I remember Sean Connery saying: ‘Live every decade in an age-appropriate fashion,’ so I’m trying to fully appreciate the blessings I’ve had in the past and to make the most of the present.

I’m blessed with a wonderful marriage and after overcoming a couple of periods of turmoil in my life, I appreciate the things I love.

I’m 69 in April and still have my physical health, apart from a recent bout of shingles.

I go tenpin bowling every Sunday morning, but if I bowl under 150 I feel like I’m underachieving, because that was Richard Nixon’s average. I also visit the gym twice a week.

I’m in bed by 11.30pm every night and I’ve had a siesta every afternoon since my 20s. Don’t underestimate my Italian blood.

Although I can’t claim to have the super genes of my paternal grandmother, who lived until the age of 98 on a Mediterranean diet, I try to eat healthily and generally skip desserts, cakes and pies. But I do allow myself a couple of pieces of dark chocolate a day – and I love ice cream.

My first friend in this country died of a stroke last year so I’m realistic about my mortality, but not morbid. I just want to live every day to the fullest and savour every moment.

After the terribly negative episode I went through where I was arrested and then released, I made myself three promises. First I’d write a book about it, which I did, the second was to lose some weight, which I did, and the third was I’d become a better piano player, as it’s always been my primary relaxation.

My maxim for life is just do your best in your own circumstances each day, but I also like what Warren Zevon said when asked for some words of wisdom: ‘Enjoy every sandwich.’ And I just had a really great toasted cheese sandwich for lunch.

An Evening With The Great Gambo – The Professor of Pop is on tour around the UK from 6 April