The 5-minute Interview: Ray Mears, TV presenter and author

'I don't have any moments of weakness. It's my philosophy not to'

'I'm good at all sorts of things. I'm pretty good in an emergency' (Andy Paradise)

The bushcraft expert, 44, has presented several series on the BBC and has written nine books. His latest work, "Ray Mears Goes Walkabout", is published today

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

Packing for a canoe trip in France.

I wish people would take more notice of...

The nature around them. I just think we are surrounded by nature and we tend to think if we live in a city we're not part of it any more. That's just not true. The natural world is there to be observed and if we do that, we would feel better connected to it and would be able to make better decisions with regards to environmental issues.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Doing the work that I am is surprising. I didn't find it, it found me. So every day is surprising. We meet people we don't expect every day.

A common misperception of me is...

People think that I just live on grubs and weeds, which isn't the case at all. I have a modern life as well.

I am not a politician, but...

Sometimes I wish there was better leadership in the Government. I think we need people to roll their sleeves up and lead from the front. That's proper leadership.

A phrase I use far too often is...

I don't have one.

I'm good at...

All sorts of things. I'm pretty good in an emergency.

I'm very bad at...

I'm hopeless atpottery. The last time I tried it was 20 years ago. I made a real mess.

The ideal night out is...

I think probably being on safari, watching something fantastic and then going back to a quiet campfire and a good bottle of wine.

In moments of weakness I...

I don't have moments of weakness. Part of my philosophy is not to.

You know me as a wildlife expert, but in another life I'd have been...

A doctor. The first aid training I did I found very interesting. The workings of the body are fascinating.

The best age to be is...

Whatever age you are at the moment. I like everything about being 44. You've got to live in the moment. If you are living fully then there is no reason not to be happy.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Every person can make a difference. I think if we want to make the world a better place, we can.

Photini Philippidou