Robin

The best place I’ve ever lived was, for better or worse, a squat – it was an old derelict pub called the Prince of Wales. As young arts students we made it our home. If I am ever able to make a living from art, the first thing I would do is travel.

I formed a magazine, Scallywag,with my brothers. We ran an article alleging the then prime minister was having an affair with a caterer. We struggled along for a little while after the lawsuit but we couldn’t keep it going.

London is always my nemesis – I find myself going back to the old ways. I was determined to get out of London and get free from the drugs and the booze and the lifestyle I had fallen into. That’s why I was desperate to put down roots and start a business somewhere else.

I’ve lived in America and Canada. I also ran a business in Istanbul for a year and a half. We got to a point where we were on the verge of breaking through and achieving success. But my business acumen is wanting sometimes. I put hope and expectation in the place of cold reality.

The best advice I’ve ever received was from my father. He used to say “Get it under your belt,man!” I got my unconditional acceptance to art school before my exams – I wish I’d listened to his advice and studied properly.

My earliest memory is sitting in the back garden of the house I was born in,with my grandad sitting next to me. He allowed me to put his pipe in my mouth for the first time.

I’m happiest when I’m around people – being the centre of attention and feeling that I’m helping them enjoy themselves in some way. It’s led me into a lot of trouble – I can be too candid too quickly.

My favourite poems are Kipling’s If You Can KeepYour Head and Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson. I’m a romantic at heart. I’ve got a lot of time for the old empire and the dashing lieutenants – it must have been a wonderful time – tweaking your moustache and having your sword glint in the sun!

I make myself nervous – I doubt myself too much. I do open mic nights and play the drums, so I know what it’s like to perform in front of people. When it goes well, that’s the best feeling – it’s much better than any drug. I’ve had it in such small doses.

The last time I cried was two days ago. It’s not always because I’m sad – sometimes I feel I’ve got so much bubbling just under the surface. I don’t want to believe that men shouldn’t cry, but part of me is still old-fashioned in that way.

My best birthday was one I spent with my dad, when I was 23. I was struggling with drugs at the time. He booked me into a B&B and accompanied me for three days while I went through cold turkey. He coached me through that weekend. He talked me into going into the sea and treated me to a rum afterwards. We spent the journey back to Waterloo singing our hearts out. An amazing experience.

I’m proud of the things I’ve done – “Dip your toe in everything”, that’s my motto!

I’m convinced that I can really do something about the general public’s out-moded perception of people with substance misuse problems. It shouldn’t be something that automatically makes you an outcast.

My happiest moment was when I realised that I love my wife. We’ve been together for 30 years. I love that she supports me. I love her unwavering loyalty and her creativity. I wish she had more of an ego sometimes.