BORN just before the end of the Second World War, Gary Newbon led the good life as a kid.

Sent to boarding school by a father who was a veteran of 40 RAF bombing missions, he ended up running Central Television’s pioneering sports department.

He also loved being ITV’s foot-in-the-door reporter at live football matches.

Well paid for a job he adored, he covered seven World Cups, three Olympic Games and “an unbelievable number” of other live football matches.

Gary also enjoyed fine dining, chomping on the odd cigar and his fair share of booze, bacon and chips.

Throw in the stress of constant travel – he would get home an Old Trafford Champions League match at 3am – and something had to give.

And so it did. On February 2, 2002.

Having already had two warnings called TIAs – transient ischemic attacks – Gary suffered a stroke aged 56.

Thanks to prompt, expert treatment, he was covering England’s matches at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea just five months later.

Still working regularly for Sky Sports, he’ll celebrate his 67th birthday on March 15 with wife Kate and grown-up children Neil, an actor, Laurence, a cameraman at soccer matches, and their younger sister Claire, a freelance journalist and mother of near three-year-old Jake.

Today, Gary is older, wiser, fitter, healthier – and happier.

“We had no idea fried foods and chips were bad for us when we were growing up,” he said.

“We were healthier because of games and sports but had no education about smoking, drinking and food.

“When you have had a stroke, you know your health is the most important thing – I couldn’t afford to have another one.