I'm laughing more now than at any time in my life!

TV icon speaks out about his cancer battle, the thorny issue of assisted dying and why he thinks he's the ideal person to rewrite the maths curriculum

- By Hannah Britt

Aged 87, he celebrated his golden wedding anniversary with soul mate Dianne last year as he announced his all clear from prostate cancer.

Johnny, father of Radio 2's Zoe Ball, says: "I'm laughing more now than at any other time in my life. I even bought my wife a bunch of flowers today the first time in 20 years.

"I've been kicked in the teeth in every possible way by life and by situations and by people.

"But I still cannot help but smile. I have my wife, my dog, my life. I'm very happy with my life.

"I'm happy that I'm still fit at 87. By rights, I don't have long left, I want to spend it with a smile on my face."

This joie de vivre may account for Johnny's opposition to assisted dying. He fears people will be coerced into suicide. Scotland's assisted dying bill failed this week following an emotional fourhour debate.

Johnny illustrates his stance with a story about Eratosthenes, an ancient Greek who discovered the size of the Earth: "When he was around 80, he locked himself in a room and refused food until he died. He actually switched off and said: I've done enough'.