Inside Out: Jerry Springer
"My mother gave birth to me in East Finchley Tube station during the war. We left London when I was five, but I love coming back and visiting our old flat,' he says. He lives in Sarasota, Florida, and is filming the 18th season of
When in London, Jerry likes nothing more than shepherd's pie and a pint. 'I try to be really British, but it's back to cheeseburgers after two days.' When it comes to cooking: 'The best thing I make is reservations. I cannot cook.' A practising Jew, he celebrates Hanukkah and loves traditional holiday treats like doughnuts and latkes. 'We still have a meal on Christmas Day. I love the turkey and cranberry sauce, even Brussels sprouts.' His indulgences are red wine, ice cream and steak, but he hates coriander, garlic and raw onion.
Who would join you for a sofa supper?
My wife Micki, daughter Katie and new grandson Richard. He's 11 weeks old and was named after my father.
What would you eat?
Something simple like beef tenderloin and mashed potatoes, or spaghetti bolognese.
What's for pudding?
Chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream from Graeter's in Cincinnati. They do the best ice cream in the world.
And to drink?
A nice glass of Brunello di Montalcino.
What's on the television?
Any Yankees baseball game.
What are your five favourite restaurants around the world?
Angelo's in Little Italy, New York. It has the best pasta in town. Sophie's Steakhouse in Chelsea - when I'm in town I go there with Bob Edwards, my friend and security guard in London. The restaurant at the Villa San Michele hotel outside Florence is fantastic. When I am in LA I go to Nate 'n Al, a delicatessen in Beverly Hills for breakfast. I have a toasted bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon. One of the best times I ever had was at Mickey Mantle's in New York. He was the greatest baseball player ever. My wife threw me a surprise 60th birthday party there, it's the perfect venue for a sports junkie like me.
Jerry hosts Have I Got News For You on 12 December
