Every really old person always has a random reason they believe they are alive, and it’s usually never “eating a healthy Mediterranean diet and exercising regularly”, but rather some kind of vice like chocolate or a cigar or a glass of whiskey every Friday.

Sure enough, for great-grandad John Tinniswood, he’s put it down to having fish and chips every Friday and doing “everything in moderation.”

At 111 years of age, supercentarian John is now officially recognised as the oldest man in the world. The WW2 veteran was handed the new honour following the death this week of Juan Vicente Perez, from Venezuela, at the age of 114, as well as 112-year-old Gisaburō Sonobe of Japan. Clearly, not enough fish and chips on a Friday.

John was born in 1912 – the same year the Titanic sank – and has lived through two world wars and the pandemic. Prior to his retirement in 1972, John worked as an accountant for Shell and BP.

The father-of-one, who will turn 112 on August 2, says his most precious memory was his wedding to wife Blodwen in 1942. The couple met at a dance during the war and were married for 44 years until she passed away in 1986.

Elaborating on the secret to long life, John, who lives at The Hollies care home in Southport, Merseyside, said:

Moderation in all things and keep on moving about. To sit down in a chair all day is no good.”

Wise words, and actually makes sense unlike the weekly fish and chips recommendation (although I suppose that counts as “in moderation.”)

Sitting down all day definitely is not good though. If you work from home like so many people do these days, maybe get one of those standing desks to help you follow John’s advice. Could be a real game changer for your overall health.

Cheers for the heads up, John. Here’s to 111 years more!

For the man who died after eating excessive amounts of black liquorice, click HERE. Like John says – everything in moderation.