Only one place to be this afternoon.

Frith Street, celebrating the 65th birthday of Bar Italia, the greatest coffee bar in the world. A wonderfully unchanged piece of old Soho and the forerunner of 21st Century independent coffee culture. There’s going to be a street party – Ray Gelato will of course be performing. As will Suggs and other patrons of 22 Frith Street, all in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. I’ve been going there since I was a runner, just out of school, despatched there to fetch double espressos to blast away the hangovers of senior colleagues. I’ve spent many happy hours in Bar Italia with my friend Big George, watching the world come in and out. A real life soap opera starring characters with names like French Bill and Joe the Crow. The words of this song sum up the magic of this wonderful place. I have nothing to add.