Gino Lombardi has been acting since he was about five years old. He recalls playing the part of the son of a prisoner who was about to be hanged. Ever since then he has enjoyed being on stage or playing in some TV drama.

His day job is that of a soldier, which he has been for the past 23 years. He is currently the sergeant responsible for the MIA security control room and has been doing this job since early 1996. He was posted at the airport when the new terminal came into operation in early 1992.

Apart from acting Gino has another love which is writing. This he has been doing from an early age, and he wrote his first short story when he was around 14 years old. About eight years ago he decided to write a novel which he called Grammi, which told the story of Christine, a young woman who tried to uncover a drug gang all by herself. This book was followed by the Leroy series: Leroy il-Villa li Tleqq and Leroy L-eroj. Both these novels tell the story of Valerie, a 16-year-old daughter of a rich lawyer who falls in love with a criminal many years her senior. Their son Liam becomes a hero in the second novel.

Gino’s latest novel is Id mill-Genna which is the story of Claudio, a colour-blind artist who is accused of a series of killings.

Gino is busy working on Paniku, his next novel which is about the fears the Maltese and Gozitans are facing nowadays. The storyline is meant to be an eye-opener; if nothing is done in the near future the point will not be if it’s ever going to happen, but when!

And in case you asked: his favourite football team is Chelsea FC.

How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

I am 46 years old. I was born on 23 July 1960, which makes me a proud Leo.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

The things I like doing most are writing, acting, drawing and calligraphy. I can’t imagine being in a position when I am unable to do any of them. I dream of living on Lombardi Island with my family and friends and writing the sequel to an international bestseller. At the same time maybe acting and/or directing a TV drama series of one of my novels would be a bonus.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Achieving my goals and making those around me happy.

What is your favourite occupation?

Walking in the countryside or sitting on a cliff admiring the scenery.

What is your greatest fear?

I don’t think I fear anything, but if you insist it would be the local wardens. When I see one, even if I’m not driving, I reach for my seatbelt and look around to see if I am going to be caught out in anything.

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Sincerity… what good is a friend who you cannot trust?

How would you like to die?

A sudden death as I wouldn’t like to spend years in bed, going veeery slowly. I pray for that whenever death is mentioned.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Very simple one. I look forward to a short vacation in summer, when I can afford it that is.

What is your greatest regret?

Don’t think I have any so far.

What is your most treasured possession?

My two adorable daughters; they are my pride and joy.

Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

I’m quite happy with whom I am. But if I could add something it would definitely be singing; I wish I could sing as much as I wish I could fly.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Not being trusted, being hated, being ignored… scary.

Where would you like to live?

In a quiet house, on top of a hill, away from all the noises and disturbances today’s life surrounds us with.

What is your most marked characteristic?

That is not for me to say.

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

Can’t answer this one, I don’t know.

What is it that you most dislike?

Ungrateful characters.

What is your motto?

“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten; either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.”