Statistically, if you have ever dieted you are extremely likely not only to regain any weight you lose, but to go on to gain even more. Dieting makes you fat.

Success, in whatever form it takes, is a tricky thing - once you've achieved your goal, then what? Where do you aim?

I don't think I've got the expertise with which to nit-pick, and I freely admit that my motivation to support charities has been emotional, rather than as a result of being particularly well informed as to how the money is used.

I spent my entire childhood living abroad because of my father's occupation, so we were on long-haul flights all the time.

I was accorded the opportunity to learn by failing - albeit at the cost of a few honourable teachers' sanity - and now I realise what a rare and incredible luxury that is.

My dad was a diplomat and after living in America, where I was born, he was posted to Cairo.

If there's one thing I know, it's this - everybody thinks somebody else is having a better life.