I am a big fan of Radio 4 comedy. Not all of it.Ă‚Â Having not goneĂ‚Â to a public school or Oxbridge, a lot of theĂ‚Â revue sounding stuff feels very ‘in’ and pleased with itself and largely leaves me cold. But when Radio 4 comedy is good – it is very good indeed – even when it’s…
Yesterday I hosted an awards ceremony which wasn’t terribly easy. An illustrious venue – The Houses of Parliament – might have added to the difficulty and the audience standing up is never helpful. But this wasn’t it either. It was because of the makeup of the audience and the nature of the event. The client…
I have long been resentful of trendy types. This is because I am jealous and not something that I am terribly proud of. I am jealous because I am not trendy. I neverĂ‚Â haveĂ‚Â been trendy and IĂ‚Â never will be. And for many reasons… I don’t really have the inclination, nor the time, orĂ‚Â money (4 kids)…
So when my school contacted me a while back and asked whether I would say a few words at their centenary celebrations – I said, ‘sure, why not?’ – casually as you like, thinking that it would in my old school hall – and not the bloody Royal Albert Hall. Er, that is 5,500 people…
This weekend sees the 10th anniversary of Billy Elliott the Musical – a show that has changed a lot of young people’s lives – none more so than my eldest lad, Tom. And mine too, now that I come to think of it – for the experiences alone it has given me and my family…
What is the most valuable thing that out tiny island has ever produced? And still produces today? Something that is so valuable, it is impossible to put a value on it. Something which is sought after over the entire world. An undisputed world leading product. A product which the whole world envies and the entire…
What is the most valuable thing that out tiny island has ever produced? And still produces today? Something that is so valuable, it is impossible to put a value on it. Something which is sought after over the entire world. An undisputed world leading product. A product which the whole world envies and the entire…
Apologies in advance if this comes over a little ranty. Does anyone recall a few years ago, Westminster Council and others decided to prevent parking on a single yellow line after 7pm? Quite rightly, there was an outcry. Led by the Standard and Mayor Johnson to defend the enormous night-time London economy which relies on…
Weighing up whether to publish this photo or not was a battle between truly terrible shorts and my remarkable athleticism – which eventually prevailed
