Last updated at 13:43, Friday, 05 December 2008

CHARLIE WALDUCK, 40, TV's super slimmer, bingo hall manager, writer and broadcaster

Charlie Walduck

What part of modern life annoys you the most?

The thing that annoys me most is the disappearance of society. A majority of people put themselves first, they don’t think about others anymore.

First record ever bought/Most recent record bought (downloaded)?

I honestly can’t remember the first record I ever bought or when I bought it, but I can tell you the last song I downloaded was Peter and Lee’s Welcome Home. I present a cheesy radio show in Manchester and it fits in nicely with the show, plus I like it.

What book are you reading?

I have an interest in political biographies.

If you could choose, health or wealth? Health, although the state of my finances at the moment makes me tempted to say wealth.

When and where were you happiest?

When I was a kid we had a caravan in the Lakes. It was great and when I left school I would spend all summer there. I think those years at the caravan were my happiest times ever. Mum would come at the weekends and bring a big tin of homemade chocolate biscuits – happy days. I also have a few stand-out moments of sheer happiness – Wembley in 1990 watching Barrow win the FA Trophy, graduating from Manchester Polytechnic in 1991 and completing the London Marathon in 2004.

Who are your heroes?

At the moment, my heroes have to be the players of Barrow AFC. I’m not jumping on the bandwagon, because I have been watching Barrow, when I can, home and away for almost 20 years. Dr Chris Steele is also a hero of mine for the help and support he has given me. My mum and dad and my friends, Lucy and Mark, have also stuck with me through good times and bad, fat and thin.

If you could lock up one person for life, who would it be?

There lots of people, but one would have to be Robert Mugabe for what he has done to his people.

Favourite food and drink?

I’m not a big drinker, but I do like the odd pear cider now and again. In terms of food, I don’t think this column is long enough to list them all! I must say I enjoy a nice cottage pie, homemade of course.

If your house was on fire what one possession would you recover?

Most things can be replaced, but I think I would grab my laptop because it contains all the pictures I have taking on my travels recently.

What keeps you awake at night?

Nothing keeps me awake at night, not even my noisy neighbours.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a bus driver or conductor. I was a member of a transport group that owned an old Barrow Corporation Bus and always fancied working on the buses!

What’s your biggest regret?

That I did not try and tackle my weight problems earlier. Who knows what I could have achieved in life had I had more confidence and self belief. I believe these things were linked to my obesity. Being very shy and having low self esteem is still with me but I am learning now to push myself forward and take risks and enjoy life to the full.

Who or what makes you laugh?

I love Harry Hill’s TV Burp. I went to see Ken Dodd a couple of years ago and it was very funny.

What is your greatest fear?

I am single and always have been. I fear now I may spend the rest of my life alone. I don’t want to end up bitter and twisted and full of regrets. I’m scared of birds and I hate pigeons – they are vermin!

Best thing about Furness?

Barrow will always be my home and I love the place and I am proud to be from the area. The Furness peninsula has it all and it is a great place to grow up and live. Barrow is a town with a great personality. Since living away, I have realised I probably did not appreciate it enough when I was here. I also like Roanhead, Askam (where my nana and grandad lived); the villages around Roose, Furness Abbey and Holker Street!

First published at 11:48, Friday, 05 December 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk