While many rock stars have a penchant for dating models, Jools Holland prefers making them.
In fact, the former Squeeze star is so infatuated with his mini railway that he skips family holidays to spend time tinkering with it.
His extensive collection of Hornby trains and buildings has been 45 years in the making.
It consists of seven tracks and multiple layers, recreating 600 miles of Europe, and stretches 90 feet around the attic of his Kent mansion.
And Jools, 64, believes the best way to relax is with his first-class creation rather than in five-star lodgings.
He said: “My work takes me away all the time so I don’t really want to go and stay in a hotel because that’s like work for me.
“You can get here very, very quickly, you don’t have to get a plane, a train or get in a car and in no time at all, you’re whisked away into another world you can focus on.”
Over the years, Jools has collected landmarks such as Belgian mansions, the Parisian red light district and London’s bomb-damaged East End.
“A lot of these buildings have fond memories because I’ve bought them in odd places while I’ve been away.”
It also includes his favourite spots such as Walthamstow Dog Stadium, where he used to race greyhounds, and the shop his grandmother used to run.
“I used to go and help them a little bit as a child, go up to the market, get the fruit and veg, very early in the morning. That’s hard work, playing music is a doddle, let me tell you, it really is.”
Jools joked that the more space you have as a model railway enthusiast, the better.
“It’s very important if you’re in a family house to really put your foot down and, if necessary, put elderly relatives out on the street because it’ll bring you much more happiness. That’s my tip.”
The pianist has let the cameras into his home for a new series on Yesterday.
His extensive layout, which rivals that of fellow celeb Rod Stewart, is featured in the second episode.
Hornby: A Model World starts on Monday at 8pm on Yesterday.
