World’s oldest man is now a Briton – And he claims weekly fish and chips is the key to his long life
The new world’s oldest living man – a great-grandfather from Merseyside – has claimed the secret to his long life is his weekly fish and chips.
John Tinniswood, 111, said he believes his longevity is due to consuming the popular dish, as well as “taking everything in moderation”.
The 111-year-old took the title this week, after Juan Vicente Pérez Mora of Venezuela, the previous record-holder, died on April 2 aged 114.
Tinniswood, who lives in a care home in Southport, said: “I eat what they give me and so does everybody else. I don’t have a special diet.”
He added that his long life is down to “pure luck”, stating: “You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it.”
The 111-year-old, who rarely drinks alcohol and does not smoke, also advises “exercising the mind”.
The Liverpool FC fan, who was born in the northern city on August 26, 1912, was visited by Guinness World Records who presented the certificate to him.
He met his wife Blodwen during World War Two and they married in 1942. He recalls their wedding day as his most precious memory.
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The couple were married for 44 years until Blowden died in 1986.
Their daughter, Susan, was born a year after their wedding in 1943.
He worked at Royal Mail during World War Two, before later becoming an accountant for Shell, then BP. Tinniswood retired in 1972.
He met the late Queen twice and was sent a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla last year.
Upon finding out he was now the oldest man in the world, he said: “Doesn’t make any difference to me. Not at all. I accept it for what it is.”
Giving advice to the younger generations, Tinniswood said: “Let them make their own way in the world […] we’re all different in different ways. The world, in its way, is always changing. It’s a sort of ongoing experience […] it’s getting a little better but not all that much yet. It’s going the right way.”
His new title was verified by LongeviQuest, the global directory on longevity.
Dr Andrew Holmes, co-founder of the European Supercentenarian Organisation, said: “It’s an incredible achievement to have reached such an age and become the oldest living man in the world.
“Thanks to his family, his age has been fully validated by LongeviQuest and the European Supercentenarian Organisation.”
Maria Morena, who lives in Spain, is the world’s oldest living person at 117.