1. Almost went wrong from the start...
If you've ever met me, you may have noticed that I cock my head at you while listening. This (perhaps) isn't because you are such a brilliant conversationalist, but because I am completely deaf in my right ear - a result of my mum having had German measles (Rubella) when she was pregnant. It could have been worse of course - I could have been born completely deaf, blind, stupid or even ugly. Pretty lucky really.

2. Worst job ever.
   Many people have done many unpleasant jobs but this one takes some beating... In 1983, I worked for Bamford’s fat factory on the Isle of Dogs in London. Once a year, the huge tanks in which the fat is stored have to be cleaned. A large porthole is opened and in climb two very stupid employees... It was very dark, horribly hot, there were pipes of steam all around and about 30 cm of hot oil on the bottom. There was a horrible stink of oil and it was difficult to breathe. All of this for just two pounds an hour...

In 1984, I cycled around Scandinavia, through Denmark, over the beautiful Jotenheimen mountains in Southern Norway, up through Sweden to North Cape. The return journey took me through Finland where I panned (unsuccessfully)for gold , back into Sweden, through the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Sweden and back into the land of the pastry - Denmark, finally returning to England from Esbjerg on the West coast of Denmark - 8000 km in just 8 weeks.

4. Best experience ever.
   Well, there are a lot of contenders for this one! But one memorable one was one winter in Sheffield in Northern England. It was about midnight when I set off with his brother-in-law, and another friend. There was snow on the ground at that time and there was also a very dense fog so it was not possible to see more than about ten metres. Armed with three large plastic bags, we sat at the top of a very long and bumpy slope. All in their twenties or thirties, we screamed like small children all the way down.... Magical.

5. Most humbling experience ever.
   While in Egypt, we were invited to a Halloween party. One friend was a talented artist so painted a large skeleton on a piece of black cloth. Late for the party, and the paint still wet, the cloth was hung out of the window. It was not until later that we found out that the man in the flat below saw the skeleton, blowing gently in the breeze outside his window - the poor man was on his death bed at the time. No doubt confirming his view of the agnabis who lived upstairs.

6. Favourite food.
I am an enthusiastic cook and his stuffed courgettes have to be tasted to be believed. I was vegetarian for four years and I still enjoy cooking without meat.

7. Favourite drink.
I spent two years in Egypt and was spoilt by freshly-squeezed orange juice. I now won't drink the rubbish they sell in Supermarkets. But even better than the orange juice was the chilled mango juice. Delicious!

8. Favourite writer
Another tough one. The best book I have ever read is 'The Wrong Boy' by Willy Russell. Runners up include Stephen Fry, John O'Farrell, Anne Tyler, Tim Moore, Roald Dahl, George Orwell, Robertson Davies, Margaret Atwood....

9. Favourite Hobby
   Has to be juggling. I started at the tender age of 17, self taught, juggling with walnuts. I peaked in 1986, coming an amazing third in the European Juggling Association Five Ball juggling competition.

10. Most admired person.
Only one candidate. Anyone who can be in prison for twenty seven years then come out and say, 'hey, let's be friends...' must be a saint.

11. Hey, I thought there were only ten things...
I am a keen hiker and spends most weekends up a mountain in the rain. That is, when I'm not on a bike, up a mountain, in the rain...