IS Rod Stewart a typical man? In not being able to go more than more than 24 hours without sex, is he "normal"?

I wouldn't dare put the question to my husband, who would probably turn purple with rage and mutter something about our own "once in 24 years" (or thereabouts) sort of sex life.

As regular readers of this column will know sex is something I wouldn't miss if it were to be suddenly banned by the Government (well, you never know, if Ann Widdecombe ever gets in at No 10) for good.

And, really, Rod, 24 hours is such a short time that unless you were relying on vital medication, you should be able to get through without most things.

Of course there are things you would want, and things that you would REALLY want. I recently watched a TV programme documenting how people survived for a day without their mobile phones - now that is a sad reflection on our lives.

But, thinking about it, I'd certainly have trouble going for a whole day without a few life-sustaining essentials:

A cup of tea; or to be exact, about half a dozen mugs (more when I'm at work). I have cut down recently and drink about half what I used to sup (bad for you, all that caffeine, I keep reading). I'm still addicted - if I go for more than three hours without a brew I get a blinding headache.

An argument with my husband: I'd start to worry that something was not quite right with our marriage.

My car: how awful, to be so reliant on a gas guzzling tin box on wheels, but, when it's in the garage for the usual vast array of MOT failure repairs, I feel strangely anchored to one spot, and a certain sense of freedom (to get in the car and drive to North Wales - I often think about this but have never actually done it) vanishes.

A cuddle with my young daughters: sounds schmaltzy, I know, but when the children are occasionally away at their grand-parents, I really miss their little arms reaching up for a hug.

Chocolate: sorry, but I had to include it. I usually partake of it everyday in some form or other - a Kit Kat with my morning or afternoon cuppa, or a chocolate mouse with my tea. Sometimes, usually around 2.30pm, I feel an overwhelming desire to have an nibble. And whether it's the energy boosting effect, I don't know but I always feel better afterwards.

Television: I wasn't going to put this, because although I watch it every evening, I have to admit that when we are on holiday, in a TV-less cottage, neither my husband or I miss it. But then we have got the lovely sea views, the work-free atmosphere of complete relaxation and the children staying up well beyond their normal hours. When the tube blew on our set at home it was a different matter - like the passing of a loved one. We mourned for the whole, desperate (two children, no TV!) two hours that it took to replace it.

So there are things I'd crave, although that's not quite the same as not being able to carry on without.

That really is desperate. I can only pray that I never get stuck in a John MacCarthy/Brian Keenan situation with Rod Stewart.