Alex, 52, Marks & Spencer, Marble Arch, London

I used to work on food farms in Yorkshire. I helped with milking the cows and feeding the animals. I was lambing in the winter and hay-bailing in the summer.

I enjoyed it but I can’t do it anymore because of my health. I suffer from asthma, bronchitis and arthritis. Now I take my two dogs Gizmo and Bella for walks in Burgess Park in Peckham and I help friends out with a bit of gardening.

I’ve been selling The Big Issue on and off for a good 12 years now and I dress up as Santa every Christmas. Before this I was just begging.

My wife and I split up. I was in the army – I did three tours of Northern Ireland – and when I returned I just threw the keys to my house in Somerset away. I never went back there. When I look back it is depressing. I ended up sleeping rough in London. I was living on the streets for 22 years.

I’ve been at this pitch for the good part of 10 years – there are a few people who have come to this spot for years to buy the magazine from me. I’ve also sold in Fife and Edinburgh. When I was in Edinburgh I sold The Big Issue to the whole of the Rangers football team and they all signed one for me.

I have had other jobs in the past – I was a kitchen porter in a hotel once. Some people can be rude – they tell me to get a job but I take no notice because this is a job.

I’ve got two kids living in the States and a son and two stepdaughters who live with their grandparents in Ipswich. I see the ones in England about four times a year but whenever I’ve got a bit of extra money I go and visit them. Hopefully one day I’ll get to move to Ipswich. That’s the plan. That’s what I want. If I can get a transfer and find somewhere to live, I’ll go.

I spend Christmas with my friends in Peckham – I have lots of friends from different countries. This year it could be a Jamaican or an Albanian-style Christmas, depending on who is cooking. I’ll have a good time either way. As long as my kids are sorted for Christmas, I’m happy.

Alex was talking to Monique Rivalland