What’s your favourite airport?

Seville, without a doubt. I got off the aircraft, straight through customs and I was out in five minutes.

What’s your view on the environmental effect of flying?

Well, we’re not going to suddenly stop are we? It would be like going back in time 50 years. The world would suddenly become a much bigger place. You can’t halt progress.

What’s your favourite way to travel?

I have been doing some work on cruises (he has a restaurant on the new P&O Cruises ship, Ventura), so technically that is business travel for me and I can talk about it. There are some things about cruises that amaze me. On board, they cook for 2,000 people to a high standard. These chefs have talents that I just don’t have and you have to applaud them. I’ve had a great holiday on cruise ships, too. Like everyone else, I had the perception that it was for old people but it was great for families.

Which hotels do you prefer?

I do like the Mercer in New York. I don’t like getting lost in vast hotels and in the Mercer I just go to the bar, walk to the lift and then up to the bedroom. It’s easy. Some of these big places are just a maze. If I want to get lost, I’ll buy myself a ticket for Longleat. I do have a fear of these vast places. Give me a boutique hotel any day of the week.

Hotels tend to get stars for having amenities, like spas, that I don’t want. I want a nice bathroom, a comfortable bed and somewhere close to the lifts so I don’t get lost. Sometimes I’ll use a swimming pool, but only at midnight when there’s no-one around. I don’t want to flaunt my body to people.

I love the Tresanton hotel in Cornwall. I think it’s only a two-star because it hasn’t got any of these silly facilities, but they really look after you. Actually, I just admire the business model. The cheek of being a two-star property and charging five-star prices!

Any mishaps in hotels?

Something funny happened to me in the Mercer, actually. I got a knock on the door and someone with an accent from the Far East announced that it was room service with three hookers for me. I’m thinking – ‘is this for the person next door or is it a mate of mine stitching me up?’ I opened the door – of course you’ve got to, haven’t you? – and there was a plate of three cookies. I just hadn’t got his accent. It was a bit disappointing, actually.

I was in Venice when an old boy of 60 helped me out of a boat. I didn’t know I was supposed to tip him but he started abusing me in Italian. I felt a bit embarrassed, so I went back and gave him some money.

Do you travel much in the UK?

I can drive, although I haven’t passed my test. I’ve never got round to it, so I drive Range Rovers off road. On commercial roads I have a driver. If I’m spending two hours on the motorway, it’s two hours on the phone when I can talk to people.

How do you cope with the smoking ban on your travels?

OK, I’m a heavy smoker and I understand the arguments against it. I don’t really have a problem with the ban, but I believe you should have some places that permit smoking, where every member of staff signs a contract that they understand the dangers of passive smoking. This summer there’s going to be a total ban on smoking in public places. The working man enjoys a cigarette and a pint at the end of a hard day and I think this government is trying to take away that pleasure. You know what, I might just shut this restaurant (we’re in Luciano), invite my friends around, serve food without charging them and then we can all smoke our heads off. Yeah, you know that sounds like a good idea.