‘My advice to children? Get on the dance floor! I was too self- conscious when I was younger, so I was on the sidelines of life’

have a pint of Guinness in our local definite The Horse, then a walk on Dartmoor with the family to see the sunset. The happiest moment you will cherish forever… Finding my brother James after he got lost during the article sale when I was nine and he was seven. We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly Someone said they’d seen him walk off with a man, which scared me. I probing questions – and only accept found him 15 minutes later and I’ve THE definitive answer. This week never felt such a rush of relief. The saddest time that shook your it’s TV adventurer Simon Reeve world… My dad Alan’s death from cancer in 2001 aged 68. He died in my The prized possession you value above The treasured item you lost and wish arms and the memory is imprinted on all others… Oddly, it’s my white plas- you could have again… My pet gerbils my mind. I still miss him all the time. tic childhood sick bowl! My mum Arthur and Terry – named after the Cindy, who’s 73 now, kept it for years characters in Minder – from when I The unfulfilled ambition that contin- and then gave it to me. It reminds me was 12. I was devastated ues to haunt you… To learn another of being lovingly cared for. Now I use when they died. language. It’s shameful that I’ve been it when my son Jake, who’s five, is ill. to 120 countries with just English. I The pet hate that always have a translator with me! The biggest regret you wish you could makes your hackles The piece of wisdom you The poem that touches your soul… I’m The order of service at your funeral… amend… Not ducking when a mate rise... People using would pass on to a child… not mad about poetry, but I really con- I’d like to be buried on a Devon hill threw half a brick at me when I was business lingo like Get on the dance nect with this quote from the philoso- with a beautiful view. 12. He was only mucking about but it ‘blue sky thinking’. floor! I was too pher Bertrand Russell: ‘Three passions hit me in the face and scraped my It’s ridiculous. self-conscious when govern my life: the longing for love, The way you want to be remem- right eye. I’ll never forget the agony of The figure from history for I was younger, so I was on the the search for knowledge and unbear- bered… As a great dad. the doctors digging brick fragments whom you’d most like to buy a pie and sidelines of life. My wish for Jake is able pity for the suffering of mankind.’ The Plug… Simon is the ambassador out of my eye, and I’ve had to wear a pint… I’d get leadership tips from the that he’s a happy kid who dances. for the Mountain Warehouse Charity glasses and contact lenses ever since. The misapprehension about yourself US World War II commander General The priority activity if you were the you wish you could erase… It rankles Challenge 2016, which raises £10,000 The temptation you wish you could Patton. I can’t organise my family! Invisible Man for a day… I’d visit Turk- that people think I’m a posh public for the winner’s chosen charity. resist… Watching rubbish TV late at The film you can watch time and time menistan, as I was denied entry there schoolboy. I went to my local comp. Visit mountainwarehouse.com/ night. I’m a sucker for action movies, but again… The Battle Of Algiers from in 2003 when I was filming my series competitions/charity. n I don’t need to watch Die Hard 3 again! The event that altered the course of As told to Rob McGibbon 1966. It’s so gritty and realistic you Meet The Stans, in which I visited the your life and character… 9/11. My book The unlikely interest that feel as if you’re there. other four Central Asian republics. about Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda, engages your curiosity… The person who has influenced The book that holds an everlasting The New Jackals, had been ignored Chopping wood. I live in you most… My late grandma resonance… Schindler’s Ark by Tho- when it came out in 1998. After the a remote part of Dartmoor Lucy, who died in 2002 aged mas Keneally [which was adapted into attack every TV station wanted to talk with my wife Anya and 81. She had polio when she was the film Schindler’s List]. It made me to me and it ultimately led to my first Jake and it’s reassuring to a child and needed a realise true evil existed in the world. BBC travel programme two years later. have a woodpile to keep us mobility car later in warm in winter. The crime you would commit knowing The way you would spend your fantasy life, but nothing you could get away with it… I’d kidnap 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... The unending quest held her back. She a few nasty dictators and give them The day would begin with Anya, Jake that drives you on… used to take me some firm re-education treatment. and our dog Obi on the Greek island To see as much of the and my brother of Symi. I’d have breakfast at a cafe in world as I can in The song that means most to you… James on mys- the harbour – fried eggs on toast and the time I have left. Always Look On The Bright Side Of tery tours in Greek yoghurt with honey. For lunch Life from Monty Python’s Life Of that car and we’d go to Istanbul, my favourite city, Brian should be on the school curricu- Right: General those trips and have lamb – Obi would get the Patton. Above sparked my lum. We should all feel positive. right: a pair of bone! Jake’s obsessed with space so gerbils. Far adventurous The philosophy that underpins your after lunch I’d take him in a rocket to right: Istanbul streak. life… Get out there and find purpose. zoom through the stars. After that I’d Next week PS... l Great British Menu serves ar t Kristen Stewart stars in Woody Allen’s Café Society – in cinemas up its secrets l Part one s, alls e of Matthew Jukes’ ultimate ur t a e from Friday. Pride And Prejudice is at London’s Regent’s Park x f guide to English wine e y, r y, m Open Air Theatre from Friday. And Mark Ronson and Kaiser l on how hs: ala

p to grow perfect beans ra g

o Chiefs headline The Big Feastival in the Cotswolds this weekend t l Britain’s best TV guide ho p

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