UNDER THE MICROPSCOPE: Historian Dan Snow, 44, answers our health quiz

Historian and TV presenter Dan Snow, 44, answers our health quiz 

Can you run up the stairs?

When I turned 40, I invested in a personal trainer, who trains me twice a week. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done: I’m in better shape than I have been for 20 years.

Get your five a day?

My wife Edwina, 41, and I have a vegetable garden. In the summer, we eat trays of roast vegetables for dinner. I rarely eat red meat now.

Ever dieted?

I’m 6ft 5in and 15st, the same as when I was 20. I did a crash diet in 2008 as I was 10kg over the weight limit for the ejector seat in the RAF Typhoon (I was covering the RAF’s 90th anniversary). I lost it in ten days. But then I started to fixate about food. It took a year or two to get over it. I think dieting is really bad for mental health.

Any vices?

I definitely drink too much — a beer after work with the team, rosé in the summer, red wine in the winter.

Any family ailments?

Mum and Dad [his father is TV journalist Peter Snow, 84] are still very well. Mum’s parents lived to ripe old ages (90 and 95) but Dad’s smoked like chimneys and died in their 50s.

Worst illness?

I had malaria at 20 on my gap year in Africa; I was hallucinating and couldn’t stand the sight of food.

Had anything removed?

My appendix burst on the last day sailing across the Atlantic in 2002 — I’d have died if it had been in the middle of the journey.

ever have plastic surgery?

I would have said no, but now I’m getting older I’m looking at it with renewed interest.

Cope well with pain?

Reasonably well. My lower back is often very painful from an old rowing injury. I’m waiting for an operation on a ligament injury in my left knee.

Tried alternative remedies?

I’m a strong believer in science. I’m not a fan of homeopathy.

Ever been depressed?

When I was starting History Hit [his podcast] as a business, it was very stressful. I was anxious but I wouldn’t go as far as saying I was depressed.

Hangover cure?

Drink a lot of water. I also try to distract myself — sailing or hiking. Lying around on a sofa feeling sorry for yourself is the worst.

What keeps you awake?

Big global crises — plague, Covid, climate. I also worry about subscriber numbers for my history channel!

Any phobias?

I don’t love snakes.

Like to live for ever?

I love history — I’m fascinated to see where it leads, so I would love to live for ever.

Dan Snow’s podcast History Hit is available now, historyhit.com

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