Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
Mentally, yes, physically, no. I don't pay any attention to lifestyle gurus who tell me what I should eat, drink or do. I firmly believe that the great creator has a book with everyone's departure date. You're going to die whether you eat vegetables or not.
How often do you exercise?
Up to about two years ago, I swam a mile a day. Something happened and I got out of the habit. I've made a pact with myself that before Christmas I'm going back into the pool. I am a passionate believer in exercise.
Do you get your five a day?
I hate vegetables. For the past 44 years of our marriage, my wife has cooked dinner so there are vegetables, but if I'm on my own and I can choose my food without the eagle eye of the lovely Ingrid, there will be no vegetables.
Do you worry?
When you've had the life I've had – where you've spent 30 years in effective bankruptcy with a marriage going down the toilet with a wife likely to leave – you've nothing to worry about. When you've had guys with baseball bats coming to your door looking for money, what have I got to worry about? Here I am, a fat, bald, toothless old man and people are paying me money to talk, what have I got to worry about?
What do you do to relax?
I can sleep anywhere, anytime. I'm a huge fan of power-naps. I'm a voracious reader even more so since the arrival of the Kindle. And I love television.
What's your unhealthiest habit?
Desserts, chocolate, ice cream, coffee. I'm very unhealthy really, but my cholesterol is 4.7. My view is this whole thing about health is a load of bollocks. Mental health is far more important to me. The healthiest part of my lifestyle is I'm madly in love with that woman I met 45 years ago. Being in love beats anything.
George Hook supports Boots' winter flu vaccination service, available this month at 67 pharmacies nationwide. Visit boots.ie.
