The shape I'm in: Charlie Landsborough

When singer/songwriter Charlie Landsborough gained weight a few years ago, he was quite pleased with himself.

“I’d visions of myself looking like an Adonis,” he says.

But the dream was short lived. “I was getting washed and looking at myself in the mirror and I saw this little pot belly hanging over the lip of the sink — the weight was all in the wrong places. I now look like a pregnant stick insect.”

Aged 75 and married to Thelma, they have three adult sons and five grandchildren, aged from 17 to six years old.

The youngest of 11 children, he grew up in dockland area of Birkenhead, near Liverpool. He now lives closeby in a house he spotted years ago as a skint primary school teacher. “I had to walk to school because I didn’t even have my fare and I used to pass this very house and say how could anybody afford to live in one of these?

“It’s not a mansion but it’s far better than anything I thought I’d ever have. My next door neighbour is a retired brain surgeon, at first he thought the Beverly Hillbillies had move in.”

Charlie Landsborough, Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, Sunday, January 22. For other Irish dates see: charlielandsborough.com

What shape are you in?

I’m still functioning, thank God. My body must wonder what on earth happens to it because I go through periods where I don’t do anything at all and I drink a little bit too much and then I go on my treadmill and try to get into reasonable shape. It’s a bit spasmodic.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I’ll eat anything and I like basic foods. I don’t eat sweets and cakes. And I don’t eat a lot. I just eat enough to live and do the things I need to function and that’s it. I have a light breakfast and I have a main meal at about five o’clock and then I have a wee sandwich about 10 o’clock.

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

A drink. I don’t drink at home at all but I love the social aspect of having a pint with the lads. I go into the same rough ale houses that I’ve gone to all my life and sometimes, because of the generosity of the lads, you had a few more than you intended to.

What would keep you awake at night?

I wake up in the middle of the night once or twice — possibly to go to the loo. I can go to bed at half past 11 and I might get up at 5 o’clock. I’ll come down and do my crosswords and Sudokus and I’ll go back to bed at half six and stay there until half eight.

How do you relax?

Occasionally I play a very bad game of golf. I love sitting in the study and reading my books and my poetry and listening to music. And I love going down to the pub, seeing old friends and sitting in their company with a pint or two and having a laugh.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

I’d love to have Billy Connolly; Terry Wogan because he always seemed to have an answer for everything; Hedi Baker who looks after orphan children on the island of Madagascar; Jon Prine, a fantastic American singer- songwriter; Bob Dylan; my old mate Ricky Tomlinson from The Royle Family because he’s always good for a laugh.

What’s your favourite smell?

The smell of frying bacon. It reminds me of home, being a small boy and my mam in the kitchen. I was only 11 when I lost her. She was the eternal giver — even though we had very little.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

Everything really. I’ve never been the best-looking fella in the world. I have a big nose but now it doesn’t bother me — I’d look funny with a little nose.

What traits do you least like in others?

I dislike arrogance in anybody. Humility — much-forgotten — is a lovely attribute that’s overlooked in the modern world. I hate anything that’s cruel to children, animals, and old people.

What traits do you least like about yourself?

I’m indecisive. Also the desire to try and please everybody. And a bit of self-righteousness occasionally.

Do you pray?

I pray every night. I have a huge list of people — the All Mighty must say, ‘Oh here he goes again’. I go to a prayer meeting every Thursday night and go to church every Sunday. I’d be lost without my faith. I’m a Pentecostal. My family were all Protestants and I was atheistic from about 18 to 23. I’m a bit of a spiritual nomad.

What would cheer up your day?

Seeing my grandkids. And I love animals. I can’t have one now because I’m never home. I lost my own dog, Bert, a number of years back and cried like a baby. He was a staffordshire bull terrier. I still have a picture of him in my study.