I am a lucky man. I have had a dream and it has come true, and that is not a thing that happens often to men.

As a youngster I was a great dreamer, reading many books of adventure and walking lonely miles with my head in the clouds.

I think Himalayan climbers tend to mature fairly late. I think most of the successful Himalayan climbers have ranged from 28 to just over 40, really.

On the summit of Everest, I had a feeling of great satisfaction to be first there.

When you go to the mountains, you see them and you admire them. In a sense, they give you a challenge, and you try to express that challenge by climbing them.

Strong motivation is the most important factor in getting you to the top

I'm definitely a Queen supporter. She was great.