'Sex is very important...provided it's with the right person': Under the microscope with Peter Stringfellow

By Sarah Ewing
Updated: 17:24 EDT, 22 November 2010

The nightclub owner answers our health quiz and reveals how he had a facelift and why the fear of losing everything keeps him awake at night

'I've never smoked or done drugs,' said Peter Stringfellow

CAN YOU RUN UP STAIRS?

My wife, Bella, who’s a former Royal Ballet dancer, says I’m a dead loss ­fitness wise. The nearest thing I get to exercise is going down to see the chickens at the bottom of the garden at our house in Mallorca.

ANY FAMILY AILMENTS?

Yes, sadly, both my grandfathers and my aunts died of cancer, as did my mother. Alzheimer’s is also in the ­family, so I watch myself carefully.

POP ANY PILLS?

Bella put me on the Seven Seas one-a-day cod liver oil tablets a few years back and I’m convinced they’ve helped my skin. Anything that will help me live a healthy, long life, I’ll take. Basically I want whatever Cliff Richard is having.

HAD ANYTHING REMOVED?

In the Seventies I fell off my ­daughter Karen’s motorbike and ­damaged ­ligaments in my leg. It was such a silly accident, but it nearly took my leg off. Then, ten years ago, I had my gallbladder removed because I had gallstones.

ANY VICES?

I’ve never smoked or done drugs. My ­Achilles heel used to be a vodka and tonic but, ten years ago I cut down on drinking. For the past six years, all I’ve drunk is white wine.

What keeps you awake? 'The fear of losing everything that's important to me - Bella, my family, the business and all my money'

HOW WELL DO YOU COPE WITH PAIN?

I’m a complete coward. I feel pain before the pain happens.

IS SEX IMPORTANT?

It’s very important, provided it’s with the right person.

EVER DIETED?

I do the Peter Stringfellow diet: you eat what you want and pretend you eat correctly.

WOULD YOU HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?

About ten years ago, I had a facelift. Bella says she’d divorce me if I ever thought of having any other work done, so that’s it for me.

IS MAN FLU A MYTH?

Not at all! Luckily, I only get it once every three or four years, but it’s beyond a woman’s understanding.

DO YOU GET YOUR FIVE-A-DAY?

I love vegetables — especially ­broccoli in garlic.

EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?

Yes, twice and both times when I thought I was going out of business — first in the early Eighties and then in 1991. I’m essentially a very positive and optimistic person.

HANGOVER CURE?

It’s called ‘Don’t drink!’ Even before I stopped drinking, I never used to get hangovers, which my GP said was a bad thing because it’s hangovers that warn you that you’ve gone too far.

Peter fell off his daughter Karen's motorbike (left) and damaged ligaments in his leg. He loves vegetables - especially broccoli (right) in garlic

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE?

The fear of losing everything that’s important to me — Bella, my family, the business and all my money. Having been a poor working class boy, it’s something I never want to go back to.

LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?

Provided I don’t get any older than I am now.