redsnail and E-Fizz - thank you very much for your replies.
I hadn't realised that there are different medical classes. I'm only 30 but I am something of a chubber so I'd better get running!
E-Fizz - the money isn't the worry. I'll have over 50K GBP so I could blow 60% of that on one of the novice to ATPL courses I keep reading about. I've decided on my flight school in South Africa (very cheap) and will probably do some hour building in the US.
The job I could get as a pilot wouldn't need to be with an airline as a jet kockey. I think I might actually be happier as an instructor or twin-prop transport pilot. I will be married shortly but the memsahib doesn't mind the travel - as it is I'm rarely home for more than three months in an average year.
Thanks again chaps,
CC.