‘The older I get, the more I think about my health’

The TV and radio host tried yoga once or twice, but found his broad, 190cm frame left him lumbering around “like Shrek”, and with his regular 4am starts for his role on the Today show, good sleep hygiene was out of the question, too.

But there is one magic potion he’s discovered as he’s gotten older — and it’s not some rare ointment or expensive celebrity-only skin treatment. In fact, it’s something we can all tap into, quite literally, every single day.

“Drink as much water as you possibly can,” he says.

“We constantly need to flush out the system.

“I did go to a nutritionist a while back, at considerable expense, as I was feeling a little bloated and thought I might have had an allergy or intolerance. They offered to make me a nutrition plan for another hefty fee but I said I think I can take care of that myself.

“Eat healthy, exercise more, drink less alcohol, and Bob’s your uncle.”

Having spent the early days of his career as a pop star, before swapping to a different kind of microphone to report on celebrities across radio and TV, he’s seen more red carpets, backstage passes and after parties — and all the excess that goes along with them.

But as he gets older, he says his health has taken centre stage because nobody stays bulletproof forever.

“When you’re young, tall and bulletproof, you don’t think that anything can take you down, but just this year I’ve been to three or four funerals for people my age, which is very sobering and a wake-up call if there ever was one,” he says.

“Health is a bit like superannuation — the older you get, the more you think about it.”

RICHARD WILKINS ON …

Early starts

“No two days of my life have ever been the same, every day is different, however I do like some routine. Doing the Today show requires a 4.20am alarm, followed by two five-minute snoozes, to get out of bed at 4.30am and attack the day. Then it’s off to work, and after that anything can happen.”

Avoiding yoga

“I have only ever done two yoga classes in my entire life, which would have been a sight for the other guests at the retreat in the Byron Bay hinterland. When you’re built like Shrek and are fairly uncoordinated it’s not the most pleasant of activities, but I definitely think I should do more of it.”

Checking in on check-ups

“I have regular health check-ups, for blood pressure, cholesterol and what not. David Gyngell made me promise to get an angiogram last year, after his health scare, and I go to a dermatologist once a year religiously and encourage my kids to do the same.”

The five foods Richard Wilkins can’t live without: Fish, San Choy Bow, Peking duck, eggs and Cornflakes.

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