Are you healthy?
My doctor says I'm more healthy than I deserve to be. I'm the man who ought to exercise but never gets round to it. I work too hard and then crash with man flu exhaustion rather than anything serious.
Ever spent a night in hospital?
Sadly I've spent lots of time in hospital because I was in a gruesome car accident as a teenager. I had rather bad burns but was the lucky one. I remember the hospital itself with extraordinary fondness thanks to the care lavished on me.
Do you worry about your weight?
Oh yes. The only diet that I need to go on is not snacking. The adrenaline flow of having done a live broadcast gets you hungry for everything you shouldn't eat, ranging from cheese to crisps to biscuits late at night.
What exercise do you take?
I've bought a Brompton bike to cycle to work thanks to the sense of shame I felt when you asked me to do this interview. Prior to that my exercise regime consisted of regular runs to Downing Street when I was about to miss my deadline.
How much do you drink?
Not a lot, partly because Westminster lunches are no longer fuelled by booze but by water and Coke.
Attitude to smoking?
I hate it. My parents smoked, although they gave up. I was the sort of irritating child who used primary school art classes to make anti-smoking propaganda.
And drugs?
I've barely touched them, apart from the odd drag on cannabis at university, but I'm remarkably liberal about it.
Are you happy?
I'm blissfully happy when I'm with my family or on a boat, or watching Manchester United win, but I'm a restless person with a great deal of introspection and doubt. I'm exhausting to go on holiday with.
How do you feel about cosmetic surgery?
If I was worried about my appearance I wouldn't wear large bottle glasses and flaunt my baldness on the telly. It's too late to think a surgeon can sort my appearance out.
