Born: In England, but of mainly Irish parentage. Education: Cambridge, BA Eng Lit. Career: Advertising, then journalism. Loves: Prokoviev, Shostakovitch, Titian, Caravaggio, Catullus. Hates: Filling in forms and rice pudding. Addictions: Travel and reading. Besetting sin: Procrastination. Lives: With one partner, three hooligan cats and too many books.