‘People often think I’m Lenny Henry and that he’s me. They always say to me, “Are you staying in the Premier Inn?”’

golf course on the island, stopping for definite saltfish cakes and a rum punch. I’d go skiing in Lech, Austria, before having a beer in a bar at the foot of the moun- tain. Then I’d go to Fes, Morocco, for a hammam massage. I’d nip back to Eng- article land to take my Labrador Bobby for a We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly walk, then watch Arsenal win a game 5-0 at the Emirates with my daughter probing questions – and only accept Maddie, 23. I’d have turbot for dinner with mates at the Four Seasons Hotel in THE definitive answer. This week it’s New York, before going to Ibiza with my family to dance under the stars. the turn of TV chef Ainsley Harriott The happiest moment you will cherish The biggest regret you wish you could The pet hate that makes your hackles forever… Watching Arsenal win the amend… Not learning my mum Pep- rise... A disorganised dishwasher! My Double with a last-gasp goal against py’s recipes. She died in 1993 from kids live with me [Ainsley and his Liverpool in 1989. I was ecstatic. pancreatic cancer when she was 65. wife are amicably divorced] and The saddest time that shook your She inspired me to cook, but she just I’m always shouting, “Who put world… My mum’s death. She always threw in handfuls of this and that – I this in here like that?” encouraged me and I know she’d have wish I’d measured out her ingredients. The prized possession you been proud of my career. The temptation you wish you could value above all others… The figure The poem that touches your soul… I The unfulfilled ambition that contin- resist… Playing the online card game My chipmunk cuddly from history like the Tennessee Williams quote, ues to haunt you… To get a ten from Spider Solitaire on the computer. I can toy called Puda, which f o r w h o m ‘Kill my demons and my angels might Len Goodman on Strictly! easily lose two or three hours, which was my mum’s name for you’d most like die too.’ No one’s perfect – you’d lose The philosophy that underpins your isn’t ideal if you have stuff to do. me. I’ve had him since I to buy a pie and a something of yourself if you were. was a baby and at some point life… Share a smile with people. The book that holds an everlasting pint… Muhammad Ali. As The event that altered the course of I bit his nose off. He’s worn and fragile The order of service at your funeral… resonance… I Know Why The Caged a black kid growing up I felt proud of your life and character… Doing Radio 5 now, but he’s still my comfort toy. I’ll leave the details to my loved ones, Bird Sings, Maya Angelou’s extraordi- what he stood for and achieved. Live’s More Nosh, Less Dosh in 1993. but I hope it’ll be joyous and uplifting. nary autobiography about overcoming The film you can watch time and time The piece of wisdom you would pass on I’d been spotted when I was head chef racism in America. It helped me iden- again… The Incredibles. I love to a child… People will forget what you at Lord’s cricket ground. It led me to The way you want to be remembered… tify with my culture and ancestry. the story, the colours, the said and what you did, but they’ll never TV work, which changed everything. He brought love and happiness. music – it makes me happy The priority activity if you were the forget how you made them feel. That’s The Plug… Ainsley is a judge at the because it’s about family. The crime you would commit knowing Invisible Man for a day… I’d listen to a quote from Maya Angelou. you could get away with it… I’d drive British Takeaways Awards at The world leaders in private. Are they The person who has The unlikely interest that engages through the Variable Speed Limit on Savoy tomorrow. Visit thebtas.co.uk. really trying to help others, or influenced you your curiosity… Classical music. My motorways at 180mph. I’ve got too And he’ll appear in the Strictly Come are they just making their most… Clif- dad Chester, who died in 2013, was a many points on my licence from cam- Dancing Christmas Special on BBC1 own countries rich? ford Walker, pianist who played classical music to eras when the roads are empty. on Christmas Day. n a Jamaican As told to Rob McGibbon The unending switch off. It must have got into me as The song that means most q u e st t h at c h e f a t I’ve always got Classic FM on. Verrey’s to you… I’ve Got Life by drives you The treasured item you lost and wish Nina Simone always makes on… To make restaurant i n L o n - you could have again… The ability to me get up and go. others feel happy ski down a black run without stopping. and inspired. don’s Regent The way you would spend Street, where I I’m 59 now and the fear factor means your fantasy 24 hours, trained when I was 17. I make about ten stops! with no travel restric- He was a disciplinarian The misapprehension about yourself tions... I’d wake up in a Right: The who put me under pres- you wish you could erase… That I’m hotel in Barbados with my Incredibles. Above sure and gave me all Lenny Henry and he’s me! We had a girlfriend at sunrise, and right: Ainsley’s the awful jobs. It laugh about it last year. People say to have exotic fruits for treasured toy Puda. Far right: the Green was a thorough him, ‘Ooh, we like a bit of that, don’t breakfast. Then I’d play Monkey golf course t ra in ing a nd I we?’ and to me they’re always saying, golf with my son Jimmy, in Barbados learned so much. ‘Are you staying in the Premier Inn?’ 26, at the Green Monkey Next week PS... l James Martin, our new Jennifer Aniston stars in comedy The Office Christmas Party – in cookery columnist, on cinemas from Wednesday. Paul O’Grady and Amanda Holden fast cars and Mary Berry l Monty Don shows you open in the London Palladium’s panto Cinderella on Friday. how to turn your garden s: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx into a haven for wildlife aph

ogr And Neil Young’s new album Peace Trail is released the same day t l Britain’s best TV guide o ph

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