The world’s oldest man has marked another birthday, revealing a British classic he consumes weekly. John Tinniswood, born four months after the Titanic sank, celebrated his 112th birthday at his care home in Southport, Merseyside. He became the world’s oldest living man in April and enjoys a portion of battered fish and chips every Friday.
He attributes his longevity to “just luck”. He remarked, “I don’t feel that age, and I don’t get excited over it. That might be why I’ve reached it. I just take it in my stride. Why I’ve lived that long, I have no idea. I can’t think of any special secrets I have.”
He added, “I was quite active as a youngster and did a lot of walking. Whether that had something to do with it, I don’t know. But to me, I’m no different from anyone else. You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it. I eat what they give me, just like everybody else. I don’t have a special diet.”
Mr Tinniswood worked in an administrative role for the Army Pay Corps during the Second World War. His responsibilities included accounts, auditing, locating stranded soldiers, and organising food supplies. He later worked as an accountant for Shell and BP before retiring in 1972.
A lifelong Liverpool FC fan, Mr Tinniswood was born 20 years after the club’s founding in 1892. He met his wife, Blodwen, at a dance in Liverpool, and they spent 44 years together until Blodwen’s death in 1986. Their daughter Susan was born in 1943.
When asked about the most significant change in the world during his lifetime, he said, “It’s no better in my opinion, or hardly any better, than it was then. Probably in some places it is, but in other places it’s worse.”
The oldest man ever was Jiroemon Kimura from Japan, who lived to 116 years and 54 days and died in 2013. The world’s oldest living woman, and oldest living person, is Japan’s 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka.
Recently, Ethel May Caterham celebrated her 115th birthday with her family and well-wishers at her care home in Surrey, which renamed the garden in her honour. Ethel, the second youngest of eight children, was born on August 21, 1909, in Hampshire. Her secret to a long life was “doing what she wanted”.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Sky News reports that John Tinniswood, the world’s oldest living man, has turned 112 and revealed his habit of eating battered fish and chips every Friday, crediting his longevity to “just luck” and living through both world wars.(read more)
- Joe.co.uk reports that John Tinniswood, the world’s oldest man, turns 112 and reveals his weekly diet, which includes fish and chips every Friday.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How old is the world’s oldest man?
John Tinniswood is 112 years old.
What does John Tinniswood eat every Friday?
He enjoys a portion of battered fish and chips.
What did John Tinniswood do during World War II?
He worked in an administrative role for the Army Pay Corps.
What is John Tinniswood’s secret to long life?
He believes it is just luck and taking life in stride.
How long was John Tinniswood married?
He was married for 44 years until his wife Blodwen died in 1986.