Richard Whiteley(1943-2005)

When he used to present Calendar (1968), Yorkshire Television's local news programme, he was once required to interview a man who had brought his pet ferrets to the studio as part of the interview. When the interviewee passed him a ferret, saying "Go on, it's harmless, it won't bite you", the ferret did just that - it bit him hard and wouldn't let go! With the ferret hanging from his hand, Richard struggled manfully on with the interview despite being in excruciating pain. Being told "She's only playing with you, if she really meant business she'd bite right down to the bone" was scant comfort!

I had an exercise bike for seven years, but I gave it away. I had only done eighteen miles.