Russell Howard has revealed he is trying to “cheat” the ageing process as he has a fear of death.
The 44-year-old comedian believes he “inherited” his fear of dying from his dad, whose mother died at a young age.
Following the tragedy, he said: “Now my dad’s really into fitness. I think I’ve inherited his mania with death.
“I hate the idea of withering. I’ve seen relatives wither, and it was awful. If I could make it to 90 and be myself until 89 that would be enough for me.
“I just love the idea of cheating that ageing process,” he added to The Independent.
The comedian went on to say that having his first child at 44 has made him even more “terrified”.
He became a dad for the first time back in May with his doctor wife, Cerys Morgan.
In the hopes of living for as long as possible, Russell said he has turned to biohacking, a broad term that encompasses a range of DIY activities and practices aimed at improving physical, mental, and emotional performance or well-being.
It often involves a combination of biology, self-experimentation, technology, and lifestyle changes.
One of Russell’s lifestyle changes includes having more cold showers, which are believed to offer many health benefits including improving metabolism and enhancing circulation.
Additionally, Russell says he’s got “a desperately strange relationship with food” and only has two meals a day.
In a further admission, the comedian revealed he has taken a step back from television after 19 years, but will continue with stand-up and presenting his podcasts.
Russell was last seen on screens back in August as a panellist on Channel 4’s Big Fat Quiz of Telly.
Speaking on the Have A Word podcast, he said: “I had a pretty good run, I just prefer doing stand-up. I was all over the world and it was just fun.”
He went on to say “there’s nothing else I’d rather do” than putting a set together and touring.
“TV is fun but it’s not as fun. Writing a book, I couldn’t do because I don’t want to sit and entertain myself, but doing stand-up is what I love doing,” he added.