Death is sanitised now. I remember me and my brother Brian barrelling into the living room, climbing up on this box to see Granny Holmes lying in a coffin. We didn't even know she'd died.

I don't vote. I don't feel the need to back a party. When I was brought up, politics was never discussed. 'None of them care about the working man' was what my father believed.

People on the extremes get the publicity. There were a lot of Catholics who wanted to be part of Britain. There were Protestants who would have backed a united Ireland. It wouldn't have been good for their health to talk about it, though.

In Belfast, grammar school was an oasis. You'd watch the plumes of smoke go up when there was a bomb, but inside the gates of the school you were safe.

My father gave me my values. Be courteous. Be kind. Be generous. Show people a bit of respect. There was a huge congregation at his funeral to prove he lived by that creed.

I last threw a punch 10 years ago. It was at GMTV. There were those of us who wanted to make a decent TV programme and those who would wanted to screw every bit of cash out of the format they could. They know who they are.

I had Gordon Brown on 5 Live talking about sport. I reckon he runs his government like Alex Ferguson. He gives his cabinet the hair-dryer treatment. He's not scared to bring in a new face.

I'm not very superstitious, but I like to have a comb on me at all times.

I don't drink. I don't enjoy the taste. Women don't trust a man who doesn't drink, so occasionally I'll stand at a party holding a shandy to compromise.

At GMTV sponsorship was God. I'll never forget the day I interviewed Blair about impending war in Iraq and I had to tell him: 'Hold that thought, Prime Minister.' We had to cut to a segue about Christmas-turkey leftovers sponsored by Tesco.

I have no problem with Anthea Turner. We've not been for a curry lately but bygones are bygones.

Breakfast TV succeeds because seeing a celebrity looking a bit knackered is good for the soul.

My dad was an expert carpet fitter. He did all the carpets at Stormont Castle, did Ian Paisley's carpets. I can walk in a room and look at the edging and I know if a carpet's been done well.

We need more flowers planted on roundabouts in our towns. We need to be more aware of where we live and how we treat people. I think compulsory community service is a good idea.

I like to win. And if I can't win, I like to win through others. I'll go to Old Trafford and shout myself hoarse for United. I can't bear people who say: 'It's only a game.'

Football players getting near retirement suddenly realise: 'If I'm going to become a pundit, I...#8239;need to develop a personality!' It's fascinating to watch them try.

Research says I come across as the sort of bloke people feel comfortable going for a pint with, and the funny thing is people believe they have. People come up to me and say: 'Remember that night in Manchester we got totally bladdered?' and I feel I have to say yes.

If I had my time again I'd raise a bit of hell. I wish I'd misbehaved more when I was younger. Drink and womanising - I didn't really do it.

Whoever has peace of mind is richer than anybody. I know a few people who are very happy with their lot. They know themselves. I'd say I'm halfway there.

· The Eamonn Holmes Show is on Radio 5 Live on Saturday mornings from 9-11am