PUBLISHED: 22:21 EST, 9 July 2012 | UPDATED: 22:21 EST, 9 July 2012

‘My woman loves me so, no, I don’t have any plans to go under the knife,’ said Raymond Blanc

Yes I can, I have run marathons — but I’d never advise you to run down the stairs. Two years ago, I ran down stairs in leather slippers. I slid and broke my leg in six places. Happily, I can run again and, today, I’ll be carrying the Olympic Flame. I am one of several chefs given this great honour.

I don’t diet. I hate that word. But when I do the TV series The Hungry Frenchman and enjoy too much good food all over France, the kilos pile on. to get back in shape, I cut down on carbohydrates. I’m 5ft 7in and am a perfect weight — 74 kilos (11