Category Archives: Worlds Shortest Radio Show

…is the title of Bill Bryson’s new book. It’ll be wonderful. His books always are, imbued with charm, humour and wisdom. And yet he remains underrated as a writer. Maybe because his books are non-fiction and usually travel books with a broad, almost populist appeal he seldom receives the literary plaudits he deserves. If that […]

Maybe two in the spring and perhaps two in the autumn. One was today. The perfect weather for cycling, When you can ride around neither too hot nor too cold. Practically every other day of the year, you’ll be, at some point, one or the other. Not today. I arrived home this evening without breaking […]

My son’s at university so I gave him my bike to pedal back and forth from UCL to Camden Town. The moment the sun came out, I regretted it. I’ve always had a bike. Not because I’m overly concerned about either my own fitness or that of the environment, but because it’s the quickest and […]

British Summer Time, that is. It hasn’t been great but seems to making a welcome effort just before autumn draws in. This is wonderful so open your windows, crank up the bass and let it float over your neighbourhood. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, nobody will mind.

It’s not great. He’s hardly Tom Jones belting out Thunderball or Matt Monro crooning From Russia With Love. So there’s been a lot of discussion about which was the greatest Bond song of all. The consensus seems to be Shirley Bassey’s Goldfinger, though I think this is every bit as good. Licence to Kill seems […]

Commercial television in the UK has been celebrating its diamond jubilee this week. I’ve worked in advertising since I left school, so I have to doff my cap to the industry that has provided me with practically everything I’ve ever owned. Plus a wife, two children and countless great friends. Over the years, most of […]

Bruce Spingsteen is 66 today. I was never a big fan. Not because I didn’t like him but because I didn’t want to be a “Sprinsteen Fan”. Back in the 80s, they were like a cult, referring to their idol as “The Boss” and treating every gig like a quasi-religious experience. I always knew he […]

Not surprising as she trained as a chef before going into music. I imagine there’ll be lots of great recipes for dairy-based shakes. Sorry? What do you mean this song is not about milkshakes?

I have no interest in rugby. My love for the football World Cup is matched only by my indifference to its oval-shaped equivalent. So England’s hosting of the tournament and all the attendant excitement mean nothing to me. I suddenly have empathy with those who feel the same way about football. The appeal of rugby […]

..has been celebrating its sixtieth anniversary this week on Radio 4, and I’ve been listening to it since I was a child. Filled with wanderlust, I was transfixed by the despatches from far-flung corners of the globe And I decided I’d become one of those brave, buccaneering correspondents, reporting back to Blighty. First, I’d have […]