Clive James has lost none of his arch wit or charm, despite his long fight against leukaemia. The writer and broadcaster, who wrote a poem earlier this year predicting he would be dead by autumn, says he’s embarrassed that he is still here.

Interviewed on Australian radio, James agreed it was “awkward” he was still alive and facing the prospect of another Christmas. He said his wife was being “sweet” about it.

In his poem Japanese Maple, James revealed he wanted to live until the maple tree’s leaves turned to flame.

Reminded by the ABC’s Mark Colvin that it was now autumn in Cambridge where he lives, the writer replied: “You’ve raised a very awkward point – I may have put myself in an embarrassing position here.”

James, who is suffering from leukaemia and a serious lung condition, added: “Because I write a poem more or less promising to croak when autumn comes and the leaves turn to fire, and autumn has come and the leaves have turned to fire and I’m talking to you, I haven’t croaked at all, you see the problem.”

Asked if he might be tempted to live until next autumn, the writer admitted, “My wife was telling me that.”

“My wife is very funny on this subject and she said, ‘Look, you may as well behave as you’re going to live for ever, because you always have.’ It’s rather sweet of her.”