Clive James, the writer and critic who predicted he would be dead by autumn after a long battle with leukaemia, said he is embarrassed to still be alive. Speaking on Australian radio, James it was "awkward" that he wasn't yet dead and would probably have another Christmas with his family.

He said his wife was being "sweet" about the prospect of having longer with her husband.

Reminded by ABC's Mark Colvin that it was now autumn, the writer said: "You've raised a very awkward point - I may have put myself in an embarrassing position here."

James, who is also suffering from 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 hold on until next autumn, James admitting, "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."

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Despite his illness, James turned in a bravura performance at the London literary festival in May 2014. "Ah, well," he began, "...another farewell appearance."

Asked why he was going ahead with the show, James said: "Like any red-blooded Australian male.I'm doing it to impress [prime minister] Tony Abbott's daughters."

Following that show, he wowed audiences at the Australia and New Zealand literature festival in the Strand with his unique blend of topical wisecracks, Aussie irreverence and exuberance.