PAGE 78 C M Y K Daily Mail Weekend

‘I’m not a trainspotter but I’ve loved trains since I was a kid. I’m even deeply interested in Crossrail and HS2’

end the day at home in south London definite with roast pork belly for dinner – a fam- ily favourite – and a glass of red wine. The happiest moment you will cherish forever… A family day out in 2005 at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware on the article east coast of America. I remember thinking what a privilege it was to be We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly working in such a wonderful country. probing questions – and only accept The saddest time that shook your world… My mum dying was desper- THE definitive answer. This week ately sad because she’d been such an it’s broadcaster Justin Webb’s turn intense part of my life. The unfulfilled ambition that contin- The prized possession you value above The temptation you wish you could ues to haunt you… To write an impor- all others… The key to a hotel room in resist… Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut choco- tant novel that will last long after I’ve Bosnia, where I was staying in 1992 dur- late – I can’t stop myself. gone, but I haven’t got the imagination. ing the civil war. My room was destroyed The person who has influenced The philosophy that underpins your by a shell seconds after I went into the you most… Lord Tom life… I’m not religious, but I like the corridor to make some tea. It reminds me The crime you would commit knowing McNally, my mentor The unlikely interest Quaker saying, ‘Walk cheerfully over how life can turn on a moment. you could get away with it… I’d disa- and father figure. I that engages your curi- the earth answering to that of God in I’m not a train- ble all the speed cameras on the M4 The biggest regret you wish you could was his speechwriter osity… everyone’. In other words, create some spotter but I’ve loved so I could race down to watch Bath amend… That my mother Gloria didn’t for a year aged 21 happiness in each day. trains since I was a play rugby on a Friday night. live to see me work on the Today pro- when he was an MP. kid. I’m even deeply The order of service at your funeral… gramme. I joined in 2009, but she died in The song that means most to you… The film you can interested in Crossrail and HS2. I’d be happy with something simple 2006 when she was 81. Elton John’s Rocket Man. I remember watch time and time again… Pulp Fic- on a hill overlooking Bath, with read- it playing on the radio when I was The book that holds an everlasting res- tion. It’s clever, funny, shocking and The treasured item you lost and wish ings of Philip Larkin’s The Old Fools A little train set painting my bedroom with my mum onance…Raymond Carver’s short story the music is wonderful. And Uma you could have again… and Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods I had when I was eight. My mother sold when I was 11. I didn’t have many collection Where I’m Calling From. It’s Thurman is gorgeous! On A Snowy Evening. Then I’d like profoundly moving. it to buy me a bike when I was 12. good days as a kid, but that song takes Clara to play Bach’s Cello Suite No 1. The figure from history for whom The unending quest that drives you me back to that very happy moment. The pet hate that makes your you’d most like to buy a pie and on… To take a week off work and spend The way you want to be remembered… hackles rise... Sullen shop a pint… Ronald Reagan. He did The way you would spend your fantasy With a smile by my loved ones. the entire time reading. The combina- and restaurant workers. so much to rally everyone 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... tion of an all-encompassing job and I’d start with a croissant and an espresso The Plug… Justin Webb presents the The priority activity if you against Communism children makes that impossible. at a cafe in Rome, which is such a capti- Today programme on BBC Radio 4 at were the Invisible Man during the Cold War and I’d like to hear his advice The poem that touches your soul… vating place. Then I’d go skiing in Utah 92-95 FM from 6am-9am on week- for a day… My son Sam, n now that we’re fighting Buffalo Bill’s by EE Cummings – it’s with my wife Sarah and our children. days and 7am-9am on Saturdays.

who’s 15, has type 1 dia- Pho a world wa r against wonderfully unsentimental. After that we’d go to Los Angeles – my As told to Rob McGibbon betes so I’d watch Pro- t favourite city in the ogr fessor Doug Melton’s Islamic extremists. The misapprehension about yourself world. For lunch I’d ap work to find a cure at That I’m h you wish you could erase… s

The piece of wisdom have a big Califor- :xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Harvard University. you would pass on to posh. My stepfather was severely men- nian salad with fruit a child… I always tally ill, so my mother was essentially a and a spicy tomato Right: Uma Thurman encou rage my k ids single parent. I only went to a private juice. We’d go to and John Travolta Quaker school because I had a bursary. in Pulp Fiction. [twins Sam and Martha, Cape Town for Above right: 15, and Clara, 11] to laugh The event that altered the course of afternoon tea and Cadbury’s about life because a sense your life and character… Going to the enjoy the gorgeous Fruit & Nut of humour is the one char- London School of Economics. I’d hard- light, then in the chocolate. Far acter trait that can get you right: Deer Valley ly been to London before, so to be in the evening we’d watch ski resort, Utah through anything. heart of the city was incredible. Bath play rugby. I’d Next week PS... l All the gossip and star Jennifer Lawrence reunites with Bradley Cooper in comedy-drama interviews from the BBC’s War Joy – in cinemas from Friday. Family favourite The Nutcracker And Peace – set to be the TV event of 2016 l Easy curries to On Ice is at the Royal Albert Hall from Monday. And Bryan Adams keep the cold out l Monty Don’s New Year’s resolutions l PLUS plays a New Year’s Eve gig at London’s Central Hall on Thursday Britain’s best TV listings guide

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National 26 December