The 5-minute Interview Matthew Wright, Television presenter and journalist

'When you reach 70 you've earned the right to tell everyone where to go'

(Paul Rider)

After a successful career in print journalism, Matthew Wright, 47, became the host of Five's daily chat show, 'The Wright Stuff'. Last week he presented the Tesco Magazine Mum of the Year Awards.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be ...

Trying to organise my work-life schedule.

A common misperception of me is ...

That I'm really interested in celebrity tittle-tattle. Having done it for years on Fleet Street, I have to say it's something that I have the least interest in.

A phrase I use far too often ...

Almost all have four-letter words. I've got a foul mouth. I swear like a trooper. The thing is those words just don't shock me.

I wish people would take more notice of ...

The way we are treating Britain's young people. We separate them, call them no good or "hoodies" until they're isolated. It's a terrible hypocrisy. We tar them all with the same brush.

The most surprising thing that happened to me ...

Almost everything that's happened to me since I joined The Sun in 1990 has been a surprise. I had humble roots, grew up in Croydon, and then suddenly I was a showbiz hack, partying with Elton John, going to the Oscars. All of it surprised me.

I am not a politician but ...

If I were, I'd repeal the law for child trust funds. It's outrageous to reward those who reproduce with child support. We should reward those who don't.

I'm good at...

Fly fishing. I've been doing it about eight years – but quite obsessively.

I'm very bad at...

Being patient. I've always had a touch of mania.

The ideal night out is ...

A night in. I used to have to go to all these celebrity parties so I enjoy staying in, cooking dinner for my girlfriend and drinking fine wine. Or maybe going to a really good gig.

In weak moments I ...

Contemplate. I like spending time on my own. I've always been a bit of a loner.

You know me as a journalist but in another life I'd have been ...

I've always wanted a daily television show so anything else would have been my second choice. Maybe I'd be a wilderness fly fisherman.

The best age to be is...

Sixty-five to 70. You've earned the right to tell everyone where to go. I can't wait.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Don't get mad, get even.

Alice-Azania Jarvis