He was president of the Johnson Society in 2003. Interviewed by Sophie Lam in The Independent in June 2008 about his holiday memories, he stated: "I'm programmed not to be disappointed by holidays." He has two sons, Will and Mike: the latter is also a journalist, working at the BBC as a reporter. Sergeant once saved his son's life after Mike began choking on a 50p coin at a restaurant aged two. Sergeant managed to dislodge the coin with his first aid knowledge.
