Like a wide-eyed fan a third of his age, Gyles Brandreth breathlessly scrolls through the VIP selfies on his phone. ‘Look, look.
There’s me with Harry Hill,’ he says proudly. ‘Here’s me with the Iranian Ambassador. And that’s me with my very good friend Susie Dent from Countdown.
And here I am again with Susan Calman from Strictly.’ Now 72 but still brandishing the energy of an over-excited puppy, the broadcaster turned politician turned jack of all showbiz trades is a force of nature; an all singing, all dancing (but mostly talking) entertainer who probably spins amusing yarns in his sleep.
And he’s off… ‘So my wife Michele and I were in Jamaica on this beautiful, white sandy beach for our 45th wedding anniversary two or three years ago.