On the Northern Ireland question, for instance, the British and Irish governments prohibit media contact with members of the IRA, but we have always gone ahead, believing in the right to information.

I never desired to go into war zones. I never had any thought about it. It sort of just happened as part of the job.

I sailed through my childhood with a complete lack of any drama.

If I'm in danger then it's usually my fault and it's up to me to get myself out of it. I am not in it just to get an adrenalin rush. No way!

Up until about 12 years ago we never, ever, wore flak jacket or helmets but now the nastiness has got worse.

I also read modern novels - I have just had to read 60 as I am one of the judges for the Orange Fiction Prize.

Now children as young as nine carry AK47s which can kill 30 people in seconds.