Campbell’s dressing room at a fashion show, either to see her changing or throwing a tantrum. Either would be entertaining, both would be perfect!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal the landscape paintings David Hockney did on an iPad. The colours in them are so vibrant they bring you alive.

The book that holds  an everlasting resonance... Freedom At Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre about the Indian independence movement in 1947. I love India and I’m fascinated by this period. A million people died.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... That things are never built for tall people. I’m 6ft 3in and I’m always banging into doorways.

The person who has influenced you most... My dad George, who was a scientist. He’s 94 now and he’s always been the voice of reason in my life.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A pink linen shirt from Boden. I bought it six years ago and it gave me the confidence to wear colour, but it disappeared.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Mini Magnum ice creams. I’ve been known to eat three at once.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The author Robert Louis Stevenson captivates me, not only for his novels but also his travel writing. I’d love to hear about his journeys. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... See the funny side of life.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Learning Hindi. I’ve done a year of evening classes already.

The unending quest that drives you on... To write better. I’ve written TV scripts, plays and novels, but it’s always incredibly difficult.

The poem that touches your soul... Lewis Carroll’s The Walrus And The Carpenter because it’s about double acts, which have been a feature of my career.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... I’m always being asked if I’m 3rd Rock From The Sun actor John Lithgow. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character... A journey I did overland to India when I was 20. I saw the world for what it really is.

The song that means most to you... Queen’s These Are The Days Of Our Lives. I sang it every night to 2,000 people in the musical We Will Rock You while I was divorcing my second wife. It’s such a beautiful, resonant song it saved me during those dark times. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To be in a long-running comedy TV series.

The film you can watch time and time again... Monsoon Wedding. It’s funny and moving and the first Indian film that Westerners really got. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d watch the sunrise in Umbria, Italy, while eyeing birds of prey through my binoculars. I’d read and write for two hours before meeting Roberta and my sons – Stanley, 25, and Harvey, 14 (from two previous marriages) – in Kochi in India for breakfast. I’d have idli (Indian doughnuts), with English marmalade, that Roberta will have brought. Then we’d all go on a drive in Yosemite National Park, California, and have a picnic. Later, we’d visit the Museo dell’Opera in Florence, then have tea by the Duomo. I’d watch the sunset over the Hooghly River in India, then go for dinner with Roberta on the island of Moorea in the South Pacific. We’d sleep on a houseboat by Tower Bridge. I love houseboats and I particularly love that bridge.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My wedding to Roberta in 2013. We were together for eight years from when I was 25, then got back together in 2003. Things feel right now.

The saddest time that shook your world... Sunday nights during the divorce from my first wife, Anna, when I had to hand Stanley back to her.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Never wear light socks with dark shoes, it makes you look untrustworthy.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d like to be cremated at Golders Green Crematorium in North London. I’d have a reading by the actor Roger Allam and I’d like my ashes scattered beneath Tower Bridge.

The way you want to be remembered... He was good at making friends.

The Plug... Nigel plays Grandpa Joe in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory until 17 May. The show is booking until 2015. For tickets, visit www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com

 

Actor And Writer Nigel Planer

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Published: 19 April 2014

Art critic Brian Sewell:

‘If I was invisible I’d go to the House of Commons and light a huge bomb that would wipe out the leaders of all parties. I feel very let down by them’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s art critic Brian Sewell’s turn 

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My dogs – a border terrier called Gretel and Lottie the Staffordshire-bull terrier cross. I’ve always had dogs and I’d be suicidal without them.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... The lack of sympathy I showed my mother, Jessica, in her later years. She had a spine affliction, but I thought she was playing up so I wasn’t as understanding as I might have been. I’m 82 now and I’ve inherited the condition so I know what she was going through. Mother died at 96 from old age in 1996.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Fresh coffee. I drink at least two litres every day. I know when I’ve overdone it because my hands start to shake.

The film you can watch time and time again... Lawrence Of Arabia with Peter O’Toole. It’s as near to a work of art as a film can be.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d go to the House of Commons and light a huge bomb that would wipe out the leaders of all parties. I feel very let down by them.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame. My mother gave it to me for my seventh birthday and I still have that edition.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Cruelty to animals.

The person who has influenced you most... My mother. I was illegitimate, which was a real stain on a woman in the 30s. She took me to the National Gallery from the age of four and taught me to look at art.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Alexander the Great. He was an extraordinary general to have conquered so much. I’d ask him what finally compelled him to stop fighting.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... The same thing my Catholic priest told me when I was 14, ‘Bring everything to the bar of your own judgement.’ Question everything.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Old cars. When I was young I had Daimlers but I can’t afford them now, so I drive a Mercedes A-Class.

The unending quest that  drives you on... To understand art. Despite writing about it all my life, much of it is incomprehensible. I’d pitch much of what’s been made recently into the Thames.

The poem that touches your soul... The Hound Of Heaven by Francis Thompson. It moved me when I first read it as a boy and it moves me still.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m posh. I was a poor b*****d but got my voice from my mother. I think of myself as classless, so it’s irritating to have assumptions made about me.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Doing National Service. It taught me that if I had to, I could kill.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d poison every Chinese ivory trader.  

The song that means most to you... Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss. They perfectly reflect my romantic feeling towards life. 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A painting of a nude man by the Scottish painter William Bell Scott from 1828. I kept it in a drawer for 40 years. Last year I noticed it had gone. It must have been stolen.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up at 4am on the south-west coast of Turkey in a gulet – a Turkish sailing boat. I’d sit reading and listening to Schubert and Strauss until my companions emerged, then I’d go swimming. We’d breakfast on fresh Turkish bread with runny honey and coffee, then swim to the shore and explore the Roman ruin of Xanthus. We’d be picked up from the beach by hot air balloon and land in the gardens of the Vatican and go to the Sistine Chapel. There, I’d lie on a bed on top of a moveable scaffold and be wheeled around the chapel by handsome young men, looking at Michelangelo’s frescoes. Occasionally, one of the young men would climb up to serve me chilled water and Italian delicacies. I’d have dinner at Bibendum in London – a dozen Scottish rock oysters and a whole crab – and end the day on that bed in the Sistine Chapel. In fact, I would happily expire there.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My first journey to Italy in 1955, at 24. Five friends and I drove there and I’m thankful I experienced Europe before mass tourism took it over.

The saddest time that shook your world... Listening to Chamberlain declare war with Germany in 1939.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To write a book about Michelangelo that explains the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... To help anyone whenever I can.

The order of service at your funeral... I’m leaving my body to science, and if there’s anything left, they can burn it, mix the ashes with bird food and scatter them on the steps of the National Gallery.

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who made the lives of a few animals a little bit better.

The Plug... My book Sleeping With Dogs: A Peripheral Autobiography is published by Quartet, priced £12.50. Visit www.quartetbooks.co.uk.

 

The Late Art Critic Brian Sewell

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Published: 12 April 2014

Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud:

‘I’d love to dig up St. James’s park and turn it into allotments’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud

The prized possession you value above all others... A 2in-high model of a Roman wall which I made from cork in 2009 under the tuition of a master modeller in Rome. It’s like a little piece of art.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not working out what I wanted to do in life until I was 35. I’m 54 now.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Book Of Common Prayer. I was brought up as a Methodist and I sang in the choir at Cambridge University, so I’m deeply connected to the text.

The person who has influenced you most... My father Donald. He was a scientist and was always making or repairing things. There was never any question of hiring someone to fix the car or do  up the house  – we did it all. Dad gave me an instinct to find out how things work, which underscores everything in my life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I would ride a vintage Triumph motorbike recklessly around London.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Laziness. I spent much of my life being lazy, but now I’m so itchy to do things that I don’t like to see it in others.

The film you can watch time and time again... Trading Places. Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy are so good together. I love its unadulterated silliness.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Haribo sweets. Once I start on a packet it’s hard to stop.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Benjamin Franklin. He came from modest beginnings to become one of the Founding Fathers of America. I’d love to know what he makes of the world today.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... There are bits of you that have to grow up. But not all of you.

The song that means most to you...Nice ‘n’ Easy by Frank Sinatra. It’s about falling in love, and his voice gives such meaning to the words.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Planting trees is my big hobby. I’ve planted hundreds around my home. I love the story of a tree’s life cycle.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... An old macintosh I’d had for about 15 years and left on a train platform a couple of years ago. I’ve tried to buy the same one but it’s no longer made.

The poem that touches your soul... I love the works of John Hegley, but it’s impossible to choose just one poem. They all have a sharp truth in their humour. Like me, he grew up in Luton, so I see him as a fellow traveller.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... Four-fifths of people I meet say, ‘I didn’t think you’d be so tall’ and the other fifth say, ‘I thought you’d be taller!’ To avoid further confusion, I’m 6ft 2½in.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Passing my 11-plus got me into a very good grammar school with teachers who expected more from me than I thought possible, and set off a chain of events that led me to study at Cambridge.

The unending quest that drives you on... I want to go to the grave knowing my housing company has helped build high-quality, sustainable homes that people enjoy living in.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d dig up St James’s Park in London and turn it into allotments.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d meet a bunch of mountaineering soulmates at the foot of Mont Blanc in France at dawn. We’d cross-country ski, climb to a glacier, marvel at the views, then ski down – to Rome! Here, I’d be joined by my wife Zani and our children (Elsie, 12, Milo, 16, Grace, 22 and Hugo, 26; the elder two are from a different relationship). We’d visit the Ara Pacis monument, and have lots of pasta at a small trattoria. I’d also have a delicious Roman stew and lemon tart with some good Italian red wine. We’d travel to the Isle of Skye to stay at a friend’s house and watch whales breach. I’d spend time talking to the makers of Harris Tweed, which is a passion of mine, then I’d be joined by a club of fellow whisky lovers to drink the night away with Talisker single malt, while watching the Northern Lights.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... The year I spent working in a Tuscan vineyard when I was 18. I saw the whole cycle of the making of wine.

The saddest time that shook your world... My father’s death in 2003, aged 73. He was a brilliant, cerebral man, but also the kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever known. I still miss him.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To own a hilltop vineyard in Italy and spend my days tending the vines. I could still do it in my 80s.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Now you’re here, get on with it.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d prefer for the service to be one of total disorder! I’ll be dead so I wouldn’t care if they threw my body in a ditch. I’ll leave money for a wake, to make up for my curmudgeonly side that’s kept me away from so many parties. I’d be happy for my ashes to be scattered on the hills of Dovedale in Derbyshire.

The way you want to be remembered...Just to be remembered would be nice, but we’re all little specks of dust, so it’s highly unlikely…

The Plug... Kevin McCloud will be at Grand Designs Live, 3-11 May, London ExCel. Tickets: call 0844 854 1348 or visit www.granddesignslive.com.

 

Grand Designs Presenter Kevin McCloud

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Published: 5 April 2014

Actress Caroline Quentin:

 

‘If I were invisible, I’d swim naked in the Serpentine, then walk into the Caviar House in Piccadilly and smother my body with the best Beluga!’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actress Caroline Quentin’s turn…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A Father’s Day card I drew for my dad, Freddy, when I was six years old. It was of a ballerina on pointe and drawn in waxed crayon on sugar paper. I was estranged from my dad since I was 14 after my parents divorced and I only saw him about four times after that. He died in 2011 following a car accident when he was 88. After he died, his wife gave me the card. It was in a frame and she said that he had always kept it by his bedside. As soon as I saw the card I could remember drawing it and colouring it in for him. I opened up the frame and saw my little handwriting. It was intensely moving to know that he had kept that card so close to him during all that time. It was like I suddenly knew that he cared for me and had thought of me. It was really quite healing. Now I keep it on the piano at my home in Devon. I look at it and think of him.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not travelling to Australia to see my actor friend Gary Olsen after he phoned in 2000 to tell me he had cancer. He died two months later at just 42.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Getting into clean sheets fully clothed when I’ve changed the bed.

The film you can watch time and time again... Elf with Will Ferrell. My kids and I watch it every Christmas and still find it hilarious.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Go-Between by LP Hartley. I read it at 15 and it reminds me of  long hot summers and the end of innocence.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... When men refer to any woman over the age of 60 as ‘young lady’. It’s so patronising. I’m 53 now and I dare say it’s about to happen to me soon. Aargh! 

The person who has influenced you most... Theatre director Mike Alfreds. He taught me how to act.

The unending quest that drives you on... For the taps in my house to work! I hope my husband is reading this…

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I love painting, mainly watercolours. I’m not very good but I get a lot of pleasure from it.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The playwright Anton Chekhov. I’d ask him how he created his characters.

The poem that touches your soul... Hope Is The Thing With Feathers by Emily Dickinson. It tells you that even in the darkest times, hope will come to you like a bird.

The piece of wisdom you’d pass on to a child... Don’t let the b*****ds grind you down.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Be ready to say yes, not no.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That people know me! I’m always being stopped because people think they’ve met me at a family function. I think it’s because I’ve played homely, accessible characters on TV.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... My parents divorcing. I was at boarding school when I got a call to say that Daddy wouldn’t be there when I came back. Even now I hate saying goodbyes. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d cut Boris Johnson’s floppy hair off to see if we would perceive him differently.  

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up before dawn on a summer’s day at our bungalow in Cornwall and go rowing on the Helford River in my boat, Hot Flushing. I got it when I was having the menopause, hence the name! I’d watch the egrets and cormorants as the sun rises. I’d have a breakfast of dosa (rice pancakes) with tomato chutney and a glass of cool lassi (yoghurt drink) at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai, then be joined by my husband Sam (Farmer, a cosmetics designer) and our children Emily, 14, and William, ten. We’d go for a dip in the hotel’s pool then we’d go to galleries in Paris before a spin on the carousel in the Tuileries Gardens. Lunch would be in a typical bistro – lamb cutlets and green beans for me, followed by tarte tatin with a bottle of Merlot. After that I’d nip home to Devon for a bit of gardening. In the evening, we’d all amble around Barcelona, but later Sam and I would have a romantic dinner at a fish restaurant. We’d drink white Rioja, and end the day back in Cornwall.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d swim naked in the Serpentine, then walk into the Caviar House on Piccadilly and eat all the Beluga caviar. I’d then smear it over my body and rinse it off back in the Serpentine. I’d love the decadence of it.

The song that means most to you... Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean because it gets the whole family dancing.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A Victorian diamond ring I bought for £4,500 in the 90s. It was stolen two years later.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When Sam got his new teenage cosmetics taken on by the Space NK chain earlier this year. People are sniffy about our relationship because he’s 12 years younger than me and has stayed home looking after the kids. I’m so proud he’s done all this on his own.

The saddest time that shook your world... My mum Kathleen’s death from a heart attack in July 2012. She was 89 and I miss her more than I can say.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To sing at the Royal Opera House. Three lines in a great opera would be enough.      

The order of service at your funeral... I’m not religious but my kids can do whatever is right for them. I’d prefer to be cremated and for my ashes to be scattered in my garden. 

The way you want to be remembered... As a good mother, a loving wife and a bit of a laugh.

The Plug... See Caroline in Noël Coward’s Relative Values at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London, until 21 June. Visit www.atgtickets.com.

 

Actress Caroline Quentin

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Published: 29 March 2014

Fashion designer David Emanuel:

‘People think I’m posh but I’m anything but posh!’

 

Every week we ask a celebrity a set of probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: I’m A Celebrity runner-up David Emanuel

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My health. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2012. A month later I went in for surgery. I was lucky it was caught so soon and I was given the all-clear in February last year.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That my mother Beti is not alive to see my children Oliver, now 34, and Eloise, 33, grown up. She died from an aneurism in 1988 when she was 63.

The film you can watch time and time again... My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. It’s the ultimate makeover movie!

The temptation you wish you could resist... An ice-cold pint of Stella Artois on a hot English summer’s day. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Five On A Treasure Island, the first of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books. I grew up in Wales with plenty of open-air adventures so those books echo my childhood.The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d sit in on a private clothes fitting for the Queen.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Bad language.

The person who has influenced you most... The late Welsh opera singer Sir Geraint Evans. I met him when I was 15 and told him about my dream to go into fashion. His encouragement inspired me to take on new challenges, which was valuable when I faced big opportunities later, like being asked to design Princess Diana’s wedding dress in 1981.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... I’d love to drag Marie Antoinette into a pub in her finest gowns and wig to talk to her about her passion for fashion. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Be honest and never lie.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m fascinated by technology. I’m 61 now and came to it very late, but I love it all now. 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... The innocent excitement of my youth.

The unending quest that drives you on... To take on new challenges. Doing I’m A Celebrity was amazing and I’d go back into the jungle tomorrow. 

The poem that touches your soul... Death Is Nothing At All by Henry Scott Holland. I’ve read it at a few funerals and it always moves me hugely.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m posh and grand. My dad, John, was a steelworker and my mum was a nurse and they had 11 children. I’m anything but posh. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin the day alone in Bali, with a massage on the beach followed by a breakfast of exotic fruits. Then I’d spend all morning skiing in Gstaad, Switzerland, with my children. We’d stop for lunch at a chalet in the mountains. I’d have onion soup, a platter of cold meats and some gluhwein to warm me up. In the afternoon I’d go for a walk on Southerndown Beach in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, where I was brought up. I’d be joined by all my siblings – I’ve got nine brothers and one sister – and our dad, who’s 86. Later, I’d go for afternoon tea at Claridge’s with the kids. I’d have to stay off the pastries as I’m watching my weight. In the evening, I’d meet friends at the Palm Court bar of the Plaza Hotel in New York for a champagne cocktail, then we’d see a musical on Broadway. I’d host a dinner party at Doyles restaurant in Sydney, beginning with oysters, then a platter of fruit de mer with gallons of chilled Pinot Grigio white wine.

The song that means most to you... I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. I remember it being pumped out in Studio 54 (the New York nightclub) in the 80s. I remember dancing like crazy.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Life’s too short to waste time dithering.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting accepted for Cardiff School of Art and Design. It changed my life and set me on the way to a career that I still love.  

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal Air Force One. I hate airports and it’s got to be the best private jet in the world.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... The day on 4 February 2013 when I got the blood results that showed I was clear of cancer. I was greatly relieved and delighted.

The saddest time that shook your world... When my mum died. She was my biggest supporter and I miss her.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To play a really nasty James Bond villain. 

The order of service at your funeral... I’d want a church service with people dressed in black. I want Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere played, then Mozart’s Requiem. I’d want everyone to raise a glass of Dom Perignon champagne, then for my children to scatter my ashes – half in my garden in Windsor and half on Southerndown Beach. I don’t want a gravestone or a memorial plaque. 

The way you want to be remembered... As a caring person who loved beautiful things. 

The Plug... David’s Spring/Summer collection is available at Bonmarché. www.bonmarche.co.uk.

 

Fashion Designer David Emanuel

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Published: 22 March 2014

TV interviewer Lorraine Kelly:

‘Covering the Dunblane shooting shook my world. Pam Ross, whose five-year-old daughter Joanna was killed, invited me into their home and I saw Joanna in her coffin. It was heartbreaking’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s presenter Lorraine Kelly’s turn

 

The prized possession you value above all others... An amazing album of photos with little stories and lovely messages given to me by my daughter Rosie, who’s 19 now, on Mother’s Day four years ago. It’s totally irreplaceable.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not learning another language. I’d love to speak Chinese – I wish I could take a pill and be fluent because at the age of 54 I haven’t a hope of learning it.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Bigotry. I can’t stand people who always think they’re right and refuse to accept another person’s viewpoint.

The film you can watch time and time again... All About Eve with Bette Davis is the most perfect film with brilliant acting and the dialogue crackles.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Greenvoe by the late George Mackay Brown. It’s set on Orkney – a place I love – and is full of fascinating island characters and lyrical language. His writing is like poetry.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d go into the Irn-Bru drinks factory and find out its secret recipe. It’s great for hangovers!

The temptation you wish you could resist... If I open a packet of HobNobs, or a box of Roses, I keep going until I’ve eaten the lot.

The person who has influenced you most... My mum, who’s 72. She taught me to want to be the best I can be.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The polar explorer Ernest Shackleton is my absolute hero. He was such an inspiring man. I’d love to talk to him about his tenacity and leadership and what drove him.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Don’t waste your time worrying about small things. There’s too much needless angst in the young.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Astronomy. My dad, John, was into it and I got my first telescope aged five – I even had a model of the solar system in my bedroom. The passion has never left me and I love going to the Dundee observatory.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A silver charm bracelet I was given by my mum when I was 12. It went missing a few years later during a house move.

The unending quest that drives you on... To get better at everything I do.

The poem that touches your soul... Robert Burns’ A Man’s A Man For A’ That. No matter who you are or what you have, we’re all equal.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I will be the life and soul at a party. Because of my job, people think I’ll be the one entertaining everyone. I’m quite shy and more of a listener. My husband Steve’s the one who’ll be up dancing.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... The Lockerbie disaster in 1988. I was the Scotland correspondent for TV.am at the time. I was just 29 and I’d been in the job for two years. That story was so shocking and chilling to report that it made me grow up.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it.. I’d break into the secret US archives and find out who was really behind JFK’s death.

The song that means most to you...Careful, by Scottish pop singer Horse McDonald, is the most beautiful love song. She’s a good friend of mine and she turned up at my house a few years ago and serenaded me with it after I’d fallen off a horse!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... After my daughter’s birth, it’s getting my OBE for services to charity from the Queen at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in 2012. I cried.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have the best sushi and tempura vegetables for breakfast in Tokyo with Rosie and Steve, then we’d wander around looking at the young people and their amazing fashion sense. We’d go on safari in Tanzania, with a picnic lunch deep in the bush. I’d have a tennis lesson with Andy Murray on Centre Court at Wimbledon – with strawberries and cream for the warm down! Later I’d go for a walk on the beautiful white sands on the Isle of Barra, in the Outer Hebrides. It would be 80º and I’d cook a fantastic barbecue for all the family, including Mum and Dad and my brother Graham. We’d have cold Cava, which I actually prefer to expensive champagne, and dance on the beach. I’d end the day watching the Southern Lights at the South Pole, then sleep under a dome there with the amazing night sky above me.

The saddest time that shook your world... Covering the Dunblane shooting. Pam Ross, whose five-year-old daughter Joanna was killed, invited me into their home and I saw Joanna in her coffin. It was heartbreaking.  

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To go into space.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Squeeze every last drop of happiness out of every day.

The order of service at your funeral... I want a humanist ceremony conducted by someone who knew me. I’d like a piper playing a lament or two and to finish with a ceilidh dance. I’d like my ashes scattered in the Outer Hebrides.

The way you want to be remembered... As a good mum and a loyal friend.
The Plug... Lorraine Kelly’s book Scotland is published by Bantam Press in hardback, £18.99. Visit www. lorrainekelly.tv.

TV Interviewer Lorraine Kelly

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Published: 15 March 2014

Former Westlife singer Kian Egan:

‘My biggest regret? Telling Simon Cowell he was wrong!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: former Westlife singer Kian Egan

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My home in Sligo, Ireland. My wife Jodi [singer Jodi Albert] and I designed it and it’s our dream house.

The temptation you wish you could resist... I’m a control freak, so it would be good to let go of a few things.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m really into photographing nature. I like getting up before dawn to photograph the sunrise.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... I’d hang out with Jimi Hendrix at his peak to get a flavour of that crazy rock star life.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Telling Simon Cowell he was wrong! He said it would be a mistake for Westlife to release Hey Whatever in 2003. I fought so hard that he let us do it, but it only got to No.4, our lowest chart position. After that he said, ‘From now on you do exactly what I tell you!’

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d love to follow President Obama around to see if he really does hold the power, or if he’s controlled by a group of shadowy people.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Bullying.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Endless Summer, about surfers travelling the world. I love its sense of freedom and adventure.

The person who has influenced you most... My dad, Kevin. He died in 2009 from a brain tumour, and it’s only since I had my son Koa, who’s two, that I really appreciate how much he influenced me. He always had a smile on his face

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Life is all about finding the right balance.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A black electric guitar which went missing on one of Westlife’s tours. I’d glued a shattered mirror onto it so it would look great in the stage lights. It was probably stolen.

The unending quest that drives you on... To keep trying to surprise myself.

The poem that touches your soul...Tom’s Bomb by David Hornsby. I entered  lots of poetry-reciting competitions as a child and I always performed that poem. I won about 15 competitions with it.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Art Of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Howard C Cutler. It taught me how to find happiness in the simpler things in life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... People think I’m really harsh because I’m a straight-talking judge on The Voice in Ireland. I’m an easy-going guy.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... My dad’s death made me focus on life and what it means. He was only 64.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d wipe out the criminals who traffic children.

The song that means most to you... I’m Ready by Bryan Adams. Jodi and I were friends for five years before we started going out. I remember playing her that song in 2003 and then we got together. It’s become our song.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Playing Croke Park in Dublin for Westlife’s 10th anniversary in 2008. I got the whole crowd to sing Happy Birthday to my dad.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin at home with Jodi, Koa, and our Maltese terrier Prince. I’d have a full Irish breakfast with three sausages and white pudding, and a skinny latte. Then I’d go surfing with buddies at Blue Rock nearby. But on this day it’d be blazing sunshine. I’d put Koa on my surfboard so he can feel the waves, then I’d cook a barbecue for my friends and family on Coney Island, which is just off the coast. In the afternoon I’d crash out at the Coral Reef Club on the west coast of Barbados, then take out some paddle boards with Jodi. Then we’d zoom over to Paris and go to the Pont de l’Archevêché bridge to fasten a padlock then throw the key in the Seine as a symbol of our love. Dinner would be at Nobu in Waikiki, Hawaii. I’d have black cod, popcorn shrimp, ragù of beef and Japanese beer. Later we’d hang out at a surfers’ shack bar I love in Barbados and drink Mount Gay Extra Old rum on the rocks. I’d sleep at home in Ireland.

The saddest time that shook your world... When my dad died. It breaks my heart that he never saw my son. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To catch a barrel -that’s when the water totally folds over as you surf a wave. One day…

The philosophy that underpins your life... Be thankful for what you have.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have a Catholic service at Sligo Cathedral with a string quartet and uilleann pipes [Irish bagpipes] and an acoustic version of the Foo Fighters’ song My Hero. I may want to rest alongside my dad in a cemetery in Sligo, or I may have my ashes scattered at sea.

The way you want to be remembered... As a caring son, husband and father.  

The Plug... Kian’s debut solo album Home is out on Monday. For more information visit www.kianegan.tv.

 

Former Westlife Singer Kian Egan

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Published: 8 March 2014

Former England rugby captain Matt Dawson:

‘I regret publishing my diary of the British and Irish Lions tour in 2001. I criticised the head coach Graham Henry in it and upset the whole team’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of fiendish questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: former England rugby captain Matt Dawson…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My World Cup winner’s medal from 2003. It’s the ultimate in rugby and the realisation of my dream.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Publishing my diary of the British and Irish Lions tour in 2001.  I criticised the head coach Graham Henry in it and upset the whole team.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Sir Francis Drake. I’d love to set sail with him. I’m in awe of people who’ve faced real fear and uncertainty.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... I’m not a big reader but I’ve recently enjoyed David Walliams’ autobiography Camp David.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d go to MI6 to find out what the spies are up to.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... People dropping litter. I give it back and say, ‘I think this is yours!’

The temptation you wish you could resist... Cheese of all kinds – currently I love Tome de Provence.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Shawshank Re-demption is brilliantly done with such superb acting and so many clever sub-plots.

The person who has influenced you most... Sir Ian McGeechan, my coach at Northampton and at the British and Irish Lions. He helped me progress to the highest level.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Champions don’t want to win, they need to win.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m fascinated by the mechanics of big business. There are many connections to sport, above all, team work.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A Rolex watch given to me for my testimonial in 2003. It was engraved with the name of a friend, Mick Owen, who died from cancer, and had irreplaceable sentimental value. It was stolen in a burglary at my home.

The unending quest that drives you on... To provide security for my family.

The poem that touches your soul... The hymn Jerusalem. When you heard the fans sing that during a match it would give you extra drive.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m arrogant and cocky. People have that impression from my playing days. I’m actually a very respectful, humble guy.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting married and having a family. I’m 41 now and I only got married in 2011. For years I was totally focused on rugby, but now I have different priorities.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d park wherever I wanted in London.

The song that means most to you... The National Anthem. It reminds me of standing on a pitch and looking up and seeing my dad in the stands. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up early at home in west London with my wife Carolin and our son Alex, who’s nearly two, and our baby Sam, who was born in January. We’d go to Mauritius to watch the sun come up. I’d have a breakfast of tropical fruits then a chilled morning on the beach. There’d be a golf range, so I’d warm up my swing before playing the Masters course at Augusta with a bunch of mates and Jack Nicklaus. Lunch would be with Carolin at Nobu in London for Japanese food, then we’d go to Seaworld in Florida for the kids – they’re way too young but I love those places! Carolin and I would have a drink at the W hotel in the Maldives. I’d choose a nice cold pint of Heineken. We’d have dinner at The Waterside Inn at Bray where I’d have the lobster followed by roast chicken to share, plus a bottle of Dom Perignon. By this time we’d be shattered and need to get home, ready for another early start!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Winning the World Cup in Sydney in the dying seconds. I remember falling to the floor in total disbelief. All the hard times and extreme lows were suddenly worth it.

The saddest time that shook your world... Seeing my grandfather Sam die of cancer when I was 14. He was the first person close to me to die.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To learn to speak German. Carolin is German and it drives me mad when we go on holiday there and I sit around like a lemon while everyone is chatting away.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Tackle everything in life full on, but always play fair.     

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not religious but I’d be happy for my loved ones to decide what works for them. I’d like everyone to sing Jerusalem and Abide With Me. And I’d like my ashes kept in an urn on the mantelpiece so I can keep an eye on people!

The way you want to be remembered... As a loving son, a decent brother, a good husband and a great dad.

The Plug... Matt Dawson’s Bioglan superfood range is available at Holland & Barrett. From £8.99, www. hollandandbarrett.com.

Former England Rugby Captain Matt Dawson

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Published: 1 March 2014

Comedian Omid Djalili:

"The saddest time that shook my world? Watching 9/11. I noticed a change of attitude towards me because of my Middle-Eastern appearance"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s comedian Omid Djalili’s turn

The prized possession you value above all others... My gold wedding ring. Annabel and I got married in 1992, but a year later I lost the ring. I replaced it in 2009 and now I never take it off. 

The temptation you wish you could resist... Late night eating in the car after a gig. If it’s gone well I’ll have a Big Mac. If it’s been a disaster I have a Double Whopper from Burger King.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... The moment David Beckham scored that last goal against Greece that meant England qualified for the 2002 World Cup. I was so excited I passed out.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières. The ending had me sobbing when I read it.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d hang around the Comedy Store changing rooms to see what other comedians say about me.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Being interrupted. 

The film you can watch time and time again... The Graduate. I saw it when I was 13 and really connected with Dustin Hoffman’s character – the goofy  underdog who had to fight to get the girl.

The person who has influenced you most... Professor Soheil Bushrui, a Middle Eastern master of literature. He taught me about truth and beauty when I was 17. He’s in his eighties now and we’re still in touch.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Mahatma Gandhi – he wouldn’t want a pie or a pint, so I’d get more nosh while he droned on about world peace.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Be yourself. 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My Panini football sticker albums for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. I filled them when I was a kid but in 1995, I gave them to a friend. I want them back!

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Giving up playing football when I was 22. I used to play left midfield in a good amateur league. I was lean and fit but then I packed it in – that’s why I’m fat!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Air crash investigation documentaries. I believe I will crash one day so I watch them and absorb any information that might help me survive.

The unending quest that drives you on... Striving for excellence.

The poem that touches your soul... Rabbit by Anonymous. It’s about a rabbit that gets its leg caught in a trap. I came across it during A-level English.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m tall and really fat. I’m 5ft 6in and 103kg so I’m short and only quite fat!

The song that means most to you... Simon And Garfunkel’s Scarborough Fair. It’s a beautiful reminder of that moment in The Graduate when he gets the girl against the odds.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin the day with Annabel and our three children [aged 15-21] at the Atlantis hotel in the Bahamas. The kids and I would go to the water park and do the Leap Of Faith slide, a 60ft drop into a lagoon surrounded by sharks behind glass. Lunch would be at The Dome in Edinburgh. I’d start with haggis then have the fish of the day and a cranberry juice – I don’t drink.

I’d then go skiing at the indoor mountain in Dubai. Later, I’d have a gondola ride with Annabel in Venice before dinner at the Beverly Montage hotel in LA. Then we’d go to Broadway to watch my favourite show, The Producers. I’d end the day at home in south west London watching England win the World Cup in Brazil!

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting spinal meningitis when I was 13. It was touch and go that I would make it. Having a brush with death makes you appreciate life. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d be a vigilante on the streets slapping burglars and muggers who attack old people.

The saddest time that shook your world... Watching 9/11. I noticed a change of attitude towards me because of my Middle-Eastern appearance.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To play in a big pro-celebrity football match and dazzle everyone with a winning performance. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Only do things that are of service to your fellow human beings. 

The order of service at your funeral... I’d want a cheerful ceremony with them playing Santana’s Smooth – because my life has been anything but smooth. At the party people can tell a few jokes about me. I’d make sure that everyone gets a slice of stuffed crust pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut.

The way you want to be remembered... He tried his damnedest. 

The Plug... Omid’s Live tour is on now. Visit www.omidnoagenda.com.

 

Comedian Omid Djalili

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Published: 22 February 2014

Veteran film critic Barry Norman:

‘My wife died of heart failure in her sleep. We were married for 53 years and the pain was overwhelming’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: legendary film critic Barry Norman

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A wall tapestry my late wife Diana commissioned about 25 years ago. It’s embroidered with our initials, along with those of our two daughters Samantha, 50, and Emma, 48.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I didn’t witness Samantha’s birth. It was a home delivery and just at the last moment the midwife ordered me to boil more water. By the time I got back the baby had arrived.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin with a full English breakfast at The Savoy. Then I’d head to Lord’s for the opening day of an Ashes Test. I’d score a century, then bowl out the Aussie side. Lunch would be with friends at the best fish restaurant in the world, wherever that is. I’d have Beluga caviar and lobster and Burgundy wine. Then I’d go to Venice, stopping at St Mark’s Square before exploring the backstreets. I’d end the day at Treasure Beach hotel in Barbados with my daughters and three grandsons – Bertie, 20, Harry, 18, and Charlie, 16. I’d just manage a couple of rum punches and steak and chips.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... William Shakespeare. He was a pure genius.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Cheddar cheese. I have to ration myself because of my cholesterol. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Right Ho, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse. I was 15 when I came across it and it made me want to earn my living from writing.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d watch over a Cabinet meeting and find out what politicians are really up to.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... The use of the word ‘incredible’ to describe things that are just ‘good’.

The film you can watch time and time again... I refuse to answer this. I’ve seen 12 to 15,000 films. Anybody who says there is one great film is an idiot.

The person who has influenced you most... My father Leslie. He left school at 14 and worked his way up to become a distinguished film director and producer. He taught me anything is possible. We had a wonderful relationship and I loved him deeply. He died aged 81 in 1993. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... To thine own self be true.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Cooking. I make a mean Christmas pudding from my mother Elizabeth’s recipe and I’ve been cooking them for 40 years. I’ll usually have three in the freezer ready for Christmas each year.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... The elasticity of my body. There was a time when I could run and jump but I’m 80 now and I just land with a thud.

The unending quest that drives you on... To do everything better than I did it the last time.

The poem that touches your soul... If by Rudyard Kipling is inspirational. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... People assume I can only talk about films. I have lots of opinions on other subjects.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Being made redundant by the Daily Mail in 1971. I’d been the showbusiness editor for 12 years. It turned out for the best because within a year I was presenting the BBC’s Film programme.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal a piece of Tutankhamun’s gold treasure from the museum in Cairo. It’s beautiful.

The song that means most to you... Diana liked I Love You Samantha, sung by Bing Crosby in High Society, so much we named our daughter Samantha.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... A night in Paris in the 90s when Diana and I were having dinner. We were both reading and it looked like we’d run out of things to say. But it was quite the contrary. That moment typified our companionship.

The saddest time that shook your world... Diana’s sudden death at the age of 77 on 27 January 2011. She died of heart failure in her sleep. We were married for 53 years and the pain was overwhelming.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To speak French. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have a service at All Saints in Datchworth, Hertfordshire. I’d like the hymn Lord Of The Dance to cheer people up and Abide With Me because we had that at Diana’s funeral. I’d be buried there alongside Diana. 

The way you want to be remembered... As a good husband, father and grandfather who was not bad at his job. 
The Plug...
My memoir See You In The Morning is out now published by Black Swan.  

 

Veteran Film Critic Barry Norman

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Published: 15 February 2014

Broadcaster Joan Bakewell:

‘My mother took a lot of things out on me and we had unresolved issues, but I wept for six months after she died’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s broadcaster Joan Bakewell’s turn

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My Victorian house in north London. I bought it in 1963 for £12,000 and it’s probably worth £4m now, but I have no intention of leaving. My children [Harriet, 52, and Matthew, 49] grew up here – it’s where I’ve nested.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Never learning to sing. I’ve belonged to many choirs over the years but have been told to keep quiet during certain songs because I’m out of tune.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d start with poached egg, croissants, freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee at the Wolseley in London, where I’d probably bump into old friends. Then I’d swim in crystal-clear waters at a stunning island hotel in the Maldives, and have lots of fresh seafood for lunch, followed by a snooze on the beach. In the afternoon I’d visit Florence and look at Botticelli’s painting La Primavera, before escaping to the hills overlooking the city for a chocolate ice cream. Later I’d fly to Kyoto in Japan with my children and six grandchildren [aged 14-22] for a huge Japanese meal with lots of local beer and sake. Then I’d watch Eugene Onegin at London’s Royal Opera House, with a glass of Bollinger in the interval, before ending the day catching up with the BBC news.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Dark chocolate in all its forms.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. It’s an inspirational story that every woman should read.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... The planners and developers destroying London’s skyline, especially around St Paul’s Cathedral. 

The film you can watch time and time again... Some Like It Hot. It’s such a clever screenplay with a plot within a plot, and it has a really brilliant cast.

The person who has influenced you most... My father Jack. He gave me endless encouragement, and knew the women of my generation would make a difference. He died of throat cancer about 20 years ago.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d go to the savannahs of Africa and wander among the great beasts such as giraffes, lions and wildebeests.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Adam Smith [the 18th-century economist and philosopher]. He helped found capitalism – I’d like him to know what ruin it’s brought to people.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Do no harm. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m interested in the life of Johnny Cash – his music, drugs and demons. He was a fascinating man.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My grandmother Charlotte’s Victorian gold watch. I lost it while hiking on Dartmoor in the 50s and was distraught.

The unending quest that drives you on... To lose half a stone!

The poem that touches your soul... Ithaca by Constantine P Cavafy. It reminds me that daily life, not what may be at the end of it, is the reward.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m somehow BBC property. I was only there for two years in the 50s and I’ve worked for all the major broadcasters ever since as a freelancer.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Gaining a scholarship to Newham College, Cambridge in 1951. I owe it everything.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I would steal Las Meninas [The Maids Of Honour] by Velázquez from Madrid’s Prado museum. It’s one of the world’s most intriguing paintings.

The song that means most to you... Jerusalem. I love it because I can actually sing it in tune!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Climbing The Old Man of Coniston fell in the Lake District when I was 14. The view from the top was so awesome it felt like a spiritual moment.

The saddest time that shook your world... The death of my mother Rose from leukaemia when she was 58 and I was 28. She took a lot of things out on me and we had unresolved issues, but I wept for six months after she died.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To study English literature to degree level.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Take each day as it comes and don’t waste it.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like some poems read and a piece played from Rossini’s opera Stabat Mater, then for everyone to sing Jerusalem. I’d like my family to go punting in Cambridge and have a lovely picnic by the river, then scatter my ashes on the water.

The way you want to be remembered... As a terrific granny!

The Plug... My novel She’s Leaving Home is available now published by Virago.

 

 

Broadcaster Joan Bakewell

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Published: 8 February 2014

Culture Club singer Boy George:

‘Hearing David Bowie’s Quicksand when I was ten was life-changing’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s singer Boy George’s turn…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My house in Hampstead. I bought it in 1984 for £400,000 and it’s worth around £5m now. 

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not getting in touch with my dad before he died. We didn’t speak for two years after he left my mum, but he phoned me on the day of 9/11. I promised to call him back but I never did, then he died of a heart attack in 2004.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’m single at the moment, so I’d start the day with a gang of friends in New York. We’d have breakfast at the Four Seasons hotel there, then pile into a private jet and hang out in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I’d also rent out GoldenEye [the home once owned by James Bond creator Ian Fleming]. We’d party with a load of locals who’d cook jerk chicken. I don’t drink alcohol, so I’d have a virgin Pina Colada. Afterwards, we’d all go to Vrindavan in India, the birthplace of Krishna, and visit the Kusum Sarovara monument. I’d buy some beautiful fabrics in the markets then stop off in Vietnam because I’ve never been there. We’d end the day in Rio de Janeiro. We’d have dinner at a ‘raw’ restaurant – I’m a ‘raw vegan’, I eat mainly raw food and vegetable juices – then we’d go to a club and dance the night away. I feel a bit redundant in a club these days if I don’t do a DJ set, so I’d play some music before crashing out at the Copacabana Palace hotel.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Bread. I try to be gluten-free, but I do love a nice thick slice of toast. The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I came across it just as I got sober in 2008 and it had a massively positive effect on my life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d pop into Parliament to see what our MPs are really up to. I’m appalled at how they waste so much of our money.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... People using their mobile phones in shops. It’s rude and ignorant.   

The film you can watch time and time again... Imitation Of Life from 1959 with Lana Turner. I’m into soppy films and they don’t get better than that.

The person who has influenced you most... David Bowie. I’ve loved him since I was ten. I had dinner with him in 2005, at Mr Chow in New York. We talked about everything from politics to Russian movies to EastEnders.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Diana Vreeland. She was the editor of Vogue in the 60s. Her gossip would be the best imaginable.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Respect your parents. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Rugby! I watch it even though I haven’t a clue what’s going on. I see a cute player, then Google him! 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A hat with jewelled horns that was stolen in Mexico eight years ago. I often imagine some Mexican in a shack wearing it!
The unending quest that drives you on... To keep feeling good. I’ve gone from 19 stone to 14 stone since 2006. Raw food is the new rock ‘n’ roll.

The poem that touches your soul... Song Of Peace by George Bernard Shaw. It parallels eating animals with war.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m vain. I dress up because it’s fun, but I don’t sit around admiring myself.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Becoming famous. Since Culture Club appeared on Top Of The Pops in 1982 I’ve never had a day’s peace.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d break into Tony Blair’s office and find out why he got Britain into the Iraq war.

The song that means most to you... David Bowie’s Quicksand. Hearing it when I was ten was life-changing.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My friend Amanda’s wedding day in May 2008. I’d got sober two months earlier and to be there in a decent state of mind was special.

The saddest time that shook your world... The day my dad died. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To sing with David Bowie, but I can’t see it happening. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Remember you’re a Womble! I say it whenever I’m feeling down. 

The order of service at your funeral... I’d like a party with everyone dressed in plenty of colour and I’d want my ashes scattered on Hampstead Heath. 

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who helped change people’s attitudes towards sexuality.

The Plug... Boy George’s new single My God/Video Games from his album This Is What I Do is out now. Visit www.boygeorgeuk.com.

 

 

Culture Club Singer Boy George

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Published: 1 February 2014

Dynasty diva Joan Collins:

‘I’ll continue to have the lifestyle to which I have grown accustomed. I never intend to stop working’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actress and author Joan Collins

 The prized possession you value above all others... A gold charm necklace I’ve had for more than 30 years. It’s got about 40 mementos on it given to me by loved ones – it’s full of memories.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Never learning French.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up at home in the South of France with Percy [Gibson, her fifth husband] and we’d have orange juice, croissants, jam and coffee. Later, I’d travel to Acapulco and go water-skiing, followed by a Margarita on the beach. Lunch would be at Club 55 in St Tropez with all the family – my three children [Tara, Sacha, and Katy] and my three grandchildren [aged nine-15]. I always have a salad Niçoise and the onion tart and we’d all have lashings of the local rosé. After that I’d go shopping in Paris, then nip into Selfridges on Oxford Street. I’d then have tea and cucumber sandwiches at Claridge’s. Strong tea for me. The evening would begin with a Cosmopolitan cocktail in the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Dinner would be back in 19th-century Paris at Maxim’s, preferably at a fancy dress party so I can wear a wonderful gown. I’d go dancing at Loulou’s in Mayfair and then sleep at my London flat.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Watching old movies in the daytime. If I see a film with one of the greats like Barbara Stanwyck is on TV I have to watch it.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Oliver Twist. I read it by torchlight under the bed covers when I was 12. I love the detail in Dickens’ writing. You feel as if you’re there.  

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d eavesdrop on a meeting of casting directors as they decide why I won’t get a part.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Rudeness and arrogance.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Fabulous Baker Boys. When Michelle Pfeiffer sings while writhing on top of that piano, it’s probably the sexiest scene ever. 
The person who has influenced you most... My father Joe, who taught me that you make your own destiny.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Marie Antoinette. She could tell me who made her dresses!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Eat life or life will eat you. Do not waste it by being a victim.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... People watching. I write novels and I love to sit in cafes observing how people interact.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A suitcase packed with my life’s memorabilia. It went missing in 1987 during my divorce from Peter Holm. It had all my diaries, photos and letters, including some from Warren Beatty when he was my fiancé.

The unending quest that drives you on... To continue to have the lifestyle to which I have grown accustomed. I never intend to stop working.

The poem that touches your soul... Desiderata by American writer Max Ehrmann. It contains all the wisdom you need to guide you in life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m like my Dynasty character Alexis Carrington. She was cunning, devious, sexually predatory, and very cruel. I’m none of those things.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting the role of Alexis changed my life because it gave me international superstardom. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d rob the big banks and re-distribute the money.

The song that means most to you... The Way You Look Tonight – the version by Steve Tyrell. It was played at my wedding to Percy in 2002.  

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My wedding to Percy. We had a reception at Claridge’s with everyone who matters to us. It was fabulous.

The saddest time that shook your world... When my youngest daughter [Katy] was hit by a car in 1980. She was in a coma for seven weeks. I thought I was going to lose her.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To own a private jet. It really is the only way to fly.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. 

The order of service at your funeral... I will be happy for others to take care of the arrangements so long as there’s plenty to drink and lots of dancing.  

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who entertained people. 

The Plug... One Night With Joan is at Leicester Square Theatre until 9 February. www.leicestersquaretheatre.com. Her memoir Passion For Life and her eBooks are on sale now.

 

 

Dynasty Diva Joan Collins

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Published: 25 January 2014

Bestselling crime writer Patricia Cornwell:

‘I had four books rejected before I got accepted. There seems to be a feeling it was a breeze for me and it all comes easily. It doesn’t!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s novelist Patricia Cornwell’s turn

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A poem I wrote when I was eight about Abraham Lincoln. It’s the only piece of memorabilia I have from my childhood, so it’s precious.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I didn’t study languages.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions..I’d wake up at my home in Miami with Staci [her wife, Staci Ann Gruber] and we’d watch the sunrise over the ocean from the balcony. I’d have two fried eggs with buttered white toast, crispy bacon and a glass of fresh orange juice. Then I’d fly us in a twin-engine Eurocopter over the sea to Key West. We’d be joined by a bunch of friends and scuba-dive. We’d have lunch back at Key West – I’d have steak with a baked potato. We’d spend the rest of the day in London. I’d check into a suite overlooking the Thames at The Savoy, then head to the V&A for an exhibition. We’d wander through the city looking in old bookshops before heading back to the hotel at sunset. I’d begin the evening with a cold gin and tonic in the American Bar. Dinner would be at The Savoy Grill, then we’d see a play in the West End. The day would end relaxing in the room with our British bulldog Tram in his own luxury Savoy basket! 

The temptation you wish you could resist... Fine wine and champagne, like a great Montrachet or Cristal.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. He describes what it’s like to be a writer so well.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d hang out in the locker rooms at Wimbledon to see how the great tennis players behave before a match.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Cruelty to animals in any form.

The film you can watch time and time again... A Fish Called Wanda. I never tire of laughing at it. It’s a great romp and I love its absurdity.

The person who has influenced you most... Billie Jean King. She was a hero of mine when I was growing up and I’m lucky to have been her friend for 20 years. I started to talk publicly about my relationship with Staci because of her amazing example.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Agatha Christie. I’d be fascinated to talk about her writing process.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... You’ll never be good at anything unless you’re bad at it first.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... The Cat In The Hat author Dr Seuss. I love his whimsy and have a wall full of his drawings.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... Some hand-sewn books I made from the age of five containing my first short stories. They got thrown out when we moved house when I was 17 and I was heartbroken.

The unending quest that drives you on...To get better at what I do.

The poem that touches your soul... The Waste Land by T S Eliot. It has a naked truth about the world.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I was an overnight success. I had four books rejected before I got accepted. There seems to be a feeling it was a breeze for me and it all comes easily. It doesn’t!

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Winning the John Creasy Memorial Award for Best First Crime Novel in 1990 for Postmortem – my career took off instantly. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d murder evil dictators and terrorists.

The song that means most to you... Pachelbel’s Canon. It touches my soul.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Meeting Staci in 2004. She was a neuroscientist at Harvard who was helping me with research. The moment she walked into the room I knew I had to get to know her. 

The saddest time that shook your world... I vividly remember the Christmas Day when I was five when I knew my father was leaving. I was all set to open my presents when there was an altercation between Mum, who’s 87 now, and Dad. Then I saw him with suitcases. I wrapped myself around his legs and screamed, "Daddy don’t go!" but he shook me loose and left.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To have movies made of my books.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Never abuse your power.

The order of service at your funeral... I wouldn’t want a formal church service, I’d want something relaxed. I’d like them to play Pachelbel’s Canon and Funeral For A Friend by Elton John.

The way you want to be remembered... As a decent person, and the author who created the forensic thriller genre.   

The Plug... Patricia’s new novel Dust is out now. Twitter @1pcornwell, www.patriciacornwell.com.  

 

Bestselling Crime Writer Patricia Cornwell

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Published: 18 January 2014

TV & radio presenter Nicholas Parsons:

‘I wish I kept tap dancing. I learnt it when I was 22 and I loved the freedom and spirit of it’

 

 We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: comedy legend Nicholas Parsons.

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A 19th-century French clock my father gave me when I was 17. It began a long-held love of clocks.

 The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I didn’t keep up tap dancing. I learnt it when I was 22 and I loved the freedom and spirit of it.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... My wife Annie and I would have breakfast on the Orient Express and enjoy the scenic journey to Venice. We’d have coffee in St Mark’s Square, then go to the Four Seasons hotel at Kuda Huraa in the Maldives. As this is my fantasy day I’d go water skiing – I loved it when I was younger, but I was 90 last October and my legs aren’t what they used to be! We’d be joined for a big lunch of Thai food by our four children [two each from previous marriages] and nine grandchildren, aged seven to 23. Annie and I would have afternoon tea at the Taj Mahal in India, then arrive at the La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech. I’d have a Campari and soda on the terrace then a delicious dinner of local delicacies. I’d end the day at home with a malt whisky.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Nuts, particularly macadamias. It’s not wise to eat too many.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Cider With Rosie by Laurie Lee is so evocative of life in Britain after the First World War.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d see how my young grandchildren behave when they’re not being watched. 

 The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... American slang. Why do people use the word ‘kids’? It makes children sound like small goats!

The film you can watch time and time again... Casablanca. It has such drama, humour and pathos.

The person who has influenced you most... The Scottish actor Duncan Macrae. I met him when I was a teenager and he taught me how to interpret a role and how to project your voice.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Sir Francis Drake. I’d love to hear about his explorations in uncharted seas.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Work hard and be kind and forgiving. Remember that success is a journey, not a destination.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’ve loved repairing and restoring clocks since I was a teenager. I’m fascinated by the way the internal mechanics engage with one another to give you an accurate time. I find clocks quite beautiful.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A 19th-century bracket clock I restored when I was a teenager. It was stolen in 1956. I loved that clock and I still think about it.

The unending quest that drives you on... To keep working.

The poem that touches your soul... The Dong With A Luminous Nose by Edward Lear. It’s nonsense verse for children but has sadness buried within.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... People only know me as a presenter but I’ve been an actor for 68 years and had many successful years in the West End.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... When my parents sent me to do an engineering apprenticeship when I was 16. I was a lad from a public school thrown into a tough world. But it was great experience.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I don’t want to commit a crime. There’s a joy in achieving things legitimately.

The song that means most to you... Stevie Wonder’s I Just Called To Say I Love You. I often call Annie to say just that but I spare her the singing!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My 90th birthday party on 8 October. We had 200 guests to a party at a hotel in London. There was so much warmth and happiness, as well as some marvellous speeches.

The saddest time that shook your world... When my four-year-old daughter Suzy had a terrible skiing accident in 1962. It’s sheer horror to see your child slumped in the snow motionless. It still upsets me and I haven’t skied since.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To direct a film.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Try to get along with everyone.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d love to have the service at St Paul’s in Covent Garden, which is the actor’s church. I will want Jerusalem and I Vow To Thee My Country.

The way you want to be remembered... As a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather.

The Plug... Just A Minute returns to Radio 4 on 10 February at 6.30pm. Visit www.nicholasparsons.co.uk for details of his Edinburgh tour.

 

 

 

TV & Radio Presenter Nicholas Parsons

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Published: 11 January 2014

Strictly dancer Anton du Beke:

 

‘I’m not gay!’ Anton du Beke on the misapprehension he wishes he could erase

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Strictly dancer Anton du Beke

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My girlfriend Hannah. She’s a top marketing expert and we’ve been together since April 2012. I love her above all things.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... I wish I’d become a professional dancer sooner. I did other jobs – like baking – while dancing part-time, and didn’t commit until I was 29.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up at the Hotel de Paris in Monte-Carlo with Hannah and have breakfast in bed: muesli, poached eggs, bacon, toast and coffee. I’d play golf at Augusta, in Georgia, with my mate Jeff, Gary Player, Tiger Woods and Bruce Forsyth. For lunch, I’d go to Muxía in Spain where my mum, Ascension, is from. We’d be with my brother and sister – Stephen and Veronica – and our aunt would cook for all the family. In the afternoon I’d snorkel in the Seychelles with Hannah. Then I’d perform with my partner Erin Boag at the Albert Hall. I’d have dinner at The Ritz with Hannah and her family. I’d have the rack of lamb and a tonic water because I don’t drink, but everyone else can have the best wine. I’d end the day at home in Buckinghamshire with Hannah and Obi, our dachshund.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Spending. I go through money like a bloke with three arms. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Fred Astaire’s autobiography Steps In Time. He’s a hero.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d be a fly on the wall in the dressing room during the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles this year.   

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise..Arrogance.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Band Wagon with Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse from 1953. Watching them dance inspired me.

The person who has influenced you most... John Del-Roy, my first serious dance coach when I was 17, who gave me confidence. He died two years ago.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Henry VIII. Can you imagine the stories that fella could tell?

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... The advice I got from John and from my mum. He said, ‘Get better’, and Mum said, ‘Keep going’.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Baking bread. I love doing it because it’s a real skill.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My youth. I’m 47 now and have a real fear of getting old and losing my faculties.

The unending quest that drives you on... To get better at everything I do. Top of the list is dancing, then golf. I normally play to a six handicap but I’d love to play off scratch.

The poem that touches your soul... The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. I came across it when I was a teenager and found it so harrowing, how these men were doomed to be slaughtered.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting the job on Strictly in 2004. Bruce Forsyth is my hero and the thought that I’d be in a TV show with him was incredible.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m gay! Hannah laughs at that one and even Erin thought I was a flopsy when we met. It might be because I mince about, but a little mince never does any harm!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal a dance with the Queen. 

The song that means most to you... Me And My Shadow. Bruce and I danced to it on Strictly a few years ago, which was amazing.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Meeting Hannah in 2012. She is so beautiful, bright and funny. Maybe marriage is on the cards, but I should speak to her about that first!

The saddest time that shook your world... Not having a relationship with my father, Antal. He was an alcoholic and there was an argument on Boxing Day when I was 22. He left the house and I never saw or spoke to him again.  

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I wish Erin and I had won the World Ballroom Dance Championship. We came third once. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Be polite and do the right thing. 

The order of service at your funeral... I’m a Catholic, so it would be in a church and everyone would come in to If My Friends Could See Me Now by Sammy Davis Jr. I’d like a tomb with a dressing room door and a sign saying, ‘Do Not Disturb’!

The way you want to be remembered... As a lovely fella and a great dancer.

The Plug...Anton is currently on tour in Ballroom To Broadway. Visit www.antonanderin.com.  

 

Strictly Dancer Anton Du Beke

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Published: 4 January 2014

TV chef Phil Vickery:

‘I’d pour a bucket of pig slurry over a couple of paparazzi who gave Fern a hard time when she left This Morning in 2009’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of chef Phil Vickery…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... Denver, my black Labrador. He goes everywhere with me.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I never learnt a language. At school I just wanted to cook.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d spend the day with Fern [his wife, TV presenter Fern Britton], starting with croissants and coffee at the quayside in St Tropez. Then we’d arrive at Buttermilk mountain in Aspen to ski with our kids [their daughter Winnie, 12, and – from Fern’s first marriage – twins Jack and Harry, 20, and Grace, 16]. Just the two of us would then have a romantic lunch at a restaurant on the island of Torcello across the lagoon in Venice. I’d have risotto primavera with lovely spring vegetables and a cold bottle of pinot grigio. In the afternoon, we’d go for a walk along Constantine Bay in Cornwall with Denver, then we’d have a few margaritas in the Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. For dinner we’d have a slap-up Indian meal at the Oberoi Hotel in Delhi. I’d have a few Tiger beers and end the day at home in Buckinghamshire with the family asleep upstairs while I watch Match Of The Day.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream on scones. It’s 60 per cent fat!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Warne’s Everyday Cookery from 1936. I was 11 when the caretaker at school gave me a copy. That book put me on the path to my catering career. I still have it.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d help the goalkeeper at White Hart Lane and Tottenham would beat Arsenal 6-0. 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... People not saying thank you. 

The film you can watch time and time again... The Magnificent Seven. Steve McQueen is so cool in it.

The person who has influenced you most... The chef Keith Floyd. I met him when I was 31 and he gave me two bits of advice, ‘If you’re on TV and you start thinking it’s real, you’re in trouble,’ and ‘You don’t get the sack in TV – they just stop calling you.’

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... The 19th-century French chef Alexis Soyer, who was the first celebrity chef. He was drafted in to feed the British Army during the Crimean War and he transformed how it was done and made soldiers proper food. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Life’s like a bank account. You can only take out what you put in.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Cutting the grass in the fields at our home. I love nothing more than getting on the tractor mower with Denver and keeping it nice. It’s a bit sad.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A pair of red ‘board’ shorts I bought in Australia when I was 23 – I learnt to surf in them. 

The unending quest that drives you on... To never be bored.  

The poem that touches your soul.. If by Rudyard Kipling is a classic.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... I hate being labelled a ‘celebrity chef’ because it’s often used by people who don’t think you can actually cook.  

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Suing a business partner in 1999. It was stressful, but I had to stand up for myself. I won.  

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d pour a bucket of pig slurry over a couple of paparazzi who gave Fern a hard time when she left This Morning in 2009.  

The song that means most to you... Living In The Past by Jethro Tull. Hearing that for the first time was the moment I discovered music.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When Fern kidnapped me in 1998! One Friday after filming Ready Steady Cook, she pulled up in her car and said, ‘Get in!’ She drove me to her house and we had a fantastic weekend. 

The saddest time that shook your world... The day in 2007 my brother Mike told me he had skin cancer. Thankfully he’s now got the all-clear. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’m not driven by ambitions and never plan anything. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Work hard, be nice to people and be happy with your lot.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d want a relaxed affair, with no one in black. I’d leave £500 behind the bar because some of my friends are quite tight. They can have one drink on me!

The way you want to be remembered... As a nice bloke who could cook a bit.

The Plug... Phil is working with Breville Creative Kitchen to encourage the nation to get creative with cooking. See www.brevillecreativekitchen.co.uk.

 

TV Chef Phil Vickery

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Published: 28 December 2013

Actress Amanda Burton:

‘I’m not a cold, serious person like many of the characters I’ve played. I’m actually a complete clown and quite a good laugh’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actress Amanda Burton’s turn.

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A print of the 1914 photo Young Farmers by German August Sander. I love the image of three hard-working young men dressed up for a night out. There’s a sense of expectancy for what the night might bring.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I was such a grumpy cow in my 40s! I was juggling so many things I think I lost my sense of humour. I’m 57 now and feel full of laughter.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up in a chalet with a view of Mont Blanc and have pancakes and hot fruit salad. Then I’d take a magic carpet ride with my boyfriend Tim to an Indian Ocean island. We’d go sailing with my daughters – Phoebe, 24, and Brid, 22 – and friends and loved ones. Lunch would be at The Wolseley in Piccadilly – I’d have pink champagne and chicken with tarragon – and I’d spend the afternoon shopping in Paris. I’d have a mint tea beside the Bosphorus in Istanbul, a Turkish massage, then go horse riding with the girls on the beaches of Donegal with my whippets, Dashiell and Flora, running behind us. I’d end the day at home in west London with a glass of Benromach whisky.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Eating sweets, especially Liquorice Allsorts and Jelly Babies.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It’s a grim book about the end of the world yet so calmly written.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d sit among a pack of wolves in the Canadian wilderness. They’re fascinating and mysterious creatures.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Listening to people chew, particularly popcorn eaters in the cinema.

The film you can watch time and time again... Fargo is wonderfully dark yet funny, and Frances McDormand is one of my favourite actresses.

The person who has influenced you most... Irish writer and director Brian Friel. I grew up reading his plays and seeing them in Derry at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It inspired me to choose acting as a career.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Jane Austen, because she was such an amazing woman and writer.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Be a good listener.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... The sky at night. When I was growing up I always used to be looking at it through my grandfather’s telescope, so I know it pretty well.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A box of birds’ eggs my father gave me when I was eight. He’d collected them as a boy. A few hours after I got the box I balanced it on a banister, but it fell off and every egg shattered. I was heartbroken.

The unending quest that drives you on... To love and to be loved.

The poem that touches your soul... Digging by Seamus Heaney.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a cold, serious person like many of the characters I’ve played. I’m actually a complete clown and quite a good laugh.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... My divorce eight years ago [from photographer Sven Arnstein, following his affair]. We had been together for 20 years and my life fell apart. But I found myself in a way I really hold onto now. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d spring criminals from death row and offer them life jail sentences instead.

The song that means most to you...Danny Boy. It always gets to my heart and makes me cry. Also, Phoebe played it on the violin at my dad’s funeral.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My parents giving me a 10 shilling note on my tenth birthday. We went to a high street full of little gift shops. I bought trinkets and was even allowed a Babycham in the pub.

The saddest time that shook your world... The death of my parents – my mum 12 years ago, aged 76, and Dad two years later aged 89. They had such a strong presence in my life.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To live self-sufficiently on a farm. It’s in the pipeline.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Keep your spirit light and go with the flow.

The order of service at your funeral... I expect my daughters will throw a great party. Maybe Phoebe can play Danny Boy on the violin, while Brid sings.

The way you want to be remembered... As a good mum.

The Plug... The final episode of Amanda Burton’s Killer Forensics is repeated on Monday at 9pm on Investigation Discovery (Sky 522 and Virgin 214).

 

Actress Amanda Burton

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Published: 14 December 2013

Zoologist and polymath Desmond Morris:

‘Because I’ve studied human body language people think I can’t be relaxed and natural’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s zoologist Desmond Morris…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My great-grandfather’s Victorian brass microscope, which I found in the attic when I was ten. It started my fascination with nature.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not being multilingual. I can speak a bit of French and Spanish, but I’m 85 now and I’ve given up hope of speaking anything else fluently.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... My wife Ramona and I would wake up at a game lodge in Maralal, Kenya, and watch the zebra stallions arguing over their females. I’d have a full English breakfast, then we’d go to the Prado museum in Madrid to enjoy Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych The Garden Of Earthly Delights.

We’d have lunch at Bofinger in Paris: a seafood platter with a glass of white wine, then go snorkelling over the coral reefs off the island of Embudu Village in the Maldives. We’d be joined by our son Jason, his wife Annie, and our four grandchildren, aged nine to 16. In the evening Ramona and I would go to Raffles Hotel in Singapore for a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar before dining on Argentine beef at the Esquina Carlos Gardel Theatre in Buenos Aires while watching an Argentinian tango. At midnight we’d go to a jazz club in New Orleans.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Fox’s Glacier mints. They have replaced cigarettes for me. I smoked for 30 years but gave up in 1982. I’m sure the mints are doing me some damage  but at my age I don’t care.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Disasters Of War by the painter Francisco Goya. I found these horrific images of torture and death in the school library when I was 16. It confirmed my youthful suspicion that humans were, as I wrote in a school essay, ‘monkeys with diseased brains’.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d enjoy not being able to see my ageing body.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Action movies with levels of violence that numb the brain.

The film you can watch time and time again... Laurel And Hardy’s The Music Box from 1932. I used to laugh myself sick at it when I was a child.

The person who has influenced you most... Ian Hamilton, my school biology teacher. He taught me to seek out unanswered questions.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Charlie Darwin. His concept of evolution has dominated my thinking since I started studying animals in 1949.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Ignore adults’ wisdom!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Drumming. I played drums when I was 16 and I still have one of my tom-toms from that era.   

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A batch of paintings I made when I was 19. I put them on the roof of my car while loading it up then forgot about them and drove off. I often wonder if they were ever discovered and kept by someone.

The unending quest that drives you on... To visit every country in the world.

The poem that touches your soul... Snake by DH Lawrence because it shows a man discovering the wonder of a creature he is supposed to fear.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m always examining people. Because I’ve studied human body language people think I can’t be relaxed and natural. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character... My father Harry’s death when I was 14. He died at 48 because his lungs were ruined by gas in WWI. It gave me a hatred of war.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d drive at 100mph along a deserted motorway. I used to do a ‘ton on the one’ when the M1 opened in 1959 with no speed limit.

The song that means most to you... Imagine by John Lennon. His lyrics contain a very important message.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... When my book The Naked Ape became a bestseller in 1967.      

The saddest time that shook your world... The death of a tame Chinese water deer called Psyche in 1977. She had crippling arthritis and I held her while the vet gave her the injection. Her look haunts me to this day.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To paint one perfect picture and to write one perfect book.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Never stop asking questions.  

The order of service at your funeral... I won’t be there, so I couldn’t care less. 

The way you want to be remembered... He tried to tell the truth about human and animal behaviour. And as an artist.

The Plug... My new book The Artistic Ape – Three Million Years Of Art is published by Red Lemon Press, £30. Visit www.redlemonpress.com

 

Zoologist And Polymath Desmond Morris

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Published: 9 December 2013

Footballer manager Harry Redknapp:

‘I’m a compulsive bird feeder! I won’t leave for work until I’ve fed them – I hate to think of them going hungry. Bit mad, innit?’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: football manager Harry Redknapp 

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My bulldog Lulu (pictured). I’m a real softie and love going for a walk with her. That’s how I unwind.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Not convincing my parents, Harry and Violet, to move from their flat in the East End of London to our house in Dorset for their last years. Their flat in Stepney was covered in security bars. Mum died eight years ago after a series of strokes and Dad died two years later from cancer, at 82.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin the day with my wife Sandra at the Caruso hotel in Ravello, Italy. I’d have a full English on the terrace while looking at the Amalfi Coast, then walk into the town for a coffee. I’d take our grandchildren – I’ve got seven aged four to 14 – to Disney World in Florida. Lunch would be double pie and mash with liquor [parsley sauce] at Kelly’s in Bethnal Green. Then I’d have jellied eels at two legendary stalls in Aldgate – one is owned by Tubby and the other by Barney. I’d have spicy lobster pasta for dinner at Pitrizza hotel in Sardinia with red wine. I’d end the day in Lapland with the grandkids going on a sleigh ride to meet Father Christmas.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Buying racehorses. I’ve got nine and it’s very expensive, but I love it. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Bobby Charlton’s autobiography. He’s an icon of football.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d hang around the dressing room at QPR to hear what the players say about me.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... People running down Britain. This country is a fantastic place.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Godfather. I love that gangster stuff, which is probably a throwback to growing up in the East End. 

The person who has influenced you most... My dad. He was a docker but he was also passionate about sport. He taught me to be fair and honest.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Muhammad Ali. He was The Greatest and was poetry in motion.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Manners maketh man.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m a compulsive bird feeder! You’ll see me out in the dead of winter at 5am, filling up our bird feeders and tables. We have about 30 and I can easily spend 80 quid on bird food a fortnight in the pet shop. I won’t leave for work until I’ve fed them – I hate to think of them going hungry. Bit mad, innit?

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A gold Omega watch I was given when I won the Junior World Cup with England in 1963. I was in a crash in Italy in 1990 and the watch was gone when I woke up in hospital.

The unending quest that drives you on... For my grandchildren to grow up into clean-cut, good-natured adults.

The poem that touches your soul... I’d be lying if I said I read poetry.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a jack-the-lad wheeler-dealer. I’ve been saddled with that because I have a cockney accent but I’m straight and honest.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... That car crash during the World Cup in 1990. Our minibus was hit by another car. My friend [former footballer] Brian Tiler died and I had a fractured skull. It was horrific and taught me to value every day.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d rob anyone who is cruel to animals of their savings and give it to animal charities.

The song that means most to you... Barry White’s Just The Way You Are reminds me of Sandra. We’ve been married for 47 years. When thinking of me, she’ll probably relate to the line ‘I don’t want clever conversation!’

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Meeting Sandra at a disco at the Two Puddings in Stratford in 1963 when I was 16. I’d be lost without her.

The saddest time that shook your world... When Sandra’s sister Pat [mother of footballer Frank Lampard] died from pneumonia in 2008. It was awful to see the kids so heartbroken.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To lead a football team to the Premiership title. 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Be nice to people on the way up because you might meet them again on the way down. 

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have a church service with Abide With Me because it reminds me of the FA Cup final. I want my ashes laid to rest overlooking the sea near Bournemouth.

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who had time for everyone. 

The Plug... Always Managing by Harry Redknapp, Ebury Press, £20.  

 

 

Footballer Manager Harry Redknapp

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Published: 30 November 2013

TV chef Lorraine Pascale:

 

‘My unending quest? To be at peace in myself. I’ve had challenges which brought insecurities like fear of rejection, abandonment, and never feeling worthy.’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s TV cook Lorraine Pascale’s turn… 

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My teddy bear Gosy. I’ve had him since I was eight. I was adopted when I was 18 months old and then fostered when I was eight [after her adoptive mother became ill. She later returned to her]. I had ups and downs, but Gosy was my constant companion.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I didn’t go to university after school. I made up for it last year though with a first-class honours degree in Culinary Arts Management.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin with a swim in the ocean off Byron Bay, Australia, then I’d join my daughter Ella, 17, for breakfast by the beach with my partner Neil and his three children. I’d have pancakes with bacon, blueberries and maple syrup. Later I’d go for a walk in the Cotswolds, near where I was raised in Oxfordshire, and have scampi and chips with ketchup and tartare sauce and a glass of dry white wine in a country pub. In the afternoon I’d hang out in the old quarter of Barcelona, eating tapas, people-watching and drinking rosé. I wouldn’t drink too much because I’m way gone after two glasses! Dinner would be fillet steak with peppercorn sauce followed by cheesecake and the apple tarte tatin at Le Gavroche in London. I’d end the day at home in west London with friends, watching a DVD.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Soft blue cheese, especially Saint Agur from M&S.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl. It’s a remarkable account about surviving Auschwitz, which I’ve read at least ten times.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d watch Albert Roux cook lunch and Michel Roux Jr cook dinner at Le Gavroche. They are the masters of cooking.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... People who don’t say thank you!

The film you can watch time and time again... Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. I saw it with Ella and we were blown away.

The person who has influenced you most... My adoptive mother Audrey. She taught me to believe in the impossible and the value of hard work. She’s 80 now and has dementia but she was very feisty and a real inspiration.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Ella Fitzgerald – her voice totally captivates me. My daughter was born the year she died, 1996, and was named after her.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Don’t get stuck in a job – do what you love and the rest will follow.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Cars! I’m a petrolhead and was a trainee mechanic in my early 20s so I’m pretty useful under the bonnet.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My ability to eat like a horse without putting on weight. In my 20s I could eat anything and never put on a pound. These days [she’s 41] I spend a lot of time on the treadmill.

The unending quest that drives you on... To be at peace in myself. I’ve had challenges which brought insecurities like fear of rejection, abandonment, and never feeling worthy. Life’s great now, so I’m closer to finding contentment.

The poem that touches your soul... Broken Dreams by Anonymous. It tells you to let go of a situation, then things will sort themselves out.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I don’t eat the food I make! I’m 5ft 10½in, so maybe I look slimmer than I am.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Joining a ten-week course at Leiths School of Food and Wine in London in 2005. I’d been a successful model but was unhappy. I fell in love with cooking on the course.  

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d break into Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly and eat my way round the aisles.

The song that means most to you... There Must Be An Angel by Eurythmics. It came out in 1985 when I was almost 13 and starting to feel grown up.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Ella’s birth. She was the first person I’d ever met who shared the same blood as me.

The saddest time that shook your world... Falling out with a dear friend at 21. The next day I looked in the mirror and realised it was me who was the problem. That was when I realised the impact my childhood was having on my life and decided to get counseling.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To one day have a big, normal, happy family.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Remain true to yourself and stick to your beliefs.  

The order of service at your funeral... I’d have it at a Methodist Church with Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen and Go West by the Pet Shop Boys. There’d be a ‘bring a dish’ party and I want my ashes scattered in Byron Bay – an incredible place from which to float away.

The way you want to be remembered... For my food. For loving it, sharing it and for teaching people how to cook it.

The Plug... A Lighter Way To Bake by Lorraine Pascale, HarperCollins, £20. Visit www.lorrainepascale.com.

 

 

TV Chef Lorraine Pascale

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Actor Brian Cox – Desert Island Pics. Event, Mail on Sunday

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Published: 23 November 2013

Author and Foyle’s War creator Anthony Horowitz:

‘My biggest regret? Meeting Harvey Weinstein! I found him seriously repellant and because of him there is only one Alex Rider movies instead of 10.’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Foyle’s War creator and novelist Anthony Horowitz…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... Our 100-year-old weekend retreat in Orford, Suffolk. My wife Jill [TV producer Jill Green] and I bought it in an auction in 2002 for £200,000. It’s basically an old wooden boat shed with only one bedroom, but it’s right by the sea, with amazing views.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Meeting Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein in 2005. He went on to make Stormbreaker – the film of my first book about teenage spy Alex Rider – and it wasn’t a happy experience. I found him repellent.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin with scrambled eggs at Orford with Jill and our sons Nicholas, 24, and Cassian, 22. I’d write until midday then walk along the coast, ending at Orford Castle. I’d have a dog with me to replace Lucky, our chocolate Labrador, who died two years ago. Jill and I would have grilled lobster for lunch at The Inn hotel, Antigua, then I’d swim and scuba dive. Later we’d shop in New York, then stroll through the Museum of Modern Art. We’d go riding and watch the sunset at Wadi Rum valley, Jordan. After a gin and tonic by Sydney Harbour, we’d watch Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Opera House. We’d end the day at Chez Georges bar in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, drinking Metaxa brandy, which only seems to taste nice in Greece!

The temptation you wish you could resist... Cadbury’s Chocolate Fingers.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Go-Between by LP Hartley. It’s about thwarted childhood and is everlastingly sad. I was 15 when I read it and it started me on my journey towards reading great literature. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d walk into Sir John Chilcot’s home and read his report into the Iraq war, then publish it for the world to see. It’s a monumental scandal that it hasn’t been published. I think the Establishment has stopped it because it finally nails Tony Blair.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Chuggers – people who collect for charity in the street. I loathe their insincerity and lack of knowledge.

The film you can watch time and time again... Cabaret. Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles is amazing, the script is wonderful and the choreography and music are absolutely astonishing.

The person who has influenced you most... My wife. We’ve been married 25 years and she’s steered me through all the trials of being a writer. She’s my mental guru and best friend.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Shakespeare. I’d like to know how he managed to write so much.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Most adults are idiots and you’re much smarter than them.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’ve studied the history of magic – it’s fascinating to know how it works. I own lots of props, but never per-form it. There’s something creepy about people who do – look at Paul Daniels!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My collection of nearly 500 Marvel comics. I had all the X-Men, Fantastic Four and Spider-Man editions from No. 1 onwards. Removal men stole them when we moved when I was 17.

The unending quest that drives you on... For my next book to be better than the previous one.

The poem that touches your soul...This Is The First Thing by Philip Larkin. It has only four lines but it holds a great truth about life and death.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... Many people have pigeonholed me as either the writer of Foyle’s War or Alex Rider – I’ve written many other things.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... The birth of my first son, Nicholas, when I was 33. It shifted me up a generation and changed the way I saw the future.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I‘d blow up Maggi Hambling’s Scallop sculpture on Aldeburgh beach. It’s so trite and twee.

The song that means most to you... The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby. Their music was the background to my childhood.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... The moment we won the auction to buy our Suffolk house.

The saddest time that shook your world... When my mother Joyce told me she had pancreatic cancer at 65. I was inconsolable. She lived another 18 months but died in 1990. She believed in my ideas and inspired me to write.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To have a play  performed at the National Theatre.

The philosophy that underpins your life... To try to be good and helpful. 

The order of service at your funeral... If I have my way there won’t be a funeral, but I won’t be too unhappy if I’m buried in the cemetery at St Bartholomew’s Church in Orford. That’s a decent spot!

The way you want to be remembered... As the author of the Alex Rider series, which I believe helped get a generation of children reading.

The Plug... My new Alex Rider novel, Russian Roulette, is out now published by Walker Books in hardback, digital and audio formats. Visit www.anthony horowitz.com.

 

Author And Foyle’s War Creator Anthony Horowitz

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Published: 16 November 2013

TV Property expert Sarah Beeny:

‘Going to a hen party in 2001 where a girl asked me to screen test for Property Ladder changed my life’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s TV property guru Sarah Beeny

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My photographs, especially from my childhood.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Giving up learning the piano when I was 14. These days I look on in awe and envy when I see someone playing. But I’ve just bought a ukulele.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d start with breakfast in bed with my husband, Graham, and the boys – Billy, nine, Charlie, seven, Rafferty, five,  and Laurie, three – at our home in south London. I’d have Marmite on toast, cut in squares with the crusts trimmed off! Then we’d go skiing in Austria. Graham and I would have lunch – no kids! – at Bucci’s restaurant in Balham. I’d have oysters and mussels with Chablis. Then we’d all go for a walk in the mountains in the South of France, paddling and fishing with nets. I wouldn’t mind a glass of prosecco somewhere romantic in Italy before driving to the Welsh countryside in our new Fiat Ducato motorhome. We’d go for another walk, then back to the van for a round of the card game Uno and to cook sausages and marshmallows on an open fire. I’d finish at Rise Hall [her Yorkshire stately home], which has the best sunsets ever.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Saying inappropriate things at the wrong time. People look at me and think, ‘Did she really say that?’.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss. It’s about taking opportunities and having a free spirit.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’ve got a major crush on Antonio Banderas, so I’d follow him to see what he’s like.

The pet-hate that makes your hackles rise... Petty bureaucracy. I can’t stand being told what to do.

The film you can watch time and time again... How To Train Your Dragon. It’s pure escapism and even has a happy ending, which I always prefer!

The person who has influenced you most... My husband Graham. I’m 41 and we’ve been together since I was 19. He’s fearless – he’s calm about a business failing. He says, ‘As long as we have enough to make beans on toast, we’ll be fine.’

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Elizabeth I. I’d like to know how she coped with the loneliness her power brought.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Positive things happen to positive people.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Lizards. There’s something so prehistoric about them. I want a pet iguana, but Graham won’t let me.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A silver bracelet decorated with daisies and red stones, which was given to me when I was five. It got broken at a party when I was 18.

The unending quest that drives you on... To finally be on top of everything! My inbox would be empty, all the cupboards tidied, the house sorted, the financial books organised. I’ll be dead before it happens, then it won’t matter!

The poem that touches your soul... The Highwayman by Anonymous. My mother, Ann, read it to me when I was seven and it always reminds me of her. She died from breast cancer when she was 39 and I was only ten in 1982.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m bossy. When people meet me they think I’ll start telling them what to do. But I’m quite relaxed. I’m just a busy mum, working hard and feeding my kids.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Going to a hen party in 2001 where a girl asked me to screen test for Property Ladder. I got the job and my TV career took off.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d force everyone who sends an unnecessary email to give me £1. I’d get rich quickly.

The song that means most to you... Shut Up And Kiss Me by US country singer Mary Chapin Carpenter. I sing it to my kids and it makes them giggle.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Walking into Rise Hall in February 2000. It cost £430,000 and we’d swapped a three-bed house in Battersea for it. Now it’s a thriving wedding venue business and an amazing home. 

The saddest time that shook your world... Seeing my dad Richard [now 72] crying after Mum died. We’d all gone away for a last weekend shortly before she died and Dad was crying because he hadn’t put film in his camera properly, so none of the photos we’d taken had come out. It was agonising.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To finish my children’s book. I’m determined to have it published by the end of 2014.

The philosophy that underpins your life... You regret the things you didn’t do in life, not the things you did.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d like a church service with classic hymns and the family could bury me next to Mum or wherever feels right. I’d like a champagne reception at Rise Hall.

The way you want to be remembered... As someone who was smiley and kind.

The Plug... Sarah supports Savvy Switch, LED Hut’s campaign for householders to switch to eco-friendly LED light bulbs. Visit www.ledhut.co.uk or follow @LEDHutLtd on Twitter.

TV Property Expert Sarah Beeny

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Published: 9 November 2013

Wine guru Oz Clarke:

‘I’m not just the "wine man". I was an actor and a singer for ten years in the 70s and 80s and played big parts on the West End stage, like the male lead in Evita’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s wine guru Oz Clarke’s turn…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... The prospectus for Oxford University in 2011 because the cover had a map of the city with the streets renamed after famous former students. My name is bang in the middle of the city near Sir Walter Raleigh and Oscar Wilde. To have my name among such luminaries fills me with pride.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... The years I missed not having my father, Owen, in my life. He died when he was 62 from a virus when I was in my mid-20s. It was such a tremendous shock to lose him.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d watch the sunrise from the top of the white cliffs of Dover and have breakfast in the National Trust cafe up there – fresh, local fried eggs, bacon and sausages. Then I’d arrive at Picinguaba in Brazil, a fishing village between Rio and São Paolo. It’s the most spectacular spot in the world to swim. I’d have fresh fish cooked at a local bar for lunch with a few cold Brazilian beers, like Brahma. In the afternoon I’d go to Port Willunga in South Australia for another swim. I’d then go to the nearby McLaren Vale vineyard for a bottle of d’Arenberg red. I’d end the day in a hut in the Namibian desert. You can sleep on the roof surrounded by sand dunes and the most beautiful night sky you’ll ever see.

The temptation you wish you could resist... I adore potatoes in all their cooked forms. Boiled, mashed, roasted and, of course, chunky chips fried in lard at an old-fashioned chip shop.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Hard Times by Dickens. I read it when I was ten. I had a middle-class upbringing in Canterbury, Kent, and that book opened up a different world, one of suffering and endurance.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d stand beside the conductor John Eliot Gardiner during a performance. He brings such emotion out of his musicians. I’d like to get inside his head to understand how he does it. Pure genius.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Cheating of any kind in life, but particularly in sport.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Big Lebowski with Jeff Bridges. I love the way his character always stands up for honesty. The person who has influenced you most... My father. He was very religious and he taught me to be good.   

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Charles Dickens. I’m fascinated by 19th-century Britain and I’d love to hear him talk about it and for him to tell me how he found his characters. I’d insist on having a pie and pint from his time, then let him taste them from 2013. I think his would be much tastier!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Do to others as you will have them do to you.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Railways. There was a railway line at the end of my garden when I was a boy and I’d dream of it taking me to wonderful places and it made me want to be a train driver. My dad said I’d only earn £10 a week, but I thought that sounded plenty!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... Time.

The unending quest that drives you on... To communicate with audiences.

The poem that touches your soul... The Lake Isle of Innisfree by WB Yeats always brings me a sense peace.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m just the ‘wine man’. I was an actor and a singer for ten years in the 70s and 80s and played big parts on the West End stage, like the male lead in Evita.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting into Oxford. I was released from the straightjacket of a middle-class upbringing. My mum, Kitty, wanted me to be a lawyer, but at Oxford I met other free spirits and it opened up the chance of making a living from my hobbies.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d dismantle all health and safety laws.

The song that means most to you...The Irish folk song She Moved Through The Fair. It reminds me of my mum, who was Irish. She died ten years ago in her late 80s and I sang it at her funeral.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My wedding at Canterbury Cathedral, where I was a choir leader as a boy, in 1998. I never thought I’d get married, but I did and it was amazing.

The saddest time that shook your world... The events of 9/11 really shook my natural optimism and put an element of despair in my soul.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’m 64 now and  just want to keep doing more – more wine, filming, writing and travelling.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Carpe diem. Fill every day.  

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like a church service with Cwm Rhondda – Bread Of Heaven – sung by a huge Welsh choir. I’d like my ashes buried next to my parents in the memorial garden at Canterbury Cathedral.

The way you want to be remembered...As a generous, fair and happy man who helped democratise wine in Britain.

The Plug... Oz Clarke’s Pocket Wine Book 2014 is published by Pavilion, £11.99. Visit www.ozclarke.com.

 

Wine Guru Oz Clarke

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Published: 2 November 2013

Actor and Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp:

‘I regret how Spandau Ballet finished in 1990 with us suing one another. We’d been mates since childhood so to have all those great years end in animosity was upsetting’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: actor and musician Martin Kemp…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My iPhone. I’m 52 and come from a generation that didn’t have these things, so I know how difficult the world was without them. I travel a lot and use it to keep in touch with my family. I’d be lost without it.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend... The way Spandau Ballet finished in 1990 with us suing one another. We’d been mates since childhood so to have all those great years end in animosity was upsetting. Thankfully, we got back together in 2009 and sorted it all out.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... My wife Shirlie and I would wake up at Château Miraval in the south of France. We’d have croissants and coffee on the terrace, then get in an old Porsche 911 and drive along the coast road to San Remo in Italy for lunch.

I’d have pasta with garlic and oil. In the afternoon, we’d chill on St James beach in Barbados with the kids – our daughter Harley Moon, 24, and son Roman, 20. I’d begin the evening in Monte Carlo with some champagne, then head to a casino for a game of blackjack. I’d fly back to Barbie for dinner at The Cliff with all the family. I’d have lobster and a few glasses of decent sauvignon blanc.

The temptation you wish you could resist... I’m a pig when it comes to chocolate. Dairy Milk is my weakness. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Self-help book The Road Less Travelled by M Scott Peck. Shirlie gave it to me when I was recovering from two brain tumours in 1995. It calmed me.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d sit in when Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is talking to the directors. For once, I’d have inside information rather than be a typical fan surviving off rumours.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... I hate it when people go outside for a fag then come back and puff smoke from their last drag into the room.

The film you can watch time and time again... Goodfellas is the best gangster movie. Ray Liotta is outstanding and I used a lot of his performance when I played Steve Owen in EastEnders.

The person who has influenced you most... Anna Scher [the legendary drama teacher]. My mum sent me to her drama school when I was eight because I was shy. Anna gave me confidence.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Adolf Hitler. I’d simply like to look into his eyes and ask him ‘Why?’

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... The Three Ps: Professionalism, Punctuality and Preparation.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m a total geek and I love reading gadget magazines. My latest fixation is 4K TV. It’s like HD TV gone berserk – I’ve got to get one.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My red 1969 4.2 litre E-Type Jaguar. I bought it in 1988 for £12,000 and a year later sold it back to the same guy for £20,000. It’d be worth £100,000 now.

The unending quest that drives you on... Just to keep going professionally.

The poem that touches your soul... I’ve never been into poetry, but the lyrics to David Bowie’s Lady Stardust, about a pop star, are very poetic.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Discovering that I had brain tumours. My life had been going so perfectly and then, boom! Going through all that did teach me to really value the good times.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m Gary Kemp! I have had long conversations with people who think they are talking to Gary and I’ve not even bothered correcting them. I’m past explaining it and so is Gary, who is always getting called Martin!  â€¨The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal the Millennium Star diamond.  

The song that means most to you... My One Temptation by Mica Paris from 1988. When I hear it I always have an image of Shirlie in a tiny white dress on the back of a pick-up truck coming to marry me on top of a cliff in St Lucia.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... The day in 1983 when us Spandau lads found out True was No 1.

The saddest time that shook your world... The joint funeral for my mum and dad in 2009 [Eileen, 77, and Frank, 79]. They died within four days of each other from heart attacks. It was so unreal and devastating to know I’d never see either of them again.  

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To star in a perfect film that stands the test of time.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Don’t burn your bridges.

The order of service at your funeral... I’m an atheist, so don’t want anything religious. I’d like Lady Stardust, My One Temptation and to be taken out to Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run. I’m sure my ashes will end up in the garden with Mum and Dad and some of our dogs.

The way you want to be remembered... As a nice guy. That’s all that matters.

The Plug... I have two films out next year – Assassin with Danny Dyer and Gary and Top Dog, which I’m directing. You can follow me on Twitter @realmartinkemp.

Actor And Spandau Ballet Star Martin Kemp

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Published: 26 October 2013

Blue Peter legend Valerie SIngleton:

‘I’m gay? It’s utter, total, stupid nonsense. I’ve always gone out with men, probably far too many. If I wrote the real story of my life it would totally shock a lot of people’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Blue Peter legend Valerie Singleton

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A painting by the English artist Edna Bizon of a cow eating straw that I bought in the 80s for £500. I live next to a farm in Dorset, so it’s fitting. It’s very realistic and she stares back at me in my breakfast room.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I have been such a spendthrift and not saved for my old age. When I have had money in the past, I always enjoyed spending it. If I hadn’t done that, I’d be a lot richer now, but I’m still very comfortable. I am 76 and I need to keep working, but that’s fine because I feel 56 and love what I do. I enjoy working, so it’s not a problem for me. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin with a drive along Dorset’s Jurassic coast. I’d then have breakfast at the Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock. From there I’d arrive in Alaska in the depths of winter. I’d look around the art galleries and at the ice sculptures, and hopefully see some moose. I’d take a high-speed snowmobile ride across the ice – it can be scary but very exciting! After that, I’d do a whistle-stop tour of two of my favourite cities – Vancouver and Boston. I’d have a delicious dinner in Bologna with friends, then end the day back in Alaska at the Chena Hot Springs relaxing in a big outdoor Jacuzzi while watching the Northern Lights.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Designer chocolates shaped like new potatoes made by Rococo, in Chelsea. They’re divine – but not cheap! 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Prospero’s Cell by Lawrence Durrell about his time in Corfu in the late 30s. It reminds me of a holiday there in 1976 when I bumped into Lawrence and had lunch with him. Later he posted me a signed copy of the book, which I will always treasure.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d eliminate all the awful dictators.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... The way London Underground stations are organised so that everyone bumps into one another.

The film you can watch time and time again... Roman Holiday. I’ve always adored Audrey Hepburn. When I was 22 I had a nose job and asked the surgeon to make the new one just like Hepburn’s – but he said it wasn’t possible!

The person who has influenced you most... An art teacher called Albert Adams. I did a two-year History of Art course in the mid-80s and he taught me how to appreciate paintings.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Jesus Christ. On a basic level, I’d love to know what he looked like. On a bigger level, I’d ask him if he approved of all the things that have happened in his name. Just imagine the conversation!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Have a go and do not fear failure because at the very least you will have tried.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Astronomy. I like to lie on a sun lounger looking at the stars. Recently I saw a meteor with a great spray of white. Amazing!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A rubies and pearls ring my parents gave me for my 21st birthday. It cost £12.50 – a fortune in 1958. It vanished from the Blue Peter studio.

The unending quest that drives you on... To never lose my curiosity.

The poem that touches your soul... I’m moved by this line written by a young girl that was translated from Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, ‘You did not come to the river tonight. I think you do not love me any more.’

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m gay! It’s utter, total, stupid nonsense. I’ve always gone out with men, probably far too many. If I wrote the real story of my life it would totally shock a lot of people, but I’m not brave enough.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting the job on Blue Peter in 1962 was wonderful and changed everything.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal Claude Monet’s The Magpie painting from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

The song that means most to you... What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye. It makes me want to dance.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Buying my flat in Fulham in 1985. It gave me a great sense of security as well as freedom. I sold the flat in 2005 and moved to Dorset.

The saddest time that shook your world... The death of my mother Eileen. She died of septicaemia in hospital after a fall. She was 84.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To have at least one more successful romance before I die! But I only really like men who are much younger than me.

The philosophy that underpins your life... To live in the moment.

The order of service at your funeral... My body’s going to medical research but whatever’s left I’d like to be cremated. I’ve left my friends specific things in my will and they can fight over the rest. 

The way you want to be remembered... She was always great fun to be with. 

The Plug... I am a director of Simplicity Computers, which has developed software called Envelope that makes computers easier to use. Visit www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk.

 

Blue Peter Legend Valerie SIngleton

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Published: 19 October 2013

F1 commentator Murray Walker:

‘I would love to follow Bernie Ecclestone round for the day. I have known him for 50 years but I still don’t really know him. He’s an enigma’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: F1 commentator Murray Walker…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My OBE, which was presented to me by the Queen in 1996. I’m fervently patriotic, so I was very proud when I got it. When I met Her Majesty she smiled and said, ‘I seem to have been listening to you for a long time!’

The big regret you wish you could amend... That I never raced in the Isle of Man TT motorbike race. My father Graham won it in 1931. I was a good club racer on bikes but it’s a demanding race and I didn’t have the nerve.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up with Elizabeth – my wife of 53 years – at the Four Seasons Hotel overlooking Sydney Harbour. We don’t have children, so it would be just us all day. We’d have breakfast – muesli, fruit and coffee for me – looking at the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from the balcony of our room. I’d then arrive in the Scottish Highlands for a walk near Ben Nevis. I’d also like to explore Wales, which I don’t know well. We’d have lunch on a boat on the Danube in Hungary, then I’d go to Spa to watch my friend Nigel Mansell win the Belgian Grand Prix, before a cream tea at the Chewton Glen Hotel near our home in Hampshire. We’d have an aperitif somewhere classically Italian in Milan and dinner looking at Table Mountain in Cape Town with a few glasses of local shiraz red wine.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Watching too much television. I can easily watch four hours a day.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Nuvolari – the biography of the pre-war Italian racing driver Tazio Nuvolari. He made cars do things they were not intended to do.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d follow F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone around to see what he’s really like. He’s an enigma.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Being tailgated on the motorway. It’s dangerous, stupid and intolerable.

The film you can watch time and time again... Chicago with Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger. I love the music, the choreography and the zany storyline.

The person who has influenced you most... A man called Jack Wynne-Williams. I worked for his advertising agency in my mid-30s and he taught me how to work with people.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Winston Churchill. I’d be awestruck, but I’d love to talk to him about the planning of D-Day.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... The same piece of advice my father gave me when I was about 12, ‘It doesn’t matter what you know, but who you know.’ You can be a genius, but it’s of little use if you have an obnoxious personality.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Hitler. I’ve read huge books about his life because I’m amazed how a little army corporal and a failed artist could rise to hold such power and create a world war, murder millions and destroy his country. I’m no admirer, but his story is fascinating.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A gold bracelet Elizabeth gave me in 1964, which fell off when I was walking in Scotland.

The unending quest that drives you on... To stay physically healthy. I’m 90 and in June I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – blood cancer – but luckily I don’t need chemotherapy. 

The poem that touches your soul... John Betjeman’s Slough amuses me.
The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a nincompoop who gets things wrong. I’ve never made errors of fact in my commentary but the odd wrong word, or ‘Murrayism’ has crept in.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Joining the Army in 1942 at 19. I ended up a troop commander in charge of three tanks and I saw things that would change anyone.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... There’s far too much crime in the world!  

The song that means most to you... Rule, Britannia! always stirs me.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... I thought my career was over when the BBC lost control of Formula 1 in 1996, but the next day I was offered a job at ITV. I was euphoric!

The saddest time that shook your world... The deaths of my parents. My father died too young at 66 from a heart attack. My mother Elsie lived to 101 and despite her age, I was sad to lose her.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To walk properly again. I’ve been on crutches for four months after breaking my pelvis in a fall! 

The philosophy that underpins your life... Treat your fellow man decently.

The order of service at your funeral... I’ll have a simple humanist service. I want my ashes scattered at Jimmy Guthrie’s Memorial along the TT course on the Isle of Man. Jimmy was a famous rider and a family friend.

The way you want to be remembered... As a decent bloke.

The Plug... The staff at Salisbury Hospital, Wiltshire, are trying to raise money for a CT Scanner. Please donate at www.starsappeal.org.

 

 

F1 Commentator Murray Walker

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Published: 12 October 2013

Artist Jack Vettriano:

‘I’m intrigued by violence and evil. I’ve read several books about Fred West’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s best-selling artist Jack Vettriano’s turn…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A French mahogany Art Deco desk I bought for £6,000 at an auction in Nice eight years ago. It’s a timeless piece that’s exquisitely made.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... That I didn’t see enough of my parents. My mum Catherine died in 2010 at 84 and my dad, William, died last year at 86. For decades we had a geographic separation – me in London, them in Scotland. But we were also living in other worlds, so on a deeper level we never really connected.  

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up in a beautiful hotel in Positano, Italy, with my girlfriend Siobhan. I’d hire a red 1959 Mercedes 190SL convertible and cruise north along the coast road to Rome. We’d wander around the city, then arrive at Juan-les-Pins on the Côte d’Azur, France, for lunch. I’d have a salade Niçoise and a chilled glass of Sancerre, then a dip in the sea and a doze on the beach. In the afternoon, I’d go for a walk in the stunning countryside of Fife in Scotland, which I know well from my childhood. We’d go to Tate Britain in the evening to look at works by the St Ives artists and Francis Bacon. I’d have dinner at The Wolseley on Piccadilly. Recently, they’ve let me sit at Lucian Freud’s old table, which is quite an honour. I’d have whitebait, followed by a cheeseburger – without the bun. I’d end the day at my London flat watching a DVD and smoking a cigarette – or five!

The temptation you wish you could resist... Smoking. I’ve been smoking since I was 14. I’m on 30 a day now.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... A Kind Of Loving by Stan Barstow. It’s about a lad trying to break free from his mining town in Yorkshire and has parallels with my own story of moving away from Scotland.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d listen in on a conversation between Andy Murray and his coach Ivan Lendl before a major final. I’m intrigued to know how he inspires Andy. 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Waiters who say ‘no problem’. I know it’s not a problem – I’m paying!

The film you can watch time and time again... The Cook, The Thief, His Wife And Her Lover by Peter Greenaway. Helen Mirren’s great, but Michael Gambon’s incredible performance steals it. 

The person who has influenced you most... W Gordon Smith, the Scottish art critic, playwright and TV presenter. He encouraged me at the outset of my career when I was getting flak from other critics. He died in 1996.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... I’d have a wild night with Vincent van Gogh around the time he was losing his mind, so I could try and understand what he was going through.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Follow your dreams.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m intrigued by violence and evil. I’ve read several books about Fred West because I’m staggered someone can be that bad.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A self-portrait by British artist Jenny Saville. I bought it for £300 in 1999 and sold it later for £50,000. It’d be worth £100,000 now.

The unending quest that drives you on... To keep on painting. 

The poem that touches your soul.. A Man’s A Man For A’ That by Robert Burns. It says that after the achievements of any life a man is a man, just that.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a nightmare to live with! My girlfriend says it’s the truth, but I like to think I’m considerate and pretty OK.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... The day in 1989 when two of my paintings were accepted by the Royal Scottish Academy and sold immediately. I realised I might have a future in painting.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal Francis Bacon’s Triptych, May-June 1973. I love its haunting darkness.

The song that means most to you.. A Red, Red Rose by Burns. It tells you how deep true love can go.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... The opening of my A Contrast Of Styles show in Edinburgh in 1991. All 25 paintings sold, and suddenly I had some money and a career.

The saddest time that shook your world... The death of my father. He was a miner and there was never a person prouder of what I’d achieved. No one could step inside his house without him showing them a picture by his lad! I’m still coming to terms with his death.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’d love the French actress Catherine Deneuve to sit for me so I could paint her into a picture.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Always be kind. 

The order of service at your funeral..I’d want a church service in Scotland with a reading of Burns’ Ae Fond Kiss. I’d like my ashes to rest next to my parents at the crematorium in Kirkcaldy.

The way you want to be remembered... At least I tried!

The Plug... Jack Vettriano: A Retrospective, Kelvingrove Gallery, Glasgow until 23 Feb. www.jackvettriano.com.

 

Artist Jack Vettriano

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Published: 5 October 2013

Actor Warwick Davis:

‘I want to be remembered as the actor who just happened to be short’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actor Warwick Davis’s turn…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My MacBook Pro laptop. I use it all the time for work and leisure, like watching TV and to make video calls to my family when I’m away.

The biggest regret you wish you could amend... Giving up learning the piano when I was eight because the lure of the BMX bike was too strong. I longingly look at people who can play.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have breakfast at home in Cambridgeshire with my wife Sam and our kids Annabel, 16, and Harrison, 10 – porridge and a slice of toast with marmalade to dip in. We’d fly to Islamorada in the Florida Keys to go out on a boat to a sand bar. The water’s shallow there and is the only place I can swim and touch the bottom [Warwick is 3ft 6in]. The whole family find [actor and TV presenter] Karl Pilkington really entertaining so we’d have lunch with him at a pie and mash shop in London. Then we’d go to the stunning Wrynose Pass in the Lake District, followed by a cream tea in Ambleside. I’d love to be able to stand on a glacier anywhere after that, before having dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in Los Angeles. I’d end the day with fresh orange juice on a terrace at Miami’s Acqualina hotel.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Chocolate. My brain tells me to eat fruit, then my emotions overrule it and I eat a bar of Dairy Milk.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Giants: The Dwarfs Of Auschwitz, about the Ovitz family of seven dwarfs who survived the death camp. It’s so powerful and inspiring.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d listen in on my agent to hear what he says about me. I’d like to know how he reacts when someone doesn’t want me for a job! The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... People throwing litter, particularly out of cars. I once saw some builders throwing fish and chip wrappers out of their van, and I threw them back in.

The film you can watch time and time again... Planes, Trains And Automobiles – a great comedy with a big heart.

The person who has influenced you most... George Lucas. He cast me as an Ewok in Return Of The Jedi when I was 11. It changed my life, and I’ve worked with him a lot since. He’s always been there to give me advice.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Hitler. I’d like to understand what his problem was with people he considered not ‘normal’, especially those with disabilities.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Don’t wish away your life.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’ve raced 1/10th scale radio-controlled cars for years, but my kids are into it now and I’ve been relegated from driver to mechanic!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My free time. I can’t shake off the ethos that I should take every job because it might be the last, so I end up working 52 weeks a year.

The unending quest that drives you on... To entertain people.

The poem that touches your soul... I’m not into poetry but I connect with Yoda’s words to Luke Skywalker when training him to be a Jedi: ‘Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no "try".’ It’s how I live.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That, as an actor, I earn millions of pounds!

The event that altered the course of your life and character... The day in 1981 when my grandmother Eileen heard Star Wars were looking for small people. She called my mum, who contacted the film studio, and I got the part.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d do a sophisticated heist on Barclays, because they weren’t very nice to me once!

The song that means most to you... A Groovy Kind Of Love by Phil Collins. It was the song Sam and I did the first dance to at our wedding in 1991.  

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Scoring my one and only goal in football, when I was eight. I never used to get the ball and just stood around. But in one big match the ball bounced off me and went in the goal. The lads went nuts and lifted me up because it meant we’d won the game!

The saddest time that shook your world... The death of our son Lloyd after nine days in 1991. He’d inherited different genetic conditions of dwarfism from Sam and me, which is always a fatal combination. It was awful, but he touched many people in that short time and brought a lot of good.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To direct a big-budget action comedy film, preferably with Will Ferrell and Chevy Chase.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Enjoy everything as if it’s the last time you’ll do it.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d probably have a traditional church service. I want my ashes scattered in the Lake District so I can waft around those beautiful hills for eternity.

The way you want to be remembered... The actor who happened to be short.

The Plug... Warwick Davis appears  in Spamalot at The Playhouse Theatre, London until 19 October, for tickets visit www.spamalotwestend.co.uk.   

Actor Warwick Davis

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Published: 28 September 2013

French Masterchef Raymond Blanc:

‘My biggest regret was missing my sons growing up because I was working 18-hour days, six days a week. But things worked out well because we all have a loving bond now’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of master chef and all-round gentleman Raymond Blanc…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000 record player from 1972. It cost me about £50, which was a fortune then. It is a design of classic beauty.

The big regret you wish you could amend... Missing my sons growing up. I hardly saw Oli, 38, and Sebastien, 31, in their early years because I was working 18-hour days, six days a week. But things worked out well because we all have a loving bond now.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have a very early breakfast at a café in Place de l’Opéra in Paris and watch the city wake up. I’d have a triple espresso coffee and a croissant. I’d then go to the Maldives to walk on the finest white sand and scuba dive over a beautiful coral reef with my sons. It’s best to have them with me because they have saved my life many times in the water! From there, I’d visit the lemon grass fields in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. This amazing area has inspired me so much. I’d then marvel at Iguazu Falls in Brazil. For dinner, I’d go to the wonderful Japanese restaurant Zuma in London and have a feast with plenty of sake. I’d end the day back in Brazil, dancing the samba on the beach in Rio, before staying the night at the Copacabana Palace hotel.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Red pinot noir and cheese to unwind after work. I’m 63 and shouldn’t eat such things so close to midnight! 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Idiot by 19th-century Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It’s one of the great human dramas.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d guide the hands of world leaders from signing documents that create war and pain.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Bad eating manners. It’s disrespectful to the food and the cook.

The film you can watch time and time again... Dr Zhivago. I love its frozen landscape and the mastery of its acting. Julie Christie is incredible and Omar Sharif is my hero. I met him recently and I hugged him and told him how much I admire him.

The person who has influenced you most... My mother Maman. She’s 91 and when I was a boy she gave me a deep understanding of food, its purity and nobility, and how it celebrates life.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Alexander the Great. He was a military genius who ruled half the world when he was 22. To understand what drove him would be fascinating.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Always consider the consequences of whatever you do.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Sailing. I love to go out to sea on a one-man catamaran.   

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My innocence.

The unending quest that drives you on... The search for total excellence in everything that I do. 

The poem that touches your soul... Le Dormeur du Val [The Sleeper Of The Valley] by the 19th-century French poet Arthur Rimbaud. It’s about a soldier found dead in a valley and I first read it when I was 14. It was so moving it felt like a knife going into my flesh.

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Being hit with a frying pan by a chef when I was 21 after I questioned his cooking. It broke my jaw and I lost my job. I was exiled to England and it was then that I knew what my life would be.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I’m a businessman. All that matters to me is the creation of something beautiful.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal Marc Chagall’s painting La Mariée [The Bride]. I love Chagall’s work.

The song that means most to you...Imagine by John Lennon. I am a romantic and its naivety is so touching.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Seeing the house for the first time in 1983 that was to become Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons [his two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Oxfordshire]. I saw it advertised for sale and fell in love, so I knocked on the door and the owner, Lady Cromwell, answered. I thought she was the cleaner! I told her I wanted to buy it, so she invited me in for tea and agreed to sell it to me.

The saddest time that shook your world... The death from liver cancer of my best friend René Simon when he was only 50. We grew up together.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... For Le Manoir to remain a centre of excellence.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Always be curious.   

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a church service and they’d play Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel with Tasmin Little on violin. I will prepare the menu for my friends to enjoy dinner afterwards with plenty of pinot noir.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who created special and unforgettable moments for people.

The Plug... Raymond has created the recipes for Henri Le Worm: The Missing Cookbook app for iPhone and iPad, £2.99. Twitter @HENRILEWORM, www.henrileworm.com. And visit Raymond’s remarkable restaurant and hotel Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. www.manoir.com

French Masterchef Raymond Blanc

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Published: 21 September 2013

Actress Lynda Bellingham:

 

‘I want my coffin to go out to a blast of There’s No Business Like Showbusiness and for people to simply remember as a good woman.’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Loose Women’s Lynda Bellingham.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My home in North London, which is a big apartment in a converted 19th century hospital.Michael [her third husband, property developer Michael Pattemore] and I bought it seven years ago and I love it for its space and huge vaulted ceilings. As an actor, you live much of your life like a gypsy, so my home represents security and it is my sanctuary.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t go to university. I went to drama school right after my A-levels when I was 18 and I have always felt insecure intellectually. I’m 65 and even now I think of doing a History of Art degree, but I don’t know how I would find the time.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I would have croissants and a big bowl of cafe au lait for breakfast in Montmartre, Paris, with Michael. We’d spend the morning walking around the city then fly to Positano, Italy, for lunch with my two sons, Michael (30) and Robert (25) and my stepson Brad (24). I’d have seafood linguine and some Neopolitan potato croquettes – potato with mozzarella and a basil leaf inside. They are amazing! I hardly drink these days, but I’d have a glass of Amarone red wine, then have a nice doze on the beach. I have never been to Japan, so I’d go to Tokyo in the afternoon for a tea ceremony with my sister Jean (60). In the evening I’d see a new play on Broadway, then have an Arnold Bennett omelette with chips for dinner back in London at The Delaunay. Michael and I would end the day in the bridal suite at the Athenaeum hotel on Piccadilly, which is where we spent our wedding night in 2008.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Clotted cream is paradise, but it is so bad for you on every level. I was obsessed with cream and meringue as a girl and this is a throwback to that. Cream is the taste of childhood because I was brought up on a farm.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Wind in the Willows. I first read it when I was eight after my granny gave me the book and I still have that copy. I read it to my boys, so it has a nice constant thread in our family. It is a fabulous story with such wonderful characters, especially Mole because he loves his home so much – just like me!

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I would stop men hitting the women they love. I would do something to distract them and make them think. I suffered domestic violence in my second marriage, so I know the damage it does. It is so important that it is stopped.

The pet-hate that makes your hackles rise...People who do not show respect for others. There’s an ignorance in the world at the moment, which leads to a total lack of consideration. I see it a lot in young people, but it is as if they don’t know any different, which makes me sad and angry.

The film you can watch time and time again...Lawrence
of Arabia. I saw it at the cinema in 1962 and I was mesmerised. I must have seen it 20 times since and it never fails to move me. I had a crush on Peter O’Toole when I was younger. Those piercing blue eyes did it for me!

The person who has influenced you most...My father Donald. He was a bomber pilot in the Second World War. He had such humility and huge integrity. He was a very fair man who taught me the importance of the truth.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Joan of Arc. I would love to understand how she found the strength of belief in her faith. The challenges she faced were immense, yet she never faltered.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t ever let anyone frighten you. No one has the right to do that.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Serial killers! I have been utterly fascinated by them since I was a teenager and have read loads of books about them. I think my life has been so happy and full of love, that I am intrigued by the darkness of evil people. Killers like Dennis Nilsen are endlessly fascinating because he appeared so normal, yet he did unspeakable things.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My singing voice. At drama school I was tipped to perform in musicals but early in my career I was forced to hit ‘top Cs’ in productions that over-stretched my voice. It was completely wrecked and never recovered, which is sad.

The unending quest that drives you on...To see my three children own lovely houses. I am horrified at property prices and vow to do all I can to help them have the security of their own home – but I will probably have to win the Lottery!

The poem that touches your soul...Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116. It is about the meaning of love and what makes it last. This is something I have grown to appreciate as I have got older. And when you understand it, you learn that love is a great energy giver that feeds your soul.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I am calm and have everything sorted. This is what I have always presented to the world, but it takes a lot of stress and organising to appear the way I do! In reality I am like a duck going calmly going across the water, while underneath it is paddling like mad!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting cancer. I was diagnosed on 2nd July 2013 and it was a shock that came totally out of left field. The biggest change for me is that I no longer feel in control and, as a consequence, I don’t take anything for granted.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would free all those poor girls trapped in sex trafficking, then round up all those evil, cowardly men who run that business and make their lives utterly miserable and eating pig poo until the end of time.

The song that means most to you...Yesterday by The Beatles. This is Paul McCartney at his cherubic best. Above all, I love its melancholy and depth.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Knowing that I am not going to die any time soon. On the same day of my diagnosis, I was told that the prognosis is totally positive. There has been so much progress in medicine in recent years that getting cancer is no longer an automatic death sentence. I might have to take medication for the rest of my life, but so do people with diabetes.

The saddest time that shook your world...My parents dying within three weeks of each other in early 2005. My father died from a heart attack in his sleep when he was 86, and my mother Ruth was 84 when she died from a stroke after years of suffering from Alzheimer’s. They were wonderful, kind people who adopted me when I was four months old. When they both died I felt like an orphan again. It was only meeting Michael around that time that helped me get through it.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To win an Oscar for Best Actress when I am 75. Maybe I can get one for being best newcomer!

The philosophy that underpins your life...Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The order of service at your funeral...It will be at St Stephen Walbrook church in the City of London where I got married. I would come in to a piece from Elgar’s Enigma Variations and go out to All You Need Is Love by The Beatles. But just as I reach the door there will be a blast of There’s No Business Like Showbusiness to wake everyone up! I already know I am going to be buried in the cemetery at Crewkerne in Somerset – because two years ago Michael bought us a plot side-by-side there! He sent me a picture message to tell me. Very romantic!

The way you want to be remembered...Simply as a good woman.

The Plug...My debut novel Tell Me Tomorrow is out now, published by Simon & Schuster, priced £12.99. For details visit www.lyndabellingham.com.


Lynda Bellignham died in her husband’s arms at a London hospital on 19th October 2014 from colon cancer. She was 66.

 

 

Actress Lynda Bellingham

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Published: 14 September 2013

Actress Jenny Agutter:

‘Acting isn’t all about meeting famous people and going to premieres. It’s more about learning lines and long days filming, often dressed in a summer frock in winter!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actress Jenny Agutter’s turn…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My Art Deco engagement ring from my husband [entrepreneur John Tham]. We’ve been married for 22 years and this ring represents the start of such an important, happy journey.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend... Not talking to my mum more about her early life before she died from a stroke in 2005, aged 76.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have coffee, muffins and porridge for breakfast at Sarabeth’s cafe on Park Avenue in New York, then walk through Central Park before seeing the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s stunning collection of Buddhas. After that, I’d fly to Tobago in the Caribbean and go snorkelling among the turtles at Castara beach. I’d have a roti for lunch and hang out with the locals at Marvin’s bar. I’d spend the afternoon walking the coastal path in Cornwall with John and our son Jonathan, 22, ending up in Cadgwith harbour for a clotted cream tea. In the evening I’d have sushi in Kyoto, Japan, before seeing a new play at the Almeida Theatre in London’s Islington with John. We’d end with dinner at Ottolenghi’s restaurant nearby with some prosecco.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Booja-Booja organic dark chocolate. Before I know it I’ve eaten the lot!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. It has wonderful language and little pieces of wisdom that become relevant at different stages in your life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d follow one of the Queen’s courtiers to see what really goes on at Buckingham Palace.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... When people come up to me and say, ‘You don’t remember me, do you?’ It puts me in an impossible position because it’s hard to remember everyone instantly. Please give me a clue first! 

The film you can watch time and time again... Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday with Jacques Tati. I know exactly what’s coming, but still laugh with the anticipation of what’s about to happen.

The person who has influenced you most... The late, legendary publicity agent Theo Cowan, who looked after me for 15 years from when I was 11. I’d ask his advice about a film roles and he’d say, ‘Is the location nice and will the food be good?’ I loved his humour.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Mary Wollstonecraft, the 18th-century writer and women’s rights activist. She was ahead of her time and fighting for things that women today take for granted, like even owning possessions. I’d love to know what made her tick.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Enjoy playing, but respect education because it’s a fantastic tool that will bring so much to your life.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... I’m fascinated by old photo albums featuring people who are now dead. It’s like looking at ghosts.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A small silver Art Nouveau carriage clock my parents gave me for my 21st birthday. It was stolen in a burglary at our holiday home in Cornwall about 12 years ago.

The unending quest that drives you on... To finish all the projects I’ve started!

The poem that touches your soul... A E Housman’s Into My Heart An Air That Kills, from A Shropshire Lad. There’s a sadness and a powerful honesty to it. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That acting is all about meeting famous people and going to premieres. It’s more about learning lines and long days filming, often dressed in a summer frock in winter!

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Getting my first film role in Disney’s Ballerina, aged about 11. Until then I had no real intention of being an actor and would probably have gone into photography or graphic design.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal Turner’s The Burning Of The Houses Of Lords And Commons painting from America’s Cleveland Museum Of Art. I love Turner’s work so to own it would be amazing.

The song that means most to you... Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A- Changin’. I was at boarding school when I first heard it and it really touched me. 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... My 60th birthday last December. I threw a party for a dozen of the most important people in my life in Marrakech. But I still can’t believe I’m 60. I don’t feel any different to when I was 35!

The saddest time that shook your world... My mother’s death. Even now, I feel really sorry I can’t phone her.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To make a film about E Nesbit, creator of The Railway Children.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Grab opportunities as they arise.

The order of service at your funeral... It would begin with some Bach and end with The Carnival Is Over by The Seekers, with a big party afterwards.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who made a contribution, was loved, and left little damage.

The Plug... Jenny supports the Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s campaign to stop one in three sufferers who need a lung transplant dying on the waiting list. Visit www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk.

Actress Jenny Agutter

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Published: 7 September 2013

Actor Tom Conti:

Tom Conti: ‘I regret I didn’t become an orchestra conductor. Music was my first love, but then I joined drama school’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of actor Tom Conti

 

The prized possession you value above all others... My Yamaha grand piano. I bought it in 1980 for £6,000, a fortune then. I started playing when I was four and play, badly, whenever I can.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t become an orchestra conductor. Music was my first love, but then I joined drama school. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d begin with a full monty breakfast in our garden in Hampstead, then I’d captain a 737 jet in the latest hi-tech flight simulator at Heathrow Airport – I dreamt of being a pilot when I was a boy. I’d have lunch at the Bauer hotel in Venice with my wife Kara and our daughter Nina [the ventriloquist] and her sons – Arthur, nine, and Drummond, two. After lunch, I’d listen to a rehearsal of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony by the Berlin Philharmonic in Berlin, then head to Paris for a concert at Salle Pleyel. Kara and I would have dinner at La Coupole, then check in to the best room at Hotel de Crillon. I’d end the day on the terrace overlooking Paris with an espresso, a Montecristo No.4 cigar and a glass of Rémy Martin brandy.

The temptation you wish you could resist...The four things that make up my dream combination: chocolate, coffee, brandy and cigars.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Summerhill School by Alexander Neill from 1960. It’s a remarkable book about educating  children and it teaches you that you cannot win with discipline.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d follow Vladimir Putin around the Kremlin to see what he gets up to. 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Camden Council’s planning department. I hate the way they kowtow to developers and let them do things to the terrible detriment of residents.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Graduate from 1967. The director Mike Nichols created such a ground-breaking film. And, of course, it was the first time we saw the incredible Dustin Hoffman.

The person who has influenced you most...Kara. We’ve been married for 47 years and she’s made me a much freer spirit. I was an ordinary thinker before I met her, but she made me think differently about the world.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...St Paul. He started Christianity by creating the myth of Jesus. I don’t believe any of it, so I’d ask him why he made it up.
The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... ‘I want’ doesn’t get!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Quantum physics. I’m deeply fascinated by how things work on a microscopic level – these things will lead us to extraordinary revelations.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The dexterity in my fingers. I’m 71 now and about two years ago arthritis began to set in.

The unending quest that drives you on...Like every other person, I’m driven by the need to keep paying the energy companies and the tax man!

The poem that touches your soul...For Johnny by John Pudney. It’s about the death of wartime pilots and the need for others to look after their children.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m difficult to work with. I was astounded to hear from fellow actors that this rumour has been going round for years. They all say it’s rubbish – and  it is!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting the part of Adam Morris in the BBC mini-series The Glittering Prizes in 1976. It thrust me into the public’s awareness.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d turn off all the traffic lights in London. They’re a massive waste of energy.

The song that means most to you...Caro Mio Ben (My Dear Beloved) sung by the Italian tenor Beniamino Gigli. It reminds me of my father, who used to play it on his gramophone in the 1940s.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Hearing we had great reviews for Whose Life Is It Anyway? after we opened on Broadway in 1979. I ended up getting a Tony award for Best Actor.

The saddest time that shook your world...The sudden death from a heart attack of my brother-in-law Gordon McBain ten years ago when he was 68. He was a lovely, colourful  man.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play Bach’s 48 preludes and fugues, probably the greatest things ever written for the keyboard. It’s a distant dream. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be kind and always try to understand the other person. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not religious so I’d have a service in my garden, with a couple of Brahms waltzes and a reading from the works of [renowned atheist] Richard Dawkins to get everyone’s attention!

The way you want to be remembered...For not being an eejit all of the time! 

The Plug...Tom stars in romantic comedy City Slacker, which premieres on Sky Movies on 13

September. Visit www. scoopfilms.com. He’s also touring in the play Rough Justice until 26 October. For details visit tomconti.co.uk  

Actor Tom Conti

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Published: 31 August 2013

Singer and TV presenter Olly Murs:

‘I wish I devoted myself to studying music and drama when I was 16. I feared my mates would think I was a sissy, so I qualified to be a personal trainer’

 

 We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: singer and TV presenter Olly Murs.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A series of four photos of my two-year-old nephew Louie. He’s my sister Fay’s child and he made me an uncle for the first time. He brings sunshine into my life.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not devoting myself to studying music and drama when I was 16. I was really interested, but I feared my mates would think I was a sissy, so I qualified to be a personal trainer.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I spend my whole life on planes, so my ideal day would start at home in Essex. It would kick off with a bacon and egg McMuffin, then I’d play football for my old team the Valley Swifts. We’d  go to the pub where I’d have a lager shandy – I always drink that and the lads call me a lightweight – then to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-1. Then we’d hit a few bars in Stockholm, I’d probably give myself whiplash looking at all the blondes! I’d end the day at my parents’ house for roast beef followed by apple crumble and custard.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Custard! As a boy I got so excited at the thrill of getting it but now I’ve become totally obsessed with it because it’s always available on tour. I have it with just about every dessert.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A self-help book called The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I was introduced to it by TV presenter Jeff Brazier. It’s about channelling positive thoughts into making things you want come true.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d walk on to NASA’s launch pad and hitch a ride on a rocket to the moon.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...A weak and sweaty handshake – ugh! I was brought up to have a firm handshake because it shows you’re a strong and confident person.

The film you can watch time and time again...Pulp Fiction. It’s cool and slick and gets better every time I watch it.

The person who has influenced you most... My grandad Stanley Pollard. In 2009, he gave me a major talking to. I was 24 but had no money, no home, no job and he told me to sort myself out. I hated him at the time but it was the kick I needed. Soon after I applied for The  X Factor. He helped me change my life.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Michael Jackson. I think all singers would agree that he was the greatest – the king of singing, writing and performing. I’d love to ask him how he created his songs. Maybe I could also find out what really happened during his last hours.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Respect people and always look out for your family.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m addicted to buying bobblehead figures, collectable dolls with over-sized wobbly heads. I’ve got John Wayne, Pamela Anderson and all the Marvel superheroes. They’re a bit daft, but have lots of character.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A Casio TV remote control watch which I saved up £18 in pocket money for when I was 13. I have no idea what happened to it.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be happily married with kids.

The poem that touches your soul..I don’t read poetry but song lyrics mean a lot to me and one of the best is from Robbie Williams’ song Feel, ‘I’ve got too much life/Running though my veins/Going to waste.’ It inspires me to grab life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m arrogant. I always make an effort for people, but it’s impossible to be up all the time. Like anybody I have bad days.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting through The X Factor audition in 2009. I sang Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and Simon Cowell said it was one of the easiest yeses he’d ever given.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal Roman Abramovich’s yacht Eclipse. He probably wouldn’t even miss it!

The song that means most to you...Life On Mars? by David Bowie. It’s my family’s song and reminds us of love.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Getting my first number one with Please Don’t Let Me Go in 2010.

The saddest time that shook your world... Falling out with my twin brother Ben. It started when I couldn’t make his wedding because of The X Factor semi-final rehearsals. A few other things happened and then he cut off everyone from the family. It makes me so sad.  

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To win the Brit award for British Male Solo Artist.

The philosophy that underpins your life...If you believe, you can achieve!

The order of service at your funeral..I want to be laid to rest in Essex because that’s where I was born and bred. I’d want Life On Mars? to be played.

The way you want to be remembered...As a happy chappy and a loving person.

The Plug...My new single Right Place Right Time is out now. For more information visit www.ollymurs.com and follow me on Twitter @ollyofficial

 

Singer And TV Presenter Olly Murs

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Published: 24 August 2013

Author Lord Jeffrey Archer:

‘The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt me? To have been prime minister, but I was a failure at politics!’ 

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of author Jeffrey Archer…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A marble Victorian clock left to me by my mother Lola when she died in 2001. It’s my link with the past. 

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend... That I didn’t have three daughters! I have two lovely sons [William, 40, and James, 38] and a grandson [William’s boy Alexander, seven months] but to walk a daughter down the aisle must be truly special. 

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have breakfast at London’s Connaught Hotel with the actress Annette Bening. I’ve never met her, but she’s beautiful and bright and I’m sure she’d be great company. I’d have melon, cornflakes and scrambled eggs. After that, I’d arrive at a private box at Lord’s to watch England bat against Australia and host a lunch with former captains. In the afternoon I’d meet my wife Mary for a matinée at the National Theatre, and then we’d head to the Hermitage museum in St Petersburg to see the great Russian paintings and Fabergé eggs. In the evening I’d conduct an auction at The Dorchester hotel and raise £2m for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I’d end the day in Weston-super-Mare at one of their great fish and chip shops.

 

The temptation you wish you could resist... Affogato – homemade vanilla ice cream drenched in strong coffee. 

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Beware Of Pity by Stefan Zweig. It’s about a Dragoons officer in 1912 – it’s a gasp-making masterpiece.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d listen to Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry talk about Syria. I’d love to know what they’re really planning.

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... The North Terminal at Gatwick airport! I hate the fact that you arrive at Gatwick and have to go straight to another airport via the transit train.

 

The film you can watch time and time again... Advise & Consent from 1962 starring Henry Fonda and Charles Laughton. It’s a political story with clever satire and terrific performances.

 

The person who has influenced you most... My mother, a councillor in Weston-super-Mare who was a newspaper columnist and ran a small business. She never let on that we faced penury and she made sure I had a good education.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence. I’d love to discuss the drafting of it and how it has affected his country down the years.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Never judge anyone by their looks. You’ll be fooled again and again.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Auctions. I like to sit at the back and watch the drama unfold.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A Moorcroft vase which shattered during transit ten years ago. It’d be worth £100,000 today. The hardest part was telling Mary!

 

The unending quest that drives you on... To make each book better than the last.

 

The poem that touches your soul... I’m inspired by a speech by former US president Theodore Roosevelt in which he talks about the man who tries, but fails ‘while daring greatly’.

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... People assume I’m cynical, but I’m an enthusiast and can be incredibly naive. 

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character... Going to prison [he was jailed for four years in 2001 for perjury and perverting the course of justice]. It made me more aware of other people’s problems and how lucky I am.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d steal Caravaggio’s Entombment Of Christ painting from the Vatican, then hang it in the National Gallery in London.

 

The song that means most to you...     I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles. It was at No 1 in 1963 when I met Mary at Oxford and we had our first dance to it. It always reminds me of her and such fun times.  

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever... Running the 100 yards for Oxford at the Canadian Open Championships in Toronto in 1966. I came second, but ran my fastest time ever – 9.6 seconds – which was exhilarating.

 

The saddest time that shook your world... I lost everything in 1974 after investing £500,000 in a fraudulent Canadian company, Aquablast. I was 34 and facing ruin, but I started writing and paid off my debts within seven years.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To have been prime minister, but I was a failure at politics! 

 

The philosophy that underpins your life... There’s no short cut to success.

 

The order of service at your funeral... I’m a traditionalist, so it will be a Christian service with hymns such as To Be A Pilgrim and Jerusalem and readings by my sons and friends. Mary would be in charge, so it would run on time!

 

The way you want to be remembered... As generous and loyal and as a shanachie – that’s Irish for ‘storyteller’.

 

The Plug... Best Kept Secret, the third instalment in my Clifton Chronicles series, is published in paperback by Macmillan on Thursday, £7.99, www.jeffreyarcher.co.uk.

 

 

Author Lord Jeffrey Archer

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Published: 17 August 2013

Actor and Resident Loon Brian Blessed:

‘I’m a fully trained cosmonaut and have completed 800 hours training, which has made me the No 1 civilian reserve ready to visit the International Space Station’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of actor Brian Blessed…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...An ancient Tibetan Thangka – an embroidered drape -given to me by the Dalai Lama in 1990 before my ascent of Everest.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not making a film about the heavyweight boxer Bruce Woodcock in 1966. He begged me not to do it because he didn’t want to be famous again. So I pulled out.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up on the Grand Savanna of Venezuela and meditate looking at Mount Roraima, then travel by boat to Angel Falls with my wife Hildegarde. We’d climb to the top and admire the view. We’d then meet our daughter Rosalind, 37, on the Greek island of Santorini for a fish lunch. I’d bid them farewell and board Dan Dare’s spaceship Anastasia and zoom to Mars where I’d scale Olympus Mons, which is 24km high. After that, I’d explore the Cydonia region on Mars, before returning to earth to meditate at the foot of Mount Olympus in Greece. To end the day I’d have dinner with my loved ones at a taverna.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Planting red acer trees in my garden in Surrey. I have about 150.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...In Search Of The Miraculous by the Russian writer Peter Ouspensky is the most staggering lesson in spiritual exploration.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go to the jungles of Brazil and let the blue morpho butterflies settle on my invisible body.

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise... Cruelty to animals. For God’s sake stop killing rhinos and elephants. 

 

The film you can watch time and time again...War And Peace by the Russian director Sergei Bondarchuk. Nothing in cinema compares to it. He used the entire Red Army for his battle scenes.

The person who has influenced you most...Harry Dobson, an amateur theatre director. He took me under his wing and got me a scholarship to drama school – unheard of for a miner’s son.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Jesus Christ. I’d ask him what happened to him between the ages of 13, when he disappears from the Bible, and 31, when he reappears.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Follow your dream.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Sumo wrestling. It holds a great inner spirituality at its core. I’ve spent time in Japan doing the voiceover for a series about it.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The only photo I possess of my mother, Hilda, when she was seven. It disappeared five years ago. Mother died 20 years ago, aged 87.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...To go into space. I’m a fully trained cosmonaut and have completed 800 hours training, which has made me the No 1 civilian reserve ready to visit the International Space Station. I am determined to go up and I want to explore the Moon, Mars and beyond!

 

The poem that touches your soul...John Clare’s I Am. It’s about peace, tranquillity and being as one with the Creator, animals and yourself. 

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m some loud, rampant maniac. I’m actually very pensive and quiet.

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Falling in love with Hildegarde while we were filming Boy Dominic for Yorkshire Television in 1974. She is like Mother Earth and has done my soul so much good.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d vaporise every nuclear weapon in the world.

 

The song that means most to you...Trees by the 1930s American singer Paul Robeson. It reminds me how precious trees are to the world.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The birth of my brother Alan when I was seven. We went everywhere together and I loved him, but he died of leukaemia when he was 52 in 1995. 

 

The saddest time that shook your world...Seeing my father, William, after his hips were crushed in an accident down the pit when I was 14. He had been Superman in my eyes, so seeing him in hospital all broken up was devastating. He was never the same afterwards. He died in 2009 aged 99.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To reach the summit of Everest. I’ve tried three times, although I only attempted the summit twice. On the first occasion I had to turn back to rescue another climber. I was halfway up on the second attempt when word reached me that my mother and brother were dying, so I had to fly home.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Life is a re-discovery.

 

The order of service at your funeral...There will be no funeral! Before I get too old and ill, I’ll go to So uth America and live among the Pemon people and meditate. When the time is right they can throw my body into the volcano.

 

The way you want to be remembered...Not at all! 

 

The Plug...Nestlé condensed milk! It kept me alive on Everest and turns me into a Titan. Everyone should try it!

 

Actor And Resident Loon Brian Blessed

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Published: 10 August 2013

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington:

"People think that I’m intimidating and unapproachable. You have to be focused to swim well but I’m friendly and open out of the pool"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My health. As an athlete you’re used to looking after yourself. I retired in February, but I’m only 24 and I’m determined to stay fit.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I honestly don’t have any. Everything happens for a reason.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I love Italy so I’d wake up somewhere really romantic like the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello with my fiancé, the swimmer Harry Needs. We’d have breakfast looking over the Amalfi coast, then head to a beach in Puglia. At lunchtime, we’d meet up with our families for pasta and salad in Rome. In the afternoon, I’d relax at my parents’ holiday home in southern Spain, then zoom over to Beijing for a dip in the Olympic pool in the Water Cube where I won my golds – just to have that amazing experience once again. In the evening, I’d throw a big barbecue for all my mates at my house in Manchester, then I’d end the day with Harry at a spa hotel in the Maldives, having a massage. I don’t drink much alcohol, so afterwards I’d have a fruit cocktail on the beach while looking at the beautiful night sky.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Vanilla cupcakes. I can’t go past a cake shop without wanting one.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...I like soppy, girly beach reads, like Jill Mansell’s A Walk In The Park. Her books are full of romance and have strong female characters, which I like.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d go for a swim way out in the sea, which I’ve never done before because I’m terrified of what’s underneath me. If I’m invisible nothing will see me – not even a great white shark!

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who make me late. Good timekeeping is ingrained in me.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...Dirty Dancing is the best film ever! My sisters [Chloe, 29, and Laura, 26] got me into it. I know it off by heart. It’s a perfect cast and story and I was in love with Patrick Swayze for years.

 

The person who has influenced you most...My mum Kay. She gave up so much of her life, even her job at an accountancy firm, so she could drive me to training and competitions. I couldn’t have succeeded without her.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Princess Diana. She was the fairytale princess – so beautiful and kind. I’d love to talk to her about her life and what she went through.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Care for your loved ones.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I love illusionists like Derren Brown and Dynamo. The child in me likes to believe that magic is real.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My mum’s engagement ring. Mum said she’d give it to me, but when my dad Steve gave her a new ring two years ago for their 30th anniversary she had the old one made into earrings. It was her decision but I was so sad – and she regrets it now.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...To help the Amateur Swimming Association’s campaign to train every child in this country to swim 25m.

 

The poem that touches your soul... Poetry hasn’t really come into my life but my coach, Bill Furniss, had a saying that’s become my poetic mantra, ‘Pain is just weakness leaving the body’.

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m intimidating and unapproachable. You have to be focused to swim well but I’m friendly and open out of the pool.

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Seeing my sister Laura fall seriously ill in 2005 with encephalitis – a brain virus. Doctors told my parents to prepare for her to die but she pulled through. Nearly losing her made me appreciate life.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a wardrobe of Jimmy Choo shoes. 

 

The song that means most to you...Saturday Night At The Movies by The Drifters. Whenever I hear it, I smile and it makes me dance.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Swimming the 800 metres freestyle in the 2008 Olympics in a world-record time of 8 minutes 14.10 seconds to win the gold.

 

The saddest time that shook your world...Seeing my grandfather Ron die from lung cancer in 2007. He was in his mid-70s, but he had a very aggressive form of cancer and died quickly. Seeing my dad so upset was really hard.  

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... I’d love to be a mum one day with three or four kids.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Live each day as if it’s your last.

 

The order of service at your funeral... I’m not religious, but I hope people can tell a few funny stories about me and play (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing.

 

The way you want to be remembered...As a caring daughter, sister, wife and mother, who helped and inspired others and had a good laugh!

 

The Plug...Rebecca is encouraging people to take the Quorn Make One Change Challenge. Visit www.quorn.co.uk.

 

 

Olympic Swimmer Rebecca Adlington

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Published: 3 August 2013

Chick lit author Kathy Lette:

Kathy Lette: "My biggest regret was turning down George Clooney. He asked me out and I said ‘No. I’m a writer. I don’t go out with actors’…I sob when I recall that moment."

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s novelist Kathy Lette’s turn… 

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My honorary doctorate from Southampton Solent University, which I received in 2010. No one is more surprised to have a degree than me! I left school at 16 and the only test I ever passed was my Driving Test!

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not dating George Clooney. I worked with him on a sitcom in America called The Facts Of Life in the late 80s. He asked me out and I said, ‘No. I’m a writer. I don’t go out with actors.’ I sob when I recall that moment.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at The Island Hideaway in the Maldives with my husband Geoffrey [lawyer Geoffrey Robertson] and our son Jules, 22, and daughter Georgina, 20. I’d spend the morning scuba diving over a coral reef then have lunch with Ruby Wax, Sandi Toksvig and other girlfriends at Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill restaurant at the Savoy Hotel in London. We’d have white wine, Dover sole, and plenty of gossip.

In the afternoon, I’d write a Nobel Prize-winning novel then I’d meet up with my three sisters and our families at Kioloa beach south of Sydney. We’d surf then have a lobster BBQ on the beach at dusk with red kangaroos hopping around. I’d see The Book Of Mormon on Broadway in the evening with my family, then slip into bed at a hotel overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice with a big, strapping... hardback!

The temptation you wish you could resist... Pol Roger Champagne.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance... Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray. The social satire is so sharp it could shave your legs.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d hang out in the male locker rooms at Wimbledon.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Misogyny.  

The film you can watch time and time again...The Women from 1939 staring Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer and Rosalind Russell. It’s about the lives of bored rich women in Manhattan and it has the wittiest one-liners.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother Val. She was a school principal, who raised four daughters with no help. She’s 81 now but it wasn’t until I had my own kids that I appreciated how inspirational she is.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Mae West. She was an actress, playwright, sex siren and libertarian who went to jail in defence of freedom of expression. And all this in an era when women were meant to just be decorative.  

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...To Georgina, I’d say, stand on your own two stilettos. To Jules, I’d say the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach, so learn to cook! 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Opera. I love the combination of drama and ravishing music.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My dad Mervyn, who died last year aged 83. He was a hero to us girls. He could hotwire the car if we lost the keys and rescue us from spiders – and bad boyfriends.

The unending quest that drives you on...To keep writing novels that are empowering to women and entertaining.   

The poem that touches your soul...Spike Milligan’s A Silly Poem. When I was 16 I ran away and hitchhiked round Australia following his tour.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a ‘man-hater’. I’m allergic to misogynists, but I absolutely adore men. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being told when Jules was three that he was autistic. There are endless obstacles – like school bullying and social Siberia. But my boy has made me a better person.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal George Clooney’s heart, of course!  

The song that means most to you...Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, as sung by Eric Idle in Life Of Brian. Optimism is not an eye disease.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day I wore a corgi-themed suit to a reception at Buckingham Palace in 2012 and made the Queen laugh out loud. 

The saddest time that shook your world...Jules’s diagnosis was shattering, but I no longer think there’s such a thing as ‘normal’, just ‘ordinary’ and ‘extraordinary’. My son is extraordinary.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To surf the rip curl of a huge roller wave in Hawaii. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Life’s too short to be subtle.  

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like a Christian service at St Pancras Old Church and to be buried next to the memorial to my heroine Mary Wollstonecraft, the 18th-century women’s rights campaigner. My headstone would read, ‘Finally – a good plot!’

The way you want to be remembered...As a funny feminist who proved women are each other’s human Wonder Bras – uplifting, supportive and making each other look bigger and better.

The Plug...The Boy Who Fell To Earth is published by Black Swan, £7.99. Follow me on Twitter at @kathylette and visit www.kathylette.com.

 

Chick Lit Author Kathy Lette

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Published: 27 July 2013

Actor and singer Jason Donovan:

Jason Donovan: ‘As much as I love doing musical theatre, I long to be cast in a serious TV drama or thriller movie. I spent too long in a loincloth to be taken seriously!’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: actor and singer Jason Donovan…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My Georgian home in west London, which my wife, Angela, and I bought five years ago. It represents my life’s work.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not spending time with my gran Joan during her last months in Australia before she died from cancer in 1995.  I was living in England and drugs had taken over my life, so I never went back to see her. She played a huge part in bringing me up after my parents divorced when I was a kid.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with Ange and the kids – Jemma, 13, Zac, 12, and Molly, two – in a private villa in Bali. I’d have a platter of exotic fruits for breakfast, then hang out on the beach with the kids. I’d then have a massage, followed by a glass of champagne at around 11.30am, just to help me ease into the day! We’d have a Balinese lunch with spicy chicken and rice, then we’d board a private jet to take us to Bronte beach in Sydney where I’d go surfing. We’d chill there all day, then have a big fish paella dinner by the beach. I’d end the day back home in London watching a film with Ange and a bottle of Pomerol red wine.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Spending too much money on holidays. I don’t do economy well.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The play Equus by Peter Shaffer [about a young man’s obsession with horses] which I studied at school. It’s full of sex and violence and opened my eyes to a lot of stuff.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d listen to what Ange says about me to her friends.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Petrol pumps that keep stopping as you fill up your car drive me nuts.

The film you can watch time and time again...Being There with Peter Sellers because of its message that fame does not equal success.

The person who has influenced you most... My dad [actor Terence Donovan]. He got custody of me when mum left. I wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for him. I admire his work ethic.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’d hang out with Andy Warhol at Studio 54 in New York in the 80s. He’s responsible for so much popular culture.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Mowing the lawn at our house in Oxfordshire. I have a sit-on mower and I can get pretty fastidious about the lines and edges.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The carefree spirit of youth that gave me the freedom to do anything I wanted. 

The unending quest that drives you on...For my children to grow into well-balanced human beings.

The poem that touches your soul...I don’t really do poetry. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I speak to Kylie Minogue every day and that we’re still an item! I’m constantly asked how she is. We’ll always be friends, but we have different lives and I might speak to her once a year – if that!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The birth of Jemma in 2000. At the time, I was still dabbling in cocaine and Ange and I weren’t together because I was reluctant to commit. Jemma was the trigger that made me change my life.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d hunt down all the terrorists and ensure they die slow, miserable deaths.

The song that means most to you...It’s My Life by the British pop group Talk Talk. It reminds me of the innocent days of my late teens in Australia when anything seemed possible.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Marrying Ange in Bali in 2008. We’d been together for ten years and finally committing formally to my best friend was a special moment. The saddest time that shook your world...Getting asthma. It came on two years ago and, although I have it relatively mildly, it’s incurable. As a singer, it’s disorientating and upsetting to have to deal with it.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...As much as I love doing musical theatre, I long to be cast in a serious TV drama or thriller movie. I’m confident I could do a great job, but I’m not on the radar for casting directors.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.

The order of service at your funeral...I haven’t given it any thought. I’m not religious, so I definitely don’t want any religious stuff at all. All I hope is that it can happen at a nice venue by the sea with a big party and some decent red wine for everyone. After all, that’s what my life has been about.

The way you want to be remembered...As a good husband, a great dad, a hard-working, honest and passionate bloke who lived life to the full.

The Plug...Jason Donovan stars as Tick in the national tour of the musical Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. www.priscillathemusical.com.

 

Actor And Singer Jason Donovan

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Published: 18 July 2013

BBC Sport presenter Hazel Irvine:

"Tunnock’s caramel wafers are too tempting. They go perfectly with a cup of tea, but I daren’t have them around me."

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week BBC Sport presenter Hazel Irvine…

The prized possession you value above all others...My collection of mugs and posters and press accreditation cards from every sporting event I’ve covered since the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not having the innate natural golfing talent of the great Nancy Lopez. It was my dream to be a professional golfer. I had the work ethic and got down to a 12 handicap but I didn’t have the natural talent.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...The perfect day would begin with a luxurious lie-in with my husband, something that has eluded us since our daughter Gina, now four, arrived. We’d spend the whole day as a family and begin with a hike in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, followed by a boat trip on Milford Sound fjord on New Zealand’s South Island. We’d have lunch on the boat, then spend the afternoon on the beach at Mount Maunganui in the North Island. We’d tour the red sand dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia, and I’d end the day there with a Planter’s rum punch and a barbecue under the stars.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Tunnock’s caramel wafers. They go perfectly with a cup of tea, but I daren’t have them around me.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Story Of Art by EH Gombrich. I got an honours degree in history of art at St Andrews University, Scotland, and flicking through the pages brings back so many memories. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d wander around the Royal College of Music in London and watch brilliant musicians practising. I played violin in the school orchestra from the age of ten and it remains a big love.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who brazenly drop litter. I often challenge them to pick it up.

The film you can watch time and time again...All The President’s Men is a gripping drama, which I’ve seen at least 12 times. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are exceptional together.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad Bill. He gave me a passion for the outdoors and for sport. In his younger days he was an all-round sportsman and he introduced me to hill walking, golf and cycling as a child.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Astronaut Neil Armstrong, who died last year. I’d love to hear how he felt physically and emotionally the moment he stepped on the moon.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Always be yourself.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Sea fishing. I love cutting the bait and gutting the fish, then cooking the day’s catch at home.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My eight iron golf club. I threw it away in disgust when I was playing the Eden Course at St Andrews terribly when I was about 18.

The unending quest that drives you on... To do my best for my family.

The poem that touches your soul...Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth by Pam Ayres. I knew it in my younger years and I now recite it to Gina to encourage her to clean her teeth.  

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I know everything that happens in sport! I have people ask me what happened in some obscure event, and they look crestfallen when I don’t know.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The birth of my daughter. I’m 48 now so having her quite late was truly fantastic. The greatest gift has been rediscovering the world through her eyes. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal all the profits from the major banks of the world and redistribute it to schools, hospitals and sports clubs.

The song that means most to you...Agua de Beber by the Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto. You can put it on during a cold February day and it will brighten up your world. 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Swimming with turtles in a remote part of the Galapagos Islands about seven years ago. They were so cool about you being in the water and would just barge past on their way.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my great friend Mitsou from breast cancer four and a half years ago. I miss her sparkle.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play the drums. I can play piano and violin but I’ve never had a real go at the drums. My dream would be to play like Ringo Starr on The Beatles’ Abbey Road album.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never knowingly under-prepared.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like Somebody Up There Likes You by Simple Minds played. It might put me in the good books of someone up above!

The way you want to be remembered...As a good mother and wife and a decent person. And, professionally, as someone who seldom shirked a challenge.

The Plug...Hazel hosts the BBC’s TV coverage of The Open at Muirfield today and tomorrow and the Women’s Open at St Andrews from 1-4 August.  

 

BBC Sport Presenter Hazel Irvine

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Published: 13 July 2013

Actor David Haig:

‘My younger sister’s death from a brain haemorrhage at 22 when I was 26 made me realise that nothing is certain’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of actor David Haig…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...Our semi-detached Victorian house in south-east London. My wife Julia and I bought it in 1987. It’s  full of character and is part of me.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I haven’t conquered my fear of flying.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have a slap-up breakfast of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon and maple syrup with Julia in a New York deli. Then we’d travel by train to the South of France, admiring the views, then settle on a beach just outside Saint-Tropez and have a seafood lunch. I’d have some The Ned Pinot Grigio wine then take a dip in the sea. In the afternoon I’d go to Twickenham with some mates and Julia to watch England thrash the French at rugby, then I’d arrive at Augusta to watch the final nine holes of The Masters. I’d end the day at home with Julia and our five children – Alice, 27, Caroline, 24, Fred, 21, Harry, 19, and Connie, 13. I’m the fire god in our family, so I would light a huge barbecue, but Julia is a great cook, so I’d then hand over to her. I’d end the day with a nip or two of fine Talisker whisky.

The temptation you wish you could resist...The third, fourth – even the fifth – helping of Julia’s slow-cooked belly of pork in Thai spices.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader by CS Lewis. I read it in my late teens when I was a hippie. I had long hair and wore an Afghan coat and beads and bracelets and it takes me back to those days.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d stand in complete safety next to Kevin Pietersen as he absolutely destroys the Australian attack in The Ashes at Lord’s. He is an astounding batsman and to witness his power and concentration at close quarters would be thrilling. 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Smug parents who brag about their kids drive me mad.

The film you can watch time and time again...Bizarrely it’s Notting Hill. I have a soft spot for romcoms.

The person who has influenced you most...The theatre director Max Stafford-Clarke, who I worked with at London’s Royal Court in the 1980s. He taught me how to focus on the truth, accuracy and reality in every stage performance.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The 19th-century French painter Edouard Manet. The women he painted were so enigmatic, I’d love to know about his relationship with them.   

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Think outwards, think generously and avoid self-absorption. You find greater contentment when you think of other people rather than yourself. I certainly do.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Cleaning swimming pools. Whenever I go on holiday and there’s a pool, I take great pleasure in cleaning it. It’s such a satisfying task.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A painting by the Indian artist Francis Newton Souza which my father, an art dealer, gave to me in the 80s. I’ve no idea what became of it, but now Souza has become collectable and it’d be worth £200,000!

The unending quest that drives you on...To succeed in what I do, whether it’s acting, writing or playing online Scrabble with my son Fred. My competitive spirit is not something I can control!

The poem that touches your soul...So Many Different Lengths Of Time by Brian Patten. It’s a very accurate summary of what it means to lose someone.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m very controlled. As all control freaks know, we’re on the cusp of imploding.

 The event that altered the course of your life and character...My younger sister Karen’s death from a brain haemorrhage at 22, in 1982. I was 26 and it made me realise that nothing is certain. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d water my garden during a hosepipe ban.

The song that means most to you...In The Garden by Van Morrison. I love our garden and that song has such a beautiful sentiment.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Our wedding at Burgh Island Hotel in Devon on 27 December 2010. We’d been together since 1979, but never married. We felt it was best not to change anything. Getting married so much later was like we were celebrating a great achievement.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of our daughter Grace, who was stillborn at full term in 1996. It was horrendous because it is so unnatural to give birth to death. She arrived on my birthday on 20th September, so that day always carries a shadow, but we generally have an all-embracing awareness of that loss. From a positive point of view, Julia and I have worked for Sands charity [Stillbirth and Neonatal Death] ever since and it has grown immeasurably over the years and is now a very powerful and worthwhile charity.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be solvent. With five children, that is harder than it sounds!

The philosophy that underpins your life...To live each precious moment.

The order of service at your funeral... I don’t believe there’s anything after you die, so I’ll leave it to others to decide.

The way you want to be remembered...More good than bad. 

The Plug...David appears in King Lear at the Theatre Royal Bath, 25 July-10 August. www.theatreroyal.org.uk.

 

 

Actor David Haig

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Published: 6 July 2013

Cooking legend Ken Hom:

‘The day in 1962 when President Kennedy allowed Chinese families to bring relatives to the US was the happiest day of my life’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s cooking legend Ken Hom…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A black Chinese robe I had made four years ago in Hong Kong. The silk feels like the finest leather. When I was younger I went crazy for designer clothes, but I’m 64 now and I’ve started dressing like an old Chinese monk!

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t learn Chinese as a child. I was educated in Chicago and went to a Chinese school three hours a day, but I just made trouble. I visit China these days and I can only write about 50 characters, so I’m essentially illiterate, which is a shame.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have a healthy breakfast of rice porridge with 1,000-year-old-egg [an egg preserved for months until it turns black and pungent] at a cafe beside Hong Kong harbour, then meet some friends for lunch at La Coupole in Paris, where I’d have a seafood platter and a glass of dry white wine. Later I’d check into a beachfront room at the Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, swim in its pool, have a massage and, at sunset, take a walk on the beach and have some feijoada [Brazilian black bean stew] with caipirinha cocktails. Afterwards I’d fly to my flat in Bangkok and dine outside at the Baan Klang Nam seafood restaurant, before watching a DVD at home. These days I prefer quiet nights!

The temptation you wish you could resist...Books. When I travel I go crazy buying them and have to take two extra suitcases with me. I have around 6,000!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The General by Jonathan Fenby, about Charles de Gaulle and how he saved France. I live in Paris much of the time and that book helped me understand and love the French.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d listen in at a meeting of the Chinese politburo to hear what the seven men in charge of 1.4 billion people actually discuss.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Loud, rude people who use the F-word. I liked a time when etiquette and manners were important.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Godfather Part II – it reminds me of growing up in Chicago, where the Italian community ran everything. I worked in my uncle’s restaurant and when the Italians came in you never dared give them a bill. The person who has influenced you most...My mother Ying Fong. She always demanded I do better, so it’s because of her that I’ve succeeded and have a passion for all the things I do.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Chairman Mao. I want to know why he screwed up! He freed China after the war but let 30 million die through famine. China was held back by around 50 years through his incompetence.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Giving is better than receiving. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...History. I’ll happily take a 700-page history book to the beach! 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... I’m very philosophical about possessions. Even when I started losing my hair in my 40s I wasn’t bothered. Instead, I shaved it all off and people started saying I looked better and younger!  

The unending quest that drives you on...To be honest and true to myself.

The poem that touches your soul...One Today, which the US poet Richard Blanco wrote for President Obama’s inauguration. It was so moving when he read it that I cried.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m the restaurateur Ken Lo. People come up to me to say how much they love his restaurants, but he died in 1995!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Meeting my partner in 1971. It’s protected me from the pitfalls that accompany fame and success.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d empty the bank accounts of all the world’s dictators and give the money to charity.

The song that means most to you... John Lennon’s Imagine, because in my heart I’m an old hippie.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day in 1962 when President Kennedy allowed Chinese families to bring relatives to the US. It brought my mother so much joy when my aunt and her family joined us.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my mum died in 2010 from colon cancer. She was 89. I was in Japan at the time and couldn’t be with her because I was being treated for prostate cancer – an impossible situation. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be a singer. But on a cruise in 1996 I did a karaoke version of Roy Orbison’s Crying and people said to me, ‘Ken, stick to the cooking!’

The philosophy that underpins your life...Treat people how you want to be treated.

The order of service at your funeral...I  want Imagine to be played as I’m cremated, then for everyone to feast on caviar, Peking duck and lots of champagne.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who shared his philosophy, possessions, love – and food.

The Plug...Please support two charities that are close to my heart – Action Against Hunger and Prostate Cancer UK – by visiting www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk and www.prostatecanceruk.org. Thank you

Cooking Legend Ken Hom

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Published: 29 June 2013

Popstar Brian McFadden:

‘My whole life has been one giant Chinese whisper of untrue stories. But the only lie that really hurts is that I’m a bad father’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: former Westlife star Brian McFadden…

 

The prized possession you value above all others... A ticket to see Nirvana at The Point Depot in Dublin in 1994. Two weeks before the gig Kurt Cobain shot himself. Most people returned their tickets and got their money back but I kept mine and framed it.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Wasting so much of the money I earned from Westlife. I went through millions of pounds on cars, private jets and lots of rubbish. I have a lot less money now, but I’m far happier.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start with a full Irish fry-up at my parents’ home in Ireland. I’d play the front nine holes at Valderrama golf course in Spain with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, then we’d fly to The Belfry near Birmingham to play the back nine. I’d have lunch at a pub with mates to watch Manchester United beat Man City 5-1, then fly to Star City casino in Sydney with my wife Vogue [Irish club DJ and model Vogue Williams] to play roulette. My daughters Molly, 11, and Lilly-Sue, ten [with ex-wife Kerry Katona], would join us in Singapore for the night Grand Prix. For dinner, I’d go to a Benihana Japanese restaurant and then I’d hit Las Vegas with Vogue and friends and we’d party the night away.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Smoking. I’m 33 now and I’ve been smoking since I was 16.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Roy Keane’s autobiography. He wasn’t the most naturally talented footballer, but he proved that through sheer hard work he could be the best.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sneak into the changing rooms at a top fashion show in Hollywood, where you’re likely to find the hottest women. 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Having to carry Vogue’s hand luggage when we’re travelling. I hate hand luggage but Vogue has so many bags I end up having to carry hers!

The film you can watch time and time again...Home Alone. It always brings back happy childhood memories.

The person who has influenced you most...Bryan Adams – a great songwriter, a great singer and a great bloke.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Kurt Cobain. I’d love to understand what made him tick.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Enjoy life and don’t waste your time stressing.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m a movie buff and a master of Oscar winners trivia.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A rubbish old Nokia mobile I had with me for my seven years in Westlife. I left it on a plane to Sydney a few years back. It had the most unbelievable list of contacts.

The unending quest that drives you on...To have a consistently successful music career.

The poem that touches your soul...I’m not one for poetry but I love song lyrics, especially those from Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks. Like all country songs, it has a great story, with a powerful message. It’s about how people pray for things in life, but sometimes God does the right thing by not answering their prayers.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...My whole life has been one giant Chinese whisper of untrue stories. But the only lie that really hurts is that I’m a bad father.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Quitting my job as a security guard at McDonald’s in Dublin in 1998 after a drunk threw a bottle at me. I went to a friend’s party straight after and stayed the night. The next day he was going to audition for a new boy band and I decided to tag along. I met Louis Walsh and ended up getting into Westlife.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 Ferrari and drive it like crazy around London.

The song that means most to you...Sorry, Love Daddy. I wrote it for my girls after I broke up with Kerry in 2004. I realised they wouldn’t have the stable life I’d hoped for, and it broke my heart.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day I met Vogue at a charity function in Dublin in 2011. We clicked instantly and chatted for six hours. She’s been amazing for me.

The saddest time that shook your world...Whenever I’ve been away from my girls.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have a golf handicap in single figures. I can’t improve on 18.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Live life for today because you don’t know if tomorrow will come.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m an atheist, so I don’t want anything religious. I’d prefer people to dress for a party. I want the Belgian choir Scala & Kolacny Brothers’ version of Radiohead’s Creep played as I get cremated, and my ashes split into capsules and given to the people who loved me.

The way you want to be remembered...As a fighter who kept bouncing back, no matter what was thrown at him.

The Plug...For information about Brian’s tour dates and new song releases visit www.brianmcfadden.com.  

 

Popstar Brian McFadden

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Published: 22 June 2013

Actor Steven Berkoff:

‘People thing that I’m a self-centred, egotistical maniac! I’m actually a thoughtful, caring soul’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s theatre legend Steven Berkoff… 


The prized possession you value above all others...A painting of Victorian actor Henry Irving – a giant of theatre who was the first actor to be knighted – by the portraitist Edwin Long.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I never played Othello. I’m 75 and probably too old now. The part has always fascinated me because it stretches you to your limits.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have breakfast at Les Deux Magots brasserie in Paris, then do a tour of famous graves: Oscar Wilde’s in the French capital, then Franz Kafka’s in Prague and war poet Rupert Brooke’s on the Greek island of Skyros. After lunch watching the street entertainment at Jamaa el Fna market in Marrakech, I’d pray at Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall for reconciliation between Israel and Palestine, and finally return to my home in London’s East End to be with my partner Clara Fischer and our beloved Bengal cat Apu (right). I’d mix margaritas while Clara prepared sushi for supper. We’d spend the evening reading and listening to music and I’d finish by typing up my journal, which I keep most days.

The temptation you wish you could resist...I love exotic jewellery, probably because such baubles were denied to me when I was a child because we were poor. But as Oscar Wilde said, ‘The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.’

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Last Of The Just – a novel by French writer André Schwarz-Bart, about the journey of 36 men, from biblical times to Auschwitz, who suffer for the sins of the world. It presents the belief that God is there, even in the most horrific situations.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d visit a woman called Shirley, my long-lost love from when I was ten. I’ve always wondered what became of her.
The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The brutal murder of rhinos and elephants to make silly ivory things.

The film you can watch time and time again...Cyrano De Bergerac from 1950 starring José Ferrer – his acting technique is absolutely dazzling. 

The person who has influenced you most...Franz Kafka. I read his novella The Metamorphosis – about a man who turns into a huge beetle – when I was 19 and it opened my imagination.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The great 19th-century Shakespearean actor Edmund Kean. He was only 5ft 5in, but he almost terrified audiences with his trailblazing style, which once apparently reduced Lord Byron to tears.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Learn how to play a musical instrument – because then you’ll have a language that the whole world can understand. The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I adore over-elaborate tracksuits pimped up with velvet. I have about ten from designer shops in Hollywood.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My love letters to Shirley. We kept in touch for three years. I’d love to read those letters now.

The unending quest that drives you on...To continue to challenge myself. I feel it’s everyone’s duty to fulfil the extraordinary potential God’s given us. 

The poem that touches your soul...Walt Whitman’s I Sing The Body Electric is a deeply moving declaration of the efforts of the common working man.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a self-centred, egotistical maniac! I’m actually a thoughtful, caring soul.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Putting on my first play that I’d adapted and directed, Kafka’s In The Penal Colony, in 1968. From that moment I knew I was capable of creating my own work.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d round up a bunch of big-game hunters – and then hunt them with an AK-47.

The song that means most to you...The Little White Cloud That Cried by Johnnie Ray from 1951. It spoke to all heartbroken romantic teenage boys.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When my first book was published in 1977. It was a collection of short stories called Gross Intrusion and to hold that book was fantastic.

The saddest time that shook your world...My mother Polly’s death in 1980 from stomach cancer. She was a typically over-caring, worrying Yiddish mama, but I always felt safe with her.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To own a theatre, so I’d never again have to go around with the begging bowl to put on a play.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Pay attention to every action, no matter how small, because it will always have a big effect on someone.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll leave the details to Clara, but I wouldn’t mind being buried in the graveyard of St Wulfran’s, the beautiful Norman church in Ovingdean, Sussex, but being Jewish I would have to be a ‘special guest’!

The way you want to be remembered...As a man who swam against the tide.

The Plug...My new play, An Actor’s Lament, is on at Edinburgh’s Assembly Hall from 1-20 August. Tickets: www.assemblyfestival.com; 0131 623 3030.

 

 

Actor Steven Berkoff

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Published: 15 June 2013

Cookery guru Prue Leith:

‘People think I’m brusque and imperious, but I’m not like that at all’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s cookery legend Prue Leith’s turn…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A picture my son Danny, who’s 39 now, painted when he was nine. He drew me surrounded by hundreds of people clapping and a list of the amazing things I’d done, like ‘cooked a thousand roast chickens’.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t achieve anything while my father, Sam, was alive. I was 20 when he died of cancer and I hadn’t found a direction in life.  

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d begin with a barbecue breakfast in the Andes in Peru looking down on the condors. Then I’d go horse riding through a bluebell field in the English countryside with my daughter Li-Da, who’s also 39. I’d then board the Orient Express from London to Venice and head to the terrace of the Cipriani Hotel for a Bellini cocktail and gamberetti prawns for lunch. I’d have a siesta in a hammock in a wood in the South of France, then return to my house in Oxfordshire to cook a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings for the whole family, including Danny and his children Malachi, three, Scarlett, one, and his new baby Winston. We’d have some nice Rioja red wine and a trifle.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Talking too much. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Warden by Anthony Trollope. I love his work, he’s the most wonderful observer of life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d sit in  the cockpit of a jumbo jet during a long-haul flight to see what the crew do.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Chewing gum. It’s so disgusting.

The film you can watch time and time again...Some Like It Hot. The scene when Marilyn Monroe has a party on the train always makes me giggle.

The person who has influenced you most...Sir Peter Parker, who was chairman of British Rail [from 1976-83]. He invited me onto the board in my mid-30s and encouraged me to tackle equality issues. He was a dear friend who gave great advice. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The Victorian cookery writer Mrs Beeton. She wrote Mrs Beeton’s Book Of Household Management and is the godmother of recipes.  

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Never be bored.  

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Salmon fishing. I was introduced to it 30 years ago in Scotland. I thought nothing could be more boring, but I caught a fish on my first morning and I was hooked for life!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My knees! I’m 73 now and I had both kneecaps and the ends of my femurs replaced last July.

The unending quest that drives you on...To master technology. As soon as I crack something, another thing is invented that I’m told I must have.

The poem that touches your soul...Alice Oswald’s Dart. It’s about the River Dart in Devon and you can feel the rhythm of the river in her verse.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m scary! People think I’m brusque and imperious, but I’m not like that at all. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Buying my house in Oxfordshire in 1976. Until then I was living in London and working day and night. Buying it forced me to be more organised, which helped me in my career.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d remove Robert Mugabe from power and incarcerate him. He’s as mad as a hatter.

The song that means most to you...The old folk song Foggy, Foggy Dew, which my mother Margaret used to sing to me as a child in South Africa, where I grew up. These days I sing it to my grandchildren. Mum died two years ago – she was 97.    

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day as Chair of the Royal Society of Arts when we succeeded in getting new sculptures on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. It took five years to get permission.

The saddest time that shook your world...My husband Rayne’s death in 2002 when he was 80. He was 20 years older than me and had emphysema. He was a marvellous man and my mentor. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To write a seriously good trilogy of novels that are adapted into a wonderful costume drama.

The philosophy that underpins your life...JFDI – Just F****** Do It! 

The order of service at your funeral...To be honest, I’m not bothered. I’m not a believer in God but I’d like Mozart’s Requiem and the song Jabulani by the South African male choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo to remind me of Africa. I want my ashes scattered in the pond in our garden, which is where we put Rayne’s. 

The way you want to be remembered...As friendly, straightforward and loving. And as someone who got a lot done – despite having no qualifications!

The Plug...My autobiography, Relish – My Life On A Plate, is out now in paperback published by Quercus, priced £8.99. Visit www.prue-leith.com.

 

 

Cookery Guru Prue Leith

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Published: 8 June 2013

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes:

"Getting a job at Primark was the making of me. I hated it so much, it drove me on to quit and become a journalist."

 

Every week we ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of Sky TV’s Sunrise presenter, Eamonn Holmes.

 The prized possession you value above all others...A No 7 Manchester United shirt worn by Eric Cantona. I bought it at auction for £1,500 – you could still smell his aftershave on it! Years later I met him and he signed it. He’s a big hero of mine.  

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not learning to swim. I have four brothers and none of us learnt because our mum Josie, who’s now 85, couldn’t swim and she was very protective of her boys. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have a relaxing start at a spa with a lovely massage, followed by a breakfast of fresh fruit and yoghurt. After that I’d head off on my own to enjoy some horse riding as a cowboy at Purgatory ranch in Colorado. I’ve been there before and I can even lasso pretty well. I love the whole idea of the cowboy life, enjoying nature and being out in the open. From there, I’d have lunch with my brothers on Bloubergstrand beach in Cape Town, looking back at Table Mountain. In the afternoon, I’d play golf at Gleneagles with an old mate called Bill. After that I’d go to Belfast to meet my wife Ruth and our son Jack, 11, and my three other children – Declan, 24, Rebecca, 22, and Niall, 19. We’d have dinner at Long’s fish and chip restaurant. I’d end the day with Ruth at a cinema watching the latest blockbuster. 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Pleasing my wife! She knows I can’t resist her and takes advantage. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. A teacher read it to my class when I was eight and I was totally gripped by the adventure.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I get annoyed with angry, rude people, so I’d do things to make them angrier, like let their tyres down or tie their shoe laces together.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Long queues at airports.  

The film you can watch time and time again...The Quiet Man with John Wayne from 1952. The landscape always makes me nostalgic for Ireland.

The person who has influenced you most...The Irish TV sports presenter Jackie Fullerton. He was my mentor when I started at Ulster Television. He taught me the tricks of the trade.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The actor James Stewart, but I’d talk to him about his experiences as a bomber pilot in World War II. He was a decorated war hero, but he never, ever discussed it.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Always use sunscreen! If I could turn back the clock, I wouldn’t sunbathe like I used to in the 80s when I wanted to look like Don Johnson from Miami Vice. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m intrigued by the restoration of classic cars. I don’t do it myself, but if I had the money and the space I’d have a whole fleet of them. 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The toys of my childhood, especially my Action Men. At one time I had eight of them, but everything’s gone now.  

The unending quest that drives you on...A hunger for knowledge.  

The poem that touches your soul...He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven by WB Yeats. I find its message about love and dreams very moving.  

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I have a private box at Old Trafford. I have two season tickets that cost me a fortune. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Becoming a trainee manager at Primark when I was 18. It was the hardest experience of my life but it re-doubled my conviction that I wanted to be a broadcast journalist. I got a place at journalism college at 19 and I never looked back.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d break into the best art museums at night and stare at works of art without the crowds. 

The song that means most to you...Danny Boy. My family threw a party for me when I got a job with the BBC in Manchester when I was 26 and my dad, Leonard, sang Danny Boy. I can’t hear it without getting emotional.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My 50th birthday party at Old Trafford on 3 December 2010. I had all my dearest pals and family there and Alex Ferguson stayed late chatting to everyone and dancing. 

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my father from a heart attack when he was only 64 in 1991. I think about him every day.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love a part in a film.  

The philosophy that underpins your life...The harder you work, the luckier you get. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll have a service at St Patrick’s Catholic church in Donegall Street where I was baptised. I’d want Elvis’s Bridge Over Troubled Water and I’d be buried in the churchyard near my dad.  

The way you want to be remembered...As a matinee idol!  

The Plug...Eamonn presents Sunrise, Monday to Thursday from 6am-9am on Sky News. Visit skynews.com.

 

 

TV Presenter Eamonn Holmes

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Published: 1 June 2013

Former England cricketer David Gower:

‘Life has ups and downs, but I’m learning how to get through crises calmly’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s former England cricket captain David Gower… 

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A David Shepherd oil painting called Rhino In The Kaokoveld. I bought it about 20 years ago for £20,000. It marries my two loves – David’s work and wildlife, which stems from my childhood in East Africa.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Selling Mum’s house and contents too quickly after she died in 1986 of heart failure. She was in her mid-60s and I was so sad I just cleared the decks. I wish I’d kept a few things.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have breakfast in the crater at the Ngorongoro conservation area in Tanzania with my wife Thorunn and our daughters Alex, 19, and Sammi, 17. We’d go on safari then switch to the Maldives for scuba diving. After that, we’d wander around  the market in St Tropez, then arrive at my cousin Richard’s Vondeling winery in South Africa and drink some of his best wines. The afternoon would be spent bodysurfing at Crane beach in Barbados, then I’d pop back to London for afternoon tea at The Dorchester. Thorunn and I would have dinner at an old cafe on the Left Bank in Paris before heading to Broadway for a musical like Phantom Of The Opera. We’d end the day in a suite at the Taj Lake Palace hotel in Udaipur, India.

The temptation you wish you could resist...The second bottle of Dow’s port after dinner.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...I love The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. Douglas Adams’s imagination is brilliant.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d kill some time at a branch of designer lingerie store Agent Provocateur! 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Lateness.

The film you can watch time and time again...Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are the coolest film stars ever.

The person who has influenced you most...Ray Illingworth, who was my captain at Leicestershire. In just three years, he turned me from a gifted 18-year-old who had never played first-class cricket into an England player.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Leonardo da Vinci. I’d ask how on earth he envisaged the helicopter 500 years ago.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Smile – because it confuses people! My kids introduced me to this phrase recently and I love it.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Bats. Not cricket bats – real bats! I’ve been on bat walks in the country and they’re wonderful creatures. They’re clever and adorable, but they get a bad press, which largely stems from Count Dracula. I would like this to change.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A maroon Opel Vectra I hired in 1991. I was driving on the frozen lake in St Moritz and ended up on thinner, grey ice. Everyone in the car escaped before it went to the depths, but I ended up being fined around £15,000.

The unending quest that drives you on...To achieve Zen-like serenity. Life has ups and downs, but I’m learning how to get through crises calmly.

The poem that touches your soul...Casabazonka by Spike Milligan, which goes: ‘The boy stood on the burning deck, Whence all but he had fled – The twit!’ It’s so Spike and  never ceases to amuse me.  

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m always laid back. It was a self-defence mechanism I developed in my playing days as a way of calming nerves. But, like anyone, I have a temper.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The summer of 1985 when we won the Ashes. It was also the year I met my wife.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal the contents of the cellars at Bollinger and Chateau Lynch-Bages. 

The song that means most to you...Peter Gabriel’s Biko [about Steve Biko, the anti-apartheid activist who died after interrogation by South African police in 1977]. It has such deep feeling and was so important politically.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Lifting the Ashes in ’85. It was when my dreams came true.

The saddest time that shook your world...My father Richard’s death when I was 16. He had motor neurone disease and cancer. He’d been a superb all-round sportsman – to see him reduced to a shell was awful.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To ride a horse at full speed on a beach – without falling off.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Always look on the bright side.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll have a service in our local church in Hampshire with some great hymns, like I Vow To Thee My Country. Then everyone can go to the pub.

The way you want to be remembered...Just one word: fondly. 

The Plug...In his role as ambassador for Laithwaite’s Wine, David has created The Gower Selection, a case of 12 wines chosen to complement the cricket. www.laithwaites.co.uk.

 

 

Former England Cricketer David Gower

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Published: 25 May 2013

BBC newsreader Kate Silverton:

"The biggest misapprehension about me? People think I’m Natasha Kaplinsky – I have even signed autographs as her!"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: BBC newsreader Kate Silverton…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A soapstone sculpture of a head I got in Zimbabwe during an Operation Raleigh expedition when I was 19. It transports me back to the incredible experiences I had on that trip that made me fall in love with Africa.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...If it doesn’t happen again then I’ll wish I’d had more children. [Kate is 42 and had 18-month-old Clemency after years of failed IVF.]

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya with my husband [security expert Mike Heron] and our little girl. We’d cook breakfast on an open fire, then go on safari. We’d fly to the Como Shambhala spa in Bali for a spot of Tai Chi in the rainforest, then to the Maldives to scuba dive and carry out conservation work protecting sharks. I’d go cross-country skiing in Gstaad in the afternoon, then I’d take over the Pennsylvania Castle hotel in Dorset for my parents, my two sisters and the whole extended family. We’d walk along the coast, then have roast lamb with crispy roast potatoes, followed by sticky toffee pudding and a Paxton & Whitfield cheese board – including stinking bishop! I’d end the day with a book in front of a fire.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Chocolate from Hotel Chocolat or Lindt, especially pralines.

The book that holds an everlasting  resonance...Daughter Of The Desert by Georgina Howell, which is about my heroine, Gertrude Bell. She was born in 1868 and was a linguist, cartographer, photographer and archaeologist. She travelled across Arabia and helped form the modern state of Iraq.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d team up with Prince William [a patron of conservation group Tusk Trust] to track rhinoceroses in East Africa and protect them from the poachers.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Drivers not checking for cyclists.

The film you can watch time and time again...Watching It’s A Wonderful Life has become a Christmas Eve tradition in our house. I cry every time.

The person who has influenced you most...My parents, Terry and Patricia. Dad encourages me to follow my dreams, and Mum gives sensible advice. They’ve given me the right balance.

The figure from history for whom  you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Gertrude Bell. I’d love to get her thoughts on what’s happened in Iraq. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Child psychotherapy. I have a degree in psychology with a focus on child cognitive development. Having Clemency has reignited my interest.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Time to travel. Work and family constraints mean I can’t be spontaneous.

The unending quest that drives you on... To be a great mum. No parent can be perfect, so it’s important for us to continually evolve.

The poem that touches your soul... Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost, which reminds me that nothing is forever and nor should it be. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The death of my friend Jamie Rumble from cancer when he was 26. I was working in the City then and before he died he asked me why I was still there as I’d always dreamed of being a journalist. He died in 1996. Through my tears, I arranged to visit the BBC and a week later I was volunteering in its Newcastle newsroom.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Natasha Kaplinsky! People ask, ‘Can I have your autograph, Natasha?’ but often I won’t correct them. I haven’t told Natasha – I hope she’ll forgive me!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...It’s difficult to find size 9 designer shoes, so I’d break into the storerooms of  Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik and steal every size 43 pair they have.

The song that means most to you...Catch The Wind by Donovan was played for the first dance at my wedding, so it will always be special.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Holding Clemency for the first time and kissing her. After years of trying, she felt like a miracle. 

The saddest time that shook your world...Jamie’s death. He would have contributed so much to life.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To write a novel.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Commit and providence will follow you.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a traditional service at St Bride’s, the journalists’ church on Fleet Street where I was married. I’d want Rod Stewart’s Sailing sung by the Welsh Fron Male Voice Choir. I’d be taken out to Born Free and have my ashes scattered in Kenya.

The way you want to be remembered...Simply as someone who cared.

The Plug...Kate is presenting News At One on BBC1 and the BBC News channel all this week and can be followed on Twitter at @katesilverton1.

 

 

BBC Newsreader Kate Silverton

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Published: 18 May 2013

Cookery writer Madhur Jaffrey:

"I went to one of Ghandi’s prayer meetings when I was 15. He sang hymns and talked of equality and of one-ness and was so charismatic. A few days after, he was shot dead. It was so shocking and sad."

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer.  This week it’s cookery writer and actress Madhur Jaffrey.

The prized possession you value above all others...A gold locket necklace from the early 1900s that my mother [Kashmiran Rani] wore for most of her life. It became mine as my share of her spoils when she died in her 60s and I was in my late 30s. I have always worn it to remind me of her. She was the most gentle and wonderful woman.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I had started acting in films earlier. I was 31 by the time I made Shakespeare Wallah [made in 1964, released in ’65], but until then I’d not had the opportunity. I feel as though I lost so many years.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I would have my entire family with me all day – my husband, my three daughters and three grandchildren. We’d wake up on Coco Island in the Maldives in a series of hotel cottages on stilts in the Indian Ocean and spend a few hours swimming and snorkelling. We would stop off in Kerala later in the morning for a walk before arriving in Florence in Italy for a gorgeous lunch of artichoke hearts, pasta and some osso bucco [bone marrow] and a big gelato for each of the kids. We’d go on a safari in Kenya in the evening to watch lions hunting antelope, or wildebeests thundering across the plains. We would end the day in Barcelona having the best tapas, including a platter of thin meat slices, grilled sardines and octopus with deep-fried pimientos de padron

The temptation you wish you could resist...I love potatoes in all forms, but it is not good for you to eat too much, especially French Fries. I am 79 now, but I still like to keep trim.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I first read it when I was 14 and have probably read it once a year ever since. It is so beautifully written, with such comedy, drama and romance. It is so familiar to me that reading it is like meeting up with a dear old friend. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I would systematically destroy all nuclear weapons around the world.

The pet-hate that makes your hackles rise... Dishonesty. There is no reason to lie. The world would be a much better place if everyone were honest. It makes me so sad because lies are the route to unhappiness.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Rose Tattoo from 1955 with Burt Lancaster and the Italian actress Anna Magnani. I saw it the night before an exam at RADA in the late 1950s and her performance was so inspiring that it lifted me to the skies. It was because of her that I acted well the next day.

The person who has influenced you most...Mahatma Gandhi. I went to one of his prayer meetings in Delhi in January 1948, when I was 15. Thousands of people were there and he sang hymns and talked of equality and of one-ness. His was so charismatic and his teachings had a big impact on me, especially his beliefs in non-violence. A few days after that meeting, he was shot dead. It was like a bolt of lightening had destroyed half the world. It was so utterly tragic and sad.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Henry VIII and I’d say, How dare you be so horrible to your wives! I am not sure how the meeting would go.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Be true to yourself, do not hurt people, and find what you love to do in life – then never stop doing it.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...All aspects of design. I am endlessly fascinated with how beautiful things are made, from a simple chair or table, to the great architecture of a building or a garden.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A rather large pottery pot-bellied elephant, which I bought in Mexico in the 1960s. I loved that piece but it broke and fell apart one day and I have missed it ever since.

The unending quest that drives you on...I am a perfectionist, so I am constantly in pursuit of doing everything to the best of my ability. I want my work to be sheer excellence and I am endlessly curious about the world.

The poem that touches your soul...John Milton’s On His Blindness. He was a helpless man who had gone blind, yet he was so sensitive that he saw things in the world that most sighted people could not. It is a powerful and moving poem from an incredible man.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I am a cook, who never acted. So many people do not know that I am an actress, who became a cook.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Meeting the film producer Ismail Merchant in 1959 was a total life-changer. I was in a bunch of young, ambitious actors with big dreams of making films and he was the man who made it all happen. Ismail was a powerhouse who had this incredible energy to get things done. At times he was a complicated and difficult man, but he was also great fun and he enthused us all. After meeting him, I was suddenly on the fast track to making important films. But it did not change my character, though!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I am a goody two-shoes, so crime is not for me, but perhaps I might sneak a basketful of Alphonso mangoes from India into America [she lives in New York]. Importing all fresh produce is banned here, but they are the best mangoes in the world – fibrous and sweet with a hint of sour-  that melt in your mouth.

The song that means most to you...I love Frank Sinatra’s Strangers in the Night simply because it reminds me of the 1960s and my youth. A time of great excitement and so much dreaming.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The birth of my first grandson, Robi, who is 20 now. It was so special because my daughter Meera allowed me to watch the entire birth. It was completely different to having your own children because you do not have the pain to contend with. To witness the creation of a life – a gift from God – was truly magical.

The saddest time that shook your world...When India was partitioned in 1947. There was mayhem all over the country and it was the most shocking time. There were killings and rapes and armed gangs everywhere. I was largely shielded from it, but my father had to arm himself and go out on patrol in our neighbourhood. It was also the brutal hacking apart of the country that made me so sad. I wanted it to remain whole.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I am not haunted by it, but I would like a truly defining role in a great film. Maybe one that would bring me the Best Actress Oscar. You never know…

The philosophy that underpins your life...Look for the positive in everything you do. Too many people concentrate on the negative and it drags them down. I do everything with passion, then look at what has gone right, not what went wrong.

The order of service at your funeral...My husband says I should be burnt by the banks of the Ganges, but I say, Why bother with all that expense of going there!? I want whatever funeral is most convenient and the cheapest. I hate gaudy caskets, so just put me in a simple pine box and cremate me, then scatter my ashes in our garden in New York. Just get the process over with quickly, so you can have the laughter and joy of living. Afterwards, my friends and family can gather, have some good food and fun and simply drink a large Scotch for me.

The way you want to be remembered...I honestly do not care. I firmly believe that dead is dead and nothing will matter to me. But it will matter to my family that I am remembered kindly.

The Plug...My new cookery book, Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation, is published by Ebury, priced £20. Please visit www.eburypublishing.co.uk.

 

 

Cookery Writer Madhur Jaffrey

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Published: 11 May 2013

England cricketer Kevin Pietersen:

"Leaving South Africa for England when I was 19 changed my life. I was in pursuit of my boyhood dream to play international cricket. It was worth it!"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: England cricketer Kevin Pietersen.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My home in west London. It’s where I can just be me and relax with my family and friends.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...The way England captain Andrew Strauss was brought into the headlines last year [when the press got hold of negative text messages Pietersen had written about Strauss to friends on the South African team]. He didn’t deserve that. He’s a top man. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d head out at dawn on a safari drive with my wife Jess [former Liberty X singer Jess Taylor] across the plains of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. We’d watch the sun come up, then look on in awe at the animals. We’d arrive at Bronte beach in Sydney with our three-year-old son Dylan. I’d have a full English breakfast at a cool cafe, then play with Dylan in the surf. In the afternoon we’d sail down the west coast of Barbados on a beautiful yacht and eat the freshest sushi for lunch. Then I’d sit in the stands at Kings Park stadium in Durban with some mates to watch the Sharks rugby team win the Super 15 league. I’d have some mojito cocktails with Jess at sundown in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, then end the day with an amazing meat feast barbecue with all my family under the African skies at Kruger National Park in South Africa with plenty of decent New Zealand sauvignon blanc wine.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Opening up the naughty cupboard in our house that’s always full of lollies, crisps and chocolate. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Secret Race by Tyler Hamilton [disgraced American cyclist who was stripped of his 2004 Olympic gold for drugs cheating]. The way Hamilton justifies the use of drugs is fascinating yet truly appalling.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d attach myself to a dolphin and explore the oceans. I love nature and the seas.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Bad manners, particularly when people are rude to waiters. 

The film you can watch time and time again...Top Gun has it all – a great storyline, cool characters, brilliant actors and I love aeroplanes. If I wasn’t a cricketer I’d be a fighter pilot!

The person who has influenced you most...Cricket coach Graham Ford. He saw my talent when I was five at school in my home town of Pietermaritzburg in eastern South Africa. When I need anything in my career, I consult Fordy.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The Australian wildlife expert Steve Irwin [who was killed by a stingray barb in 2006]. I’d ask how he plucked up the courage to tackle crocs.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...There’s absolutely no substitute for hard work.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m totally fascinated by aeroplanes. You’ll see me gazing into the sky at The Oval because it’s under the flight path. It baffles me how such big things manage to stay up in the air.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Losing my wicket always hurts!

The unending quest that drives you on...To be the best I can be.

The poem that touches your soul... If by Rudyard Kipling. It’s inspirational.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m selfish. My friends and family know how far away from the truth that is.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Leaving South Africa for England when I was 19. I was all by myself, but I was in pursuit of my boyhood dream to play international cricket. It was worth it!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a vehicle and go on a game drive into the wilderness of an African safari park after dark, which is forbidden. Most of the exciting activity happens at night.

The song that means most to you...We Weren’t Born To Follow by Bon Jovi. I’ll never be a sheep.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Aside from the birth of Dylan and my wedding day in 2007, it was winning The Ashes in Australia in 2011. It was a historic win by a great team. I only wish we could have celebrated at home for the fans with an open top bus as we did in 2005.

The saddest time that shook your world...My best friend Jon is battling eye cancer. He’s the same age as me – 32 – and it still shakes me every day.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To score 10,000 Test runs. I’m on 7,499 at the moment.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Family always comes first.

The order of service at your funeral...It’s not something I think about. I don’t even know if I want my ashes scattered in England or South Africa.

The way you want to be remembered...As a great husband, father and son.

The Plug...Kevin is co-owner of the clothing label Nena & Pasadena, available in Harrods or online at www.nenaandpasadena.co.uk. He also supports the Magic Bus children’s charity, www.magicbus.org.  

 

England Cricketer Kevin Pietersen

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Published: 4 May 2013

The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer:

‘Working for Alan Sugar influenced me the most. He lives life like a battle and I’ve grown to like the smell of cordite’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: The Apprentice wise man Nick Hewer.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My father John’s gold Omega watch. It was given to him in 1936 for his 21st birthday. He left it to me when he died, aged 96, three years ago and it connects me with him.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not taking up my place to study law at Trinity College, Dublin. My parents couldn’t afford to pay. It would’ve been incredible, but in many ways not going was the making of me.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d wake up on a fine spring day at my home in the Bordeaux region of France, brew some coffee then eat fresh figs from my garden. I’d spend the morning tinkering with my WWII Willys Jeep, before driving it, with the windscreen down, to the village to buy fresh bread. At lunchtime, I’d meet my partner Catherine, my two children, James and Kate and five grandchildren [aged eight months to seven] and we’d have an afternoon skiing at Val d’Isère. Then I’d catch a Learjet to Tahiti and recover on the beach from all that exercise! In the evening, Catherine and I would meet at a villa in Martinique and enjoy a fine Pauillac wine as the sun goes down. We’d return to France to listen to the crickets sing the rest of the night. 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Staying at a good party too long and having that final extra glass of wine. At 69 I should be more dignified and leave early – but I’m a fool!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...If This Is A Man by Primo Levi. A Jewish-Italian chemist, he survived Auschwitz and wrote about the horror with moving forgiveness.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d ensconce myself in Kim Jong-un’s palace in North Korea to find out what planet he and his team are on. The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Those who litter the countryside. Go to the tip, like decent people.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Leopard from 1963 with Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale. There’s never been a more beautiful woman than Claudia, and Burt is great.

The person who has influenced you most...Alan Sugar. I went to work as his PR in 1983 and it was like a rollercoaster. He lives life like a battle and I’ve grown to like the smell of cordite.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Julius Caesar when Rome was at its pinnacle. I’d love to know how he masterminded all those victories in his empire.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Judge as you find.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Mowing the lawn. I have seven types of lawn mower and three tractors. I get it from my father, who was obsessed with keeping the lawn neat.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A Victorian music box left to me by my grandmother when she died aged 99 in the early 60s. I sold it for £80 to pay for a flight to America. It was a wicked thing to do.

The unending quest that drives you on...To travel to far-off places. I’ve done the outer reaches of the Andes, Russia, Eastern Europe and Mongolia. Top of my list is to island-hop from Fiji to Japan.

The poem that touches your soul...The Song Of Wandering Aengus by WB Yeats. It has such beautiful language.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I have an inside track on finance. People ask what’s going to happen with the stock market and I say, ‘I haven’t a clue!’

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Taking The Apprentice job. For me – a non-entity – to be acknowledged like I am by the public has made me more confident.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a small Cézanne self-portrait from The National Gallery in London. I admired it when I visited there often in my 20s – to chat up American girls!

The song that means most to you...Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs sung by the American soprano Renée Fleming. Her voice is simply fantastic.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...That’s tricky. I’m more pre-disposed to depression. That said, the arrival of my first grandson, Freddie, was pretty special.

The saddest time that shook your world...The end of my marriage. We were together from 1973 until 1985. Divorce is a failure and it was my fault.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have an unexpected and painless death!

The philosophy that underpins your life...To find the humanity in people.

The order of service at your funeral...  I’m a traditionalist and want a church service with all of Strauss’s Four Last Songs and to be buried in a quiet English country churchyard – the thought of ending my days in a great big municipal cemetery fills me with horror.

The way you want to be remembered...Just as a decent bloke.

The Plug...The Apprentice premieres on Tuesday 7 May at 9pm on BBC1, then switches to Wednesdays at 9pm on BBC1 from 8 May onwards. The Apprentice: You’re Fired! follows the main show on BBC2. 

 

The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer

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Published: 27 April 2013

Disgraced minister Jonathan Aitken:

‘I know I’ll be remembered as the Cabinet minister who went to jail, but I would like a ‘PS’: Later in life, he did a lot of good and helped the lives of ex-offenders’

 

Every week, we ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s former politician, Jonathan Aitken…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My copy of the 18-volume Complete Oxford English Dictionary. Winston Churchill’s son Randolph gave it to me on my 21st birthday.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend... Telling a lie on oath in court [during his libel trial against The Guardian in 1997], which was a catastrophe for my life and career.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... ‘I’d take the sleeper train from Euston to Rannoch in the Scottish Highlands, then hike to the top of Tom’s Hill with my best friend Malcolm [Baron Pearson of Rannoch], where we’d enjoy a picnic of venison sausage sandwiches and Chablis. In the afternoon I’d relax on Sorrento Beach in Perth, Australia, with my wife Elizabeth and children Alexandra, Victoria, William and Petrina. I’d go surfing, then we’d all have a beach barbecue. I’d stop off at the Ritz in Paris for a glass of Dom Pérignon before returning to Rannoch for Scottish mussels, then bed.

The temptation you wish you could resist...A second helping of comfort food, like steak and kidney pudding.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Other Men’s Flowers, an anthology of poems selected by Lord Wavell [a field marshal during World War II].

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d visit Heaven with an angel to see what it’s like.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People playing loud music from cars or music systems on the beach.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Magnificent Seven. It’s a morality tale and a brilliant Western.

The person who has influenced you most...My great-uncle Max Aitken, the 1st Lord Beaverbrook – the only person other than Churchill to be in the Cabinet during both world wars. He opened my eyes to politics, English and journalism.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Henry VII, to talk about how he brought up his son Henry VIII. I’d like to know if he thought he’d failed.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...If you’re kind, people will be kind to you, but if you’re ruthless it will rebound.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I love steam trains. I’m envious of Michael Portillo for becoming the TV face of trainspotting!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A large collection of family letters and ones written by myself throughout my school days, including my first love letters. They were stolen from my home in London.

The unending quest that drives you on...To find peace with God. I don’t think you can find perfect peace anywhere on this side of the grave, but stumbling along the road of life itself is a good journey.

The poem that touches your soul... Tennyson’s Ulysses. It’s about a man who is getting older, yet still feels he has the energy for great new voyages. It resonates so much because, although I’m 70 now, I still feel the desire to do more.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That because I went to prison I am a "bad" person. I’ve had people shout at me on the escalator in the Tube, "You ******* crook". It can be deeply wounding.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being sent to prison [he was sentenced to 18 months and served seven in 1999 for perjury and perverting the course of justice]. I’m now more fulfilled because of it.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I couldn’t be tempted. One crime was enough!

The song that means most to you...The Garden Where The Praties Grow, sung by the Irish tenor John McCormack. I caught TB when I was four and I was sent to a special hospital in Dublin for three and a half years. I couldn’t walk and was kept in a thing called a "frame" which was like an iron lung. At Christmas McCormack would come and sing for us children – a great joy.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The moment, aged eight, when I knew I could run and dance like other children after so long in hospital.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my father William in 1964 from a heart attack. He was 58 and I was 21. He was a wonderful father and a rock in my life. I was devastated.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To help reduce the re-offending rate of ex-prisoners. Seven out of ten go back within two years.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll have a service at St Matthew’s Westminster with the hymns Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken, Amazing Grace and Psalm 90, then I want to be buried alongside my parents in the churchyard in Playford, Suffolk.

The way you want to be remembered...I know I’ll be remembered as the Cabinet minister who went to jail, but if possible I would like a "PS" – afterwards he helped the lives of ex-offenders.

The Plug...My new book Margaret Thatcher: Power And Personality will be published by Bloomsbury this autumn. Visit bloomsbury.com.

 

 

Disgraced Minister Jonathan Aitken

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Published: 20 April 2013

Scientist Dame Mary Archer:

‘I was diagnosed with high-risk bladder cancer in 2010, so I had it removed and reconstructed from my intestine. The new one works much better’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s scientist Dame Mary Archer’s turn… 

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A ruby necklace, earrings and bracelet my husband Jeffrey gave me for our ruby [40th] wedding anniversary in 2006. They’re very special.   

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not getting to see my son William sing solo in a choral concert at his prep school when he was 11. I was working. He’s never forgotten it!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I would begin with a 3km jog near our home in Cambridge. I’m 68 now and a run sets me up for the day. Then I’d attend a seminar about converting sunlight into fuel at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. I’d join Jeffrey and the boys [sons James, 38, and William, 40, and his four-month-old baby Alexander] at our favourite restaurant, Lucio in Chelsea. I’d have sea bass followed by affogato – their homemade ice cream – which is wicked. I’d go to the RSC theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in the afternoon to see Much Ado About Nothing, then visit our home, called Writers’ Block, in Majorca for a swim. I’d have dinner at Tempo in Mayfair, making sure I have some Pouilly Fumé wine and lemon tart, then I’d sing in the choir at a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall. 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Playing with my Bengal cat Sunita when I should be working.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust. It’s full of so many truths about life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d visit pubs and stub out the cigarettes being smoked by young women. It’s so tragic to see girls ruining their health.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Bad spelling or punctuation. I like to take out my editorial red pen to make corrections when I see errors.

The film you can watch time and time again...A Man For All Seasons from 1966. I particularly loved Susannah York as Thomas More’s daughter Margaret. She was so beautiful.

The person who has influenced you most...Sir George Porter, who was director of the Royal Institution when I was researching chemistry there in the 70s. He kindled my interest in solar energy. He sadly died in 2002.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The great 19th-century scientist Michael Faraday. He created the dynamo and electric motor. I’d like to show him what happened thanks to his work.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...The same piece of advice my father Harold gave me when I was young: never let anything you don’t understand pass you by. In other words, ask questions.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Tap dancing. I can’t do it, but I have wild moments when I think it’d be fun to go on Strictly Come Dancing. This is not to be encouraged! Jeffrey’s been asked many times.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My bladder! I was diagnosed with high-risk bladder cancer in 2010, so I had it removed and reconstructed from my intestine. The new one works much better.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be an expert in whatever I do.

The poem that touches your soul... BC:AD by UA Fanthorpe. She was my English teacher at Cheltenham Ladies’ College and a poet. This poem is so subtle and not a word is wasted.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I wrote Jeffrey’s early books. I used to read them and correct his punctuation, but I never changed a syllable.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being accepted to read chemistry at Oxford University in 1962. It was transformative.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...To push anyone I see dropping litter headfirst into the nearest dustbin.

The song that means most to you...The Victorian religious ballad The Holy City from 1892. My father used to play it on the organ and taught me the words. It reminds me of him.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When Cambridge University Hospital won Trust Of The Year in 2008. I was chairman at the time.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my father from lung cancer in 1971 when he was 60. I was 26 and he died before I could tell him I was pregnant with William.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play the organ.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be a force for good.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d like a service at Great St Mary’s church at Cambridge University beginning with Bach’s Fugue in E flat. Jeffrey would read from John Donne’s Meditations XVII – if he’s up to it! There’d be a wake at our house in Cambridge.

The way you want to be remembered...As a giver, not a taker.

The Plug...My book The Story Of The Old Vicarage, Grantchester can be ordered from www.jeffreyarcher.com, £10 plus p&p. All profits go to the Rupert Brooke Society.  

 

Scientist Dame Mary Archer

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Published: 13 April 2013

Homeland star David Harewood:

‘If there’s alcohol, music and friends I want to be at the centre of it all. But the older I get, the harder it is to recover’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Homeland star David Harewood…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A good luck card from the author Philip Pullman on the first night of the His Dark Materials adaptation at the National Theatre in 2004 when I played Lord Asriel. He used the term ‘when the whole world knows your name’. I still read it for inspiration.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d been more attentive at school.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up in the Empire State penthouse suite at the Setai Fifth Avenue hotel in New York with my wife Kirsty and our daughters Maize, ten, and Raven, seven. We’d have a huge room service breakfast, then fly to Barbados where I’d work out on Gibbs beach on the west coast and play in the sea with the kids. Then we’d go to Rome – checking out the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. I’d have veal in mushroom sauce for lunch there with red wine, then relax on a cruise down the Nile. We’d watch the sun dip behind the Pyramids, then see the neon lights come on across Tokyo and have some sake. We’d all party on through the night in New Orleans with plenty of music and dancing. I’d end the day with a big cigar and a glass of rum in Havana, Cuba. Then I’d pass out!

The temptation you wish you could resist...Partying! If there’s alcohol, music and friends I want to be at the centre of it all. But the older I get, the harder it is to recover.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. I read it when I was 13 and it changed my understanding of the creature from the films I’d seen. It had intelligence and compassion.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit in the ladies’ loos at the Oscars and listen to the women talking about the men. Men’s loos tend to be quiet places, but it all goes down in the Ladies!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Rudeness in all its forms.

The film you can watch time and time again...12 Angry Men has a truly great collection of actors giving fantastic performances. It’s an acting masterclass.

The person who has influenced you most...Stephen Dartnell, who directed me in King Lear at RADA in the 90s. It was the first time I really believed in myself. He died in 1995.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’d love to talk with Martin Luther King, just to hear his voice up close and be with someone who had such faith. He had such power. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. That’s how we learn.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...River fishing. It’s totally absorbing and a real challenge.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The Chopper bike I got for Christmas when I was 12. I felt so cool riding it, but a month later someone stole it. I was devastated.

The unending quest that drives you on...To do a brilliant piece of work on film that looks effortless. Not easy!

The poem that touches your soul...Rudyard Kipling’s If, especially the line that tells you to ‘hold on’ when you have nothing left.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m always confident and assured. We all have insecurities, but some of us are better at covering them up.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Becoming a father. Before my children came along I was out partying and getting drunk too much. My two beautiful girls gave my life real purpose. I’m so proud of them.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal millions from some corrupt country and give piles of cash to the people I love and to those who really need it. And I’d keep a decent chunk myself!

The song that means most to you...A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke. It’s an astonishingly beautiful song with haunting lyrics.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Being in the school choir one Christmas when I was 15. Our music teacher created a bass section out of all the naughty lads. It was the most successful concert they’d ever had. We all felt like pop stars.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my best friend Luigi Belcuore in 2009. We’d been like brothers since school. He died suddenly during a routine knee operation and it destroyed me.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To speak Italian.

The philosophy that underpins your life... Don’t try and be something you’re not and always be true to yourself. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like Mark Rylance to read Cleopatra’s death speech from Shakespeare’s Antony And Cleopatra. Then put me in the ground so you can drink yourselves under the table!

The way you want to be remembered...With a smile and as someone who brought a bit of joy to people’s lives.

The Plug...Catch me in Playhouse Presents… Hey Diddly Dee on Thursday at 9pm on Sky Arts 1. Visit www.skyarts.sky.com.

 

Homeland Star David Harewood

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Published: 6 April 2013

Olympic sailor Ben Ainslie:

"My five Olympic medals represent a lifetime of effort and now I want to win the America’s Cup"

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s Olympic sailing hero Ben Ainslie

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My five Olympic medals [four golds and one silver]. They represent a lifetime of effort.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d spent more time with loved ones. The dedication it takes to be a professional sailor has meant I’ve missed weddings, christenings and birthdays, which has been so frustrating and upsetting for people.
The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up on a Sunday and watch Chelsea thrash Spurs on Match Of The Day. After that I’d put on The Andrew Marr Show and read the newspapers, then play golf at Pebble Beach, California, with my mates. My girlfriend Marit and I would have great seafood for lunch at Catalina restaurant by Sydney Harbour. I’d spend the afternoon sailing around the harbour, then head to Las Vegas for a major night out with friends: we’d have Japanese for dinner at Nobu, then party at the Wynn hotel.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Coffee. I drink at least three cups a day. Being careful with my diet is a way of life and it’s never easy.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. It’s about never knowing what to expect from life.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit in the Tory Chief Whip’s office and see some discipline being dished out to MPs. I’m hoping it would be reminiscent of Francis Urquhart in House Of Cards.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Lack of manners and arrogance.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Godfather Part II. I love the scene when Al Pacino’s in the boathouse looking slightly psychotic after he’s ordered his brother Fredo to be killed. The acting is so intense.

The person who has influenced you most...My father Roddy. He sailed as a captain in the first Whitbread Round the World race in 1973. His passion for sailing gave me the bug. He also instilled it in me to always give 100 per cent. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Lord Nelson. In his day, sailors were really tough and it must have taken huge skill to sail those big ships. I’d love to hear him talk about the battles of Trafalgar and Copenhagen.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Make sure you find something you love to do in life. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’ve recently started taking flying lessons. I’ve only been up a few times, but it’s amazing.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My grandfather was a Spitfire pilot in World War II and he gave me all his medals before he died, but I was only six and I lost them! 

The unending quest that drives you on...To win the America’s Cup finals in San Francisco in September and bring it back to Britain where it all began in 1851. We came up with the concept, but since that first race around the Isle of Wight we’ve never won it.

The poem that touches your soul...Invictus by William Ernest Henley. It’s a powerful reminder to be strong in the face of adversity. As a sportsman you need to be good at that.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...Maybe people mistake my competitive character with my normal character. I’m very focused when I’m competing, but out of the boat I’m much more relaxed.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The first time I went sailing on my own. I was eight and my parents had bought me an Optimist – a single-handed dinghy – for Christmas. On Boxing Day, they pushed me off the beach in Cornwall and I sailed to meet them at a pub. The sense of freedom was incredible.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d love to try and steal the Mona Lisa. Now that would be a blast!

The song that means most to you...Midnight City by French electronic band M83. It’s the theme song we use for our America’s Cup Team. It fires us up.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Winning my fourth gold medal on home waters at Weymouth. Hearing thousands of people cheering as I crossed the line was overwhelming.

The saddest time that shook your world...The London bombings in 2005. Many people were on a high because London had just won the bid to host the Olympics, then that horrific act caused so much suffering.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’m 36 now and I’d love to have children one day. Sailing isn’t ideal for family life.

The philosophy that underpins your life...If you want to succeed, you have to give everything and commit fully.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll probably leave my family to work everything out, but I’m sure Jerusalem will be on the hymn sheet.

The way you want to be remembered...As a great sailor and a good man. 

The Plug...Ben and his JP Morgan BAR team will compete in the America’s Cup World Series event in Naples from 17-21 April. Visit www.jpmorganbarblog.com or www.benainslie.com.  

 

 

Olympic Sailor Ben Ainslie

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Published: 30 March 2013

Actress Phyllida Law:

‘I lost my virginity when I was 24, so it would be fun to go back and start all over again!’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of actress Phyllida Law…

The prized possession you value above all others...My bed. It’s incredibly comfortable. It’s only a single with an old brass bedstead that was given to my daughter Sophie [actress Sophie Thompson] when she was 18, but the mattress is Tempur foam, which was developed by NASA and moulds to your body.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Giving up the piano when I was 16. I’d had lessons and loved playing, but I began devoting all my time to studying to become a doctor.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d take my best friend Mildew on a tour of the islands of Scotland – by kayak! We’d paddle to Eigg, Rum, Muck and Jura and tow a dinghy behind us full of Puligny-Montrachet wine and catch lobster, langoustines and crab. Then I’d magically arrive in Quito in Ecuador for a sundowner drink and end the day at home in West Hampstead with my four grandchildren having a roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding made by my other daughter Emma [actress Emma Thompson] and Sophie. We’d have all the trimmings and drink some nice Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Chocolate raisins. I don’t have to worry about my weight – I’m 80 so it’s too late to care about things like that – but once I start I eat rather too many.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. I first read it in one sitting when I was 19 and stayed up until 3am sobbing. It was so devastating and really took me to the horrors of the First World War.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d have a good snoop inside the Vatican and look through all those secret archives.
The pet hate that always gets your back up... The sound of people typing non-stop on their laptops on the train.

The film you can watch time and time again...The beginning of Ice Age 3 with the squirrel who has to find the acorn. I’ve watched it with my grandchildren many times and love it because it’s so witty and enchanting.

The person who has influenced you most...A lady called Jenny McAra, who was my first proper teacher, for two years from when I was nine. I admired and respected her – she taught me so much about listening and learning.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin. I’d love to know what he was up to with the Tsar’s family and how he really died.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t waste time trying to be perfect. It’s fine to have faults.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Dry stone walling. I marvel at the intricate beauty of them, especially across Scotland.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I lost my virginity when I was 24, so it would be fun to go back and start all over again!

The unending quest that drives you on...To find peace in each day.

The poem that touches your soul...Carcassonne by the 19th-century French songwriter Gustave Nadaud. It’s about a man who dies before he realises his dream to see the town of Carcassonne, which is a metaphor for heaven.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Phyllida Lloyd, the director of Mamma Mia!. People tell me they loved that show and the film. They’re crestfallen when I say I had nothing to do with it!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Discovering at 17 that I didn’t have a life-threatening disease! From the age of 11 I was convinced I was ill. That made me devote what I thought remained of my life to becoming a doctor. Then I found out I was only anaemic. I threw in medicine and became a theatrical designer.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a painting by the Dutch artist Vilhelm Hammershoi and look at it in awe.

The song that means most to you...Miss Otis Regrets by Cole Porter. It moves me whenever I hear it.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I bought my cottage in Ardentinny, Scotland, 50 years ago. It’s the most stunning place in the world.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my husband [narrator of The Magic Roundabout Eric Thompson] and my brother, James, were ill in 1982. Both were 53 and they died within months of each other. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To speak French. I have lessons but I can’t imagine I’ll ever manage it without living there.

The philosophy that underpins your life...You have to keep laughing.

The order of service at your funeral... I’d be taken to the crematorium by dustcart with a jazz band playing. I want my ashes scattered in a glen near my home in Scotland and I’d like an unsuitable reading to make everyone smile.

The way you want to be remembered...With a glass of wine and laughter.

The Plug...How Many Camels Are There In Holland? Dementia, Ma And Me by Phyllida Law is published by Fourth Estate, £12.99.  

 

Actress Phyllida Law

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Published: 23 March 2013

Actor Robson Green:

"I was devastated by my father’s death and I lost a sense of self for a while. He was my role model. His death really made me grow up"

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept the definitive answer. Here, it is actor Robson Green’s turn.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A family tree of my ancestors going back to a David Robson in 1851. He was a putter – the guy who pushed the carts of coal from a pit – in Rothbury, Northumberland.It hangs in my home in Northumberland and gives me a sense of place and value.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...In 2007 I was filming in South Shields and paid a security guard £10 to keep an eye on my black Range Rover Vogue. I came back and it was smashed up. I went into a rage and said, ‘You’d have to work ten years to afford a car like that!’ He said, ‘That’s not your car!’ Mine was round the corner. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all morning circling Earth in the space shuttle with the American astronaut Jim Lovell telling me stories about the Apollo 13 mission. We’d ditch in the North Sea and I’d meet my 12-year-old son Taylor [Robson separated from Taylor’s mum Vanya two years ago] for haddock and chips at Robinson Crusoe’s restaurant in Tynemouth. We’d find a pub and watch Newcastle beat Manchester United in the FA Cup Final, while discussing the meaning of life with Professor Brian Cox. Then Taylor and I would hang out at home watching Family Guy DVDs and looking at the stars through my telescope.

The temptation you wish you could resist...I’m addicted to Rowntree’s Randoms and can eat five bags a day.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Skippy Dies by Paul Murray. It’s about unrequited love and takes me back to when I was nine and gave a girl a box of Milk Tray. She ate the lot then went off with the hardest lad in school.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d watch Daniel Day-Lewis preparing for a role.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Reality TV shows like Big Brother. Those people have an attention-seeking disease.

The film you can watch time and time again...It’s A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. I watch it every Christmas Eve and it always makes me cry.

The person who has influenced you most...Max Roberts, who was the artistic director of my youth theatre when I was 15. He gave me the encouragement to stick with acting and I’ve never forgotten it. We’re still in touch.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...George Stephenson, creator of the Rocket steam train. I’d like to know how you go from being a cobbler and miner to an expert in steam locomotion. How does that happen!?

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...The most ordinary life can be extraordinary, not because of what you are given, but because of what you are able to achieve.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Fireworks. For my 40th birthday [he’s now 48] I was given a course in pyrotechnics. I even spent £25,000 on a display for New Year’s Eve 2005. Boys love a bang!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Muhammad Ali’s autograph, which my mum got for me when I was 12. She was a cleaner at the Holiday Inn in Newcastle and he came to stay. It was lost during a move.

The unending quest that drives you on...To go into space. I tried to sell a TV series following me on Richard Branson’s spaceship, but it was turned down – because Branson’s doing one!

The poem that touches your soul...Wilfred Owen’s Dulce Et Decorum Est because it sums up the horror of war.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People often say to me, ‘You’re one lucky Geordie!’ I say, ‘The harder I work, the luckier I get.’ It’s no fluke to survive in this business for 30 years.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My dad’s death from an aneurism in 2009. He was also called Robson. I lost a sense of self for a while. Dad worked down the pit and taught me what real work is.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...Well, I’ve already got away with serious crimes against music – my three number ones with Jerome Flynn!

The song that means most to you... Bill Withers’ Lovely Day lifts my spirits.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...In December 1973 when Malcolm MacDonald, the legend of Newcastle United, came to our school.

The saddest time that shook your world...When HMS Sheffield was sunk during the Falklands War in 1982. I remember sobbing at the footage.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play Hotspur in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Henry IV Part One.  

The philosophy that underpins your life...There are wonderful folk in the world, meet as many as you can.

The order of service at your funeral...Just bury me in the Northumbrian hills while Kathryn Tickell plays The Cliffs Of Old Tynemouth on the pipes. Then I’d like a knees-up at Crusoe’s with re-runs of Soldier Soldier on the TV.

The way you want to be remembered...He was alright, him.

The Plug...Robson’s Extreme Fishing Challenge, Monday, 9pm, Channel 5

 

 

Actor Robson Green

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Published: 16 March 2013

Cold Feet actress Fay Ripley:

‘Suffering two miscarriages at three months in between my two children was a really nasty shock’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: actress and food author Fay Ripley…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...The basement kitchen at my home in north London. I designed it when my husband Dan [Australian actor Daniel Lapaine] and I gutted the house in 2006. It’s where I’m happiest.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not spending more on my wedding in 2001! My dad, Bev, always said he’d pay for a big wedding, but when it came to it I was really frugal and it came in at £10,000. I could easily have nailed Dad for £100,000.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have a bagel with salt beef for breakfast with Dan outside Tiffany on 5th Avenue in New York, where we got engaged. Then we’d fly with the kids – Parker, ten, and Sonny, six – to Balmoral beach in Sydney. We’d have grilled fish for lunch at the Bathers’ Pavilion restaurant there and then head to the South of France where my first stop would be at a supermarket. They’re incredible – each one is like Harrods Food Hall. We’d have an early supper at Club 55 in St Tropez with a huge plate of frites and a bottle of Côtes de Provence rosé wine. We’d end the day at Babington House hotel in Somerset.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Handbags. I buy five to ten a year and currently have about 50. I’m particularly into Angel Jackson bags.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Delia Smith’s Complete Illustrated Cookery Course. It was given to me in my 20s and I still use it.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d be a fly on the wall at my kids’ school.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Drivers not obeying the ‘two chevrons spacing’ rule on motorways. I feel like I’m the only person in the country who bothers.

The film you can watch time and time again...American Graffiti from 1973, which is a classic coming-of-age movie about a group of teenagers in 1960s America. I watched it as an incredibly uncool 13-year-old and fell in love with one of the stars, Paul Le Mat.

The person who has influenced you most...My late grandmother, Ivy Winepress Forster. My parents divorced when I was two and I was brought up in two families. My grandmother was a bridge between both worlds – and she made amazing pastry.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Prince Albert. He did so much for our country in terms of its buildings, parks and culture. He was only 42 when he died. I’d like to know what his ambitions would have been if he’d lived longer.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Be a citizen of the world and care as much for a neighbour who lives 1,000 miles away as one who lives down the street.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m a compulsive room painter. I can decide to change a colour at 9pm and start rollering right away.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A jewellery box containing all the gifts for my christening, including gold sovereign coins, a watch and a gold bracelet. When I was 18 and moving into my first flat I left the door open and someone nipped in and stole it.

The unending quest that drives you on...To bake, to eat, to share.  

The poem that touches your soul...She Is Gone by David Harkins. It tells you that you can smile and live on by remembering the people you lose. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a Northerner! Everyone always expects me to speak in a Mancunian accent because of Jenny from Cold Feet, but I was brought up in Surrey.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting the job on Cold Feet in 1996. Until then my TV career had been limited to playing unnamed prostitutes.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d stay at the finest hotels and never pay the bill.

The song that means most to you...One Big Family by Templecloud. I put it on loudly while I’m cooking and insist the kids dance with me.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Beating Gordon Ramsay in a blind tasting of our chocolate brownies in the F Word TV show in 2009.

The saddest time that shook your world...Suffering two miscarriages at three months in between my two children. It was a really nasty shock.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To run a food business like a restaurant or a shop.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Give a damn about someone else and they will give a damn about you.

The order of service at your funeral...I want to be cremated on a bonfire in the country with a service that makes everybody cry. I want some Samuel Barber classical music, but then Get Happy by Judy Garland. There will be a huge cake with a figure of me on top, and a goodie bag for everyone.

The way you want to be remembered...For my Bakewell tart! 

The Plug...Fay is the ambassador for Bacon Connoisseurs Week, starting Monday, celebrating great Red Tractor Bacon. Visit www.lovepork.co.uk.

 

 

Cold Feet Actress Fay Ripley

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Published: 9 March 2013

Actor Brian Cox:

‘I was left on my own at an age when a child shouldn’t be expected to deal with things’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of stage and screen actor Brian Cox.

The prized possession you value above all others...A little statue of Ganesh, the Hindu elephant god. I’ve had it for about ten years and it travels everywhere with me. It’s a talisman that helps knock down obstacles in life.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...About 15 years ago I was disparaging about another actor to a woman and told her he was no good for a certain role. She then told me that they were engaged! It was a very uncomfortable moment and I apologised, but the damage was done.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I would need a day of calmness. I’d watch the sun come up on the east coast of Scotland, then have a massage on a beach in Hawaii. My wife Nicole and our children, Orson, 11, and Torin, eight, would join me for a play in the surf. We’d have lunch in the Tarn region of the South of France with Alan and Margaret, my grown-up children from my first marriage, then walk it off with a stroll along the Silver Sands of Morar in Scotland. I’d end the day watching the sunset in Tahiti while sharing a bottle of champagne with Nicole.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Sweets and desserts, especially big puddings like baked Alaska. I’m 66 and diabetic, so I have to be very careful about my sugar intake.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...In Search Of The Miraculous by Russian writer Peter Ouspensky. It teaches you how to live in the moment.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go inside a totally private Tibetan monastery to observe how the monks live and worship. Hopefully, I’d come away with some special knowledge about life.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who presume things really irritate me because their damn presumptions are usually wrong.

The film you can watch time and time again...On The Waterfront with Marlon Brando from 1954. It’s about one man’s struggle against the odds and his courage to stand up to the bad guys. 

The person who has influenced you most...Fulton Mackay. Most people knew him as Mr Mackay from Porridge, but I met him in my teens and he became my mentor. He was a man of great compassion. In 1987 I pressed the button at his cremation to send him on his way. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’d get Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha together and tell them to sort out all the confusion they’ve caused!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Always say your prayers – but not necessarily to a god. Vocalising your wishes helps them come true.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Sudoku puzzles. I love the logic and some days I’ll do five.   

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A pile of letters to me from John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson. I gave them to my agent to photocopy in the 80s but a cleaner threw them away. I was gutted.

The unending quest that drives you on...Trying to make sense of it all.

The poem that touches your soul...I Am by the 19th-century English poet John Clare. He went mad and wrote it in an asylum. It’s incredibly moving.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m Professor Brian Cox! It happens all the time and last year I even got a letter from Sebastian Coe asking me to carry the Olympic torch through Manchester because of my ‘connections to the city’. They soon apologised for getting the wrong Brian Cox.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My father, Charles, dying from pancreatic cancer when I was eight. He was only 51 and my mother subsequently had several nervous breakdowns. I was left on my own at an age when a child shouldn’t be expected to deal with things.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would impersonate that other Brian Cox and steal all his royalties! 

The song that means most to you...You Are My Sunshine by Ricky Nelson. It conjures up moments from my childhood of my parents singing it to me, and I’ve sung it to my own children.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...It brings me great happiness when the word ‘Wrap!’ is shouted out on a film or TV production.

The saddest time that shook your world...My father’s death. It was thought right that I was spared the pain of his funeral because I was so young, but I regret not going.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to fly a small plane. Just me, up in the clouds. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Don’t become attached to things because they’ll drag you down. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like something theatrical with songs and readings that reflect my life.

The way you want to be remembered...He always gave everything his best.

The Plug...Brian Cox appears in The Weir at London’s Donmar Warehouse from 18 April. Barclay’s Front Row £10 tickets are available from 8 April. Visit www.donmarwarehouse.com.

 

 

Actor Brian Cox

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Published: 2 March 2013

Actress Diana Quick:

"I love to dance flamenco and salsa – if I’m in a shop and hear music I have to stop myself moving to it" 

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of actress Diana Quick

 The prized possession you value above all others...My three-year-old dog Maude. She’s half lurcher, half Parson Jack Russell and travels with me a lot when I’m on a theatre tour.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Saying mean and catty things. It makes me feel queasy.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start the day with a platter of tropical fruit by the volcanic Boiling Lake in Dominica with my daughter Mary [28, whose father is actor Bill Nighy] and all my nearest and dearest. We’d have a dip in the Emerald Pool, then fly by helicopter to the Sierra mountains in Ecuador to go skiing. I’d go for lunch in Rome and have fish with champagne risotto and a chocolate desert. After, I’d walk around the Hermitage museum in St Petersburg, then head back to my cottage in Suffolk and cook dinner for my family with a few bottles of Dom Perignon champagne.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Procrastination. It would save me a lot of hassle if I could stop saying, ‘Oh I’ll do that tomorrow’.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...French Provincial Cooking by Elizabeth David, which a boyfriend gave me when I was 19. It gave me the cooking skills that I still use.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day... I’d eavesdrop on the homeless and see what I could do to help them.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Bad driving. I succumb to road rage myself when I see people in cars behaving obnoxiously. I’m filled with a spontaneous, implacable fury.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Spirit Of The Beehive, a Spanish film from 1973. It’s about a girl who befriends a fugitive after the Spanish Civil war. It conjures up images of how I felt as a little girl.

The person who has influenced you most...Mary Davies, who was my English and drama teacher from when I was 13 to 17. She inspired my love for acting. Sadly, she died a few years ago.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Catherine the Great. I’d ask her about her favourite possessions in the Hermitage and why she was such a despot!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...I would keep it simple: Believe in yourself. If you have confidence in yourself, at least you will take the first step up the mountain, even if the task ahead seems impossible.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Dancing – I’ve learnt flamenco and salsa. Even in a shop I’ll hear music and I have to stop myself moving to it.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A Tiffany diamond necklace I was given 35 years ago by my then boyfriend Albert Finney. He took me to the store in New York and there in a cabinet was a single necklace waiting for me. He’d set it all up. I was devastated when it was stolen in a burglary in 2011.

The unending quest that drives you on...To feel at peace with myself in understanding why we’re here and that I’d done the best I could if life were to suddenly stop.

The poem that touches your soul...So Many Different Lengths Of Time by Brian Patten, one of the great Liverpool poets of the 60s. It’s about death and it particularly resonates with me now because I’ve reached that age, 66, when people close to me have started to die.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m scary. I’m not sure if it’s down to the perception from interviews or the roles I’ve played, such as judges. I’m actually kind and generous-spirited. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...I contracted Hepatitis A when I was 19. I was in a coma for ten days and it was touch and go. My idea of the world changed afterwards. I suddenly knew I was mortal and I became more measured.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d take money from every major corporation and redistribute it to those in need.  The song that means most to you...Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye. Hearing it always makes me happy and want to dance.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The moment Mary opened her eyes after three days of being unconscious in hospital following a car accident when she was two-and-a-half.  

The saddest time that shook your world...That accident. We were in a major pile-up in fog on the A12 north of Ipswich. At first she was conscious and was only complaining of stomachache, but when we got to hospital we realised she had severe internal injuries and needed emergency surgery.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play fading actress Arkadina in Chekhov’s The Seagull.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Try to live each day as if it is the only one. Be here now. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not religious and all I definitely want is for them to play Listen To The Lion by Van Morrison and scatter my ashes somewhere in Suffolk.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who could be trusted.

The Plug...Diana appears in The American Plan – first play in the 2013 Ustinov Studio season – at Bath’s Theatre Royal, from Thursday until 6 April.

 

 

Actress Diana Quick

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Published: 23 February 2013

Simply Red star Mick Hucknall:

‘I suffer from Dyscalculia – number blindness – I was made to feel stupid but art school opened up the world of creativity for me and I loved it’

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall.

The prized possession you value above all others...My health. A few months ago I was diagnosed with a thyroid condition that’s led to side effects like bloating and mood swings. They say I’m going to make a full recovery and I’m determined to stay healthy.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I’ve always enjoyed that Frank Sinatra line, ‘Regrets, I’ve had a few. But, then again, too few to mention’. I’m having such an amazing life, what could I possibly regret?

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend the day having a glass of wine in each of the top vineyards in the world starting in Bordeaux to taste a Châteaux Latour 1982, then Burgundy, followed by the Rhine and Northern Italy. By this point I’d be pretty drunk, but I’d stagger on to South America and end the day in South Australia for a glass of Penfolds Grange 1962.  

The temptation you wish you could resist...Drinking too much good wine! It’s been my only vice – along with 90 per cent of the British population!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I was a working-class kid in Manchester when I first read that. It made me daydream of going on adventures like him.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d spend a day on the beach with my family, knowing that no one would take pictures of me. It always happens and I find it embarrassing, hurtful and unkind.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People speeding in built-up areas. It’s tragic and scary that they don’t appreciate the potential consequences.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara from 1952. I was brought up without a mum [his mother, also named Maureen, walked out when Mick was three and he has never known her] and seeing O’Hara with her striking red hair made me fantasise that my mum looked like that.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad Reg, who died in 2009, was a big influence because he brought me up. My wife Gabriella has also been a great influence, and my five-year-old daughter Romy influences the way I behave – because I have to go to bed early to get up with her!

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The 17th-century Dutch painter Jan Vermeer. He could make ordinary things, like a milk jug, look extraordinary. I got a degree in fine art and I love painting. Maybe I could get a few tips from him.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Avoid making enemies. I was brought up to always tell the truth, but the truth can hurt people. Now I think it’s wiser to be conciliatory.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Medical research. I’m fascinated to see how our understanding of DNA and stem cells will change how we think we fit into the universe.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The Sex Pistols were a huge influence on me and I  had two copies of the original 1976  Anarchy In The UK on vinyl. But they were stolen in burglaries when I lived  in Moss Side, Manchester, in 1982.

The unending quest that drives you on...Composing something great that will last forever. The poem that touches your soul... Roads To France about the First World War by the English poet Tony Walton. That first line, ‘And finally I realised that all roads led to France’, encompasses the futility of war.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...I often read interviews describing me as short. It’s bewildering because I’m 5ft 11in.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Going to art school when I was 16. I’d been at a grammar school from 11 to 15 and because I suffer from Dyscalculia – number blindness – I was made to feel stupid. Art school opened up the world of creativity for me and I loved it.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d do a major gold heist like a real life Lavender Hill Mob, but with better planning!

The song that means most to you...Holding Back The Years. I wrote that when I was 17 and first released it with a group called Frantic Elevators, but it only sold 25 copies. It came out again with Simply Red in 1985 and changed the trajectory of my life. 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The birth of my daughter in 2007. It was incredible and joyful.

The saddest time that shook your world...The shooting of John Lennon. It just seemed such a tragic waste.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...My next song. It’s always to write my next song.

The philosophy that underpins your life...To keep the freedom to work.

The order of service at your funeral...A proper knees-up with plenty of great music and humour.

The way you want to be remembered...As a singer and songwriter.

The Plug...A deluxe double CD version of Mick’s album American Soul is out now. Visit, www.mickhucknall.com and follow @SimplyRedHQ on Twitter.   

Simply Red Singer Mick Hucknall

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Published: 16 February 2013

BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid:

‘My parents’ divorce made me a commitment-phobe but my partner accepts why I don’t want to marry’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: BBC Breakfast’s Susanna Reid

The prized possession you value above all others...A copy of the Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake, which the actress Harriet Walter gave to me after I played her daughter in Channel 4’s The Price when I was 13. It reminds me of a life-changing experience. I loved acting but I didn’t pursue it because so few actors succeed.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I’ve not written a novel. I’m terrified of committing to the page, but I’ll be sorry if I come to the end of my life and haven’t written one.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with my partner Dominic and our threes sons – Sam, ten, Finn, nine, and Jack, seven – at the Cipriani hotel in Venice, then we’d head to the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel in LA for breakfast. I’d have scrambled eggs with asparagus, spinach and avocado, followed by pancakes with fruit and whipped butter. Then we’d hang out by the pool. Later we’d have a picnic lunch in the dunes at Camber Sands in East Sussex and play on the beach. In the evening, Dom and I would have margaritas and burritos at the Puerto Alegre Mexican restaurant in San Francisco with a mariachi band playing.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Checking Twitter. It’s endlessly fascinating, but it’s also a black hole for your time and energy. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It spoke to me as a  teenager and I marvelled at its complexity in my 20s and 30s, but now I’m 42 and a mother it feels unbearably cruel. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d see what my children do at school because when I ask them, they all say, ‘Nothing!’

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People describing their dreams. Is there anything more pointless?

The film you can watch time and time again...Bugsy Malone from 1976. I always cry during You Give A Little Love, the song at the end.   

The person who has influenced you most...My partner, Dominic. I was a commitment phobe until we met, but since then I’ve learnt a lot. He’s very supportive and accepts why I don’t want to get married. I had a choppy childhood after my parents divorced when I was nine. I want us to do it our way.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The American writer Dorothy Parker. She was a clever, glamorous, witty and acerbic poet.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...The same Goethe quote my mum passed on to me, ‘Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.’ It’s basically saying you can do anything, just get started.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Hip-hop music. I’m not sure why the sound from the American ghettos speaks to a middle class white girl from Croydon, but I love it. There is something primal about the beat and the defiance of the lyrics. It is so powerful. In my alternative universe, I am a DJ in a hip-hop nightclub!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Silence. I’ve had tinnitus since Finn’s birth, which probably resulted from a difficult labour.

The unending quest that drives you on...To ensure that my children have happy and fulfilled childhoods.

The poem that touches your soul...Still I Rise by American poet Maya Angelou, which is about her fighting oppression to make a success of her life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I hate my commute to Salford. I spend 21 hours a week travelling from London, but I relish that time and get lots done. And I’d be doing housework otherwise!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Becoming editor of my student newspaper Epigram at Bristol University when I was 19. It gave me a mission for my life.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it... I’d nobble the results in the Championship so Crystal Palace would get automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The song that means most to you...Coldplay’s Paradise. It’s cheesy, but it fills me with love and optimism. 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Seeing my family as I reached the 18th mile in last year’s London Marathon. To know how proud they were of me carried me to the end.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my mum told me she and Dad were getting divorced. I cried and cried. I don’t blame them and I know it was the right thing, but it was so sad. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To finish this year’s Marathon in under five hours. I did five hours, 12 minutes last time. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Everything seems impossible – until it’s done.  

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not religious so I’ll leave it up to my family to decide if they want a spiritual service. I’d like my ashes to be buried next to my grandparents in Croydon.

The way you want to be remembered...By family and friends, as someone who loved unconditionally. By viewers, as someone who brightened the mornings. And as an award-winning novelist!

The Plug...Susanna presents BBC Breakfast, daily, from 6am, BBC1.  

 

Good Morning Britain Presenter (and Pierce Moron assistant) Susanna Reid

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Published: 9 February 2013

Actor and novelist Simon Williams:

 ‘I love the ritual of cleaning shoes. I used to do it for prefects at Harrow and if friends come round with grubby shoes I’ll go off and clean them’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Upstairs, Downstairs actor Simon Williams.

 

The prized possession you value above all others...The address book on my iPhone. I have over 1,000 contacts in there. If I lost it I’d become a recluse.  

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not going to drama school. My father [playwright and actor Hugh Williams] was opposed to the idea. He wanted me to be a hotelier. I’ve never felt part of the elite circle of actors who did go. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d begin the day with a walk along the cliffs in Polzeath, Cornwall, with my wife Lucy and my Collie-cross Flute. We’d join our family on the beach for a game of rounders, then I’d bodysurf. In the afternoon I’d doze in the garden hammock at our home near Henley, Oxfordshire, while listening to a Test match on the radio. At sundown, Lucy and I would have a fruit punch cocktail to some Bob Marley at Goldeneye, Ian Fleming’s house in Jamaica. In the evening we’d go to the latest big musical in the West End, then have a dinner full of laughter at The Ivy with friends.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Interrupting. I do it because I fear that a brilliant thought I’ve had will be lost forever, but it’s very rude.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Goodbye To All That by Robert Graves. It evokes the England that was lost after the Great War. It was the mainspring of my research for James Bellamy in Upstairs, Downstairs.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d rewrite the Autocue scripts just before the party leaders make their political broadcasts, forcing them to tell the truth.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The voice on the telephone that says, ‘The person you are calling knows you are waiting.’ What’s wrong with just having the engaged tone?

The film you can watch time and time again...Some Like It Hot with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe. It’s the most immaculate film, with amazing performances. 

The person who has influenced you most...Richard Attenborough. I’ve known him for 40 years and his energy and compassion always inspire me.   

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Pontius Pilate. I’d love to know if he regrets washing his hands of Jesus.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t ask permission, ask for forgiveness. Act now, say sorry later.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Cleaning shoes. I used to do it for prefects at Harrow and I love the ritual. If friends come round with grubby shoes I’ll go off and clean them.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My father’s make-up box, which I inherited in 1969. It was stolen in 1970 and I still miss it. 

The unending quest that drives you on...To be more patient, especially with inanimate objects like the car.
The poem that touches your soul...Cynarae by the 19th-century English poet Ernest Dowson. It’s a haunting poem to lost love. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People still expect me to be like James Bellamy. He was a humourless, rude, chauvinistic, upper-class cad. I’m quite cuddly!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...I went to see a clairvoyant when I was 18 who said I was one of twins. I told my mother and she revealed she’d miscarried my twin brother at four months. I was quite shocked and it made me realise I could have been the one who perished and fuelled my desire to live life for him as well as for me.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal banker Fred Goodwin’s ill-gotten gains and give them to Comic Relief.  

The song that means most to you...Sad Sweet Dreamer by the Stylistics. It reminds me of my wife. It’s our song.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Leaving Harrow School in 1962 when I was 16. I hated it. Many of the teachers were ex-military bullies.

The saddest time that shook your world...Learning about the Holocaust when I was 12. It shook me to know that such evil was possible.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be original as an actor and as a writer.

The philosophy that underpins your life... As George Bernard Shaw wrote for Professor Higgins in Pygmalion: ‘The great secret is not having bad manners or good manners or any other particular sort of manners, but having the same manner for all human souls.’

The order of service at your funeral..A Book Of Common Prayer service at my local church, St Bartholomew’s in Nettlebed, beginning with Psalm 121, which is my favourite, followed by the hymns The Battle Hymn Of The Republic and There Is A Green Hill Far Away. I would like a eulogy with plenty of jokes and, of course, lots of flattery.

The way you want to be remembered...With a smile and as someone who didn’t take himself too seriously.

The Plug...As a Vice President of Denville Hall, the retirement home for actors and actresses, we are forever in need of funds. Please visit denville hall.org.uk.

 

 

Actor And Novelist Simon Williams

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Published: 2 February 2013

BBC News titan John Simpson:

 ‘I wish people would stop thinking I’m David Attenborough. I’m half-flattered, but half-irritated because he’s nearly 20 years older than me!’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: BBC World Affairs editor John SImpson

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A 12th-century Chinese bowl I bought in Beijing in 2000. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...When a young man called Kamran was killed in a bombing by an American F-15 in Iraq in 2003. He was 24 and working for me as an interpreter. It was the worst thing that’s ever happened to me professionally.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with my wife Dee and our six-year-old son Rafe in our flat near the Eiffel Tower in Paris and go for coffee and a croissant. We’d rent a pedal car by the Tower for Rafe, then maybe see some art before heading to Johannesburg, where Dee is from. We’d go for a long lazy lunch and I’d have Mozambique prawns and a bottle of white South African wine. We’d then go back to our home in Chelsea where we’d meet my daughters, Julia, 43, and Eleanor, 41, from my first marriage and my six grandchildren. We’d all go for noodles at New Culture Revolution restaurant on the King’s Road. I’d have a quiet night in after that watching a DVD with a glass of Laphroaig whisky.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Books. I have about 4,000 and I love the smell and feel of them.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne. It’s very funny, and quite rude, and I take it everywhere.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d hang out with Rafe to see how he interacts with his friends when I’m not around.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People speaking loudly on mobile phones – unless, of course, it’s me!

The film you can watch time and time again...Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, with Jacques Tati. I’ve loved it since I was a boy and now my son loves it.

The person who has influenced you most...My uncle, Brian Brooks, who helped bring me up when my parents separated when I was seven. He’s in his 80s now. He’s very cultured and taught me about books and music.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’m interested in dictators, the crazier the better. I’d love to interview Joseph Stalin and ask him about the death and destruction he caused.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...It’s from the poem Santa Teresa’s Bookmark by Henry Wads-worth Longfellow: ‘Patient endurance attaineth to all things.’ If you hang in there, everything comes right.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The video game Angry Birds! You wouldn’t expect a bloke of 68 to be interested in that, but Rafe introduced me to it. I do my best to win, but he’ll often get double my score.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A gold Roman ring I bought in Damascus in 1997, which was stolen two years later at a hotel in Algiers. Amazingly, it came up for sale on eBay in 2002 and I bought it for £50, but when it arrived it had been altered and flattened, so much of its charm was lost.

The unending quest that drives you on...Taking the next breath! I’m determined to have a long life and see my son and grandchildren grow up.

The poem that touches your soul...Tennyson’s Ulysses, which is about an old king striking out with a bunch of elderly followers. It’s a blueprint for my life. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m David Attenborough! I’m half-flattered, but half-irritated because he’s nearly 20 years older than me!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Choosing to stay with my father when my mother, Joy, said she was leaving him. I was seven years old and didn’t really know what I was doing. But she was a war widow and had two children from her first marriage, whereas dad had no one else, so I felt I should stick with him. My mother was devastated and never recovered from it. Although we were loving, our relationship was always completely awkward and strained because I felt so terribly guilty for rejecting her. She died in 1983.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d bankrupt the property companies building awful glass towers across London.

The song that means most to you...Always by Deanna Durbin from the 1940s. My father sang it to me and I have sung it to my kids.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Watching Nelson Mandela become president of South Africa in 1994. I’d just interviewed him and as he was swearing the oath he caught my eye and gave me a little wink.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my father in 1980. He was 65 and died from a massive heart attack. He was a difficult bloke but full of invention and wit.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be reporting when the next country becomes free.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Acceptance, forgiveness and love. Woody Allen says it in the film Broadway Danny Rose.

The order of service at your funeral...A fairly solemn service at Chelsea Old Church with some readings and hymns people can belt out. After that I want everyone to go to the local pub – The Pig’s Ear – for drinks and some stories.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who was light-hearted, jolly and adventurous. 

The Plug...John Simpson’s new series, BBC News: The Editors, will be on BBC1 in the spring.

 

 

BBC News Titan John Simpson

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Published: 26 January 2013

Birds of a Feather actress Linda Robson:

 ‘People think I’m a bit dopey because Tracey in Birds Of A Feather was like that. But I’m actually streetwise and sharp and have never bottled out of anything’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: Birds of a Feather actress Linda Robson

  

The prized possession you value above all others...My family photo albums. My daughter Lauren, 29, has put together about 100 albums, in date order from when I was a child. They’re an amazing record of my life, career and family. 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Never learning to play the piano – except for Chopsticks.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend the morning in Cyprus with Lauren, my other daughter Bobbie, 16, son Louis, 20, and husband Mark. We’ve been going to the same place for 25 years and love it because it’s so relaxed. Then Mark and I would have a cocktail and lunch at Venice’s Hotel Danieli, followed by a gondola ride. After that I’d go to the Vatican to hear the Pope give a Mass in St Peter’s Square, then have dinner with all the family at my favourite restaurant, Oslo Court in London’s St John’s Wood. Mark and I would end the night at Jimmy’z club in Monte Carlo.  

The temptation you wish you could resist...Mature cheese – the smellier the better. But it packs on the pounds. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Bette And Joan: The Divine Feud by Shaun Considine. It brings the glamour of old Hollywood to life and reveals the nasty jealousy behind Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s rivalry. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d go into schools and destroy all the lice in children’s hair. I’m appalled at how lax schools are.  

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Coming in from work and finding my kids have left the house like a tip.

] The film you can watch time and time again...Miracle On 34th Street from 1994 with Richard Attenborough. The whole family watches it every Christmas Eve. It makes me cry every time.
The person who has influenced you most...The drama teacher Anna Scher. She was my English teacher when I was eight at school in Islington and opened a drama school for 10p a class. She changed my life. We’re still in touch. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The women’s rights activist Emmeline Pankhurst. Us women owe her a hell of a lot. I’d love to know how she overcame her fear to do what she did. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Respect others and you’ll get respect in return.    

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Computers. I resisted for years, then 18 months ago I did a free two-hour course in my local library and I’ve been hooked ever since.     
The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A KitKat wrapper I saw Donny Osmond step on 40 years ago! I was such a mad fan. Someone threw it away when we last moved house. I met Donny in 2002 and told him about it. He must have thought I was a nutter. 

The unending quest that drives you on...To maintain the freedom to choose what work I do. Mark and I aren’t rich, but we’re comfortably off – enough for me not to have to take any acting job. That’s a lovely privilege.

The poem that touches your soul...Poetry and me don’t really click because most of it goes over my head, but I love The Black Cat Piddled In The White Cat’s Eye – when it’s said by a very drunk Pauline Quirke!  

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People think I’m a bit dopey because Tracey in Birds Of A Feather was like that. But I’m actually streetwise and sharp and have never bottled out of anything. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting the job on Birds Of A Feather in 1989. Until then I was struggling to pay the bills, but that changed everything. Now new scripts are being written and the plan is to bring it back, which is very exciting. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...To pull an emergency stop lever on a fast intercity train just to see what it would be like.  

The song that means most to you...Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town) by Jackie Wilson. My mum’s name was Rita and that was her song. It was played at her funeral last August and I’ll always smile – and cry – when I hear it. 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Seeing my granddaughter Lila born last March. To witness that miracle of life was truly amazing.  

The saddest time that shook your world...Losing my mum broke my heart. She was 75 and had dementia and cancer. I miss her so much. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To do a parachute jump. I’m determined to do one this year for Marie Curie Cancer Care. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Do I want it? Do I need it? Will I use it? I spend too much so that’s my mantra before I buy anything. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll go out to I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor and I’ll leave enough money for a party. I’ve already bought the plot for my ashes next to my mum and dad in a cemetery in Finchley, north London.  

The way you want to be remembered...As a loving and funny wife, friend, mother and grandmother. 

The Plug...The Birds Of A Feather theatre tour continues from 26 February in Coventry. Visit www.birdsontour.com.

 

Birds Of A Feather Actress Linda Robson

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Published: 19 January 2013

Comedian Alan Davies:

 ‘I’ve had to live with the absence of my mother since she died when I was six, I still think of her every single day’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: comic and QI star Alan DAvies

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My family photos. I’ve got 1,200 of my kids – Susie, three, and my son Bobby, 18 months – on my iPhone. I only have two pictures of my mum Shirley, who died when I was six. They’re irreplaceable.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Dumping a girlfriend when I was at university so I could go out with one of her best friends. I went out with the new girl for five years but found out she’d been having an affair with my best mate for three of them!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start the day with a walk around an empty and foggy St Mark’s Square in Venice with my wife Katie. We’d go skiing in Cervinia in Italy, then shopping in Manhattan, stopping at a New York deli for a sandwich. The kids would join us on a beach in Thailand, then I’d go scuba diving. We’d watch the sunset over Ayers Rock in Australia, then Katie and I would go back to New York for a Broadway show. I’d end the day with the family on a boat on the Doubtful Sound fjord in the South Island of New Zealand, drinking a local bottle of Villa Maria sauvignon blanc.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Cheese and pickle sandwiches with crusty bread. They’re so fattening.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving. It’s about the absence of a mother, so I really connect with it. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d wander around MI6 headquarters in London listening to all the secret meetings.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Wilful stupidity. I can’t stand people who take pride in ignorance.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Blues Brothers from 1980. John Belushi was a big hero in my teens and I love him in that film.

The person who has influenced you most...The comedian Dave Allen [who died in 2005]. He came to see me at the Edinburgh Festival 20 years ago. We had dinner afterwards and he complimented my act. That spurred me on.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. He died just before the Russian Revolution, so it would be fascinating to know what he thought of Russia today.  

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...

Always listen to people, you might learn something – even if it’s where to find a good chip shop!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Motorbikes. I go to MotoGP races and love watching these courageous guys ride lethal machines. 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My Suzuki DR650 motorbike, which was stolen when I was 29. It was my pride and joy.  

The unending quest that drives you on...To perform the perfect gig where you ad-lib a lot with a great audience.  

The poem that touches your soul...A friend, John Hegley, is a poet and he wrote a poem about Katie and me for our wedding. It was very special.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People think I’m an idiot because of all the things I get wrong on QI. But it may not be a misapprehension!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Going to Loughton College of Further Education in Essex at 16. I did media studies A-level, which introduced me to drama.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d bury an architect who once worked for me in a concrete pylon on a flyover. His plans for a house I used to own ended up costing four times the estimate.

The song that means most to you...St Swithin’s Day by Billy Bragg. His album Brewing Up spoke to me when I was 18. He seemed to know what it’s like for a boy to become a man. 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Michael Thomas scoring the second goal against Liverpool which meant Arsenal won the League in 1989.

The saddest time that shook your world...Losing my mum in 1972. She was 38 when she died from leukaemia. It was like a massive emotional depth charge had been detonated which would bubble up throughout my life. I still think of her every single day.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to make a film with Steve Martin.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Look for the good in the world. Don’t focus on the bad things. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not religious, so I don’t want a church service. I carry a donor card, which I think is important, and I’m hoping there won’t be much left of me before cremation. I’d like the coffin to disappear to Everybody Needs Somebody To Love by the Blues Brothers and I’ll leave enough money for people to have a drink and a few laughs.

The way you want to be remembered...Fondly by my wife and children. And as someone who spent ages trying to correct all the wrong things about himself on Wikipedia!

The Plug...Alan Davies’ stand-up show Life Is Pain is at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on 16 and 17 February. Visit www.mickperrin.com.  

 

Comedian Alan Davies

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Published: 12 January 2013

Choreographer & TV judge Arlene Phillips:

 ‘People think I am tough and nasty, but they meet me and say, ‘I never thought you’d be so nice!’ 

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: dance judge Arelene Phillips

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A bottle of 1950s perfume that belonged to my mother, Rita. She died from leukaemia when she was only 43 and I was 15. It was devastating – I doubt I’ll ever truly get over it.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Being so strict with my daughter Alana [now 33]. I was too demanding about homework, extra lessons – everything. Children need freedom to grow and not have such a firm hand restricting their development.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...Breakfast with my husband Angus at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, then off to New York for a shopping spree at Bloomingdale’s – with no spending limit! After lunch at a fish restaurant at Double Bay in Sydney with Alana and my other daughter Abi, 22. I’d begin the evening with a fabulous fruit cocktail at the Savoy hotel in Moscow, then have sushi before watching the Bolshoi Ballet do Swan Lake. I’d end the day with Angus at the George V hotel in Paris.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Ice cream from the Marble Slab Creamery in Toronto. They have the most amazing varieties – I like birthday cake flavour with rainbow sprinkles.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I’ve read it 100 times and it’s taught me so much about families and relationships.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d visit hospitals to check the elderly are being cared for properly. I get so upset when old people are mistreated.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Rudeness in all its forms.

The film you can watch time and time again...West Side Story has everything – laughter, love, passion, sorrow, tragedy. It makes me cry every time.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother, who was so generous, kind and gentle. I’ve always wanted to be like her, but I think I fall short.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Fred Astaire. I’d ask him where the inspiration for his dancing came from. No one has ever come close to his brilliance. Maybe we could have a dance.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Only behave the way you expect others to behave towards you.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’ve been collecting children’s antique sewing machines for 25 years and I have about 70 now.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A Tiffany pen given to me by the Australian film director Russell Mulcahy in the 1980s as a thank-you for all the videos we worked on together, including Duran Duran’s Wild Boys. It reminded me of those wonderful, crazy days.

The unending quest that drives you on... To leave a financial legacy to my kids and my extended family. I had a tough childhood and came from nothing, so I know how hard it is to work your way up. I’d be so proud if I could leave them a little something to help.

The poem that touches your soul...Daffodils by William Wordsworth has resonated with me ever since I was very young. These days it always gives me a sense of peace.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m the super tough Queen of Mean. It began from the Hot Gossip days in the 1970s because I was such a hard taskmaster and it carried on with Strictly. People meet me and say, ‘I never thought you’d be so nice.’

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Watching a jazz dance class by a teacher called Molly Molloy in Covent Garden in 1966 when I was 23. I was down from Manchester for a week of lessons but I phoned my father to say I wasn’t coming back. My life was changed forever.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d break into Selfridges at night and raid the clothes, shoes and bags departments.

The song that means most to you...I’m Still Standing by Elton John from 1983. I choreographed the video in Cannes and we had the most magical four days of fun filming. But the lyrics also strike a chord with me. Despite all the knocks I’ve had, I’m still standing.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My 40th birthday party. It was a wild night that ended with Andrew Lloyd Webber playing The Everly Brothers on the piano.

The saddest time that shook your world...Losing my mum so young was awful, but my world was shaken when my manager Michael Summerton died from cancer in 2009. He was lovely.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To play the piano.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Wake up and get on with it.

The order of service at your funeral...There won’t be much of me left, as I’m leaving my body to science. The rest will be cremated. I want a fast ceremony with as little fuss as possible.

The way you want to be remembered...As a loving mum.

The Plug...For tickets for the new production of Starlight Express visit starlightexpressthemusical.com. Follow me on Twitter at @arlenephillips.

 

 

Choreographer & TV Judge Arlene Phillips

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Published: 5 January 2013

BBC News presenter Nicholas Owen:

When I lost my mother I cried until my insides hurt and my tears ran out’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: BBC newsreader Nick Owen

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A Longines watch my wife Brenda bought me for Christmas 25 years ago. It’s a timeless classic that’s become part of me.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I regret not being the best of husbands during the first year or two after Brenda and I got married in 1982. I’d been divorced from my first wife in 1979 and I was quite gloomy, but we got through it and have been happily married ever since.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I would begin with a hearty bowl of porridge for breakfast at our home in Surrey, then travel with Brenda on a high-speed TGV train through France for coffee in Cannes. We’d have a pre-lunch glass of rosé wine in Madrid, then have the catch of the day for lunch at a restaurant in Stanley on the Falkland Islands. From there I’d fly to Antarctica to stand on a glacier and marvel at the landscape. For dinner we’d go to Buenos Aires for a huge steak and maybe one more glass of rosé and spend the rest of the evening wandering around and joining in the spontaneous dancing in the streets.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Ginger biscuits. I can eat an entire packet in one sitting, although I’m lucky because I don’t put on weight.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby. I read it when I was ten and I was gripped by the cliffhangers.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I would travel all over the country by train sitting next to the drivers in their cabs. I have loved trains since I was about four.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Cyclists! I can’t abide how they break the rules, riding on the pavement and going through red lights.

The film you can watch time and time again... Citizen Kane. Orson Welles’ performance is so great that the film never diminishes.

The person who has influenced you most...My father Tom. I was eight when my mother, Edna, died of rheumatic fever and he was in his mid-30s, so he had to deal with the most ghastly situation, yet he maintained such incredible stoicism. He always encouraged me to be my own man. He died from pancreatic cancer when he was 61 in 1981.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Horatio Nelson. I’d love him to explain the qualities needed to be a great leader. 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...If a door is open, go through it. There’s nothing worse than regret.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Playing bridge. It’s all about memory and concentration, both of which I’m bad at, but it draws me in every time.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My right kidney! A cancerous tumour was found on it in 2002 and it had to be removed. I was incredibly fortunate it was discovered early and I’ve made a full recovery.

The unending quest that drives you on...To keep working in news. 

The poem that touches your soul...Ozymandias by Percy Shelley. It’s all about the frailty of humanity and that all things must pass.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m the TV presenter Nick Owen! Nick has the same problem and is always introduced as me at events, but we’ve decided not to bother correcting people any more.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The death of my mother when she was just 34. My world was blown away and because I never had a normal family set-up, I felt an outsider. But it made me never take anything for granted.  

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would steal £100,000 – no more, or less -from one of the big insurance firms and distribute it to family and friends.  

The song that means most to you...The Great Pretender by Freddie Mercury. You have to be a performer to be on television, so it chimes with me.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My wedding to Brenda at Gateshead Register Office. There were only us and three others, but it was very romantic.

The saddest time that shook your world...Losing my mother. An aunt told me she’d died and I cried until my insides hurt and my tears ran out.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To visit China and Japan. I’ve travelled a lot, but that part of the world has always eluded me.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Carpe diem – seize the day. I’ve taken this approach since my brush with cancer. I say ‘yes’ and get on with it.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d want a quiet, private cremation with a reading of John Keats’ poem To Autumn with the Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem and the beautiful hymn Morning Has Broken. I’d want my ashes scattered in my garden in Surrey, in view of the North Downs.

The way you want to be remembered...He got on with it. 

The Plug...My memoir Days Like This is out now (Blenheim Press, £9.95). www.blenheimpressltd.co.uk.

 

 

BBC News Presenter Nicholas Owen

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Published: 29 December 2012

TV comic Alexander Armstong:

 ‘I regret spending too much money on wine. I can’t resist bidding in auctions and now have about 1,400 bottles’

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week: TV actor Alexander Armstrong

 

The prized possession you value above all others...An antique comic from the 1750s that was once owned by my great-great grandmother. It was given to my two-year-old son Edward by an aunt for his christening, but I panic if I don’t know exactly where it is.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not having known my grandfathers Rex and Lucius well. They were both dead by the time I was 13 and there’s so much I’d love to have asked them about their lives. 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up on a sunny day with my wife Hannah and our three sons – Rex, five, Patrick, three, and Edward – in our house in Oxfordshire. We’d have breakfast in the garden then I’d take a long horse ride around the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, then have an ice-cold beer at the Mena House Oberoi hotel in Cairo. I’d have lunch with the family by Lake Como in Italy followed by windsurfing on the lake. The weather would then turn wintry and we’d go to Cliveden House in Berkshire for a cream tea by an open fire. I’d then go for a brisk walk on Simonside Hills in Rothbury, Northumberland, to watch the sunset. The day would end with a dinner party for close friends at our house in London.  The temptation you wish you could resist...Spending too much money on wine. I can’t resist bidding in auctions and now have about 1,400 bottles.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. I’ve read it at least ten times and I’m still thrilled by its sophistication.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day... I’d attend a top secret briefing for the Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office on a matter of national security. It would be fascinating to hear what’s really said,

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Tutting. It’s the peculiarly British noise of a whinger saying, ‘Life is awful, everything’s loaded against me.’

The film you can watch time and time again...Quiet Wedding from 1941, a funny and touching romance written by my great-aunt Esther McCracken. Sadly, my only copy was chewed by my video machine and it’s impossible to find another one without paying a fortune for your own print from the National Film Archive.

The person who has influenced you most...The TV producer Jimmy Mulville has been an incredible mentor.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...My ancestor Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester. He had a terrible military career under Charles I, but later invented a prototype steam engine.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Make friends and do all you can to keep them. And try to be useful.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Choral music. I’m a trained baritone and sang in choirs from the age of 11 until I was 22. I still get asked to sing at events occasionally.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The years I wasted having fun instead of learning English at Trinity College, Cambridge.

The unending quest that drives you on... To have a dream country house with a walled garden and a vegetable patch.

The poem that touches your soul...The Irish hymn Be Thou My Vision has been sung at every family wedding and funeral since I was a child. It always moves me.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... Some people may think I’m a toff because of the parts I’ve acted, but I’m not.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Meeting my wife Hannah when I was 32. I started growing up and focusing on family life.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d pull off a sophisticated diamond heist that baffles the world’s finest detectives.

The song that means most to you... Jesu, Meine Freude by Johann Sebastian Bach is beautiful and has a real sense of life’s cycle and of renewal.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The birth of my first son Rex in 2007 was amazing. I still get a surge of joy every time I drive past the hospital in Paddington where he was born.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my cousin Alistair was killed in a car crash in 1987. He was 12 and I was 17. It was the first time I’d ever received truly shocking news.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To do more films. I’ve made a few but for some reason I haven’t been asked to do any lately. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be happy and enthusiastic.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a traditional service at our parish church in Oxfordshire, where I want to be buried. I’d have Nunc Dimittis in G, followed by Gute Nacht and Be Thou My Vision. I’d then lay on a massive wake with plenty of whisky as a nod to my Irish and Scottish roots.

The way you want to be remembered...As a good father and a decent person who was good company – not a bore!

The Plug...The 100 Most Pointless Things In The World by Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman is out now in hardback (Coronet, £14.99).

 

 

TV Comic Alexander Armstong

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Published: 15 December 2012

Fashion icon Mary Quant:

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My home in Surrey. It was left to my husband [Alexander Plunket Greene who died in 1990] by his great aunt. We moved here after we got married in 1957. It’s where I’m happiest.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I’ve always loved painting and drawing. I wish I’d developed it more and exhibited.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have breakfast in the garden at home with my partner Antony Rouse, then we’d go to the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales for a bracing swim. We’d have an alfresco lunch at Il Pomodorino by Lake Como, Italy, with my son Orlando, his wife and my three grandchildren – Lucas, ten, Allegra, eight, and Massimo, seven. I’d have risotto and chilled white wine, then we’d all relax in the afternoon by the lake. I’d end the day staying at La Colombe d’Or hotel in Saint-Paul de Vence, in the South of France.  

The temptation you wish you could resist...Wine, especially Pouilly Fumé. I’ve always enjoyed not resisting temptation, but I’m 78 now and you have to be careful. 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. It reminds you of the potent effect animals have on our lives.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...It’s not in my nature to want to spy on people. I can tell everything I need to know about a person from what they’re wearing. 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...That funerals have to be celebrations! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a bit of wailing.

The film you can watch time and time again...Gone With The Wind. I love its grand scope and it’s kind of sexy, but in a romantic way.

The person who has influenced you most...Alexander. He encouraged my designs and launched the business. Without his drive and fearlessness I honestly don’t think I would have achieved half the things I did. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli. She was one of the truly great designers of the 20th century. I’d love to know how she was inspired when she was at her peak in the 20s and 30s.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Smile. It brings warmth and love into your life. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I absolutely adore cows. They’re the most fascinating, gentle and beautiful animals. Their eyes are so amazing. I have ten that live on the land around my house. I love to talk to them. There are few things better than falling asleep in a field and being woken up by an inquisitive cow.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My wedding ring. It was handmade for me by the jewellery designer Gerda Flockinger. It was always a bit loose and three years ago it fell off in a car park. It was night-time and I couldn’t find it. I went back the next day, but it was gone and I was heartbroken.

The unending quest that drives you on...Curiosity. I hope to never lose that sense of needing to know.

The poem that touches your soul...The Lord’s Prayer is the most perfect piece of poetry. I always feel at peace and moved when I recite it. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a confident extrovert. People associate me with those glamorous photos from the 60s, but I’m actually incredibly shy.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Visiting Japan in the early 70s. It changed the way I designed, and my entire perspective on life. I also discovered sushi, which I love to this day!  

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would embezzle money from a bad bank and distribute it to family and friends – keeping a healthy slice of it for myself!

The song that means most to you...Bring Me Sunshine by Morecambe & Wise. Alexander used to sing it to me whenever things were going wrong and it always cheered me up.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Getting my OBE in 1966. As the Queen pinned it on me, she said simply, ‘More exports please!’ It was typical of her to get right to the point.    

The saddest time that shook your world...Alexander’s death. He was only 57 and it was ghastly losing him.  

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I long for my garden to be complete. Working in it is one of my joys but it will never be finished because it’s forever changing with the seasons.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Ensure you enjoy it!  

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll be happy with a small, private funeral at a church near my home. I’d like my ashes scattered in my garden.

The way you want to be remembered...As the girl who made clothes and make-up that brought a touch of fun and colour into people’s lives.    

The Plug...Mary features in Living The Life, Tuesday, 8pm, Sky Arts 1. Visit livingthelife.co.uk.

 

 

Fashion Icon Mary Quant

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Published: 8 December 2012

The One Show presenter Alex Jones:

 

 

The prized possession you value above all others...A Rolex watch my parents gave me on my 18th birthday. It was way more expensive than they could afford. I only take it off to have a bath.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not keeping up with writing my diaries. I have 12 of them – I wrote several pages every day from when I was ten until my 20s.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have fresh fruit for breakfast on the beach in the Maldives with my boy- friend Charlie [Thomson, an insurance broker from New Zealand], then explore Paris’s antique shops. After lunch with all my family on a huge yacht cruising near Cannes, I’d go horse riding through the mountains of Arizona, then head to New York at night with a group of friends. I’d drink Espresso Martinis and we’d have a sophisticated dinner before going clubbing all night.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Being the last to leave a party for fear of missing out!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Twits by Roald Dahl inspired my love of reading when I was eight. It reminded me of our neighbours, who also lacked a bit of care in the personal hygiene department!

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d definitely spend the day with the Queen to get a sense of what she’s really like. I bet she’s a right character.

The pet-hate that makes your hackles rise...Having to give directions to minicab drivers. I’ve only lived in London for two years but I’m always having to tell them which way to go.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Poseidon Adventure. I love the drama and the people all pull- ing together to survive. The scene where Shelley Winters dies a heroine always has me welling up.

The person who has influenced you most...I learnt my values from my mum Mary and father Alun, but partic- ularly from my mum. She had a tough childhood and couldn’t achieve all the things she wanted to in life, so she taught me to strive to do a job I love.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Coco Chanel. She came up with beautiful designs that women will probably still be wearing in 100 years’ time.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...You are never fully dressed without a smile.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Photography. I won a national Kodak competition when I was 12 for a picture of the Acropolis in Athens.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A tape record- ing of my sister Jennie and I singing a musical we put together when I was 12 and she was nine. I lost it at university.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be better at everything – as a friend, as a daughter, and in my job. I’m hard on myself: each day I look back on what I did the day before and criticise it.

The poem that touches your soul...An anonymous Welsh poem called Dal Fy Llaw, which means Hold My Hand. It’s about a couple supporting one another through all the hardships of life. I read it at a friend’s wedding a few months ago and sobbed all the way through.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People think of me as fun and flighty but underneath there’s a deep-thinking, hard-working and very sensible girl.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The call from Sandy Smith, editor of The One Show, on 8 July 2010 telling me I’d got the job. I was on Brighton beach and I screamed with excitement. He had to tell me to shut up because it was still a secret!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d love to be able to park anywhere I fancy because I’m forever getting tickets.

The song that means most to you...California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas. It reminds me of great family holidays travelling through France in our camper van in my teens.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Seeing Jennie holding her baby son, Dash, when he was born last year. It was like she’d grown up from a girl to a mother overnight.

The saddest time that shook your world...My maternal grandad Trevor dying after a stroke in 1998 when he was 74. My mum let out the most awful noise, a real guttural howl of pain.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to star in a fabulous West End musical like Cabaret but it might be best if I mime as I can’t carry a tune too well!

The philosophy that underpins your life...When the going gets tough, keep going. You have to have determination.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll have a few ashes scattered in Lon- don and the rest over the Black Moun- tains in Wales to reflect my split life. I’ll have either Moon River or The Dying Swan played. I want my funeral to be a joyous occasion, but I’d also quite like people to be a bit sad.

The way you want to be remembered...As a trustworthy friend who could be relied upon in any situation.

The Plug...Alex presents The One Show weekdays on BBC1 at 7pm.  


 

 

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The One Show Presenter Alex Jones

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Published: 1 December 2012

Sports broadcaster Des Lynam:

The prized possession you value above all others...A Muhammad Ali autograph he gave me after I interviewed him for radio in 1971. He was outrageous and funny, the most fascinating sportsman of all time.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d taken up flying lessons when I was given three as a present 20 years ago. What an amazing thing to try, but I was too busy. It’s too late now – I’m 70 and too old!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with the lady of my life, Rose, at the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa and go on a dawn safari. To hear a lion roar at 5am sends a tingle down your spine. We’d have breakfast at the lodge – the mushrooms there are the best I’ve tasted. We’d spend the rest of the morning on the canals of Venice in a gondola, then go to the Cipriani Hotel for a glass of champagne. Lunch would be fresh fish and lobster at a beach bar we love in Phuket. I’d have a swim in the Andaman Sea after lunch, followed by a massage on the beach. We’d pop back to London for tea at The Ritz, then straight back to Thailand for dinner at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. I’d have Pad Thai with grilled river prawns and a nice chilled bottle of Sancerre, then I’d close the day with an Irish whiskey or two in the Bamboo Bar at the hotel.

The temptation you wish you could resist... Rum and raisin ice cream! 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A Tale Of Two Cities by Dickens. It’s the story of ultimate sacrifice and reminds me there are greater things in life than money and a career.
The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d spend a day alongside North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un to assess just how dangerous his country is to the world.

The pet hate that always gets your back up...Waiting at the traffic lights when some dope pulls up with music blaring.

The film you can watch time and time again...Reach For The Sky from 1956 with Kenneth Moore as war hero Douglas Bader. I went to see it with my dad when I was 14 and it never fails to make me cry.

The person who has influenced you most...My grandfather Packo Malone. He taught me manners and how to stand up for myself and for what I believe in.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Adolf Hitler. I’d like to find out how he influenced so many intelligent people.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Have the courage of your own convictions.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The Only Way Is Essex! I love the way the people in it get so intense about such trivial nonsense. And the girls are nice to look at!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Our West Highland Terrier, Daisy (above). She died two years ago and we still miss her.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be at peace with getting old. 

The poem that touches your soul...My dad told me to read Kipling’s If when I was 14 and it has influenced me ever since. That poem teaches you to be to true to yourself and always hold your head up high. 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People assume I’m a middle-class Englishman, but I’m really an Irishman from a working-class background. Both my parents were nurses who came over from Ireland just before the war. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting a job covering sport on BBC local radio in Brighton when I was 25. Until then, I’d been at Cornhill Insurance for six years and I hated it. I gave up my career for my hobby and eventually my hobby became my career.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d raid Tony Blair’s bank accounts and spread the cash among families and soldiers who have suffered in the Iraq war.

The song that means most to you...Make Someone Happy by Jimmy Durante. It reminds me of meeting Rose in 1982.   

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Christmas 1952. I was ten and my parents gave me my first bike, a Raleigh. That moment was ecstasy.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my mother, Trudie, following a brain haemorrhage when she was 53. I was 24 and until then I’d never seen my dad cry.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To finish the novel I started writing five years ago.

The philosophy that underpins your life...If you’re going through hell, keep going – but I nicked it from Churchill!

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like some bright music like That’s Life by Frank Sinatra. I live by the sea on the South Coast, so I want my ashes scattered on the water. I hope there’ll be a big wake with an abundance of drink.

The way you want to be remembered...As not a bad lad with a good sense of humour, and as a decent broadcaster.

The Plug...Touchline Tales, a selection from my Radio 4 series with Christopher Matthew, is available on CD and to download from www.audiogo.com.  

 

Sports Broadcaster Des Lynam

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Published: 24 November 2012

Film and theatre director Sir Richard Eyre:

The prized possession you value above all others...An upright piano from Discovery, the ship Captain Scott sailed to the Antarctic for his 1901-04 expedition. It’s a legacy from my grandfather Charles Royds, Scott’s First Lieutenant and the ship’s main piano player.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I can’t play piano! I had a few lessons as a boy, but in a futile act of defiance I refused to carry on.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... I’d have boiled egg and toasted soldiers at Balthazar in New York, then head to a country villa near Saignon in Provence with my wife Sue, our daughter Lucy and her two children [Evie, three, and Beatrix, four months]. I’d go for a long walk, then swim in the pool. Sue and I would have fantastic fish for lunch at Corte Sconta in Venice, then I’d visit the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. I’d enjoy the sunset over the Avening Valley from the garden of our country home in Gloucestershire, then have dinner with lots of friends at London’s River Café, before flopping into bed with the latest Ian McEwan novel.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Smoking a Cohiba Panetela cigar accompanied by a large vodka and tonic. I’m 69, so neither is wise.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Faber Book Of Modern Verse. I came across it when I was 15 and it gave me a lasting love of poetry.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d tickle every officiating religious minister so they looked ridiculous and couldn’t scare people. I resent all organised religions.

The pet hate that always gets your back up... I find the Today programme’s Thought For The Day sanctimonious.

The film you can watch time and time again...Singin’ In The Rain with Gene Kelly. It never ceases to make me happy.

The person who has influenced you most...The theatre director Peter Brook. He gave me lots of encouragement when I started directing, and at 87 he’s still a dear friend and inspiration.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Shakespeare. Many of his great characters are soldiers, so I’d love to know how he got his military insight.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t ever be afraid to ask any question.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity... Steeplechasing. My father was an amateur jockey, and to watch beautiful animals ridden by brilliant and brave men is magical.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... A journal I’d kept for four years. It was like a second brain but I left it on a plane in 2009.

The unending quest that drives you on... To do a piece of work that I’m entirely satisfied with.

The poem that touches your soul... Vacillation by WB Yeats. It expresses exactly what I believe is right in life – that you should always act in good faith and do things for the right reasons.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That, because I am a director, I am socially confident. I was a chronically shy child. That kernel of my younger self is still there, but I’ve developed mechanisms to deal with it.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Becoming artistic director of the Nottingham Playhouse Theatre in 1972, aged 29. To suddenly be responsible for a little world with 120 people working for you made me grow up and transformed my career.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal Henri Matisse’s The Snail from Tate Modern. It is full of energy and joy – but I’d need a very big wall to put it on!

The song that means most to you...Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours? [What Remains Of Our Love?] by Charles Trénet, from the 1940s. A French girlfriend played it to me in my early 20s, so it’s very tied up with young love. 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The three weeks I spent with Sue in Gloucestershire after she nearly died from peritonitis in 1996. I so appreciated having her in my life and realised how lucky we were.

The saddest time that shook your world...My mother Minna being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when she was 55. I remember four years later opening a door for her and her simply not knowing she was meant to walk through. I wrote that scene into Iris [the 2001 film he directed based on author Iris Murdoch’s descent into Alzheimer’s] and Judi Dench re-enacted that moment.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be able to speak perfect French.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Every action has a consequence, so always try to be good. 

The order of service at your funeral...I would like my ashes to be scattered under a tree in our garden in Gloucestershire and for people to drink great champagne and wine – and lots of it!

The way you want to be remembered...Simply with love.

The Plug...Richard Eyre directs Nick Dear’s The Dark Earth And The Light Sky at the Almeida Theatre until 12 January. For tickets call 020 7359 4404 or visit www.almeida.co.uk.

 

 

Film And Theatre Director Sir Richard Eyre

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Published: 17 November 2012

Crime author Ian Rankin:

The prized possession you value above all others...A series of three photos of me with Keith Richards, taken as he signed a copy of his memoirs for me in 2010. I’m a huge Stones fan.  

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That both my parents didn’t live to see me become a success. I was 19 when my mum Isabel died. She was only 58 and was seriously ill for six months. My dad James saw my first couple of books published before he died at 72, but they weren’t a success.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start the day walking with my wife Miranda through the temperate rainforest at Tofino on Vancouver Island. Then we’d take our children – Jack, 20, and Kit, 18 – to Chanonry Point on the Black Isle in northern Scotland to watch the dolphins. They come within yards of the shore. Kit is in a wheelchair, but he loves the wind in his hair and the rain on his face. For lunch, we’d have fresh langoustines at a fish restaurant called Sutor Creek ten miles away in Cromarty. Then I’d take Miranda to Venice. We’d head to the Zatterre promenade for a fish dinner with local white wine at the Riviera restaurant, and stay the night at the Hotel Cipriani.

The temptation you wish you could resist...I devour no end of Snickers and Caramels while I’m writing.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark is the archetypal Edinburgh novel. It gets to the underbelly of the city.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d follow Nick Clegg to see what he’s useful for!

The pet hate that always gets your back up...The litter situation in Edinburgh.

The film you can watch time and time again... Blade Runner from 1982 with Harrison Ford. Although it’s set in the future, it’s a great old-fashioned private eye story. I’ve seen it about 20 times.

The person who has influenced you most...Ron Gillespie, my English teacher when I was 15. He was the first person to encourage my writing.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The author Robert Louis Stevenson. Apparently his wife, Fanny, threw the first draft of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde on the fire because she didn’t like it. I’d love to know if that’s true.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Believe in yourself.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Killer Sudoku puzzles. I do one everyday because I think they are good for my brain, but it’s probably just a way of postponing work.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A load of miniature comics I made when I was about nine. They were my earliest writings but were thrown out years ago.

The unending quest that drives you on...To write the perfect novel.

The poem that touches your soul... Meeting The British by the Irish poet Paul Muldoon. It’s about the British Army meeting the Native American Indians in the 18th century, written from the perspective of the Indians.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I can be found every day at The Oxford Bar in Edinburgh where Rebus drinks! 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...When Kit was one and was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome – a chromosome disorder which means he doesn’t develop normally. I dealt with my anger and frustration by writing the Rebus novel Black And Blue, which was the book that took off. If Kit hadn’t come along the books may not have succeeded and we wouldn’t have the money for the things that make his life better.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would steal Francis Bacon’s triptych, Three Studies For Figures At The Base Of A Crucifixion, from Tate Britain.

The song that means most to you...Solid Air by John Martyn reminds me of my teenage years.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Winning the Gold Dagger award for Best Crime Novel in 1997 for Black And Blue. It sold four times more than my previous books and suddenly I was a bestselling author.

The saddest time that shook your world...My dad dying. He taught me my life skills after Mum died.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be lead singer in a huge rock band. I was in The Dancing Pigs when I was 19 – we did about six gigs but we weren’t very good.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Just do it and keep going at something until you get good at it.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not that religious but I still want a church funeral. I would come in to The Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want. There’d be an acoustic version of Solid Air and everyone would leave to Silver Machine by Hawkwind. I’d like to be laid to rest beneath a rose bush at Chanonry Point.

The way you want to be remembered...Just as a good husband, father, friend and writer.
The Plug...Standing In Another Man’s Grave is published by Orion, priced £18.99. Visit www.ianrankin.net.

 

 

Crime Author Ian Rankin

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Published: 10 November 2012

SAS hero Andy McNab:

The prized possession you value above all others...A silver cup used at my wedding to Jenny 11 years ago. I’m not religious, but she’s Jewish so a rabbi came to the house and blessed our marriage with the cup, an important symbol.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not getting a proper school education. I was always bunking off, or doing jobs to earn some dosh.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all morning surfing at Jaco Beach in Costa Rica, then go for a long ride on a Harley-Davidson with Jenny through the mountains of Montana and Utah. I’d have a slap-up lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at a pub I love near our home, then, because I love Zurich, I’d mooch around there in the afternoon before going to the Bulgari Hotel in Milan for an early evening drink. Jenny and I would end the day with dinner at the Hotel Splendido in Portofino in Italy.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Buying motorbikes. I’ve got through about 20 in 15 years because I keep crashing, but I love the freedom.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Touching The Void by Joe Simpson about his incredible survival after a mountaineering accident. It completely changed the way I write.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...To infiltrate the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan to learn what they’re really up to, then give our Army the heads up.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Bad service, especially in expensive restaurants.

The film you can watch time and time again...Coriolanus with Ralph Fiennes, which came out last year. He’s brilliant, and the action scenes are fantastic.

The person who has influenced you most...Jenny. I used to fly off the handle frequently, but she just gives me a slap and calms me down. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Muhammad Ali. I met him in Hollywood three years ago and he was amazing, but I’d like to meet him in his prime, in the 60s and 70s.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...No matter what you’re doing, give it your absolute best. And never forget to stop and appreciate what you have achieved.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Opera. I love the over-the-top drama. I’ve been to the best venues, like La Scala in Milan, and get a real kick out of the elaborate productions.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again... My army medals. I had 14, but they all vanished about 18 months ago when we moved house. I’ve turned the house over several times looking for them. They’re worth a lot of money but they’re too famous to sell.

The unending quest that drives you on...I’d like to ride the rip curl of a 30ft wave at Jaco Beach.
The poem that touches your soul...I’m not big on poetry but love Jerusalem by William Blake as a hymn.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a thick squaddie. A lot of business people think that, but it’s to my advantage to be underestimated, so I let them get away with it and make them pay another way.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being adopted. My real mum left me in a carrier bag on a step at Guy’s Hospital in London when I was a baby. My foster parents adopted me when I was five. Mum was a cleaner and Dad a taxi driver, so money was tight, but they gave me love and a stable upbringing.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d pull off the most amazing hi-tech robbery of the Crown Jewels. I’d then hide them, only to be released after my death.

The song that means most to you...Should I Stay Or Should I Go by The Clash. It sums up my approach to life. I don’t take many things seriously.

The saddest time that shook your world...The moment I was captured by the Iraqis in Syria [during the SAS Bravo Two Zero mission]. I remember the disbelief and deep sadness as it dawned on me it might not end well.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When the Red Cross plane took off from Baghdad [in March 1991 after the end of the first Gulf War] with all the prisoners of war on board. We let out a cheer and two F16s and two Tornados escorted us to Saudi Arabia. That’s when we knew we were safe.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To write a serious stage play. I’ve met people at RADA to see if I can work with them and I’ll find out pretty soon if I’m up to it. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never stitch anyone up. It will always come back and bite you. 

The order of service at your funeral...I’m going to leave instructions for my ashes to be put inside a massive firework which will be set off during a full-on party. I’ll go out with a bang!

The way you want to be remembered...I’d be happy with, ‘A good soldier. Now dead.’

The Plug...Red Notice, Andy McNab’s brand new thriller, is out now, published by Bantam Press, priced £18.99. Visit www.andymcnab.co.uk  

 

SAS Hero Andy McNab

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Published: 3 November 2012

Pop star Ronan Keating:

The prized possession you value above all others...My iPhone. It connects me with my friends, work and my children, Jack, 13, Marie, 11, and Ali, six.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...The breakdown of my 14-year marriage to Yvonne, which ended in April [after he admitted an affair with a dancer]. I’m not proud of the mistakes I made and it’s not a pretty sight when a relationship breaks down and everything falls apart. If I could turn back time I’d do things differently.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I always wake up on my own these days. But on this day, I’d be with my children in a whitewashed house on Malibu beach. We’d hang out there all morning, just spending quality time together. I’d then travel through the Alps with close friends for a champagne lunch on the Orient-Express, and go on to do a gig in London as there’s no greater buzz than performing. I’d hook up with some people in New York for drinks, but end the day at home in Dublin. I’d cook a steak with plenty of greens and a glass of red wine, then kick back on the sofa to watch a good film, then go to bed.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Australian shiraz red wine. I’m not a big drinker but a meal out with mates can get messy if I  have too much.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man And The Sea. There’s a real beauty in the old man’s perseverance.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go behind the scenes at the Kremlin.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Rudeness. It’s so easy to be nice.

The film you can watch time and time again... The Great Escape with Steve McQueen – I’ve seen it 30 or 40 times. Steo [Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who died in 2009] gave me a vinyl edition of the soundtrack signed by McQueen for my 30th birthday, which I treasure.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother, Marie. She gave me the core values for my life – truthfulness and respect for others. I owe her a lot. [Marie Keating died from breast cancer in 1998 aged 51.]

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Winston Churchill. He was a right character who accomplished amazing things but also had a dry wit.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Your health is your wealth. I keep in good shape for 35 and I’m pretty tough on my kids to be healthy, but I still let them have junk food now and then. Kids need to enjoy themselves.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Wrist watches. I got my first serious watch – a Rolex Submariner – after joining Boyzone and have been collecting ever since. My Portuguese Tourbillon is worth £70,000.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My virginity! I wish I could make losing it more memorable. The press made a big deal about me being a virgin after I said in my first interviews when I was 16 that I hadn’t had sex. I got asked about it for years and I kept saying I was still a virgin when I wasn’t. I actually lost it when I was 18 while on the road with Boyzone. 

The unending quest that drives you on... To be the best I can be.

The poem that touches your soul...The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. It echoes the spirit in which I’ve led my life. I’ve always taken the tougher road.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...I’ve been performing for 20 years so people assume I’m very sure of myself. I’m actually quite insecure.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The moment Louis Walsh said I was in Boyzone when I was 16. I was euphoric.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d track down those evil warlords in Africa who turn young kids into soldiers and beat them to within an inch of their lives.

The song that means most to you...Father And Son by Cat Stevens. I sang it at the audition to get into Boyzone, we later released it, and years later I recorded it with Cat and we became friends. I owe that song an awful lot.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Obviously, the births of my children, but my first solo album going to No 1 in 2000 was incredible.

The saddest time that shook your world...The world fell apart on the day Steo died. The shock was horrific.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I want to climb Everest and raise money for charity. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Live each day as if it’s your last.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m Catholic so it’d be at my local church in Malahide, Co Dublin, and I’d want Truly, Madly, Deeply by Ray LaMontagne played. I’d like my ashes scattered somewhere overlooking the sea in Ireland, where my kids can visit.

The way you want to be remembered...As a good father and an honest man, who made mistakes but he learnt from them. And as someone who made people happy with his music.

The Plug...Wasted Light, the new  single from Ronan’s album Fires, is out on 3 December. Visit the Marie Keating Foundation at www.mariekeating.ie

 

 

Pop Star Ronan Keating

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Published: 27 October 2012

Author and presenter Jonathan Dimbleby:

The prized possession you value above all others...My 50-year-old wooden sailing boat, Lady Kate. She sails beautifully and turns heads because she’s so pretty. 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not telling my mother precisely why I loved her before she died in 2009. Mama had strong views, but she was immensely tolerant and she embraced triumph and disaster with understanding and kindness.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...It’s a warm June day, which starts with tomatoes on toast and coffee in the garden of our house in Devon. Later, I would ride one of [Olympic Gold medallist] Nick Skelton’s best horses victoriously around the Olympic course in Rio de Janeiro.

Lunch would be fresh fish at Anchorstone Café by the River Dart in Devon. In the afternoon I’d play tennis against John McEnroe at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and be back to enjoy Così Fan Tutte with my wife Jessica at the Royal Opera House. We’d have dinner at La Coupole in Paris – escargots, cassoulet, crème brûlée and a very good bottle of Saint-Estèphe. I would kiss my children [Daniel, 38, Kitty, 32, Daisy, five, and Gwendoline, three] goodnight and then go to bed with an Ian McEwan novel.

The temptation you wish you could resist...The third, or fourth, glass of wine, or the next bar of chocolate.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Anna Karenina. I read it as a teenager and again in 2007 when on my way to Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy’s home, where he wrote his masterpiece.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I would eavesdrop on Tony Blair and George Bush during a private get-together and make their honest conversation about Iraq known to the world.

The pet hate that always gets your back up...People who use mobile phones in the ‘quiet’ train carriage.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Battle Of Algiers from 1966 about the end of French rule in North Africa. It’s cinematic genius. 

The person who has influenced you most...My father, Richard. He died when I was 21 and ever since I’ve wondered what he’d have thought of whatever I do. He had enormous presence and integrity and was always polite.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Karl Marx. I’d ask him why he thinks it all went so horribly wrong.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Listen and try to be kind.

 The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Showjumping. It was my first love and my main ambition when I was younger. I was a professional for a time and became the South of England champion in 1965.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My father’s diary of his time as a BBC war correspondent. I lost it moving house years ago. 

The unending quest that drives you on...Curiosity and the urge to educate, inform and entertain. And, naturally, the need to earn a living!

The poem that touches your soul...An Arundel Tomb by Philip Larkin. It provokes a sense of what is irredeemably lost, but inspires optimism.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m my brother, David, or that he’s me. I don’t mind taking credit for all his achievements, but I am six years younger!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My father’s death from cancer when he was 52 [on 22 December 1965]. To lose him when I was so young was devastating. I regret not being more curious and asking him about his experiences, especially during the war.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...It would be daft to confess.

The song that means most to you...Cole Porter’s Do I Love You? sung by Ella Fitzgerald. It sears the soul.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day on which the Berlin Wall tumbled. It lifted a huge albatross from the shoulders of the world.

The saddest time that shook your world...Some things are too private and too painful to share.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To say exactly what I think about any subject. Like anyone, I have strong views, but as the chairman of Any Questions? I have to keep them to myself.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Keep on trying and stick at things that really matter. The triers of this world are under-estimated.

The order of service at your funeral...It will be quiet and private. I’m not religious and I suppose I’ll be cremated and my ashes can be scattered on the River Dart. I’d like a reading from Shakespeare’s Cymbeline in Act Four, Scene Two, ‘Fear no more the heat o’ th’ sun, Nor the furious winter’s rages, Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone and ta’en thy wages.’

The way you want to be remembered...He worked, he cared and he loved.

The Plug...My book Destiny In The Desert: The Road To El Alamein – The Battle That Turned The Tide is out now, published by Profile Books.

 

 

Author And Presenter Jonathan Dimbleby

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Published: 20 October 2012

The late Clarissa Dickson Wright:

 

"The misapprehnsion about me? That I’m a batty old toff. I have an IQ of 196, my father was a hard-working surgeon and I was taught my cut-glass vowels by the nuns at school – and I’m only 65."

 

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of Two Fat Ladies presenter Clarissa Dickson Wright…

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My integrity. I was an alcoholic for 12 years and it’s been a long battle back to find it again.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Turning down the chance to cook for Tony Blair and Vladimir Putin at No 10 Downing Street in 2000. I could have happily poisoned them both with E. coli.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at the Marcliffe Hotel near Aberdeen and have the locally sourced smoked haddock for breakfast with a poached egg and some Stornoway black pudding. Then I’d take a cruise around the islands of West Scotland. For lunch, I’d fly by helicopter to London to St John restaurant near Smithfield Market. I’d have roasted marrow. I’d then wander around Hatchards bookshop on Piccadilly before a cream tea at Fortnum & Mason. I’d end the day having a look around La Boqueria food market in Barcelona. I’d have white garlic soup with almonds in any restaurant in the city – they’re all great – then go to a flamenco dance.

The temptation you wish you could resist...I’m extravagant when buying presents or eating at restaurants.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Defeat Of The Spanish Armada by Garrett Mattingly. I read it when I was 15 and it was the first time I really understood big historical events.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d be a poltergeist in the Cabinet Room at No 10 and make things fly across the room to put some fear into rotten politicians.  

The person who has influenced you most...My mother, Molly. She had a tough childhood and my father was a horrendously abusive alcoholic but she always maintained a positive outlook.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint... Erasmus Darwin, Charles Darwin’s grandfather. He had all the ideas about evolution long before Charles. He’s a great unsung hero.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Everyone has at least one natural talent. Find yours.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Archaeology. I’ve been on digs and love delving into the past.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...An 18ct gold Napoleon III snuffbox, which my mother gave to me when I was 18. I sold it for £100,000 in the 1980s and drank the proceeds – mainly gin!

The unending quest that drives you on...To see the hunting ban repealed.

The poem that touches your soul...The Young British Soldier by Rudyard Kipling. It’s about the waste of life in the two wars in Afghanistan in the 1800s.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a batty old toff. I have an IQ of 196, my father was a hard-working surgeon and I was taught my cut-glass vowels by the nuns at school – and I’m only 65.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting sober. At my lowest, I was drinking two bottles of gin a day, plus strong beer. But I had my last drink – a large gin, naturally – in a pub on 10 April, 1987. I then went to rehab.  

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal enough money to never have to work again. I inherited £2.8 million from my mother in 1975 and blew the lot.

The song that means most to you...The Libiamo duet from Verdi’s La Traviata. I heard Montserrat Caballé sing it at Covent Garden in 1972 when I was 25. I was with my first real love. That song makes me feel young and in love.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Being inaugurated as the Rector of Aberdeen University in 1999. The students carried me through the streets on the back of a stuffed Angus bull. It was the most frivolous, carefree day I’ve ever had.

The saddest time that shook your world...My mother’s death on Derby Day in 1975. She had a heart attack and I found her in bed. I was devastated and that’s when my drinking started.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To promote honest food labelling and help people buy British.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Leave it to God because he has a better imagination than you.

The order of service at your funeral...I want a proper church funeral with people weeping in the pews. I will be carried into the church to Boney M’s Rivers Of Babylon. The poem Something Like A Stone by my friend Christine Coleman will also be read and I will leave a booklet for everyone with all my favourite recipes.

The way you want to be remembered...As a battler who always fought for what she believed in.

The Plug...Clarissa’s England is published in hardcover by Hodder & Stoughton, priced £20. Visit www.hodder.co.uk

 

Clarissa died on Saturday, 15th March 2014.

 

 

The Late Clarissa Dickson Wright

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Published: 13 October 2012

Wildlife presenter Bill Oddie:

 

The prized possession you value above all others...My Victorian house by Hampstead Heath in north London. Every room is full of memories. 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d learnt to read music. I can play drums and a bit of guitar, but I can’t read music. If I could I’d definitely have made music my career.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake after a perfect eight hours’ sleep. I’d begin with birdwatching in Central Park, New York, at 5.30am to see a great ‘fall’ of migrant American birds, like warblers and thrushes – it’s  like it’s raining birds. I’d then nip into Greenwich Village for a cream cheese and smoked salmon bagel. I’d spend some time searching online for rare CDs, then my wife Laura would join me for lunch on a beach near Cape Town where you can whale-watch. We’d have a siesta in the serenity of the hotel on Bird Island in the Seychelles. In the early evening I’d go to Jim Corbett National Park in northern India for an elephant ride to see some tigers. At some point I’d have a glass of Metaxa brandy, but not too much, nor too late.  

The temptation you wish you could resist...Snacks late at night, like crisps, nuts or After Eight mints.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Birds Of Britain And Europe by naturalist Roger Tory Peterson. It came out in the 60s and was the first well-illustrated bird book.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go to central Africa to sit among the gorillas.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The BBC asking me every year to do Strictly Come Dancing! I hate ballroom dancing with a passion.

The film you can watch time and time again...This Is Spinal Tap is a masterful comedy and beautifully observed. It always cheers me up. 

The person who has influenced you most... My dad, Harry. He became both parents when my mum, Lilian, was taken into a psychiatric hospital when I was six. I didn’t appreciate at the time what strength he had. He died at 57 from breathing problems.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Sir Peter Scott, Captain Robert Scott’s son, who did incredible things for nature conservation. He’s a hero of mine.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Just because a person is an adult, it doesn’t mean they know best.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I adore music by Prince. He’s a rock god and I probably have everything he’s ever released.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Our local post office because it was the heart of our community. It closed three years ago despite a big campaign to save it.

The unending quest that drives you on...To never become a grumpy old person who whinges about the youth of today. I’m 71 and intend to remain interested in what youngsters do. I love their energy.

The poem that touches your soul...No poem has ever touched my soul but I’m obsessed with lyrics by the likes of Randy Newman, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell. Joni’s song The Magdalene Laundries is beautiful and very moving.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m ill. I was diagnosed as bipolar three years ago. I have been all sorted for the past two years, but there’s still this sense that I’m not available for work.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Having a complete breakdown 11 years ago. It was hard having to accept I had an illness.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d jump traffic queues by driving in bus lanes.

The song that means most to you...I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt makes me cry, but I love it.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Being at Wembley Stadium with my dad for the 1953 FA Cup Final when Blackpool beat Bolton 4-3. It became known as ‘The  Matthews Final’ because Stanley Matthews set up the goals for Blackpool to come back from 3-1 down.

The saddest time that shook your world...Re-meeting my mother for the first time since I was 14 when I was in my 40s. I went to her flat in Manchester and she just sat there smoking. It was like meeting a stranger. 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To make Inspired By Nature, a series I started working on with the BBC three years ago which got shelved because of cuts. It tells how nature has inspired the arts.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Always tell the truth.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m an atheist, so I will have a humanist funeral. I want to come in to Nothing Compares 2 U by Prince and disappear to Cocktails For Two by Spike Jones. My ashes can be scattered on Hampstead Heath. I love it there.  

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who made good television programmes that touched people.

The Plug...I blog on my website www.billoddie.com and I tweet at @billoddie. Please support the great charities that are protecting our environment.

 

 

Wildlife Presenter Bill Oddie

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Published: 6 October 2012

Film actor Terence Stamp:

The prized possession you value above all others...A beautiful hand-woven rug made for me by the Italian actress Silvana Mangano. She was brilliant at needlepoint and it took her two years.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Turning down the part of Arthur in Josh Logan’s 1967 musical film Camelot because I was frightened of singing. Richard Harris got the part.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up to the sound of the call to prayer at the Palais Jamaï hotel in Fez, Morocco. I’d then go to the New York Athletic Club for a swim and a steam, followed by brunch in San Francisco. I’d be back in Manhattan for shad roe [fish eggs] at Grand Central Station’s Oyster Bar for lunch, then hang out with my brother Chris at his home in East Hampton. I miss Concorde, so I’d fly on it to London for a West End play, then back for dinner with friends at Elio’s on the Upper East Side. I always order a plate of fried courgette to start. I don’t drink alcohol, but I’d be happy with a cold bottle of Badoit mineral water.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Toasted organic spelt bread with olive oil. It’s fattening but I think of it as a treat because I grew up in London’s East End during the war and after German bombing raids my mum always said, ‘Not to worry, let’s have a nice cup of tea and some toast.’

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham. It’s such a powerful book about an American pilot’s search for meaning in life after being traumatised in the First World War.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go inside the multinational agricultural and biotech company Monsanto’s headquarters to see just how much genetically modified food they are making.

The pet hate that always gets your back up...People speaking loudly on mobile phones about personal matters.

The film you can watch time and time again...And God Created Woman from 1956. I was 17 and it was the first time I laid eyes on Brigitte Bardot. I became besotted with her.

The person who has influenced you most...Baron Frederik van Pallandt. He was a Dutch singer in the 60s and became my mentor. He taught me that less is more.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Alexander the Great. I’m fascinated by powerful figures who just get on with it.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Be aware, be yourself and follow your heart.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m 74 and I’ve suddenly realised the benefits of high-intensity training. I do one 15-minute workout each week and it keeps me fit.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A lead bust of the Greek philosopher Socrates. I had to sell it in the mid-70s to pay the rent because I was totally broke.

The unending quest that drives you on...To reach 80 with a fully flexible spine. I do yoga regularly.

The poem that touches your soul...The Masnavi, which is a collection of spiritual poems by Rumi [the 13th-century Persian poet and mystic].

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Meeting the Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti when I was 27. His teachings opened my eyes to so much.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I was romantically involved with Princess Diana. We were just really good chums, yet I still get asked questions alluding to something more. She was a lot of fun – we used to have lunch at San Lorenzo and her company was heaven.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would steal Shah Jahan’s jade drinking cup [made in 1657] from the V&A. It’s the most exquisite object I’ve ever seen.
The song that means most to you...Night And Day by Cole Porter. It’s just a beautiful song and I love it.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The first time I kissed Jean Shrimpton! It was in Hollywood in 1964. Just to lay eyes on her was a joy. We were together for three years. She was the love of my life. Definitely.

The saddest time that shook your world...My mother’s death in 1985. She was in hospital following a stroke and I thought she was going to pull through. I was overwhelmed by grief.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be at peace in the moment, where you quieten the mind from pushing you into the future.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

The order of service at your funeral...It would be for my friends to decide, but I expect to be cremated. I don’t own a home so I live on the move, but in my heart I’m a Londoner. So I guess my ashes should be scattered there, maybe in Green Park.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who spent his whole career earning his living as a stroller player.

The Plug...My memoir Rare Stamps is published as an eBook by Escargot Books. www.escargot-books.com.  

 

Film Actor Terence Stamp

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Published: 29 September 2012

Countryfile presenter John Craven:

The prized possession you value above all others...A painted wooden voting stick presented to me by the Kuna tribe in the rainforests of Panama [pictured]. I filmed with them in the 1970s and the stick made me an honorary tribesman, which meant I could take part in their council meetings – a great honour.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I didn’t study harder at school. I left at 16 with five O-levels.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...My wife Marilyn and I would wake up in our Oxfordshire cottage and have breakfast in bed and read the newspapers. We’d watch whales in Baja California, off Mexico, then have a beach lunch with the family – our daughters Emma and Victoria, their husbands and our five grandchildren – at the Hilton Resort at Flic en Flac, Mauritius. I’d spend the afternoon walking in the Yorkshire Dales, followed by a cream tea on the Cornish coast. I’d sip a Manhattan cocktail in the penthouse of a New York skyscraper hotel before having supper at home with Marilyn, because she’s the world’s best cook!

The temptation you wish you could resist...Pork scratchings at the pub!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, which I studied for O-levels. It made me realise just how powerful the English language is in the right hands.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d eavesdrop on a Cabinet meeting at No 10 and reveal what was really said.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People in service industries who, when you ask for something, say, ‘No problem’ instead of ‘Of course’. Why should there be a problem?!

The film you can watch time and time again...Some Like It Hot still makes me laugh. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are the funniest odd-couple ever and Marilyn Monroe is sensational.

The person who has influenced you most...My father Bill. He spent three years in a Japanese hell camp in WWII and never fully recovered. But, like a creaking gate, he kept going until he was 80. His strength shone through and he imbued in me a set of values to live by.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Horatio Nelson. I want to know why he wore his Admiral’s uniform on the deck of HMS Victory at Trafalgar, making himself a sitting duck!

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Never stop believing in yourself.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Civil aviation. I’m a bit of a plane-spotter and read magazines about it.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My childhood teddy bear, which I sent to a charity teddy bears’ picnic about 20 years ago and never got back.

The unending quest that drives you on...Making sure I have something interesting to do tomorrow.  The poem that touches your soul...High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, who died flying a Spitfire aged 19 in 1941. It is about joy and enthusiasm.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Walking into a TV studio in 1970 as auditions were being held for a children’s current affairs show called Search and cheekily asking if I could be considered. I got the job and that led to Newsround.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase... That I was on Blue Peter. Lots of people confuse me with John Noakes and stop me in the street to ask about Shep!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d hack into Google Earth and switch off those house pictures so that nosey parkers can’t see where everyone lives.

The song that means most to you...Johnny One-Note by Ted Heath and his Orchestra, which was the Newsround opening theme. It’s very catchy and people have been coming up to me and repeating it for the past 40 years!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My 70th birthday party [in 2010] in our garden on a glorious summer’s day. I remember thinking how lucky I was to still have good health, a wonderful family and a job that I love.

The saddest time that shook your world...The death of my parents within a year of each other. Mum went first. She had motor neurone disease and at the end could only communicate by blinking. Then Dad died. Suddenly, at the age of 50, I was an orphan.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’ve always wanted to learn to fly light aircraft.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Have a go.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like a couple of stirring hymns to send me on my way, then to have my ashes scattered either near the Buckinghamshire village where my children grew up, or at Wharfedale, Yorkshire, where as a boy I first discovered the countryside. Maybe a few here, a few there! 

The way you want to be remembered...A good broadcaster who loved the medium of television, but regarded fame as a by-product, not a goal.

The Plug...John is on Countryfile, Sundays, BBC1 and his Countryfile Handbook is published by BBC Books.

 

 

Countryfile Presenter John Craven

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Published: 22 September 2012

BBC TV News presenter Fiona Bruce:

The prized possession you value above all others...Our three-month-old Irish Terrier Molly. She’s a lot of work, but is adorable nevertheless.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I try not to look back and think ‘if only’. But I do regret wearing a full-length sheepskin coat in a series five years ago. I looked terrible.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all day with my husband Nigel and our children [son Sam, 14 and daughter Mia, ten]. After an amazing breakfast buffet at the Waldhaus hotel in Flims in Switzerland, we’d ski in Chamonix, then have lunch on the balcony of Chez Vrony in Zermatt, Switzerland, one of the most stunning locations in the world. In the afternoon we’d lie on the beach at the Royal Palm hotel in Mauritius, then have dinner at Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant The Fat Duck in Berkshire. I’ve eaten there once – each dish was like a piece of theatre.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Pudding is my favourite part of any meal and I always have one if I can manage it. You can’t beat a good millefeuille, which is basically a posh custard slice. Yum!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...I love The Master And Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, which is about repression in Soviet Russia in the 1930s. I read it 20 years ago – it opened my eyes to a new way of writing.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d take an extended tour of the Queen’s private art collection. I’ve seen some of it while making programmes, but to see it all – like her Leonardo da Vinci anatomical drawings, and dozens of Canalettos – would be incredible.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...When music comes out of people’s headphones on the Tube or bus. The noise invades my personal space and the sound quality is so poor!

The film you can watch time and time again...Gone With The Wind. It’s wonderfully romantic and melodramatic – fabulous for a Sunday afternoon, with a cup of hot chocolate, when the rain is lashing against the windows.

The person who has influenced you most...My father John taught me about hard work and the importance of manners. He’s 80 now and sets a great example, but sadly I fall far too short!

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Mahatma Gandhi. He definitely wouldn’t have a pint and I doubt he’d eat a pie! But I’d love to know if he thought any of today’s world conflicts could be won by his own movement of peaceful non-cooperation.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...I tell my kids to work hard and stick at things, but that makes me sound like a humourless Presbyterian!

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Horse riding. At its best it’s exhilarating. At its worst, it’s terrifying.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My mum had a clearout about five years ago and gave a beautiful pedlar doll of mine to Oxfam. They auctioned it for £2,000!

The unending quest that drives you on...To be a better cook. I’d love to be able to throw a dish together spontaneously, but I fail at most things.

The poem that touches your soul...An untitled series of poems about a wedding by Simon Armitage in his collection Book Of Matches, which Nigel gave to me before we got married in 1994. It’s brilliant and very touching.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People often come up to me and say I’m slimmer and taller [she’s 5ft 9in] in real life than they imagined. It means plenty of others think I’m a short ten-ton Tessie!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being asked to present the news in 1999 opened up avenues I could never have foreseen. And it’s made it a lot easier to get a table in restaurants!

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d rob the Bank of England and give the money to charity – but keep plenty for myself.

The song that means most to you...My Baby Just Cares For Me sung by Eartha Kitt, which was played for the first dance at our wedding. Whenever I hear it, I’m taken back to that day.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...A family holiday in Cornwall six years ago when we hired a 1970s Triumph Stag. We put the hood down and had the best fun ever.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my mum Rosemary died last year, aged 81. I’m still going through the grieving process and can find myself moved to tears about her. She was unchangingly loving and warm.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be a rock star! I was lead singer in a few bands at university, but it’s good my dream will never come true – I wouldn’t wish it on the world!

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be yourself.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll be happy with whatever my husband and children want. I’m not religious.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone loyal, loving and fun.

The Plug...Fiona hosts Fake Or Fortune and Antiques Roadshow on BBC1.

 

 

 

BBC TV News Presenter Fiona Bruce

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Published: 15 September 2012

Ex-footballer and presenter Gary Lineker:

The prized possession you value above all others...The Golden Boot I got for being top scorer at the Mexico World Cup in 1986. It changed my life. I’m also the only English player ever to win one, which is nice.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Losing the penalty shoot-out against Germany in the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup in Italy. I look back and always think, ‘If only’.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with my wife, Danielle, at the Hotel Costes in Paris, then spend the morning in Ravello on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. We’d nip back to Paris for lunch at L’Avenue with a decent bottle of red wine, like a Lynch-Bages ’86. Then we’d hit the beach at St Barts in the Caribbean with my boys [Gary has four sons, 14-20, from his first marriage to Michelle Cockayne] and Ella [Danielle’s daughter, ten]. Danielle and I would then go shopping on Melrose Avenue in LA and have a sundowner cocktail on Malibu beach before dinner at Cecconi’s. We’d spend the night at the Bel-Air hotel.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Having too much sugar in my tea. I’ll easily have five spoonfuls.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein about the lives of professional golfers on the PGA tour. It really got inside the players’ minds and taught me so much about golf. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d spend a day at the White House watching President Obama. I’d be interested to know if he really makes the decisions.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Parents shouting at their kids during junior football matches. They instil a fear in children, which is why we’ve struggled to create skilful players in Britain. I’ve watched my four boys go through school football without saying a word on the touchline.

The film you can watch time and time again...One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is a classic and Jack Nicholson is brilliant in it. It’s poignant and funny.

The person who has influenced you most...George Dewis, who was the junior and youth team coach at Leicester City. He was amazing at training forwards. I wouldn’t have had the career I did without him.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Winston Churchill. I share the same birthday as him – 30 November – which is why my middle name is Winston. To hear his stories would be incredible.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Put your heart and soul into every good opportunity you get. Work really hard and give it your all. Then, even if it doesn’t work out, you won’t have any regrets.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...The theatre. I have really got into it during the past three years because Danielle has been doing a bit of acting. It’s never interested me before, so it’s surprised me how much I love it.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I’ve lost a lot of football matches!

The unending quest that drives you on...To stay fit. I make myself go to the gym at least three times a week.

The poem that touches your soul... I haven’t got one – I’m not that deep!

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...My reputation as a ladies man is all rubbish. I’ve never messed around or had affairs. I’ve always been a faithful husband.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...My son George [now 20] was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was two months old. He had months of treatment, but he came through. Dealing with that gave me a greater perspective on life.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would park anywhere with impunity.

The song that means most to you...Danielle says I only like depressing music, so Coldplay’s Yellow is a great song for me. Really miserable!

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Winning the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991. The saddest time that shook your world...When the doctors told Michelle and I that George had leukaemia. They said his chances were not as good as 50-50, but not as bad as ten per cent.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To present a programme when England win the World Cup. To say ‘England. World Champions’ would be a dream come true. One day…

The philosophy that underpins your life...Always try to do the right thing and always be true to yourself.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not religious, so I don’t want any prayers or hymns. Alan Hansen [Gary’s co-star on Match Of The Day] can give the eulogy – although I’ll be gutted if he outlives me. They can scatter my ashes in the six yard box at Wembley so I don’t have to track back for offside ever again!

The way you want to be remembered...As a decent bloke, who was good at what he did and sold a few crisps!

The Plug...Gary stars in the new Walkers TV advert attempting to scale the new Walkers Deep Ridged crisp. To find out more visit www.facebook.com/walkers

 

 

Ex-footballer, Presenter and Tweeter Gary Lineker

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Published: 8 September 2012

BBC Broadcaster Sian Williams:

The prized possession you value above all others...A red Russian Communist Party banner I picked up in Moscow in the 1990s as Communism collapsed. I was there producing The World At One with Nick Clarke, who died a few years later. The banner reminds me of an extraordinary time working with a remarkable man.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not spending more time with my mum [Katherine]. She died from cancer in 2009 when she was only 70. We used to speak every day.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at Saundersfoot beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with my husband Paul and my children [Joss, 20, and Alex, 18, from her first marriage, and Seth, five, and Eve, three, with Paul]. I’d have salmon and bagels for breakfast at a New York diner, then walk around the forests at Applecross in the Highlands. We’d have lunch at Knoll House in Dorset, where Enid Blyton was inspired to write Noddy. They have a big pudding table and I usually go for white cherry fudge and a crème brûlée! I’d spend the afternoon ambling round Paris’s Latin quarter, then have supper at Gualtiero Marchesi’s restaurant in Brescia by the Italian lakes. I’d close the day with a brandy, then get into bed with a book.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Too much dark chocolate.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. It’s about a carer looking after a young paraplegic. It made me feel grateful for everything I have.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d whizz round hospitals to make sure patients were being treated with dignity.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Gossiping. I don’t like people talking badly about someone else.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Shawshank Redemption. My boys and I watch it every time it’s on. It’s about friendship and stoicism.

The person who has influenced you most...My father, John, who’s 74 now. He taught me to work hard and respect people, especially your colleagues.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Marie Curie. She pioneered X-rays, drove ambulances in WWI, and died of radiation exposure – an incredible life.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...The same piece my grandmother gave to me: Pick yourself up, dust yourself down, start all over again.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Helping BBC news crews who’ve returned from wars or natural disasters. I’ve done a course with the Marines which helps you spot PTSD. I’m not a counsellor, but I can assess if people need professional support.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My teenage diaries, which were thrown away in a big clear-out long after I’d left home. But I think they’d only say things like, ‘Got up, went to school, came home, did homework, watched Superstars, Claire Bennett is still ignoring me!’

The unending quest that drives you on...To be a better mother. After 20 years you would think I would know how to do it, but it changes constantly.

The poem that touches your soul...One my grandmother wrote to my grandpa the year he went to war. It has a wonderful final line, ‘You will live to love again my dear in the grand and glorious way.’ I read it at Mum’s funeral.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...There’s no room for misapprehensions about me because you can’t hide your true self after doing breakfast TV for 11 years.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Reporting on the Hillsborough disaster for local radio in Liverpool in 1989. It taught me to report news with care and respect.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I wouldn’t. The Welsh Methodist in me would make me too guilty.

The song that means most to you...The Welsh National Anthem. I sing along when it’s played before a rugby game and it always brings tears to my eyes.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Knowing Seth was alive. He was born blue and flat because he had the cord wrapped around his neck.

The saddest time that shook your world...Mum dying too quickly. The cancer was so aggressive that she died within four months of diagnosis.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To do a job that helps people with mental health problems. I’m in awe of those who put their lives to one side to care for others.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be generous in thought and be kind in nature.

The order of service at your funeral...I’m not really fussed, but I’d like my ashes scattered on the cliffs at Beachy Head near Eastbourne, where I was brought up. I’m happiest by the sea.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who cared.

The Plug...Sian co-presents Saturday Live on Radio 4 at 9am, is a BBC newsreader, and is running the New York Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support. www.justgiving.com/sian-williams16

 

 

BBC Broadcaster Sian Williams

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Published: 1 September 2012

Broadcasting legend Sir Terry Wogan:

The prized possession you value above all others...A piece of paper signed by the Queen conferring a knighthood on me in 2005. It’s hanging in a prominent position in my study.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I’ve been too lucky in life to have any regrets. Besides, I’m an optimist, and I believe regrets are futile. Things go wrong in every life, but you must move on.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d begin with a breakfast of fresh mango on a boat in the Andaman Sea off Thailand with my wife Helen, followed by a stroll on the beach at the Banyan Tree hotel in the Seychelles. Our three children and five grandchildren would then join us for a fun alfresco lunch at Club 55 in St Tropez. After that we’d all head to Crane Beach in Barbados where I would attempt to body surf, but probably drown. Helen and I would have a candlelit dinner in a garden in Marrakech and I’d end the day with a large Armagnac on the terrace of our holiday home in Gascony, southwest France. As you can see, my perfect day is geared around regular intakes of food and drink!

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Doing everything at once. I like to do things quickly, so I tend to do at least two things at the same time.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger. I read it when I was 17 – it spoke to my generation.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...Being invisible doesn’t appeal – I would see things I’d be better off not seeing!

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Hatred in all its forms. It’s futile, worthless and ends in tragedy.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...High Society. There’s never been a cast like it – Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly – and the music of Cole Porter. I’m a great fan of musicals and this one never fails to lift me.

 

The person who has influenced you most...It has to be Helen. We have been married for 47 years and not only has she given me the greatest thing imaginable – my family – she has also made me a better person. She is kind, loyal and gentle, and I have to live up to that, rather than think of myself. She’s also a very good cook!

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’d like to have a chat with the ancient Greek warrior Alexander the Great and ask him why he didn’t just stay home and enjoy himself instead of conquering all those countries.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...That’s easy – be kind. Kindness is the most important thing in life, but sadly there is simply not enough of it in the world.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I have a keen interest in birds. I’m no twitcher, but I’m fond of sitting in the garden looking at the parakeets. The beauty of birdsong in the morning is something to behold.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I don’t recall
mislaying anything, but when you get to my age, 74, possessions are less important. I’m more concerned about losing my marbles and my memory.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...I’ve never been driven, just lucky.

 

The poem that touches your soul...I’m a great lover of poetry, particularly the First World War poets. Wilfred Owen’s Dulce Et Decorum Est is a powerful testament to the futility of war.

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I have more brains than I actually have!

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...When the BBC offered me a slot on Midday Spin in 1967. Everything grew from there.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’m too
law-abiding to commit a crime.

 

The song that means most to you...Stardust by Nat King Cole brings back romantic memories, but I’m not telling you what they are!

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Sinking the longest televised putt in history on the 18th green at Gleneagles to win a BBC Pro-Celebrity Golf match in 1981. It might be the only thing I’m remembered for.

 

The saddest time that shook your world...When our daughter Vanessa died from heart complications a few weeks after she was born in 1966. Those were terrible days. You deal with tragedy as best you can. Life has to go on.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have played rugby for Ireland. Sadly, my left knee was injured when I was younger.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Life happens and we cannot control it. Accept whatever it brings.

 

The order of service at your funeral...Give me ten years and I might start thinking about it! I do want a party afterwards where people say, ‘Well, that’s the end of him, let’s have a drink.’

 

The way you want to be remembered...With affection. For people to have liked you is about all you can hope for.

 

The Plug...Sir Terry Wogan presents Proms In The Park at Hyde Park on 8 September.

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/promsinthepark

 

 

 

The Late, Broadcasting Legend Sir Terry Wogan

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Published: 25 August 2012

Pop star Dave Stewart:

The prized possession you value above all others...A vintage acoustic guitar once owned by 1950s American country artist Red River Dave. It led me to record in Nashville which convinced me to start playing live again.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not having an in-depth conversation about life with my father before he died three years ago.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at my home in LA with my wife Anoushka and our kids Kaya, 12, and Indya, 10, and my other two boys [Sam, 24, and Django, 21, his sons by Siobhan Fahey]. I’d work out, then breakfast would be an omelette with spinach and an avocado with a triple-shot cappuccino. I’d head to my office, chip in all my ideas, then go to Seaburn beach in Sunderland for a sandwich and an ice cream sundae. I’d spend the afternoon writing songs with Mick Jagger, then pop back to the office where all my ideas will have worked! I always have a vodka martini with three olives between 7.30pm and 8pm. Today I’d have it at The Wolseley in London, before dinner at the Chateau De La Chèvre D’Or hotel in Eze, South of France.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Taking sleeping pills. I have to take them to combat jet-lag.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Dickens’ Oliver Twist. When I ran away to London [from his native Sunderland] at 16, I lived on the streets and used to compare the characters I met to those in the book.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit in on a gossipy lunch between great women who have lived a life, like Anjelica Huston and Susan Sarandon.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who have closed minds.

The film you can watch time and time again...Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory from 1971. All my children have been obsessed with it.

The person who has influenced you most... Nelson Mandela. I worked with him for two years to launch his 46664 Foundation. He can make the most negative thing positive.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns would be great fun, but I think we’d better have a whisky.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...I nailed Rudyard Kipling’s poem If above my boys’ beds when they were growing up. It’s a mantra for how to live life and its wisdom is hard to beat.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...People wouldn’t expect me to be sporty, but in fact I’m a pretty good skier. I used to stand on my dad’s wooden skis in the yard when I was a kid waiting for it to snow! 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...An electric guitar I had made in New York in 1994. I flew back to England with it and it was stolen the next day.

The unending quest that drives you on...To write the perfect song.

The poem that touches your soul...I love comedic poetry, like John Cooper Clarke’s take on the 17-syllable haiku: ‘To convey one’s mood in 17 syllables is very diffic!’

The event that altered the course of your life and character...I was in a car crash in 1975 in Germany. I had to have a huge operation and when I woke up I had a new clarity about what I wanted to do musically.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a gregarious party boy. I’m a family man who loves music. It’s just that when I play, it attracts beautiful women.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d release prisoners locked up for their beliefs.

The song that means most to you...Ray Charles’ Take These Chains From My Heart. When I was 12, my mum used to play it endlessly around the time her and my dad split up. I’ve since  rediscovered it and think it’s beautiful.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...On stage with Annie Lennox in Rome in 1989 singing When Tomorrow Comes. She’d been through so much, but that night she was exhilarated. [Daniel, Annie’s son by then husband Uri, was stillborn in 1988.]

The saddest time that shook your world...My father’s funeral. He used to play harmonica but we never played together. As his coffin went down a tape of him playing Danny Boy came on and I played along on my guitar.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To write a memoir exposing the music industry.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Anything is possible.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d want a service in Jamaica. Some of my ashes would be scattered on the Caribbean Sea for the pirate in me and the rest at Roker beach in Sunderland, by the Cat And Dog Steps, where my brother and I will soon scatter our dad’s ashes.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone with a sense of humour who wrote a few good tunes.

The Plug...Dave Stewart’s album The Ringmaster General is released on  3 September and he is on tour 3-7  September. www.davestewart.com.

 

Pop Star Dave Stewart

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Published: 18 August 2012

Broadcaster Jamie Theakston:

The prized possession you value above all others...I collect football programmes – the rarest I have is the 1888 FA Cup Final between Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion. It would fetch around £15,000 at auction.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I hadn’t lost touch with so many friends. 

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... My wife, Sophie, and I love New York. We’d head to a deli for breakfast with grits, hash browns, eggs and pancakes. Then I’d go to Augusta, Georgia, to play the Masters course with my father, Geoff, and two mates. After that I’d join Sophie and our sons – Sidney [four] and Kit [two] – on the West Coast of Barbados. We’d play on the beach and I’d sink a few rum punches. In the evening, Sophie and I would go to the Lone Star restaurant for some barbecued flying fish. Delicious!

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Worrying.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame. It started my love of reading. I read it to my kids recently and it felt wonderful reconnecting with its characters.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’m fascinated by Robert De Niro, so I’d hang out on a film set to see how he works.

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The bureaucracy of local councils. I have no end of problems with planning and parking permits.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...The Champ from 1979 with Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder is one of the most moving films ever made.

 

The person who has influenced you most...My father. He’s strong, stoical and taught me what’s right and wrong.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’d like James Hunt [the late British Formula 1 driver] to take me on a drive in a fast car, then out for a major night. I imagine he’d know how to have a good time.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Believe in your dreams.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...20th-century Italian furniture. My wife and I have taken two years to renovate our new house and I’ve spent a fortune in Italy. One chandelier alone cost £20,000!

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I miss having that naive enthusiasm for life you have when you’re younger. I’m 42 now and no matter how hard you try, age turns you into a realist.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...A thirst for knowledge. I’m the type of person who always wants to know exactly how things work, to take the back off something to see whatever’s inside.

 

The poem that touches your soul...Not Waving But Drowning by Stevie Smith. It deals with someone trying to cope with mental problems. I read it as a teenager and it stayed with me.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m always unflappable. Obviously, I give that impression during live television or on the radio, but you can’t see the duck’s feet paddling like crazy under the water.

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Becoming a father when I was 38 had a huge impact on me. Suddenly life was not about me.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d lock up Justin Bieber. The way he’s been manufactured reflects everything I despise about the music industry.

 

The song that means most to you...Steve Harley’s Make Me Smile. It was played as Sophie and I walked out of the church at our wedding in East Sussex in 2007. Everyone loved it and started singing along. It’s become our song.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The moment I knew I was in love with Sophie and wanted to marry her. I was sitting in a hotel room in Paris in 2006 while she was in the bath. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and realised how happy I looked. Two days later I proposed.

 

The saddest time that shook your world...I was very sad when London was attacked on 7/7. On my radio show the next day there was this outpouring of emotion from callers.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To build the perfect house for our family. I’m determined to do a Grand Designs-style project.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Count your blessings and appreciate what you have, rather than focus on what you haven’t got.

 

The order of service at your funeral...A traditional service at St Margaret’s in Ditchling, where I got married. It would be great if Sophie could read WH Auden’s Stop All The Clocks, or maybe they’d play Monty Python’s Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life. I might surprise everyone by making one last broadcast. I’ll announce beers will be served at a local pub and my final sign-off will be, ‘And now, the travel!’

 

The way you want to be remembered...I’d like anyone who remembers me to have felt loved by me.

 

The Plug...Jamie is in Celebrity MasterChef, weekdays, 6.30pm, BBC2.

 

 

Broadcaster Jamie Theakston

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Published: 11 August 2012

Cricket umpire Dickie Bird:

The prized possession you value above all others...My MBE and OBE from the Queen. I got the OBE in 1986 and the MBE this year for services to cricket and charity. I felt very humble and proud to be British.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I should never have stopped playing cricket for Yorkshire. I left in 1960 because I couldn’t get a regular place. I was 24 and went to play for Leicestershire, but I wish I had stayed and fought for my place.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start the day with a long walk along Scarborough beach, then have coffee in a seafront cafe. The cricket ground at Scarborough is magical and if I could watch anyone it would be Garfield Sobers in full flight. I’d go to India to visit the Taj Mahal, which is wonderful in the moonlight, but would be back to Scarborough in time for dinner at the Tuscany Italian restaurant for ravioli with a glass of red. I’d stop the night at the Crown Spa Hotel, the best in town.

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Chocolate. I can get through a box of Black Magic in a night.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...My bible. I won it for an essay I wrote for Sunday school when I was 12. I’m 79 now and it’s quite tatty, but if ever I get depressed, I read a passage and it gives me strength.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit in on a meeting of world leaders at a critical moment for peace in the world.

 

The pet-hate that makes your hackles rise...Weeds! I have half an acre of garden near Barnsley. Nothing gets me angrier than weeds taking over.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...I love Westerns and nobody can touch Clint Eastwood, especially in A Fistful Of Dollars. He’s magnificent.

 

The person who has influenced you most...My father Harold. He was up at 4am every day to work down the mines, but still found the energy to bowl at me after school. He told me I could make it to the top if I had no drink, no women and no going to nightclubs. I followed his advice and never married.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...The 18th century politician William Wilberforce. He stopped the slave trade and was the greatest ever Yorkshireman.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Whatever you do in life, be sure you enjoy it. 

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’ve collected ties since I was a boy. I’ve got hundreds, all over the house, of all colours and sizes.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A pair of gold cuff links I got when Yorkshire won the county championship in 1959. They were stolen in a burglary in the 1970s.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...To stay healthy. I’ve had a stroke and my short-term memory is shocking. I get to Asda and forget what I’m buying!

 

The poem that touches your soul...Invictus by William Ernest Henley, the 19th-century poet. It’s so inspiring.

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I know everything about cricket! People relay particular bits of a game from years ago and expect me to remember it.

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...In September 1969 I had a drink with the former Middlesex fast bowler John Warr and he suggested I become an umpire. Within two years, I was a Test umpire and stayed for 25 years.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’m a Christian, so I’d rather miss this question. No man is above the law.

 

The song that means most to you...I always get a lump in my throat when I hear Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were. With its beautiful sentiment of looking back fondly on the past, it makes me think of my parents.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Having a private lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1990. It was just me, Prince Edward and two others, but they all left at the end, so it was just me and the Queen in the lounge chatting. I shall remember it as long as the Lord gives me breath.

 

The saddest time that shook your world...When my sister Sylvia died from a brain haemorrhage in 1974 when she was 41. I took it badly but it was even worse for my mother, who was 70.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have opened for  England with a century at Lord’s.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Live life with a smile.

 

The order of service at your funeral...I’m the president of the Barnsley Municipal Band, so I’d like them to play at a service at the church of St Mary in the town. And I want my ashes buried at the foot of the statue of me, which is on the spot where I was born in Barnsley.

 

The way you want to be remembered...For my children’s sport foundation and as someone who was honest and treated both sides fairly.

 

The Plug...Please support The Dickie Bird Foundation which gives under-privileged children the chance to participate in sport. Visit www.the dickiebirdfoundation.co.uk

 

Cricket Umpire Dickie Bird

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Published: 4 August 2012

Sports presenter Chris Hollins:

The prized possession you value above all others...A pair of silver cuff links I got for my 21st birthday from my parents [Linda and John, the Chelsea football legend]. As a boy, I’d always wanted a pair of grown-up cuff links. My initials are engraved on them and they have huge sentimental value. I wore them on my wedding day last March.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...That I went along with peer pressure at school and didn’t practise sport – especially cricket – to the maximum because it was uncool to be a try-hard. I just did the minimum and expected to become a professional sportsman because my dad was.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d bomb around skiing all morning in Courchevel, France, with my wife Sarah, my sister Liz and her husband, Mark, and mum, but not dad because he’s got dodgy knees and a bad hip. We’d meet him for lunch in a beautiful square in Florence. I’d play golf in the afternoon with some close mates at Ballybunion, on the south west coast of Ireland. I play off five but as this is a fantasy day, maybe I would break par! I’d have a pint of Guinness with the boys before meeting all the family in Barbados for Mojito cocktails and a great supper of jerk chicken.

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Switching on every TV I pass for a quick flick through the channels.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Bounce: The Myth Of Talent And The Power Of Practice by Matthew Syed. It proves that any child can be great at something if they put in a magical 10,000 hours of practice.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d love to watch a genius such as Paul McCartney or Elton John making music.

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Negativity – especially killjoys who dampen others’ enthusiasm.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...Spartacus. I’m a sucker for an epic and this has to be the greatest.

 

The person who has influenced you most...Mum has been my moral guide and taught me to do the right thing.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Henry VIII – I’d like to know if he was really worried about England, or just a deranged drunk.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Do not fear failure.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I am passionate about social history. I can stare for hours at old photographs trying to imagine what life was like for the people in them.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The wide-eyed innocence of my youth. As a journalist, you become cynical very quickly and I don’t like that feeling.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...To never end a day wishing I could have done more.

 

The poem that touches your soul...Vitaï Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt. It’s about young men in war and when I read it at the age of 16, it made me realise that if I had lived in another time, it could have been me dying in battle.

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m on one long jolly. I work incredibly hard.

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting dropped from Durham University cricket team when I was 19. It was a wake-up call, warning me that I was not good enough to be a sportsman.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would hack into a major bank and put £10,000 in everyone’s account.

 

The song that means most to you...Frank Sinatra’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin. When Sarah and I started going out five years ago it became our song. It sums us up and we had it for our first dance at our wedding.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...I had better say my wedding! But besides that it was a family holiday in the South of France when I was ten. We piled into a VW Beetle convertible and drove where we fancied for three weeks. We had the roof down, sang like crazy and had the best fun ever.

 

The saddest time that shook your world...When mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009. She is the rock of the family and life stopped for everybody. She is all clear now, but the shock of it never really leaves you. I don’t take life for granted any more.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To successfully assemble a flat-pack cupboard and prove to Sarah’s family that I am not a total imbecile at DIY.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Say yes to everything – have a go.

 

The order of service at your funeral...I have a faith, so I would want a church service. Some nice organ music would be good and I’d want everyone to sing Jerusalem. But the main order of the day would be a big party for everyone to eat, drink and be merry. The only thing I care about is not dying with any regrets.

 

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who made a difference.

 

The Plug...Chris presents London 2012 Olympics coverage on Breakfast, BBC1 from 6am-9am.

 

 

Sports Presenter Chris Hollins

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Published: 28 July 2012

Decathlete Daley Thompson:

 

The prized possession you value above all others...Apart from family, it’s my health. I’m not into possessions. I even gave away my Olympic Gold medals for the decathlon [Moscow 1980 and LA 1984] to two friends who trained with me for seven years. They earned them.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I’ve made loads of mistakes, but don’t have regrets. You play things the way you see them and you can’t go back and change anything.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d take my children [Rachel, 24, Austin, 21, Elliot, 19, Alex, ten, and Aaron, five] to all five Disneyland theme parks in the world. We’d start off in Japan, and end up in California. But I’m never happier than being in England, and one area that’s special is Richmond Park. I love the deer and cycling around there, so maybe I can fit that in too.

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Sweets of any shape and size. Midget Gems and red liquorice are big favourites.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Bible. I went to Sunday school of my own accord from the age of seven because I was gripped by stories like the Sermon on the Mount and David and Goliath. I found them so believable.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...No idea! I try to keep out of the public eye generally and have only been doing publicity work recently because of the Olympics. Once the Games are over I’ll go back to being invisible again!

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Insincerity. I prefer straight talking. If the answer is ‘no’, then say it. Don’t say ‘maybe’ and not mean it.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...I love Chariots Of Fire [1981]. It’s about people overcoming obstacles in life, and is in the same athletics language I speak. I knew Harold Abrahams [1924 Olympic 100m champion, played by Ben Cross in the film] and it was strange to see him depicted in the film. He was a grumpy git in real life!

 

The person who has influenced you most...Bob Mortimer, the sprint coach at the Essex Beagles athletics club. When I was 16 he forced me to change from the 100 metres to the decathlon. I was already a successful sprinter, but he was right and it changed my life.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Martin Luther King. People like him are very rare. It must be incredible to be driven by a higher purpose.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Live life to the full and be open to people and their ideas.

 

The unlikely interest that engages  your curiosity...I’m nuts about the TV show Glee! I watched four episodes on the trot on a plane the other day.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My youth. I’m 54 now and can still do the 100 metres in 13 seconds. But I miss the freedom of youth, when you had no responsibilities and could just please yourself. However, I’m content in the fact I didn’t waste my youth. I loved sports and training and that’s what I did to the maximum.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...To make life as good as I possibly can for my family.

 

The poem that touches your soul...If by Rudyard Kipling. It’s about fulfilling yourself and doing things to the best of your ability.

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...I don’t care what people think about me. If there is a misapprehension, then so what?

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Discovering sport changed my life, but not my character. When I was nine I thought I’d be the world’s greatest footballer, then I found athletics and realised I was going to be great at something else. Even winning at the Olympics was not a big shock because I expected to win.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d get into my BMW and drive around the M25 as fast as I could.

 

The song that means most to you...Me And Mrs Jones by Billy Paul. It takes me back to when I was a teenager in Notting Hill going to discos. It was always the slow song at the end of the night and as soon as it came on you’d have to find a girl. Fun times.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Nothing can beat having kids. But every day is a great day for me.

 

The saddest time that shook your world...When I had to retire at 31 because I kept getting injured. I could have had another four years at the top.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to go into space and experience weightlessness.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...You get out what you put in.

 

The order of service at your funeral...I can’t begin to imagine being dead, so it wouldn’t occur to me to talk about it.

 

The way you want to be remembered...Just as a good friend and a good dad. I don’t even need the athletics to be remembered. That’s all in the past.

 

The Plug...See Daley host the ‘Daz- athlon’ at www.facebook.com/dazsoapclub and find his missing  trophies to be in with a chance of  winning a cash prize.

 

 

Decathlete Daley Thompson

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Published: 21 July 2012

Fashion designer Bruce Oldfield:

The prized possession you value above all others...My dogs Babe, a Rhodesian ridgeback and Baz, a border terrier. They mean everything to me.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I don’t have regrets because they are negative. Life’s full of rubbish, so you just have to move on.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d watch the sun come up at Chiva-Som health resort in Thailand, then have one of its slimming breakfasts. I’d then have a piano lesson at home in Chelsea and play Bach’s Prelude in C faultlessly. After that I’d cook an al fresco lunch for friends at the Argiano winery estate in Montalcino in Tuscany. I’d spend the rest of the day at (socialite) Sue Sangster’s lovely house in Barbados. I’d sit on the beach with a fruit cocktail waiting to see the emerald flash (a rare meteorological phenomenon) as the sun goes down. I’m generally in bed by 10.20pm – otherwise I get grumpy – but Barbados is so relaxing I’m usually tucked up by 9.30pm!

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...I keep on working when other people are out having fun. But I love what I do and find it hard to stop.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Selected Poems by the 19th-century English Jesuit priest  Gerard Manley Hopkins. I studied his beautiful work for A-level at school in Ripon and it has stayed with me.  

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I would spend the day watching the girls in our work rooms, seeing who produced the best work – and who didn’t!

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Bad workmanship – in anything, not just clothes. Even if I see a door painted badly it bothers me.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...All About Eve. Bette Davis gave impersonators a ticket to imitate her for years to come with that role.

 

The person who has influenced you most...My foster mother Violet Masters (Bruce was given up to care when he was six weeks old). She brought me up from the age of two until 13 (with four other foster siblings). She was a seamstress and inspired my career.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Maria Callas. I adore her music and would love to have heard her sing.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t be limited by the expectations of others. You can always be better and do more.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Facebook! I know it’s sad, but I love it and have about 2,000 ‘Likes’. The relationships you have on it are very hands-off. You can take it further if you want, or just leave it as a passing Hello. It’s weird, but that suits me.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A small 1930s Cartier tie pin. It was a lovely piece but I have no idea where it went.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...I’m not as driven as I was in my 30s, but I constantly strive to maintain my standards.   

 

The poem that touches your soul...Pied Beauty by Gerard Manley  Hopkins is a complex and beautiful poem about God being in everything.  

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Being taken from my foster home in 1963 and put into a Barnardo’s home when I was 13. I was getting out of control, so they had no choice. It was desperately sad being dragged away from my family.

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m grand! Maybe it’s because I’m associated with so many celebrities, but when people meet me they often say, ‘Oooh, I didn’t think you’d be so nice!’

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would lay bicycle tyre-shredding strips on the raised zebra crossing by the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Kensington Gardens to force cyclists to dismount. They do not have priority over everyone else!

 

The song that means most to you...Joni Mitchell’s People’s Parties. I sat next to her at a party in 1982 and told her how much I loved that song. She couldn’t remember the words and was quite surprised when I recited them to her.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Getting an OBE in 1990. I felt I was getting some recognition.   

 

The saddest time that shook your world...Christmas Day at the Barnardo’s home after I’d been taken back. I stayed in my bed all day crying.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you... To have hair again!  

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never cut corners, or accept anything that’s second-rate.

 

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like a simple service at St Paul’s in Knightsbridge with lots of flowers and I’d have the Intrada movement from Gerald Finzi’s Dies Natalis. I’d like my ashes to be thrown to the four winds somewhere on the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire.

 

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who tried hard and, hopefully, did a good job.

 

The Plug...Bruce’s new couture bridal salon opens in Knightsbridge on 30 July. Visit www.bruceoldfield.com.

 

 

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Fashion Designer Bruce Oldfield

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Published: 14 July 2012

Actress Hermione Norris:

The prized possession you value above all others...The Aga in our home in Dorset [Hermione also has a house in London]. It cost £10,000 to put in ten years ago, but was worth every penny. It’s the heart of the home – it makes amazing roasts, dries clothes and I even sit the kids on it to warm them up!

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d had my children younger. I was 37 when I had Wilf [now eight] and 40 when I had my daughter Hero [now four]. I’m 45 now and it’d be nice to have more stamina – being a mum can be shattering.  

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d watch the sun come up alone at Shimla in the Himalayas, then have breakfast with a girlfriend at Tom’s Deli in Notting Hill – I love the eggs Benedict there. After skiing in Val d’Isère with my husband Simon, I’d relax with all the family on North Island in the Seychelles – a stunning private desert island with villas. I’d have a massage and read a novel on the beach, then go horse riding in Patagonia before heading to New York to watch Ruthie Henshall in Chicago on Broadway. I’d end the day having dinner with Simon at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons near Oxford, then head home to London.

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Buying for a family of ten when I’m in Waitrose! I’ll happily spend an hour there and rack up a bill of £300.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Pat Barker’s Regeneration Trilogy [Regneration, The Eye In The Door and The Ghost Road] opened up the First World War to me. The scale of the loss of life is deeply moving.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d shadow Meryl Streep at work. She’s an incredible actress with the lightest of touches.

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The culture of fear we live in because it stifles creativity. People should have the freedom to fail because that’s what drives inspiration.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...Spy Game with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. It’s beautiful – essentially it’s a love story between two men.

 

The person who has influenced you most...My drama teacher Colin Cook at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He gets your blood up and makes you passionate about acting.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Nell Gwyn was the first commercially successful actress. I’d love to chat to her about her world and ask her about her boyfriend, Charles II.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Be comfortable with yourself and embrace who you are, because you’re going to be in your company for the rest of your life. Be your own best friend. The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...

I love bad cookery programmes. The Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten is appalling, but watching her is strangely comforting

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A beautiful platinum butterfly necklace with blue sapphire wings. Simon gave it to me but I lost it about five years ago at work and still feel bad about it. It was quite rare and he was genuinely upset.

 

The unending quest that drives you  on...To do a beautiful piece of acting work. 

 

The poem that touches your soul...The Desiderata [written by American Max Ehrmann in 1927]. It’s like a little manual on how to live your life. 

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People think I’m very put-together, refined and tidy, but I’m actually very scruffy and messy and not at all put-together!

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting a scholarship to ballet school when I was 11. My dream was to be Margot Fonteyn, but ballet led me into acting.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d love to put on a black catsuit and pull off a really complex jewellery robbery.

 

The song that means most to you...Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World. It was on the radio at the exact moment my son was born.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Obviously, when my children were born, but also getting into LAMDA at 18. I was working in Liberty when I found out and said, ‘Oh God, YES!’

 

The saddest time that shook your world...My father dying when I was 21. It broke me, but it also made me grow up and decide what I wanted to do with my life.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To give my children a solid foundation to their lives.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Carpe diem. 

 

The order of service at your funeral...I’d be burnt on a pyre at Varanasi in India and have my ashes scattered on the Ganges. Then an orchestra would play Giovanni Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in F minor at a huge party in my garden in Dorset, followed by fantastic fireworks!

 

The way you want to be remembered...As a person who left lots of love behind.

 

The Plug...I’m a patron of Maggie’s Centres. They offer extraordinary care to people with cancer. Please support them at www.maggiescentres.org.

 

 

 

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Actress Hermione Norris

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Published: 7 July 2012

Spandau Ballet stinger Tony Hadley:

The prized possession you value above all others...My baby grand Yamaha piano. My wife Ali bought it for my 50th birthday, in 2010. It cost £10,000 so it was incredibly generous.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I was too trusting when I was younger, especially of certain people in the music business.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have breakfast with all the family [Tony has five children: Thomas, 28,Toni, 26, Mack, 21, Zara, five, and five month- old Genevieve] at Blues restaurant in Camps Bay, Cape Town. I’d then float over the Earth in space before landing back at my home in Buckinghamshire for a roast-rib-of-beef lunch with my family and friends.

Then Ali and I would get the deckchairs out at a villa we love in Sardinia and have a gin and tonic or two in peace. I’d end the day with tapas and rosé wine at Ramon’s in northern Majorca.

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...A kebab at 3am when I’m travelling back from a show. I love them but I have to watch my weight. I’m 16- and-a-half stone at the moment.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonanceWhen I was eight I discovered The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe by C S Lewis and it made me fall in love with reading.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d visit Area
51 [the secretive US air force base in Nevada] and find out if we’ve been
visited by aliens.

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...I loathe litterbugs and I’m pretty vocal if I see someone do it.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...Chitty Chitty Bang Bang because it has everything – great music, magical scenery, a rags-toriches story and a car that can fly!

 

The person who has influenced you most...Frank Sinatra. I love his music, but more than that, I find inspiration from his life. He hit rock bottom, yet he dusted himself down.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...William the Conqueror. I’d love to know what motivated him to invade England and what vision he had. The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child... Be open-minded so you can always see the other side of the coin.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Logging! We moved into a new house last summer with two acres of land and quite a few trees, which I maintain. I bought a chain saw, a helmet and special leggings and boots. I’m a scary sight in all the kit.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...An orange plastic Beatles guitar I had when I was five. It got lost along the way and I wish I’d looked after it.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...To succeed. I admire people who are content, but I need to keep striving.

 

The poem that touches your soul...In Flanders Fields by the Canadian Major John McCrae. It’s poignant and distils the horror of the First World War.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People expect me to be up myself because of all those moody Spandau Ballet publicity photos. But I’m really friendly.

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Signing the Spandau record deal with Chrysalis Records in 1980 when I was 20.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...

I’d break into the vaults underneath the Vatican and root through all the archives.

 

The song that means most to you...Sinatra’s That’s Life. It always lifts my spirits and reflects my take on life.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Playing the Albert Hall with Spandau in 1983. When I was 17 I had gone there with my mum to watch Frank Sinatra. I managed to get backstage and he spoke to me. I told him that it was my ambition to be a singer. He said, ‘I hope you succeed, son’, and shook my hand. I remembered that when I did the sound-check before that gig. I had fulfilled a dream.

 

The saddest time that shook your world...Also when I was 17, my nan Rose died of stomach cancer. I was absolutely devastated.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to star in a wham-bam Hollywood action movie and get an Oscar.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Look after your family and friends and be a decent person.

 

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like people to dress as if they’re going to a concert, so it won’t be too sombre. I don’t believe in the afterlife, so I don’t want anything too religious, but maybe someone can tell a few anecdotes about my chaotic life. They can play Pretty Vacant by the Sex Pistols during the cremation and I’d like people to file out to Monty Python’s Always Look On The Bright Side of Life.

 

The way you want to be remembered...Here lies a good bloke. And he could sing a bit, too.

 

The Plug...Tony is supporting Cadbury Dairy Milk Postcards campaign as part of its London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsorship.Visit www.cadburypostcards2012.co.uk

 

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Spandau Ballet Stinger Tony Hadley

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Published: 30 June 2012

TV naturalist Chris Packham:

The prized possession you value above all others...A tiny brass falconry bell I bought in 1974. It was worn by a kestrel I got, called Tim. Owning Tim was a seminal moment in my life, because of the struggle it took to get him. Working class boys back then were not allowed to be involved in falconry, so I stole him from a nest and kept him in secret. It gave me a sense of independence.

 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Ignoring a boy walking his new puppy on a Christmas morning when I was 17. He was about 12 and looked at me proudly, but I just walked on by. I was an angry young man at the time and I regret my lack of humanity.

 

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d begin with a walk on Bamburgh beach in Northumberland with Itchy
and Scratchy, my miniature poodles. I’d then go to Antarctica with my stepdaughter, Megan, 17, to take photos of the wildlife. I’d have oysters for lunch at the oyster bar at New York’s Grand Central Station, then go to the Rothko Chapel in Houston and look at the paintings. I’d end the day at my holiday home in south-west France with my partner Charlotte. We’d listen to the frogs in the swimming pool. I hate swimming so I turned it into a pond.

 

The temptation you wish you could resist...Alcohol. I probably have the capacity to be alcoholic, so give it up for months, but am always tempted back.

 

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, which I read as a teen. I related to the character John The Savage. Like him, I felt isolated and like an outcast.

 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...To see how a top football manager like Alex Ferguson deals with his players at half-time when his side is losing in a big game.

 

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...The lethargy and dishonesty in conservation. Too many committees say things are great when they aren’t.

 

The film you can watch time and time again...The Thing. Although it is horror, it is my comfort film. I feel quite content with its apocalyptic end for humanity!

 

The person who has influenced you most...My biology teacher John Buckley. When I was 11, he turned me from a bird egg collector to a young scientist. He suggested I count the eggs and map the nests instead of stealing from them.

 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’d love to meet Horatio Nelson before Trafalgar to see how he was with his men.

 

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Love life. All life. Everything has its purpose in the ecosystem.

 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Spitfire planes. I was brought up on a diet of Spitfires because my dad loved them and they were based near our home in Southampton.

 

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A basic blue plastic comb I’d had for five years. It fell out of my bag in a Cardiff car park but I only realised when I got to Southampton. I am totally OCD about losing things, so I drove back the next day to look for it, but the car park had been swept.

 

The unending quest that drives you on...To take a perfect photograph which exactly conveys that precise moment and what I was feeling when I took it.

 

The poem that touches your soul...There is a poetic sentence in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince which means a lot to me: ‘It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is important is invisible to the eye.’

 

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People often say they think I’m a nice bloke. But I’m incredibly self-critical and don’t see that.

 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The death of my kestrel Tim. I buried it beneath the nest I’d stolen it from six months earlier, and I felt a huge sense of failure. I dealt with its death in total isolation, which made me a more independent person.

 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal Johannes Vermeer’s The Lacemaker and sleep with it above my bed.

 

The song that means most to you...Pure by The Lightning Seeds. It may be a bit naff, but I think it’s an unpretentious love song that bounces along.

 

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Ten years ago, when my poodle Fish excitedly jumped on my lap and licked my face one day. My girlfriend at the time said, ‘He loves you so much.’

 

The saddest time that shook your world...Five days after that day, when Fish was run over and killed.

 

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To see Earth from space.

 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Go harder, go madder, go faster. It’s about being the best you can be by pushing yourself harder than anyone else.

 

The order of service at your funeral...I would want a simple service, then be incinerated to Shout Above The Noise by the punk band Penetration, which has been a mantra for my life.

It is about being an individual.

 

The way you want to be remembered...I don’t feel the need to be remembered.

 

The Plug...I’m an ambassador for Arla Foods’ Kids Closer To Nature campaign, which encourages children to experience the great outdoors. Visit
www.kidsclosertonature.co.uk

 

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TV Naturalist Chris Packham

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Published: 23 June 2012

Legendary director Bryan Forbes:

"I would be happy for family and friends to remember my good bits, scatter my ashes in the garden and plant a tree in my memory"


We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the turn of film director, author and actor Bryan Forbes (who directed Rob McGibbon in International Velvet alongside Tatum O’Neal – well, sort of!)

The prized possession you value above all others...My garden, which I have fashioned from nothing since Nanette [actress Nanette Newman] and I bought our house when we got married in 1955. It has ten acres and was completely overgrown and I became obsessed with making it beautiful. The garden has been my passion and my sanctuary over the years. I am 85 now and not very mobile, so I can’t garden any more, which is sad.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...
That I was never able to make my film of Napoleon and Josephine. Ian Bannen was going to play Napoleon and I slaved over writing it for three years, but then Warner Brothers junked it because Stanley Kubrick was going to make a film on the same subject, although he never did.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I would spend all day with my three wonderful granddaughters [India Rose, 24, Tilly, 21, and Lilly, 15]. We’d fly by private jet to Antigua for breakfast on the beach, then on to New York for shopping, so I could spoil them. We’d have tea at the Carlyle Hotel, then go to a Broadway musical in the evening, then fly back home on the private jet, missing all the hideous delays we normally have to endure.

The temptation you wish you could resist…To stop buying books. I love reading and have about 6,000 books. I used to have nearer to 10,000, but I have sold a great many in recent years. I owned a bookshop for 37 years, so there was a great temptation to pinch from myself!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford. He was an extraordinary writer and this is such a clever, brilliantly constructed novel. I wish I could write as well as him.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I would reschedule all television programming. We have about 600 channels at home, yet Nanette and I often can’t find anything worth watching. I think the programmers have lost touch and it drives me nuts.

The pet-hate that makes your hackles rise...All those politicians on the gravy train at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. They waste amazing amounts of our money complicating our lives with idiotic regulations. It would be great if we could tell them all to get stuffed!

The film you can watch time and time again...
Jeux Interdit (Forbidden Games) directed by René Clément from 1951. It is a French classic about innocence, which epitomises the futility of war.

The person who has influenced you most...
Graham Greene was a great mentor who always encouraged me. We first met in London in the 1950s and we were in touch right up until his death [in 1991]. I used to see him a lot in the South of France when he was living in Antibes. Once we were having dinner at a little bistro called Chez Felix and he turned up with a revolver in a plastic bag. He said: "If a black Citroen drives by, make sure you duck. It will be the Marseille mafia coming to shoot me!" Graham was always one for great drama and he was a lovely man.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Marcel Proust. I would like to know how he managed to keep on writing.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t despise education – it could be the difference between happiness and abject failure.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...
Cooking, which will most definitely seem unlikely to Nanette and our family because I can only cook three dishes! I once set fire to the kitchen whilst making langoustine flambé. But I love the idea of cooking and admire Rick Stein for being so innovative.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A signet ring that Nanette gave me, which came off while swimming in the South of France in the 1960s. I spent hours diving for it, but never recovered it.

The unending quest that drives you on...
The whole object of writing is to write a masterpiece, but it doesn’t happen to many people. I wrote one great novel – Familiar Strangers – which I am proud of, but if I could write a book as good as Greene’s The End of the Affair I would die a happy man.

The poem that touches your soul...I don’t have one. Poetry has not been a great force in my life.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...I honestly don’t know what people think of me. I was known as a jack-of-all-trades, which is fine, but can inspire envy. You have to wait until you are dead before people say what they think of you, but then you can’t read it! (And they have written wonderful things about you, Bryan – including me! You were so very much loved and respected. RM)

The event that altered the course of your life and character...When in 1942 the BBC producer Lionel Gamlin took me for tea and a bun and gave me a job as Question Master for the BBC’s Junior Brains Trust. It was my first professional job and my life in show business began. He also suggested I change my name. [Bryan’s real name is John Clarke].

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I think we are badly governed by politicians of all hues. One doesn’t want to commit murder, but it would be nice if they could all be miraculously obliterated.

The song that means most to you...
When I Fall In Love as sung by the great Nat King Cole. I was directing a film called King Rat [released in 1965] in Hollywood and one night at a cabaret Nat suddenly dedicated that song to me. He was desperate to be an actor and star in that film, but I had the unfortunate task of telling him there wasn’t a part for him.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Managing to buy our house in Surrey and forging our life here. It had been derelict for seven years and we bought it at auction for £8,300, although we couldn’t afford it. My best man gave me a private mortgage to help pay for it.

The saddest time that shook your world...When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis whilst directing The Slipper and the Rose in 1975 [film was released in ’76]. It was a horrible time, especially for Nanette, because it felt like I had been given a death sentence. I kept it secret because I would not get any work if people thought I was not long for this world because of insurance problems. But all the doctors later admitted that the diagnosis was totally wrong and I have never developed any symptoms.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...
I don’t really have one. I have been luckier than most and realised so many ambitions. I received a British Film Institute Fellowship earlier this year. I am very proud of getting that.

The philosophy that underpins your life...
Never take anything for granted.

The order of service at your funeral...I am not very religious, so I wouldn’t want a formal ceremony as such, or a tombstone. I wouldn’t even want people to wear black. I would be happy for family and friends to remember my good bits, scatter my ashes in the garden and plant a tree in my memory.

The way you want to be remembered...As somebody who was not taken in by fame.

The Plug...My new novel The Soldier’s Story is published by Quartet Books in July, priced £18.

The Bryan Forbes died at his beloved home surounded by his family following a long illness on Wednesday, 8th May 2013. He was 86. RIP.

 

 

The Late and Legendary Film Director Bryan Forbes

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Published: 16 June 2012

Fashion model Jodie Kidd:

The prized possession you value above all others...A diamond and platinum necklace that converts into a tiara that my grandmother Lady Beaverbrook left to me when she died in 1988. 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...During my first modelling job when I was 15 in Milan for the fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré, I called him Karl – as in Karl Lagerfeld, his greatest competitor. I never worked for him again!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up on the west coast of Barbados and have a huge fresh fruit breakfast. I would be with Andrea [her boyfriend, Argentine polo player Andrea Vianini] and our baby son Indio, who is nine months old. Andrea and I would then go for a swim in the Arroyo de Jose Ignacio river in southern Uruguay, followed by lunch at the Lucifer restaurant in Pueblo Garzon. I would then go scuba diving in the Seychelles. For the evening, I’d come back to our home in West Sussex, put the baby to bed and go to my favourite local pub – The Three Crowns, in Wisborough Green – and drink local ales until last orders.

The temptation you wish you could resist...A glass of cold beer. It’s too easy to have one and keep going.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Wind In The Willows. My mother read it to me when I was little and I can’t wait to read it to Indi.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d go to Area 51 [the US air force base in Nevada used for secret testing] and find out if a real UFO ever landed.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Dishonesty. I hate liars. I have come across a lot of it in the modelling world and have a good radar for lies. 

The film you can watch time and time again...The Shawshank Redemption with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. I love the moral of the story and how Robbins’ character gets justice.

The person who has influenced you most...My dad [businessman and former showjumper John Kidd]. He has been a great role model and taught me how to be a good person.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...

Jules Verne [the 19th-century French author who pioneered science fiction writing]. I’d like to know how he foresaw submarines and space travel.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Work hard and play hard. Enjoy spending every penny you earn on living your life.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...AI, artificial insemination in horses! Andrea and I breed polo ponies and it’s amazing.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I lost an Omega watch two years ago when I was riding. It wasn’t valuable, but I loved it.

The unending quest that drives you on...Winning! I have a very competitive streak, especially in sport.

The poem that touches your soul...If by Rudyard Kipling because my godfather [the late Douglas Bunn, who founded showjumping’s home, Hickstead] said he would give me £10 if I learnt it when I was little. I couldn’t do it, but I fell in love with the poem because it’s all about courage – and it reminds me of him. 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The birth of Indi [on 5 September 2011]. Having him has made me calmer, softer and more humble towards people.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m posh and anorexic. I had a wonderful upbringing, but I’m normal. And since giving birth I am a size 12-14. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I would steal the gold from Fort Knox to buy loads of beautiful land. 

The song that means most to you...Money For Nothing by Dire Straits reminds me of singing it with my dad in the car when I was about eight.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Scoring an eagle [two under par] in 2004 at The Road Hole at St Andrews, which is meant to be one of the hardest holes in golf.

The saddest time that shook your world...Seeing the Twin Towers come down in 2001. I was in New York for fashion week and saw it from the balcony of an apartment about 30 blocks away. I could even see people jumping. It shook me – and the world.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To ride the Hickstead Derby course. You need to be a gutsy rider and I don’t think I could even try, especially now I’m a mummy.

The philosophy that underpins your life...He who has the gold makes the rules! That was written at the foot of the stairs in my godfather’s house.

The order of service at your funeral...I will leave it all to my family because I will neither know nor care what happens. I’d like to be buried in Sussex. Above all, I want everyone to have a big knees-up and celebrate life.

The way you want to be remembered...As a connoisseur of fine red wine who brought some good to the world.

The Plug...Jodie Kidd has designed a limited edition Formula 1-inspired Sky+HD 1TB box. Visit www.sky.com/designerboxes   

 

Fashion Model Jodie Kidd

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Published: 9 June 2012

Football commentator John Motson:

The prized possession you value above all others...My collection of football programmes. I’ve got every FA Cup Final programme since 1921 and all the England World Cup ones. They represent my 60-year passion for the game.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Never having had the thrill of commentating on England playing in a major final.   

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at the Dormy House hotel at Broadway in the Cotswolds and go for a four-mile run. Then lunch at Oslo Court in London’s St John’s Wood: smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, followed by a meat dish with red wine. After that, a match at my local football club, Barnet, with my 26-year-old son Fred. Then a cream tea at the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, washed down with champagne in its Mirror Bar. Finally, a slap-up dinner at The George of Stamford Hotel, off the A1 in Lincolnshire.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Snacking on bread and cheese while on the road – which is why I’m normally a stone overweight at the end of each football season.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Power Of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. I left school feeling inferior because I was the smallest in the class and not great at sport. The book inspired me and helped me as a cub newspaper reporter.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d drive a black London taxi for the day. For years I thought I’d do that job if the commentating didn’t work out.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Email! It’s spoilt the art of conversation. I’m a dinosaur about technology, I can only go as far as texting.

The film you can watch time and time again...Scent Of A Woman with Al Pacino. People think I’m a very serious person but it really makes me laugh.

The person who has influenced you most...My wife Anne. She’s kept my feet on the ground. We’re a team and I couldn’t cope without her.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Herbert Chapman, Arsenal’s hugely influential manager in the Twenties. He made football more professional. I’d love to tell him how he helped make the game what it is today.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Always take a positive from a negative. Jimmy Hill taught me that.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Business. I’ve no idea how it works. I meet people who say they’re a ‘non executive director’ and do very little for a salary. Sounds good to me!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...The ability to play football. I enjoyed it immensely and will never have that pleasure again.

The unending quest that drives you on...Never letting my work standards slip, and therefore giving the younger commentators a run for their money.

The poem that touches your soul...William Wordsworth’s Daffodils. One of my few regrets is I’ve never really been the type to stop and stare. I put too much effort into my job to ever stop.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m a Tottenham Hotspur fan! 

The event that altered the course of your life and character...When Hereford United beat Newcastle 2-1 in the FA Cup on 5 February, 1972. It was a classic game and it changed my life because my boss on Match Of The Day realised I could be trusted to commentate on a big match.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d burn down a pub near where I live in Hertfordshire. It’s on a busy crossroads and causes no end of traffic problems.

The song that means most to you...Kirsty MacColl’s He’s On The Beach because I always associate it with Bournemouth. We have a flat there and it’s my little sanctuary.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The day in 1971 when I got my first contract on Match Of The Day. To be hired by a show that was getting 10 million viewers was mind-blowing.

The saddest time that shook your world...The bombings in London on 7 July, 2005. For it to happen in the city I love really saddened me. The memory still makes my blood run cold.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be a quiz show host. I was the questioner on a Mastermind special for the 1978 FA Cup Final and a lady who worked for Magnus Magnusson said I had a great future doing that, but nothing ever happened!

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never be late. My mother instilled punctuality in me. I’m a real nuisance because I’m always the guy who’s there early, standing in empty rooms.

The order of service at your funeral...My father was a Methodist minister so I suppose I’ll have a small service in a Methodist church. But I’m only 66 and I hope I’m still fit enough to go on for many more years.

The way you want to be remembered...As a decent broadcaster. And for championing sheepskin coats for 40 years!

The Plug...Motty is part of the BBC team on television and radio during the European Championships until 1 July.

 

 

Football Commentator John Motson

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Published: 2 June 2012

BBC News anchor Huw Edwards:

The prized possession you value above all others...My grandmother’s bible, which was presented to her as a little girl in 1915. It’s a treasured link with my family’s past.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d spent more time talking to my grandparents about their lives. My paternal grandfather, John Edwards, was a ship’s carpenter who spent three years in a German prison camp during the Second World War.  

The way you’d spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d spend all day with my wife Vicky and our five children [three boys aged 15, 14, 12, and two girls, 11 and nine] and begin with breakfast on the terrace at the Hotel Metropole in Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the Côte d’Azur. Sadly it closed in 2006. Then we would spend all morning skiing on the Aiguille du Midi above Chamonix. Lunch of smoked salmon then Dover sole with Chablis at Scott’s in Mayfair. The afternoon walking along Rhossili beach in South Wales, followed by tea at my mother’s house in Llangennech. Vicky and I would go to a Mozart opera at Glyndebourne in the evening, then have supper at Masia del Mar in Tenerife for paella. A glass of the Italian digestif Fernet Branca would end the day.

The temptation you wish you could resist...All sweet things especially Dairy Milk and my mum’s Welsh cakes. I am either fully on, or fully off. I’m currently off – but for how long?

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn. It conveys so much of the hardship suffered by the mining communities. My maternal grandfather died in a mining accident when he was 28 and I was in tears reading Llewellyn’s account of a pit fall.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d watch the College of Cardinals meeting in conclave at the Vatican to choose a new Pope. I would then reveal the workings of this most secretive of bodies on BBC news, but I’d have to steer clear of Rome for a while, just in case…

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who think a crowded train or bus is the perfect place to tuck into a smelly meal.

The film you can watch time and time again...Chariots Of Fire for its epic tale of Olympic triumph and its perfect musical score.

The people who have influenced you most...My parents, Hywel and Aerona. The values they shared have been powerful driving force in my life.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Jesus. Talking to him would unlock the mystery of his life.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Don’t dwell on your mistakes, but do learn from them.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Darts. I have a board in the garage and once scored 180 in 1983.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A brass tobacco tin which belonged to a great-great-uncle, Daniel Jones, in 1880. It was lost during a house move in 1991.

The unending quest that drives you on...To be a better broadcaster and, in the process, to provide for my family.

The poem that touches your soul...There is a sublime poem by the Welsh poet Waldo Williams called Cofio (Remembering) which explores our fragile lives and links with the past.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People assume the sombre news presenter is the real me. I love telling jokes, but it’s impossible on the news.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...I spent a year teaching in France in the early 1980s. I’d never lived outside Wales before then.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...If I admitted that, it would defeat the object!

The song that means most to you...Y Tangnefeddwyr – also by Waldo Williams – which is an anti-war anthem. It was sung at my father’s memorial service after he died of pancreatic cancer two years ago.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My wedding day, and the births of my children, but also becoming the BBC’s youngest-ever political correspondent when I was 26.

The saddest time that shook your world...My father’s death. He was an academic who encouraged my interest in politics. I miss ringing him for advice. Time heals, but it’s a slow process.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be a concert pianist or organist. I play for pleasure, but I’m acutely aware of my limitations.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Focus on what’s really important, invest in family and friends.

The order of service at your funeral...A bilingual service in one of the London Welsh chapels with a Welsh choir. The best food and drink will be at the reception. It will be up to my family where my ashes are scattered, but if some are sprinkled in Wales and some in London that would reflect my life.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who did his best.

The Plug...Huw is to lead the BBC’s live coverage over the Diamond Jubilee Weekend from 3-5 June.

 

 

BBC News Anchor Huw Edwards

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Published: 26 May 2012

TV presenter Phillip Schofield:

The prized possession you value above all others...An EMI 2001 television camera. They’re very rare and an iconic symbol of TV. I found mine recently via Twitter and I aim to get it working again. 

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not learning the piano. I’d love to be that person playing during a singsong at a party. It’s too late now.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with my wife Steph in the Maldives and have breakfast by the beach on the island of Villingili. We’d have lunch on a friend’s boat in St Tropez, then drive a Bentley from San Francisco to Death Valley in California.

Then we’d head to Little Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, with our daughters Molly [18] and Ruby [16] and have fish and chips from Flounders chip shop. We’d end the day with dinner at Ackergill Tower hotel in the Scottish Highlands, followed by a bonfire on the beach with a bottle of Old Pulteney whisky.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Finishing a bottle of wine! It’s beyond me to re-cork an open bottle.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course lit the touch paper to my wine odyssey in the mid-1990s. I have about 8,000 bottles in my collection now. 

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d break into a building at the end of The Mall that’s covered in vines. No one will tell me what it’s used for so I’d finally find out.  

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People who refuse to reverse down the single lane track near our village in Oxfordshire.

The film you can watch time and time again...The Lion In Winter from 1968 with Katharine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole. Hepburn is my movie idol because she was so fearless.  

The person who has influenced you most...My school careers advisor in Cornwall, Bruce Connock. He fixed it for me to spend a day at BBC Plymouth when I was 13. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Elizabeth I just before she made her ‘heart of a king’ speech at Tilbury in 1588, in which she inspired her men to fight the Spanish Armada. I’d like to know her state of mind.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Pick your battles. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Clay pigeon shooting. I’m actually a pretty decent shot.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...A certificate I was given by the ambulance service in New Zealand (where we moved when I was 19) in 1982 when my father, Brian, had a heart attack in our sitting room and I brought him back to life with CPR. I lost it that night. 

The unending quest that drives you on...To visit the next new place on my list of 100 that I want to see. 

The poem that touches your soul...A Shropshire Lad by AE Housman. I love its sense of missing home.  

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People expect me to smile all the time. But if I went around grinning the whole time people would think I was mad!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The night I saved my dad. I was only 20 and I had to suddenly grow up. Seeing the fine line between life and death was terrifying and truly shocking but the CPR gave him an extra 25 years. 

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d break into Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle and have a rummage through all the secret archives and diaries.  

The song that means most to you...Make Me Smile by Steve Harley And  Cockney Rebel reminds me of summers in Newquay when I was a teenager. I felt free and was having the time of my life.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I got a standing ovation at the end of the first night of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1993. I could have made such an idiot of myself, but it worked. 

The saddest time that shook your world...When my dad died at 5.50pm on 1 May 2008. I couldn’t save him that time. He was 72 and had a terrible demise from heart failure – he deserved better. I don’t think I have totally dealt with it. He was a decent, honest man, with a great sense of humour, and I miss him so much.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to orbit the world in the International Space Station. I have an App on my phone that tells me when it’s going over me.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be brave, take risks, but listen to alarm bells and trust your instincts.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ll probably come in to The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams and go out to Make Me Smile. There’s a load of wine for a wake, but I don’t want it all drunk because there’s a pension in my cellars for Steph!

The way you want to be remembered...Fondly. And as a trusted friend who was generous with his time.

The Plug...Phillip will be part of ITV1’s coverage of the Jubilee on 5 June.

 

 

TV Presenter Phillip Schofield

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Published: 19 May 2012

Strictly Judge Craig Revel Horwood:

The prized possession you value above all others...My house in Camden, north London. It’s a Victorian two-up-two-down. I paid £149,000 for it 14 years ago when I was broke. I had to borrow from a loan shark to get the deposit, but it’s worth about £600,000 now. It represents security.   

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I wish I’d kept studying music. I played the French horn and trumpet at school in Ballarat, Australia, but I let it go when I left at 15. I bought a new trumpet a while ago and plan to start playing again.  

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...A big breakfast in a dirty old diner in New York, followed by a walk through Bois de Vincennes in Paris, then a swim and surf on Tamarama Beach in Sydney. I’d have lunch at Icebergs Italian restaurant on Bondi beach with lots of LPR – Laurent-Perrier Rosé champagne – then I’d sleep it off in the sunshine on Primrose Hill – I love the view of London. I’d start the evening with a cocktail at the CN Tower in Toronto, then watch a West End show. After a dinner with celebrity friends – Nancy Dell’Olio is always good for a party – I’d go clubbing till dawn at Heaven!

The temptation you wish you could resist...Pepperoni Passion pizzas from Domino’s. I get two at a time, but I could eat ten.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Thorn Birds by the Australian author Colleen McCullough. I read it when I was 17 and it was the first book I actually enjoyed.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sneak around theatre dressing rooms and listen to the bitching – it’s hilarious.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...People chewing with their mouths open. Yuck!

The film you can watch time and time again...I’ve seen Strictly Ballroom about 40 times and love it. It always reminds me of when I was trying to make a living as a drag queen.

The person who has influenced you most...American theatre director and choreographer Susan Stroman. She had me choreograph Crazy For You in South Africa in 1994. It gave me professional credibility that went beyond dancing and led to other work – so years later, indirectly, it got me Strictly.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...I’d love to meet Natalie Wood and find out what happened on that boat. [Wood drowned in 1981 on a boating trip with her husband, actor Robert Wagner, and Christopher Walken.]

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Tell the truth. I got caught shoplifting a pencil when I was 11 and tried to hide it from my parents. When I confessed I felt so much better.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I only passed my driving test last year, and bought a 1973 Triumph Stag Mark II V8. I get a kick out of it – and for me to like cars is very unlikely!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My innocence. I lost it at 17 by sleeping with an Aussie TV star in exchange for dance classes.

The unending quest that drives you on...I seek perfection in everything I do, but sadly I rarely find it.

The poem that touches your soul...My Country is an iconic poem about Australia by Dorothea McKellar. I read it and I can smell the eucalyptus trees in the Outback.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m nasty. I’m a generous and loving person, but I’m deadly serious about my work.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...When I got the phone call in 1982 telling me I had a part in West Side Story in Melbourne.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’m not sure exactly what I’d do but I know it would be a crime of passion.

The song that means most to you...The Greatest Love Of All by Whitney Houston. I always sang it at auditions.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I first got a complicated tap dance move right in 1993. I thought I was rubbish but I suddenly did this sequence and I was euphoric.

The saddest time that shook your world...Breaking up with my partner Lloyd. We were together for 12 years, but it ended in November 2005 and I was heartbroken.   

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’d love to be a famous singer with a diva’s voice.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be honest with yourself and only do things for the right reason.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d insist on an audition process for who gets to do the eulogy – and the audience would be given Strictly-style score cards to produce once it’s done! There’d be plenty of LPR afterwards and I want my ashes dropped out of a plane at 30,000ft above Australia so my dust would settle across the country.

The way you want to be remembered...As a fun-loving gentle giant who told the truth. And with a loud Boooo!

The Plug...Craig won BBC2’s Maestro At The Opera. If you missed it, catch up on BBC iPlayer, www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

 

 

Strictly Judge Craig Revel Horwood

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Published: 12 May 2012

Globe-trotting broadcaster Alan Whicker:

 "I hope Whicker’s World stimulated people to see the world for themselves"

We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s the sublime travelleing TV legend Alan Whicker…

The prized possession you value above all others...My 1962 Mulliner Park Ward Bentley Continental. I bought her when she was a few months old, but I can’t remember how much I paid for her. She’s dawn blue, one of 150 made, and still the most beautiful car on the road. But I’m afraid she doesn’t get much chance to clear her throat in Jersey, where I’ve lived since 1973.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Constant travelling leaves friendship in disrepair, and I should probably have made more effort to stay in touch.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start with the superb chocolate cake they serve for breakfast on the Orient Express. Once in Venice I’d stroll around, then have a quick Bellini in Harry’s Bar followed by baked tagliolini with ham and cheese, before being magicked to the place that changed my life. I first visited Norfolk Island in 1960 and its friendliness prompted me to find my own island home. This speck between Australia and New Zealand is a paradise where nothing bites or stings. Later I’d head for Hong Kong and a pedicure with Mr So at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I’d leave there walking on air, then cross the road and have dinner at David Tang’s China Club. Finally I’d fly to Bali to breathe in the sounds of the gamelan and crash out to the sound of waves. 

The temptation you wish you could resist...I’ve never met an ice cream or a piece of chocolate I didn’t like.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Under The Volcano by Malcolm Lowry. All the action takes place in Mexico on the Day of the Dead, and it inspired me to film a Whicker’s World around that macabre celebration in 1963. I think it won an award!

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I would rewrite the rules at airport security. Queues would be abolished and a nail file would no longer be seen as a lethal weapon.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Rudeness, particularly interviewers who constantly interrupt.

The film you can watch time and time again...Witness, with Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis. It’s like a moving Vermeer interior – visually beautiful, exciting and subtle. 

The person who has influenced you most...My cousin Reginald. He gave me my first typewriter. By 14 I was knocking out articles and short stories and gathering piles of rejection slips.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Shakespeare. We know so little about him, yet he knew so much about us.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Find something that excites you and follow it with passion.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I have a colony of red squirrels living in my garden, and I can watch them for hours.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My father Charles’s pocket watch. He died when I was three and I have no memory of him. I gave it to Olga [Whicker lived with oil heiress Olga Deterding for three years in the late 1960s] and when we parted the watch stayed with her. 

The poem that touches your soul...I love anything by John Donne, but Ithaca by CP Cavafy is a wonderful description of life as a voyage of hope, discovery and adventure.

The unending quest that drives you on...Curiosity. I’m the only person who really is interested in other people’s holiday snaps!

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...Lazy journalists used to write that I only interviewed the rich. In over 50 years, I can count on one hand the number of my programmes concerned with wealth.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...In the Army Film and Photo Unit during the war I learned how not to waste words or time – and to appreciate the fact that I came through the conflict unscathed.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I wouldn’t mind stealing a private jet.

The song that means most to you...I Won’t Send Roses from the musical Mack & Mabel, sung by Gordon MacRae. It reminds me how hopeless I am at remembering birthdays.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...My year in Venice after the war. I was enchanted just to be alive. 

The saddest time that shook your world...The Cuban Missile Crisis. I really believed the world might end.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’ve never got around to cruising the Chilean fjords. 

The philosophy that underpins your life...Seize the day.

The order of service at your funeral...It’s not something I’ve given any thought! But it’ll be at Trinity Church, near my home. I’ll be most comfortable among the camellias and daffodils.

The way you want to be remembered...I hope Whicker’s World stimulated people to see the world for themselves.

The Plug...The DVD of Alan’s landmark series Journey Of A Lifetime, £9.99, www.amazon.co.uk. Also visit www.alanwhicker.co.uk

 

The Alan Whicker died on 12th July 2013 after suffering from bronchial pneumonia. He was 87 and leaves his long-time partner Valerie Kleenman. RIP.

The Late Globe-trotting Broadcaster Alan Whicker

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Published: 5 May 2012

Cricket commentator Henry Blofeld:

The prized possession you value above all others...A malacca cane once owned by Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play in Test matches for England, in the 1890s. To have something of his feels very special.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Not being able to speak French. I’d have so much more fun visiting France if I could.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up at Paris’s Ritz Hotel and have some delicious salmon kedgeree followed by croissants and French coffee. After a rum punch at Jamaica Inn in Jamaica, I’d begin lunch with oysters at Doyles restaurant in Sydney followed by lobster thermidor at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons hotel near Oxford.

I’d watch Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar get his first century at Lord’s, then I’d take my daughter, Suki, 48, for dinner at Paul Bocuse’s L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges in Lyon. If I had the energy, I’d go to a West End show – but not if it got in the way of dinner.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Skinny-dipping in St Tropez. Terrific fun, but at 72, it’s not pretty.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Galahad At Blandings by PG Wodehouse. My father used to read a lot of Wodehouse to me when I was a boy and this one makes me laugh the most. He is the funniest writer England has ever produced.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d visit the cellars of Louis Roederer in Reims, northern France, and tuck into its extraordinary vintages of Cristal champagne. I’m a boozy old thing.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Pretentiousness in any form, but particularly when people use a five- syllable word when a short one will do.

The film you can watch time and time again...I adore High Society – the songs, like True Love, always lift me.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother. Her name was Grizel – she drew the short straw at the font. She was a tremendous character who shaped my mind.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Marlene Dietrich intrigues me. I’m sure we’d have a memorable evening.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Always be yourself.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m always on the lookout for cartoons by the 1920s Australian leg-spinner Arthur Mailey. I love cartoons. We live in a rather gloomy world and humour makes everything so much better.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I’ve been frightfully good at losing money over the years, so it would be splendid to have some of that back!

The unending quest that drives you on...To be organised – I lose my wallet three times a day, my glasses four times a day, my diary five times a day and my mobile phone is permanently lost.

The poem that touches your soul...Tennyson’s Ulysses. I learnt it off by heart during my first term at Eton. It’s a remarkable piece of verse that reminds one that it’s a great adventure to be alive in this world. It also brings back happy memories of school.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I live off the proceeds of a big estate. My family had land in Norfolk, but it went to my brother. I work hard but have tastes far in excess of my income. However, I’ll be damned if I’ll change!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...When I was 17 at Eton I cycled under a bus. My skull was fractured and I was unconscious for 28 days. Until then I was a promising cricketer and had scored a century at Lord’s, but my reflexes were ruined.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal a set of Wodehouse first editions. I had them once, but sold them to collect cricket memorabilia. I still miss them.

The song that means most to you...Noël Coward’s A Bar On The Piccola Marina. We met in Jamaica in 1961 and became friends. He never stopped talking and was extremely funny.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When I got on the BBC’s list of Test commentators in 1968. I was elated. It is the great joy of my life.

The saddest time that shook your world...When my Labrador, Punch, died. I was 12 and it was the first time I realised things did not last forever.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I would love to have been a successful novelist. I wrote a lamentable novel called A Decent Time Limit once. It was utterly unprintable.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Four words: give it a go.

The order of service at your funeral...Leaving instructions would be vanity. Those who love me will get it right. My body will be like an old overcoat that has lasted well, but needs to go.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who had heaps of fun, and gave enjoyment to many.

The Plug...Do join me at my one-man show, Blowers, Shaken, Not Stirred. Visit www.henryblofeld.co.uk. Tune in to Test Match Special on BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra this summer.  

 

Cricket Commentator Henry Blofeld

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Published: 28 April 2012

TV Astrologer Russell Grant:

The prized possession you value above all others...My 12 volumes of The Victoria History Of The County Of Middlesex, where I was brought up. The books give a wonderfully in-depth history and mean everything to me.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...Waiting until I was 60 and on Strictly before learning to dance. I should have done it decades ago because it’s set my soul free.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’m an Aquarian and good on my own, so I’d spend the day by myself. I’d wake at dawn in Salzburg, drive through the Tyrol to Innsbruck for coffee, then have breakfast by the lake in Lucerne, Switzerland. I’d have lunch in St Petersburg and stroll around the Hermitage Museum. I’d check in to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in LA and relax before seeing a matinée in London. Then I’d grab a salt beef sandwich in the Star Deli in New York before a Broadway show. I’d have supper somewhere Mediterranean and close the day with a concert in Vienna.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Maltesers. I open a box and won’t close it again until it’s empty.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Anna Karenina deeply moves me. Russian novels sum up the joyous and tragic sides of me.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d sit in the middle of an orchestra during a performance of Jacques Offenbach’s operetta Orpheus In The Underworld and be utterly absorbed by the music.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Bigots whose minds are closed and who play on people’s prejudices.

The film you can watch time and time again...Big Business with Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin because it makes me howl with laughter.

The person who has influenced you most...I’d need two – my grandmothers Alice and Lily. Alice – who was my mother’s mother – taught me manners. Lily had a great sense of fun.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...George III. I find the period leading up to the American War of Independence fascinating.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Use your potential. Not allowing your natural gifts to flourish will dampen your spirit.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m really into statistics and I love lists because you get the facts, devoid of the opinions of others.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...I’ve never lost anything I care about. I’m a great hoarder. Everything gets a safe place.

The unending quest that drives you on...Helping others realise their potential. I love mentoring. My Academy of Showbusiness opens in Wales soon.

The poem that touches your soul...Lord Alfred Tennyson’s In Memoriam, because of the line, ‘Tis better to have loved and lost/ Than never to have loved at all. It is so true, and one of the most beautiful lines ever written.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That astrology was my first and only profession. I was an actor and singer long before that – I was on TV in On The Buses.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Presenting the Queen Mother with her astrological chart at the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition in 1978. From that moment on I was the ‘astrologer royal’.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal all the outfits I wore on Strictly from the BBC’s costume department.

The song that means most to you...The Coronation Scene And Finale from Ivor Novello’s musical King’s Rhapsody. I toured in that show for six months in the late 70s and it reminds me of happy times.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Meeting Princess Diana in 1984. She told me she watched me every morning presenting Your Stars on BBC Breakfast Time. She was captivating and made me feel special.

The saddest time that shook your world...Losing my grandmothers in the late 90s – Alice to Alzheimer’s and Lily through old age. It sent me into a deep depression that lasted ten years. I began comfort eating and by 2009 I weighed 26st, which is when I began to sort myself out.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have my own entertainment series on TV with a big orchestra, music, dance and acting – but no astrology!

The philosophy that underpins your life...Judge not lest you be judged.

The order of service at your funeral...I’ve reserved my plot at St Mary’s Church, Harefield, Middlesex. I was raised in the village and was head choirboy. I want beautiful hymns, but also a bit of fun, so I’ll make it fancy dress – with an emphasis on musicals.

The way you want to be remembered...He was fair, just and tolerant. And an entertainer who came back after everyone had written him off!  

The Plug...I am currently starring as the Wizard in The Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium. For tickets visit www.wizardofozthemusical.com

 

TV Astrologer Russell Grant

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Published: 21 April 2012

Olympic rower James Cracknell:

The prized possession you value above all others...The roof of my house in west London. I had to sell my prized £17,000 1968 Mustang GT 390 – like the one from the Steve McQueen film Bullitt – to pay for it. I loved that car, so now I call the roof my Mustang Roof!

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I regret letting key friendships drift because of my dedication to rowing and the Olympics. You can only let people down so many times before they stop bothering.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d wake up with the family [wife, TV presenter Beverley Turner and children, Croyde, eight, Kiki, three, and Trixie, one] on Waimea Bay in Hawaii and have breakfast on the beach, then surf. Then I’d go with mates to watch the Dallas Cowboys play. We’d have beers (and admire the Texan ladies!), then I’d go to a remote part of New Zealand’s South Island with Bev. I’d build a shelter and catch crayfish for her to barbecue, because I’m not a great cook. Then we’d watch a film on the beach.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Tuning in to Sky Sports News even though I know that absolutely nothing new will have happened since I watched it 15 minutes earlier!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...Aesop’s Fables. I first read them when I was eight and they have stayed with me. They’re simple, but work on many levels. I always give a copy as a christening present – with a case of port.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d go back in time to be with Hitler in his bunker at the end of WWII and see it all unravel.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Programmed responses said without any real meaning, like ‘Have a nice day’. I prefer people to be genuine.

The film you can watch time and time again...Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove, because it’s so original and funny. Peter Sellers is hilarious in it.

The person who has influenced you most...My mum Jennie taught me right from wrong and what to fight for.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Abraham Lincoln – he overcame so much and was the most inspirational leader, it’s no coincidence that he’s the only American president to have his statue in Parliament Square.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Be tough on yourself and analyse your own involvement in something before you blame others. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...Military and political history. The world can learn lessons from the past – but sadly it doesn’t.  

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...Photos of the first three years of my son’s life, which were on a laptop stolen in 2006.

The unending quest that drives you on...To know what I’m doing with my life. Rowing consumed everything and I still haven’t worked out who I am.

The poem that touches your soul...I’m not keen on poetry but I love hymns. Morning Has Broken moves me.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I went to Oxford or Cambridge, simply because I row. I went to a grammar school and Reading University.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The accident was a huge shock and changed the way I view life. [In 2010 James was hit on the head by the wing mirror of a tanker while cycling in Arizona, suffering damage to the brain that still affects him today]. I’m lucky to be alive and value every day much more.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...Maybe I’d kill Hitler while I was invisible, but it would have been better to kill him in 1933 and save 10 million lives.

The song that means most to you...Lovers Rock by Sade. Bev and I walked down the aisle to it in 2002 and it always makes me feel good.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...When our daughter Kiki was born at home in 2009. It was particularly poignant because my sister Louise’s baby girl Eva had died a year earlier at just a week old. Understandably, Bev was very fearful about the birth, so when Kiki arrived safely it was perfect.

The saddest time that shook your world...When Eva died. She’d suffered asphyxiation in the labour. My sister and her husband were robbed of their child and had to switch the life-support off.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To be able to dance with natural rhythm. Whenever I get on the dance floor it’s a disaster, with limbs flailing everywhere.  

The philosophy that underpins your life...Be honest with yourself and take responsibility for your actions.

The order of service at your funeral...I want to be cremated, but beyond that I don’t really care – flush my ashes down the toilet and get on with life!

The way you want to be remembered...I don’t expect anyone to remember me for my rowing, but I want to be thought of as a good mate, a loving husband and a great dad.

The Plug...World’s Toughest Expeditions with James Cracknell starts tomorrow at 9pm on Discovery Channel. Visit www.jamescracknell.com.

 

 

Olympic Rower James Cracknell

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Published: 14 April 2012

Interior designer Kelly Hoppen:

The prized possession you value above all others...My father Seymour’s photo albums. He died when I was 16 from a heart attack; he was only 48. I have five albums dating back before I arrived, so they give me an insight into his life. I miss him and think of him every day.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I get a sense of deep regret the morning after a big party when my head’s pounding!

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d start with a jog in Hyde Park, then have breakfast at home cooked by my daughter Natasha [28], who’s a chef. Then we’d go for a walk around Portobello Market with my stepchildren [actress Sienna Miller and her sister Savannah from Kelly’s second marriage to Ed Miller, from whom she is now divorced].  I’d then meet Nelson Mandela for lunch in Mvezo, the village where he was born. I’d absorb his wisdom and humble spirit and learn from him about my own South African heritage [Kelly was born there but moved to the UK when she was two]. I’d have dinner with friends at Nobu in LA then listen to great music at the Birdland jazz club in New York.

The temptation you wish you could resist...Cadbury’s chocolate. I’ll buy a Dairy Milk, a Topic and a Ripple and scoff the lot. Oh, and a Daim Bar!

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Adventures Of The Wishing-Chair by Enid Blyton. It reminds me of my happy childhood.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d stand in a locker room while Brad Pitt and George Clooney were taking a shower!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...Those hideous fabric covers people put over loo seats and loo rolls. Why? They’re so unbelievably naff. 

The film you can watch time and time again...I watch It’s A Wonderful Life every year and never tire of it. It’s such a beautiful fairytale and I particularly love the angel, Clarence.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother. She always tells me the truth when others won’t. Even my friends’ children go to her for advice.

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Marilyn Monroe. She was beautiful, sad, and a great actress. A few vodkas with her would be a hoot.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Believe in yourself because if you don’t, no one else will. And never ever give up. I lecture children all over the world and tell them this.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m obsessed with tidying my fridge. I have a large Gaggenau and all the drinks are in ordered rows and all the food is organised in a certain way. It might be a mild form of OCD, but I don’t lie awake thinking about it!

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My dad’s Taurean zodiac medallion, which was given to me after he died. It was the only thing I had that had been close to his skin. It was stolen in a burglary a couple of years later. It was very special and I wish I still had it.

The unending quest that drives you on...To always do better. No dream is too big for me and I’m always striving to do more. I’m not happy to stop.

The poem that touches your soul...The Owl And The Pussycat reminds me of my hatred of school. I’m dyslexic, so it’s impossible to memorise things, but that is the one poem I learned by heart.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I only get out of bed for £300,000. That was written years ago – it’s a lie!

The event that altered the course of your life and character...When my book on style, East Meets West, was published in 2001. People loved it, which gave me the confidence I was doing something right.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d steal Picasso’s Jeune Fille Endormie.

The song that means most to you... Aretha Franklin’s I Say A Little Prayer. It reminds me of wonderful, carefree times with all the family singing it.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Getting my MBE from the Queen in 2009 was a proud moment. When she looked at me my heart leapt!

The saddest time that shook your world...My father dying. He was a true gentleman with a great sense of humour. But such a loss so young made me self-sufficient and helped me to succeed.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...I’ll not rest until the world is covered in taupe! (I am well known for having taupe in my styling).

The philosophy that underpins your life...Nothing is impossible. You have to believe that to succeed.

The order of service at your funeral...I’d have a simple service and be buried next to my dad in London. I’d also lay on a party for everyone who knew me. They’d drink cocktails, eat healthy food, dance to jazz and soul, share stories and light candles.

The way you want to be remembered...As a caring and loyal person who made a positive difference to the world.

The Plug...I’m proud to be an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust. Please support this great charity by visiting www.princes-trust.org.uk.

 

 

Interior Designer Kelly Hoppen

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Published: 7 April 2012

Producer Nigel Lythgoe:

The prized possession you value above all others...My life! I nearly lost it twice in 2003. First I had a heart attack, then peritonitis [inflammation of the abdomen] after my appendix exploded. I was in hospital for three months and they removed 15ft of my intestine.  I blame the heart attack on Simon Cowell. We were on holiday in Barbados and he made me drink and smoke too much. Then one night he got me dancing with some transvestites. Back in America a few days later I collapsed!

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...The loss of my 34-year marriage. Bonnie and I drifted apart and she divorced me in 2009. I tried to woo her back but it didn’t work. I have a huge sense of sadness about it ending.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions..I love yachting and playing golf but am too busy [Nigel produces American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance in the US]. So I’d get a yacht with my sons [Simon, 36, and Kris, 32] and my mate John and sail around the Florida coast playing the best courses. I’m a hopeless hacker, though, and play off 23, so the golf wouldn’t be pretty.

The temptation you wish you could resist...A traditional British fry-up at the King’s Head pub in Santa Monica.

The book that holds an everlasting resonance...The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien was the first book I enjoyed. I was 14 and when I finished I started it again.

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day...I’d simply have fun messing with people’s things. I’m sure someone invisible does it to me because I’m always losing stuff!

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...When people don’t listen properly at work and then make mistakes.

The film you can watch time and time again...I saw The Godfather in London when it came out in 1972 and loved it. I’ve seen it probably 20 times – I always find something new.

The person who has influenced you most...Jon Scoffield was an incredible director and producer at ATV. I met him when I was 30 and he made great things happen in my career. He’s still alive, but we’re no longer in touch. 

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Fred Astaire was a huge idol for me. He had such style and I’d love to hear all his stories about making it in showbiz.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Keep your common sense. All too often people panic under pressure. Just stop, stay calm and think. 

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m absorbed with education, particularly in America. The arts are being cut out of teaching yet it’s proven that children learn better when you involve passion and emotion. I’ve spoken to Congress about how you can teach through dance.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My youth! Dance has been a huge part of my life and it would be nice to still be capable of the moves I made when I was younger. I fear they’re lost forever.

The unending quest that drives you on...I’m driven by creating great TV shows and giving talent the opportunity to flourish. When you can’t do it yourself any more, you get pleasure from making it happen for others.

The poem that touches your soul...Rudyard Kipling’s If. As far as I’m concerned, it’s about common sense.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...That I’m nasty! That persona came out of Popstars and has stuck in the UK, although no one thinks of me like that in America. Here, I’m Nurturing Nigel.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...The success of American Idol. It took me to America in 2002 and made me wealthy.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d be an expert computer hacker and break into  FBI files to find out who killed JFK.

The song that means most to you...You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin by The Righteous Brothers. When I was 15 in Liverpool I’d sit in a cafe with my mates playing it on the jukebox and we’d all try to hit that low note. Great times.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...The birth of my son, Simon. He was yellow with a pointy head and the nurse said, ‘He looks like his dad!’

The saddest time that shook your world...Receiving divorce papers in 2005 broke my heart. They arrived just before Christmas and I was distraught.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...It doesn’t haunt me, but I’d like to direct a feature film – a romantic comedy, a musical or a sci-fi.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Never be horrible to anyone – unless they’re horrible to you.

The order of service at your funeral...Having faced death before, it doesn’t scare me. My only worry is how it’ll affect my kids and the people who love me. I’d like my ashes scattered in the Pacific somewhere off the coast of LA.

The way you want to be remembered...As someone who was always passionate in everything he did and said. He wasn’t always right, but he tried.

The Plug...Nigel set up the Dizzy Feet Foundation in 2009 to help young people become dancers. Visit www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org

 

 

Producer Nigel Lythgoe

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Published: 31 March 2012

Presenter Fern Britton:

The prized possession you value above all others...A pussycat soft toy called Johnson. He was bought for my older sister Cherry but I fell in love with him when I was two. He’s always on the bed but Phil (her second husband, chef Phil Vickery) chucks him off.

The unqualified regret you wish you could amend...I have regrets, but nothing I haven’t dealt with. You have to learn from mistakes, tidy them up and move on, or they’ll finish you off.

The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions...I’d have breakfast in my garden in Buckinghamshire with Phil and the children [twins Jack and Harry, 18, Gracie, 14, and Winnie, ten]. Then I’d hang a perfect row of laundry. For elevenses I’d stroll around St Tropez, then zoom round in a 1957 Riva speedboat. I’d have a massage on a tropical island, then go to a West End theatre for a good laugh. Supper would be lobster, new potatoes and Hellmann’s mayonnaise with Phil on a Cornish beach. I’d end the day at home watching Antiques Road Trip.

The temptation you wish you could resist...It would be good to curb my internet shopping – I buy everything online, from underwear to gadgets.

The book that holds an everlasting  resonance...Bram Stoker’s Dracula. When I was 14, Cherry and I read it to each other with a bottle of port. We thought Dracula was misunderstood!

The priority activity if you were the Invisible Woman for a day...I’d nip into the Treasury and see how much we have in the coffers, then apportion it properly.

The pet hate that makes your hackles rise...I can’t stand people whistling. It makes me want to kill them.

The film you can watch time and time again...Top Hat with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The dancing is sensational. I love old films.

The person who has influenced you most...My mother, who’s 88. She taught me that ‘everything passes’.  

The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint...Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s sister. She had a horrible childhood: abandoned by her father, forbidden from seeing her mother. No wonder she cracked up.

The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child...Hard work brings good things. And I don’t just mean professionally. You have to work at relationships and friendships, too.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity...I’m hopelessly addicted to Formula One motor racing and even play in an online fantasy league.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again...My grandma’s gold wedding band. I was really upset when a burglar stole it in 1990.

The unending quest that drives you on...To always keep my mind alive and interested in new things. I don’t want to ever feel my life has stopped.

The poem that touches your soul... Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening. It is so evocative that I can feel the chill.

The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase...People assume I’m a cuddly, mumsy girl next door who’s a bit naive. That is 50 per cent of me, but the other half likes to drink margaritas and dance on the tables until 2am and is not shocked by anything. People underestimate me.

The event that altered the course of your life and character...Getting a job as a continuity announcer at Westward Television in Plymouth when I was 23.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it...I’d be a crack assassin and shoot world leaders who are oppressing their people.

The song that means most to you...Dionne Warwick’s I Say A Little Prayer. It reminds me of the earliest days with Phil. We played it as we walked down the aisle when we renewed our vows [in 2008, after marrying in 2000]. It’s our little song.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever...Knowing that Phil and I had fallen in love. I was saying goodbye after our first weekend together and neither of us wanted to be apart. Two months later we were living together.

The saddest time that shook your world...Having fertility treatment and failing three times in the early 1990s. The disappointment was crushing, but on the fourth attempt I had the twins.

The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you...To have a perfect garden with borders that consistently change through the seasons.

The philosophy that underpins your life...Just DO it!

The order of service at your funeral...I’d like fairy lights on my wicker coffin and my ashes to be scattered during a speedboat ride in Padstow, Cornwall, one warm summer’s evening. My children always joke that they’ll put ‘Shut that bloody door!’ on my gravestone.

The way you want to be remembered...I don’t expect to be remembered by anyone other than my children. I envisage being in an old people’s home and telling people I used to be on television and everyone thinking, ‘Oh dear, she’s finally lost the plot!’

The Plug...My second novel, Hidden Treasures, is published by HarperCollins on Monday, priced £12.99. I’m supporting The Genesis Research Trust’s cycle ride in Sri Lanka in 2013. Please join us by visiting www.iogt.org.uk.

 

 

Presenter Fern Britton

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