My London: Piers Morgan

Home is…

North Kensington. My favourite local shops, restaurants and services are run by people from India, France, Italy, Kosovo, Iran and Liverpool. All take similar pride in their work. It’s economic migration at its very best.

Building you’d like to be locked in overnight?

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. I’d make myself interim manager, sign Messi and Ronaldo for £200m, and become a hero.

Best place for a first date?

Cambio de Tercio on the Old Brompton Road. Fantastic food, wine and dimmed lighting.

Biggest extravagance?

I like a few Monte Cristo No.2 cigars every two or three months. I puff on them for hours and recite Churchill’s wartime speeches.

Favourite shops?

Waterstones, for books and greetings cards; Loft Design By in Westbourne Grove for the world’s softest shirts and jumpers; and Daniel Galvin, for making my hair look marginally less offensive on TV.

Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

‘You look like that bloke off Top Gear but you can’t be because you’re not fat enough.’

Favourite pub?

The Scarsdale Tavern in Kensington is like a village pub in the middle of London. Great beer, excellent food, superb service, no jukebox.

Earliest London memory?

My dad took me to see Arsenal play Manchester Utd at Highbury on 25 April 1972. We stood on the North Bank — it was unbelievably raw and exciting.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

My wife Celia dressed up as Ugly Betty and took me to The Ivy. It was romantic because I realised I still loved her even though she looked hideous.

Which London building would you like to buy?

The Pavilion at Lord’s. I’d ban all the existing members and fill it with all my mates on match days.

Who’s your hero?

Ian Botham. He works hard, plays hard, raises millions for charity and personifies the lionheart, swashbuckling, never-surrender attitude that makes Britain such a uniquely special country.

Best meal you’ve had in London?

Dinner at the Mirabelle (before it closed) with its owner Marco Pierre White. The food cost £260. The wine, which included Château Latour ’61, Lafite ’45 and d’Yquem 1911, cost £26,000. I still have all the bottles signed by Marco, and a copy of the bill — which thankfully he paid.

What do you collect?

Autographs. Not just my own either.

Ever had a run-in with a London policeman?

No. My dad always told me to be very polite to policemen.

Last play you saw?

The History Boys at the National Theatre in 2004. It was so good I went twice. I’ve become good friends with James [Corden] and he’s storming it in America with his new chat show.