The 5-Minute Interview: Jonathan Dimbleby, Broadcsater and writer

'I would have been a garden architect'

The 62-year-old presenter of Radio 4's 'Any Questions' is president of VSO, the Soil Association and Dimbleby Cancer Care. He is also a patron of Tree Aid

I chose to be a patron of Tree Aid because...

It makes a real contribution to some of the poorest countries in the world. Trees are an incredible source of carbon and they can provide families with a livelihood.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Trying to write my book about my first-hand experiences of Russia.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"Lets make it absolutely clear". I think I say, "I love you" quite often too.

I wish people would take more notice of...

How they sound. People shout too much.

The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was...

Finding myself in the position that I wanted to become a father at 62 because my new partner and I are going to have a child.

A common misperception of me is...

That I'm always earnest.

I am not a politician but...

If I were, I would honour my promises.

I'm good at...

Pass.

I'm very bad at...

Living one day at a time. I tend to look too far ahead.

The ideal night out is...

To hear Placido Domingo sing Don Carlos and afterwards to a small restaurant with my beloved.

In moments of weakness I...

Like most people, I weep.

You know me as a broadcaster but in truer life I'd have been...

A garden architect or a carer.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Onwards and upwards. If you've been a long way down it's nice to think you can go up.

Sara Newman