When asked for his advice for younger generations, he replied: “Let them make their own way in the world […] we’re all different in different ways. The world, in its way, is always changing.”

Guiness reported that Tinniswood doesn’t smoke and rarely drinks alcohol. His main advice for staying healthy is to practice moderation: “If you drink too much or you eat too much or you walk too much; if you do too much of anything, you’re going to suffer eventually,” he said.

“Visits to the chippy keep me young”

In 2019 he told The Mirror: “Fish and chips have got to be my favourite dish, it’s always been such a treat, and I think looking forward to my next visit to the chippy has kept me young. I feel the same now as I did when I was in my 80s, nothing has changed really.

“Now I get to have my favourite once a week here so I always look forward to a Friday.”

Tinniswood became the oldest living man in the UK following the death of 108-year-old Harry Fransman on September 25, 2020.

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His family said he was taking his new title “with a pinch of salt” owing to his modesty.

They said in a statement: “We are incredibly proud of John, who is a wonderful and much loved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, and we are very lucky that John is with us today.

“Being alive at 111 is testimony to his resilience, love for life, good humour and amazing survival instinct.

“We would also like to thank John’s carers at the Hollies care home for taking such good care of him.”

John’s new world title was verified by LongeviQuest, the global directory on longevity.

Dr Andrew Holmes, co-founder of the European Supercentenarian Organisation, said: “It’s an incredible achievement to have reached such an age and become the oldest living man in the world.

“Thanks to his family, his age has been fully validated by LongeviQuest and the European Supercentenarian Organisation.”

Maria Morena, who lives in Spain, is the world’s oldest living person at 117.

The Telegraph, London