What's your nickname? Spike or Thistles (due to my spiky hair at university) 

Who was your first teenage crush and why? Nastasia Kinski 

When was the first time you got drunk? When I was about 15 on sweet cider at a family party. I haven't been able to drink it since 

What was the first single you bought? Unfortunately - Long Haired Lover from Liverpool by Jimmy Osmond 

What did you want to be when you were a kid? A pilot, until I found out I was colour blind and wasn't allowed to fly Now I just approve colour artwork while not really knowing what colour it is 

What's your favourite book and why? Any legal or crime novel that can get me through a long flight to South Africa 

What's your favourite movie and why? Anchorman, funnier every time you watch it 

What was your worst holiday and why? There is no such thing as a bad holiday 

What was the most embarrassing moment in your life? Aged 10 winning a running race and then realising I had set off with the six-year-olds by mistake 

Do you have any phobias? Used to be snakes but now my son John has got one I've discovered they're not as bad as I thought
 
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? Kate Moss - just for the distraction..... 

Who would you most like to sit next to on a plane? Stephen Fry - intelligent, funny, charming, fascinating 

What would you request as your final meal? A huge bowl of prawns in chilli & garlic 

What's your favourite junk food? Fish & chips with ketchup, salt & vinegar out of the paper 

What's the weirdest thing you've eaten? Durian fruit in Malaysia. Variously described as stale vomit overlaid with rotting garbage, to smelly socks with turpentine dressing 

What luxury would you have on your desert island? A two-way radio. I couldn't bear not knowing what is going on 

If you could star in a TV programme, what would it be and why? Coverage of the World Cup Rugby as a trophy wielding captain