Toby Young is an associate editor of the Spectator and a blogger for the Telegraph. He is also the author of two books, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2001) and The Sound of No Hands Clapping (2006), and has performed in the West End in the adaptation of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People as well as co-produced the film version of it.
In addition to his writing career he is also the co-founder of the West London Free School; his teaching experience includes working as a teaching fellow at Harvard and a teaching assistant at Cambridge. The West London Free School opened in 2011, the primary school opens this September followed by a second primary opening in Earls Court in 2014.
Toby lives in Acton with his wife Caroline (see her feature here) and their four children.
Where are you right now?
On a train to Manchester.
What are you reading at the moment?
Fields of Fire by James Webb.
What do you do for downtime?
What TV box sets. I’m watching Season 3 of The Walking Dead which is fantastic.
Where is your favourite place to eat in West London?
Le Caprice in Piccadilly.
If you had to make a quick escape where would you go?
Laikipia in Kenya.
What is on your bedside table?
Ear plugs.
Three things you’d take with you to a desert island?
A solar-powered computer, a satellite phone and a still.
Who would you most like to meet for a drink?
Margaret Thatcher.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Good wine.
What is your favourite thing to do as a family?
Go to a nice restaurant for lunch on a Saturday, then go and watch QPR beat Chelsea.
Toby was talking to Annabelle King.
