I met Sting at one of the Stringfellow parties, and I didn't know then that I would eventually have a professional connection with him, because I thought we were living in different worlds, but it turns out that we have a very strong connection. It led to a recording session together - and flowers: he sent me flowers for my birthday.On my 80th birthday they had what's called a roast for me. You're supposed to make very uncomplimentary speeches about the guest of honour Peter tried but he couldn't do it. Victor Lowndes, who used to run Playboy, was the only one able to do it. It works very well in America: it's the tradition there.Peter has incredible kindness and a real interest in people. When he talks to you he looks you in the eye, he devotes his full attention to you.

I've never seen him be rude to anyone, ever, and as far as I can see, his staff have a great respect and liking for him.His great weakness is his choice of girlfriends. They're nice, I like them all, but they don't match up to Coral, his first wife. I very much liked Coral, and I was very sad when they split up, because she was a marvellous lady. I thought she was so good for him: she had just the kind of mind to appreciate what he was doing, and to help him, but she was a little too much competition in intelligence and I don't think he liked that Peter goes with the bimbos. I've had relationships with ladies much smarter than me: I love them for it. I admire anybody who's my superior in intellect, and it doesn't bother me.Once in a while I might ask his advice on something: for instance, he gave me some advice on how to publicise my Gershwin record We had a publicity party at the club.

He's always been an immense help, with whatever project I've had. It sold two-and-a-half million copies and got me into the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest musician ever to have a top chart record Nothing to do with talent, just age. They're going to re-issue the record in March.We know that we can depend on each other for anything I came to court in his defence. There was a product - strips of fried potatoes - that called itself "Stringfellows". They were using his name, and the commercial for the cover looked as if it had taken place in his club. Peter went to court on that and he asked me if I would be a witness, and I said: "Sure, I would".