Did You Know?
Here are ten fascinating facts about me, some of which might surprise you…
- I was born on September 15th, Battle of Britain Day, and live in Woolston, Southampton, where the Spitfire was designed and built. This inspired the 15 RAF/mod logo in Nash: A Motor Sport Memoir, which would have been my race number if I'd turned pro
- While reporting at The Hampshire Chronicle my interviewees ranged from Theresa May to Sir Patrick Moore, and Marco Pierre White to F1 champion Jody Scheckter, and Discworld creator, Sir Terry Pratchett. I also won Newsquest National Scoop of the Year
- If it wasn't for craft beer, I'd be almost teetotal, and I only buy the good stuff. My favourites are Harvey's Old Ale and Sussex Best – which run in the blood as the Paynes have quaffed them for generations – along with Bosteels Tripel Karmeleit from Belgium
- I relish mucking about in the kitchen and I'm a keen foodie. My most trusted recipes include paella, cassoulet, prawn curry, chicken cacciatore, and Sunday roast. I also make soup and my favourite dish is bouillabaisse, but I can't stand aubergine or licorice
- I adore cycling and ride every week. My favourite routes are along the Hampshire coast, through the New Forest and Test Valley, and around The Isle of Wight. I also tackle charity fundraisers from Southampton to Brighton in one day, which is 75 miles (120km)
- My boyhood ambition was to be a racing driver, and while I never turned pro, I've driven around top circuits in vehicles including Formula Renault single seaters, petrol and electric go-karts, Porsche Caymans, Mini Coopers, and Jaguar F-Types
- Hailing from Hampshire, I come from the same county as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. I also share a birthday with Dame Agatha Christie (September 15th), and worked for the same regional newspaper group where Bill Bryson once plied his trade
- I adore live music. My favourite acts (alphabetically) are Editors, Frank Turner (I've interviewed him several times), Fun Lovin' Criminals, Hooverphonic, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, The Pretty Reckless, Saint Etienne, White Lies, The Who, and Wolf Alice
- I play cards with my father regularly, not for money, but something much harder to earn, which is pride. We also love pintables and have been competing for years. My daughter is now carrying on these family traditions...and sometimes beats us both
- And finally, when I was just a few months old and nobody was looking, I fell out of my baby bouncer and fractured my skull. I feel lucky to have survived, and therefore seize each day as a precious gift, an absolute privilege, and an amazing new adventure