Daley Thompson

Former World and Olympic Decathlete Daley Thompson had no family, and one Xmas was invited to spend Xmas Day at the home of athletics coach and BBC commentator Ron Pickering.

After lunch, Ron and his wife were settling down to watch tele when Thompson suddenly appeared in his running gear, and announced he was off to do a couple of hours training. "But it's Xmas Day!" Pickering protested.

"Ron, do you think Jurgen Hingsen [his great rival from Germany] is sitting down watching the tele?"