Ironing John

In 1993 economic realities reduced (he would say elevated) James Leith to the position of househusband. For the last year he has been responsible for a working wife, four children aged from five to twenty, a large house, and out-of-control garden, an extremely large dog, four cats, 12 chickens, two geese and a guinea pig. Husband of the more famous wife (Penny Junor) and brother of a more famous sister (Prue Leith), the former actor, restauranteur and businessman became the houseworm, and learned to love the laundry. Cooking, too, took on a whole new meaning for him (pasta), as did shopping (it helps if you remember to take the list) and his attitude to pets and their dubious contributions to the houseworm's lot. The author gives us a somewhat unconventional conducted tour of his house as he cleams his way around it, offering an array of household tips. Whatever he discusses - from weighty issues such as parking, vegetarians, dogs, fathers-in-law and hamster droppings, to more frivolous concerns such as coping with politically correct mums and teachers waiting for him at the school gate - he brings to housewormery what has never been brought to it before. Fun.