And with plenty of rest needed amongst a programme of exercises and stretches, we found out what he has been watching to pass the time - and the must-watch shows and movies he recommends.

VIKINGS (Age rating: 15)

"We’ve just finished Vikings. I know about the history of the vikings here (in the North East), so it’s the reason we have taken a trip to York earlier this year and then we went to Hadrian’s Wall.

"It’s amazing. Vikings is my first choice."

OZARK (15)

"Ozark is a great series. It’s about an accountant who is working with a cartel in Mexico to hide their money and make it clean.

"Every part, every season, it’s intense from the first minute to the last. You have to stay in it. It’s great.

"The next season is next year and I’m not happy about that. When you just come into it, you want more!"

PEAKY BLINDERS (15-18)

"I’ve finished with Ozark for now, so I’m going to be watching Peaky Blinders.

"It’s tough because of the accent. It’s Birmingham I think, so it’s difficult to understand.

"At the same time, it helps me - the Geordie accent is difficult as well!"

GREEN BOOK (12A)

"This isn’t a series but Green Book is a movie we watched recently. Wow, what a movie!

"It’s set in the Sixties and it’s about a pianist who is black and the struggles he faces with racism. It shows how difficult life was for him at that time.

"His driver is a white guy and they argue, but they become friends.

"It has a very high rating. It’s an amazing movie."

SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (15)

"Shawshank Redemption was the last movie I watched.

"The main character (Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins) is so clever with the way he tries to find a way out of jail.

"It’s just a great movie."