NICK Robinson is the BBC’s Political Editor. One of the most familiar faces on television, he held the same position with ITN and has also previously presented the BBC’s Newsnight programme.

Recently he made headlines himself when he revealed he had lung cancer. The operation to remove a tumour from his lung was later hailed “a complete success”.

An accomplished author, Nick’s latest work Election Notebook: The Inside Story Of The Battle Over Britain's Future And My Personal Battle To Report It – described as “Mischievous. Moving. Marvellously indiscreet” is available now.

You can read Nick’s blog at www.bbc.co.uk/news/correspondents/nickrobinson and you can follow him on Twitter @bbcnickrobinson

The Northern Echo:

What was your first car?

It was a white Ford Escort Ghia 2.0 litre which I bought from my brother-in-law. I can’t remember what I paid for it. I do remember that after long journeys it was filled with empty peanut shells.

How many times did it take to pass your test?

I passed first time. My Mum taught me in a Ford Cortina.

Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?

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Louis Armstrong, who would take me on a tour of jazz clubs in the Deep South.

What is your dream car?

OK, call it a mid-life crisis but I’ve started to fantasise about soft top sports cars. I’ll settle for the Austin Healey built in 1963 - the year i was born - which I hired on a beautiful day a couple of summers ago.

How would you describe your driving style?

Not fast enough . For a year I propped up the bottom of the Top Gear “Star in a reasonably priced car” league table.

Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?

I “lost" my car before my driving test. I’d been dropped off by my driving instructor in a bit of town I didn’t know and was so nervous that I couldn’t remember which street I’d parked on. “What sort of car is it?” my examiner asked. I replied that it was “a Ford Cortina” - my Mum’s. “I don’t suppose that it drove off on its own. Do you?” he replied.

What are you listening to?

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Bombay Bicycle Club. I saw them play at the Latitude Festival and loved them.

What do you drive now?

A VW Touran. It has comfy seats for a family of five plus a dog. Practical if a tad dull. As child number two heads off to university it might be time to look at that sports car again.

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