The 5-minute Interview: Mike Batt, songwriter/producer

'I am an artist who takes his work very seriously'

Batt, 59, is one of Britain's best known music producers/songwriters. His new single, 'Railway Hotel', is released this month

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

Probably rushing around promoting my new single. Or mixing a movie score.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"Yes". I can often cram too many projects into a year only to find I have overcommitted myself.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Notices. Road signs in particular are terrible.

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

Being driven into a concrete block on the way to a video shoot at 60mph, breaking my C2 vertebrae.

A common misperception of me is...

That I'm always light-hearted. I am also an artist who takes his work very seriously.

I'm good at...

Cooking. I have natural flair and I enjoy creating dishes.

I'm very bad at...

Sports. At school I was particularly bad at ball games.

The ideal night out is...

An evening performing on stage, either conducting or singing.

In moments of weakness I...

Eat fish and chips, drink a couple of bottles of white wine and wake up in the morning hating myself.

The best age to be is...

38. You've learnt enough not to be a complete idiot but still have enough time to better yourself. That said, I am happy to be in my late 50s.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Live and let live. Believe what you want and allow others to do the same.

Christopher Corbishley