Athlete

The press portrayed me as a joke and a clown.

When people make fun, it doesn't bother me. I've always enjoyed a laugh.

I would never think of asking a girl out on the High Street or the disco or at school. But on the ski slope, I would chat to all the girls.

I was the best ski jumper in the United Kingdom.

When I trained with the Japanese team, there we'd be singing Oasis songs at the top of our voices at the top of the jumps. People thought we were daft.

I was like the George Clooney of the ski business.

People really aren't interested in the way I look. It's my personality they like.

In 1988, I earned something like ?700,000. Yeah! I was earning 10 grand an hour opening shopping centres. Yeah! The most I earned in one day was 65 grand. I opened the Alton Towers fun ride in the morning, did a commercial in the afternoon and an appearance at a nightclub in the evening. Sixty-five grand in one day!

I don't like bullies or selfishness or people who are grumpy.

A lot of people think I'm really outgoing and confident, but I'm not. I'd much rather sit in a corner and read my book and my paper. I'm quite happy with my own company.

I made my dream come true despite all the obstacles - no money, no training, no skis, no snow.

I want my life to move on. On the other hand, I can't say no to offers, not when I'm getting ?50,000 a year to be Eddie the Eagle.

On the street, I'll hear, 'You made the Olympics for me,' or 'I love what you represented.' Only occasionally is it, 'You were a flop, an also-ran, a loser.'

Once I was making ?10,000 for an hour's work, but there have been years where my promotional stuff has brought in only a few hundred.

For me, I was never someone who wanted to hold on to the celebrity image.

I'm a positive person who likes to have fun and get the best out of every day.

In the right circumstances, terror is good. It makes you focus.

I've got two daughters of my own, and I loved watching my children grow up.

I liked being Eddie the Eagle, but I also like being Michael Edwards, plasterer and general builder.

You can't have Alan Partridge as Eddie the Eagle!