Tag Archives: Birthday Party

Lovely February

February 16, 2019 Neil

Hello again, how’s things with you? I am still trying to come to terms with reality again after my holiday. Although some people may well argue that has been a longstanding issue of mine. Nevertheless I am still sporting a slight sun tan. And I am trying to make the most out of the year so far. By that I mean I am experiencing as much as possible, while having a lot of fun along the way.

There was a new David Bowie documentary shown on the BBC the other week. Which mostly focused on his early days. When he was still trying to make it in the music industry. A few days after this was on I found myself in a Cocktail Bar in Covent Garden. Which had just been given a new name and a total makeover inside.

It is called Blame Gloria. After a women who is alleged to have once owned a B&B in Covent Garden. With rumours and stories about her teaching David Bowie how to put on make up and of once dating Jimi Hendrix. Well I say alleged. As I think, it might be technically a character that has been invented to give the bar its theme. Although David Bowie did once dress up as a women to play a joke on his then band mates calling himself Gloria.

Anyway the place is actually pretty cool. They do a wide variety of Cocktails. A few of which I was familiar with. And many that I was not. Some of them are certainly originals. And their own special creations. The decor is very Bowie inspired. it is fair to say.

The music was brilliant. A really nice mix of sixties, seventies and eighties tunes. They also have a two for one happy hour between five and seven, every evening. Which may be worth keeping in mind if you happen to be in the area around that time. It is a chic venue with a relaxed atmosphere.

I popped in to see some friends on their daughter’s third birthday. I actually arrived there early. And they were still out somewhere. As it happened my mate’s wife’s Mum was there and let me in. When they arrived in the end. There was actually a small group of people there to welcome them home.

It was a little gathering. That I kind of gatecrashed. But it was nice to see all the birthday presents being opened and played with. I ended up helping with a little bit of painting. And laughing at my mate, as I watched him try to put together a big new toy that needed building.

There was also a birthday tea on offer. I thought it would be rude not to at least have some of the Peppa Pig Cake. Prior to that I did get stuck in to the cheese and biscuits. In the process discovering that you can get pickle with no bits in it. Who knew? I certainly did not. I had to ask what it was.

I think the star of the show enjoyed herself. Although when you asked her if she had, had a good day. She always answered no. But I am sure with a slight smile at least. It was a lovely afternoon. Which may have continued on slightly in to the night. As I stayed for a beer after the children had gone to bed. To catch up with the parents.

Last weekend I was at another family house party. This time it was a surprise sixtieth Birthday celebration for my Auntie. My two cousins had organised it with military precision. They had taken their mum out for the afternoon. Leaving one of their husbands alone to get the house ready. And cook the party food. Then to be there to let all the guests in ready for when the birthday girl returned home.

We were all told we had to be there before a certain time. Everyone was there when they should have been. When we got a message to say they were running a bit late. Therefore the party started a bit before it was meant to. As we all had a drink while we were waiting.

We got word on when they arrived, so were all silent in her living room waiting for her to walk in. When she did we treated her to a rendition of Happy Birthday. I can honestly say, I do not think she was expecting it. As she did look quite shocked.

The food was amazing. One of my cousins is a very good baker. So there were about six different sweet options of which I tried at least five. They were all delicious but it was a tough night for the waistline. Her sister then hosted a fun selection of different games throughout the evening. The first a straight forward game of bingo. Then a quiz that was based on the year my Aunt was born.

Next we each had to write a memory of her down. My cousin read them out. And my Auntie had to guess who had written it. She got mine straight away. When I was a young child, she took me, my mum and my sister to a fireworks night where she worked. I spent most of the night trying to hide. As I was terrified of all the loud bangs. For the record I am a little better with them now.

There was also a quiz about my Auntie’s life. And one where we had to decide if you she was older or younger than a list of certain people or things. And lastly a photo round for us to identify my Auntie in. I did very badly in all of the quizzes. It was a good laugh, though. I had a nice evening catching up with the family. Some of whom I had not seen for a while. Once again I think the Birthday lady enjoyed it.

I had a great time seeing my friend Mike Sterling the other day. He has most recently been on tour with Evita. Which he was brilliant in by the way. He also appeared in the West End for many years. So knows his way around London. Which is where we met. Mind you I chose the meeting point. Which is why we started the proceedings off with a few pints of Guinness in Waxy O’Connors. I have said it before and I will say it again. It is my favourite pub in the capital.

We then decided to get some food. We chose to have a stroll around to Piccadilly. And got ourselves a table at The Terrace. It is a nice and classy place. They had a full jazz band playing. While we were eating. I had the Chilli Calamari for starters, a T-bone steak with Red Wine sauce for my main and cheesecake for dessert. The meals there were excellent. As was the Italian wine. We had on Mike’s suggestion.

Our final stop was at the Phoenix Theatre Bar. It used to be called the Wentworth Club. It was somewhere Mike used to visit quite a lot when he was starring in Phantom of the Opera and Les Mis in the West End. I had been there a few times before. But never this late in the evening.

In a back room they occasionally do musical singalongs. There is a piano with a pianist. And you can go up and sing any song from any musical that you wish to. The standard was pretty high for the hour or so that we were in there. I really like the place. It has a very show business and arty feel to it. I would definitely go again. Had a quality time catching up with a good friend.

I managed to get some last minute tickets to see Ricky Gervias do a warm up show for his upcoming tour “Super Nature” in Aylesbury at the Waterside Theatre. I went with Andy Holmes. I also watched one of the very early warm up gigs for his last massive tour “Humanity” in London. That went on to become a huge success. If you are a user of Netflix. It is still available on there.

This new show he is working on at the moment has already been signed up by Netflix again. I am a big fan of his and have been since the days of The Office. Which was even more relevant at the time for me. As I was working in a small Sales office. With a few possible David Brent’s. I have seen all his television comedies. I will be honest I have not seen all his movies. But that is more down to my lack of ability to watch films, than anything else.

The show in Buckinghamshire was brilliant. I saw him on the second night of two that he did. Bearing in mind this was just a warm up gig. He sold out the theatre both nights. A lot of comedians would give their right arm to sell out an one thousand seat venue for a proper show. Let alone just a warm up one.

He does seem to have a lot of fans in England. He has never changed his stand up style. He has a lectern with some beer on it. And walks around the stage with a one of those head mics on. He had a support act with him called Sean McLoughlin. It was the first time I had seen him. I was very impressed. I thought he was great. I think he may be worth keeping an eye out for.

Ricky Gervais was funny as always. He has a unique way of attacking any subject and making it funny but not seem awkward. Which is not always as easy as it sounds. The finished version of this show. I have no doubt will be hilarious. Much of it I guess follows the same chain of thought of his previous stand up specials. And when he finishes the tour. May be he can do a series of TED Talks about the subtlety of offence. Another fun evening out at one of my favourite theatre’s.

I also managed to get myself a ticket last week to go and see one of the preview performances of the brand new Only Fools and Horses Musical. Well I say preview. It was the full actual show performed to a sold out paying audience. But they have not had their official opening press night as yet. I will be honest I had mixed emotions about seeing it.

I am a massive fan of the television series. I can still happily re-watch any of the episodes. And I guarantee it will make me laugh and in many instances cry. I really wanted to see the show, though. But I was worried that it would be odd not seeing the actors you instantly associate with those roles not playing them.

It is on at the fantastic Theatre Royal in Haymarket. Where for this particular show. They do serve Del Boy Pina Coladas in the bars. Although slightly disappointingly I did not see anyone order one. It starts with a song. Which makes a lot of sense for a musical. But all through the opening number. I was just waiting to get a glimpse of Del and Rodney. They obviously do appear during it.

As do pretty much all the regular characters from the classic television show. It is actually quite good fun spotting them all as they walk out. The thing to remember I think is, it is very much a stand alone musical. But with many classic lines, sketches and moments from the timeless sitcom in it.

The songs for me all work. There are some very familiar ones. Which you will recognise from its previous incarnation. And some new ones written especially for this project. For me they are in the same style the show always had. It has a story to it of course. Which is kind of a mixture quite a few of the different things. That happened to the Trotters on our screens. The cast are all fantastic. Each one of them have got the character of the person they are playing to a tee. While still making the roles in this their own. The wardrobe and sets are brilliant.

The whole feel to it is quite nostalgic. It bought back a lot of great memories for me of sitting at home and laughing my head off at the television. It was an idea that the writer of Only Fools and Horses John Sullivan was working on before he sadly died. It was finished by his son Jim and the excellent Paul Whitehouse. Who plays Granddad faultlessly. And some of the additional songs were co-written by Chas Hodges from Chas & Dave.

I really enjoyed it. And if you are a fan of Only Fools and Horses. It is certainly worth seeing, As you would expect from a project initiated by the shows creator. Nothing is missing from it. If I am completely honest. The only slight issue I still had was trying to come to terms with the fact Del, Rodney, Trigger and Boycie were not being played by David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Roger Lloyd-Pack and John Challis.

That is not a slight on the amazing cast. That is just my issue. As all those actors for me are so part of the DNA of those characters. This is of course something the production can do nothing about. It is a lovely warm overview of a great British Institution. That is played out in front of your eyes. And with that great writing. It is of course very funny. Lovely Jubbly!

Tottenham Hotspur have been doing alright recently. Quietly going about our business and winning our Premier League matches. I have been at Wembley to see us beat, Watford, Newcastle and Leicester.

All of which have been tough games. Not made any easier by the fact we are still without Harry Kane and Dele Alli. I am enjoying things at the minute. But we will just see how the next few weeks go. I am not going to lie the match day experience is more fun when you win.

The quality Radio 4 Extra weekly topical news comedy programme Newsjack has returned for a new series. Once again I will be busy writing jokes for it.

I will also be doing my own weekly news comedy podcast for the next five weeks. Which you can find on my You Tube channel or on Apple Podcasts.

Busy few weeks coming up. I am finally getting round to seeing the musical Blood Brothers. I know I am very late to the party on this one. But have heard nothing but great things about it.

And of course next Wednesday it is the BRIT Awards. Which is always a fun and interesting night. Plus I am going to my first ever immersive theatre performance.

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil

Happy Christmas 2016

December 24, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of week’s. Mine have been busy with lots of fun things going on. Two weeks ago today on Saturday 10th December. I turned forty. To celebrate I organised a big party for my family and friends.

As I figured such an important event was well worth marking in a memorable way. And I do like a party. I had previously thrown one for my twenty-first and my thirtieth birthday’s. So this was the next logical big birthday. That I felt definitely required one.

At each of my previous do’s there has always been some form of entertainment. At the first one I had a singer and at the next one it was a comedian. I have been trying to step it up each time. For this latest one I really went for it. I decided to put on a full variety type show featuring a collection of acts. Who I had worked with in the past. And me as the main host.

I loosely based it on the Live At The Palladium show’s. But I would like to point out that legally my show was completely different of course. And any similarities were purely coincidental.

I had tried to keep the show a complete secret. So only a handful of people knew it was happening at all. And even less knew the performers that were taking part. Now most of my family and friends had never actually seen me do any of my Stand Up comedy. So I thought that it would be a good time to put that right.

I opened the show with about five minutes of my best material. Thankfully, as they all knew me. They were a very supportive and a nice audience. Who laughed in all the right places. Know your audience, literally.

My first guest was a brilliant singer called Nickita. I first worked with her about seven year’s ago. When I booked her to play at the very first Christmas Light’s Switch on. That I organised for Mix 96. She came on and did three disco classics. Which were so good. She sounded and I must say also looked amazing. I am just thankful that our outfits did not clash or that could have been embarrassing.

It was lovely to see her and work with her again. She was telling me she has been signed up as a writer for a major record label. And it looks like one of her compositions may be given to a huge girl band. Which would be pretty cool, to say the least.

I then came back on and did a few more quick jokes. As basically it was my party and I just wanted to build my part up. I then introduced the next act. Who was a fantastic comedian I know from the Brighton area. He was on the bill of the first proper comedy gig I did. For Laughing Badger Comedy in Hemel Hempstead. I thought he was hilarious. So when the chance came for me to book him. I jumped at it. His name is Flange Krammer. And he is a German Skiing sensation. Who is very funny.

It is such a clever and polished act. I was so pleased that he agreed to come and perform for me. He even had me up on stage with him for part of the act. Which was great fun. He is a hugely talented and lovely man. And a fellow Spurs fan to.Which is never a bad thing. He was great. I really loved seeing him in action again.

Then it was time for a little more of me. Just a few thank you’s and a bit of general messing around. I really do enjoy being on stage and hosting stuff. It is something I really want to return to and do more of next year. The last act on the bill was a friend of mine. Who I met while I was working down in Yeovil at Ivel fm.

He was putting on a show at the brilliant Octagon Theatre in the town. And came in to have a chat and promote it. We got on well and I went and saw him in the show. Which was fantastic. And we have kept in touch ever since. When I planned to do this special birthday show. He was always my first choice to close it.

Neil Quigley and Elvis Presley hanging out in the 70's #crazydays — Neil Quigley and Elvis Presley hanging out in the 70’s #crazydays

He heralds from Wales. He finished second on the ITV Show New Faces beaten by Joe Pasquale on the night. Since then he has gone on to have such a successful career in the world of musical theatre, theatre and music. To give you an idea of just how good he is. He has starred as The Phantom of The Opera in London’s West End. Where he also played the lead role in Les Miserables. So it is very fair to say. He can sing and act a bit. In fact he has one of the best voices I have ever personally heard sing live. And my favourite fact about him. Is that he played one of the Italian soldiers in the TV comedy Allo Allo.

The singer in question is Mike Sterling. And I was so happy and honoured when he agreed to come along and sing at my special party. He very kindly did a sensational thirty minute set. Showing his versatility with some rhythm and blues, some swing and ballads. Plus of course he did the main songs from the two big musicals that he was in. Which were just breath taking. It was such a pleasure to stand there and watch him sing these amazing tunes so perfectly. I really enjoyed having him perform there. He blew the whole audience away. It was stunning.

Then I returned to the stage for one final time. To thank all of my guests and close the show the way that every variety show should end. I am a big fan of comedy, music and generally just having fun. For me Morecambe and Wise were the masters of just that. So therefore I ended Live at Neil Quigley’s 40th Birthday Party with a sing-a-long version of “Bring Me Sunshine” led by me and Mike Sterling.

Which I thought was a fitting way to end things. It was great to have everyone joining in to. Mike very generously said later that he was impressed that I was trying to sing harmonies with him. But I pointed out, that it was more likely just me singing out of time.

Neil Quigley TV Radio & Live — Neil Quigley TV, Radio & Live

I enjoyed the whole show immensely and really hope my friends and family that were there did to. I also had a disco. Which provided the music for the rest of the night. Thanks so much to James. Who was brilliant.

Not only for the disco but for also sound engineering the whole of the gig for us, so expertly. In the process definitely going above and beyond his duty. It all came together nicely. I spent the rest of the night chatting and dancing. And having an ace time. Seeing in my fortieth year on this planet in style.

The next day I was feeling a little jaded. Possibly mainly due to the fact that there was an after show party back at my mate Jeff Nolan’s hotel room. So the night did not end for me until around two-thirty in the morning. Proving that I might be getting on but I am still rock and roll.

I did happily get to catch up with my oldest school friend and his wife over a lovely fry up. Which was really nice. Thanks to all my family and friends for coming to the do. And thanks for all the birthday wishes, cards and presents. I really do appreciate it. It was great to see everyone there.

Last Saturday I did manage to get a couple of pints of Pre-Christmas Guinness at my favourite bar in London “Waxy O’Connors.” I really do feel so at home in there. It is almost frightening. That was the first time this year, what with all the birthday celebrations. That I actually started to feel at least a little bit Christmassy.

They had a guitar based trio playing live. Who were really good. They started off with a cover of Shakin Stevens big Christmas song. Which they followed with a great version of George Ezra’s Budapest. It was a fun evening. In a place I can almost guarantee you, that I will be in on the seventeenth of March next year.

I am pleased to say that I have completed all my Christmas Shopping. So there will be no last minute mad dashing around today from me this year. I followed the same tried and tested formula, as I do every year. I made a list of exactly what I was going to buy everybody. Decided on a day and a place to go. Then went there and did all my present shopping in a couple of hours. It is the only way to do it, I think.

Strangely it turns out that the singer Jamelia also does it like this. Which led to a brief Twitter exchange discussing this last weekend. Although she seems to suggest doing it this way is a man thing. While I made the point that it is an efficient and organised way of doing things. Either way it means I am sorted for my gifts this year. Keep Christmas simple. That is what I say.

Neil Quigley enjoying the festive Spirit

Last Saturday night it was the final of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. This series has almost been perfect with the celebrities and professionals all on top of their game. I have no idea how they are going to improve on this for next year. Especially as head judge Len Goodman will not be in his seat. Having left the show now. Surely Anton Du Beke must replace him. He really does seem to be the obvious choice, right? The entertainment value of this latest season was off the scale. And personally I do think the three best couples made it through to the final. They all fully deserved to be there on merit.

It was just going to come down to who could give the best performances on the night. As there was so little to choose between them. It was for me the tightest ever contest and a very tough one to call. But congratulations to Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton on winning the Glitter Ball this year. I do think that their dances were the best on the night. So they are deserved winners.

You have to feel a little bit sorry for Kevin Clifton. That is the fourth year in a row that he has got to the final and not won. In fact since he joined he has always made every final. And to make this latest defeat a little bit more of a bitter pill to swallow. His younger sister Joanne has won the competition in only her second attempt. Having a younger sister myself. I appreciate how annoying that will be.

Now the dancers and the production team can have a well deserved rest. Before they start getting ready for next year’s offering. They have got their job cut out. As for a total Saturday Night entertainment show. This year it has been perfect. The right celebrities, amazing professional dance’s, fantastic guests, great band and live singers and much more besides.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching it all. As it happens Joanne Clifton is the only one of the Strictly professionals that I follow on Twitter. So may be I had a feeling that she would triumph in the end.

I have got a fairly busy week coming up work-wise. The media world does not stop for Christmas. It very much keeps going. Although I have got most of Christmas Day off. So I will be able to have the traditional meal with the family.

Recently while at the BBC. I have been in a lift with Annie Mac. And a few days later with Huw Edwards. Plus Doctor Who himself Peter Capaldi walked past me the other day. Never a dull moment. And lots of fun to.

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Happy Christmas! Cheers Neil.

Happy Christmas 2015

December 26, 2015 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been busy and very entertaining. A couple of weeks ago I went to my cousin’s 40th Birthday Party at a local pub. It was a fantastic night catching up with family and friends. The main man really seemed to enjoy it. I think he was on the dance floor for the whole of the last hour. Throwing out a lot of shapes that actually looked quite dangerous for a man of his age.

I do know lots of DJ’s having worked in the industry for many years. So predictably I of course knew the one that my cousin had hired for the evening. In fact I used to also play in the same football team as him about eighteen years ago. It really is a small world and as you get older it really does seem like everyone really does know everyone.

I appreciate I do not look it but it is actually my fortieth next year. So having been to this one I am now already starting to think about what to do for mine. Due to next year being a leap year it means my actual birthday will be on a Saturday. Which means I can throw a big bash on the actual day. I already have quite a few ideas about what I want to do and will be planning it all early next year. I am already getting a bit excited about it. It will be a celebration suitable to mark such a special occasion, I hope.

I was completely organised for Christmas this year before the 20th December. Which I think must be a record for me. I once again used my tried and tested Christmas Shopping routine. This involves making a list of exactly what I want to buy for all the people I am buying a present for. After this is complete I then set aside a whole afternoon to go to a big shopping centre and proceed to buy all my presents, wrapping paper and even cards in one session. Not leaving until everything on my list is ticked off and in my bag.

For the first time ever this year I managed to come straight home and wrap all the presents and write all the cards. So I got everything sorted for my Christmas in just one afternoon and evening. Which I have to admit made me feel very smug. A few days before Christmas I spent the day on a mini festive tour dropping in to catch up with some friends and to drop off some cards and presents.

I felt very “chrismassy” as I headed off in the car with a bag full of gifts on the back seat. It meant I ended up spending the time doing three of my favourite things. Which are catching up with mates, drinking tea and chatting. It was great to see everyone and as all of them have children it was nice to see them all starting to get a little bit excited about the big day. Thanks to all my friends who fed and watered me as I popped in to see them all on a quiet Sunday before Christmas.

I have always been a massive Star Wars fan. I grew up with the first three films in the trilogy which I absolutely loved. In fact I had all of the character figures and many of the vehicles including a toy Millennium Falcon. I also did go and see all the prequels that came out to. But once the details were announced about this new one The Force Awakens. I got really excited for several reasons. Firstly the original cast were going to be involved, secondly it continued the story from after Return of The Jedi and lastly I had heard great things about how JJ Abrams had respected the roots and traditions of the original Star Trek films in the new ones that he had produced.

On average I only go to the cinema about once every three years. There are not many movies that make me want to go. So The Force Awakens had its European Premiere in London on Wednesday 16th December, despite trying to play it cool and pretend that I was not bothered about it. I was then sat in the cinema by myself on the Friday afternoon watching it. I have to say I was not disappointed. I thought it was brilliant. It had the feel of watching those original Star Wars films that I grew up with. I actually felt like a child again watching it with a big smile on my face.

Neil Quigley

Those first three films had a great humour to them, which I think this new one perfectly captures. It just feels like a proper Star Wars film. If you have even a slight interest in the franchise I would strongly advise that you do go and see it, it is brilliant. I already can’t wait for the next one to be released. Lastly on this subject I would like to say thank you to JJ Abrams for giving us our Star Wars back, great work.

I was one of the twelve million people who watched the Strictly Come Dancing Final last weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have the whole series. I thought the dancing was of an exceptionally high standard and any one of the final three could have easily have won it. Congratulation to the winning couple of Jay McGuinness and Aliona Vilani. He is an amazing dancer as is she. They were never in the dance off this series, which means the public were voting for them all the way through and this seemed to be the case in the final.

It was wonderful to see them lift the Glitter Ball Trophy. It was a historic win, as Aliona has now become the only professional to win the show more than once, breaking the curse that seemed to be there. Personally I thought on performances alone on the night Kellie Bright and Kevin Clifton were the best. Their show dance was breath-taking. I think that the randomly selected order that they performed in could have cost them.

As the dance they had chosen to do again was their Star Wars inspired Charleston. Which was exactly the same style of dance that the previous couple of Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice had danced just before them. So I think this may have taken a little of the wow factor away from it. Overall though it was simply a great variety entertainment show and shows the BBC at its best. I am already looking forward to the competition next year. Well done to all who were involved this year, you all did a great job.

I did not have too many festive nights out this year but a few days ago I had a small Christmas do with some of the people I work with at Wembley. We met for drinks in the Hilton Hotel and took over a section of their Icons Bar. Which was good fun and very sociable in pretty cool surroundings. Then we went on to a pub we know that also has an Indian Restaurant attached to it.

So we sat down and enjoyed a nice curry complete with poppadom’s, starters and plenty of rice and naan bread to share. It was all very amicable and relaxed, so everybody tried a little bit of everyone’s main course. So I enjoyed a wide and varied meal which did include a little bit of everything. It was a fun night out partying with people I normally only see when I am working. I really enjoyed it even if it did seem a bit strange to me going out for a Christmas curry. More of a traditional Roast Turkey Dinner and disco man myself.

It was a very standard Christmas Day in the Quigley household. As always I started the day with a full fry up with my parents. This was then followed by the present giving. Which I must admit although we are all fully grown adults, we still really manage to string this out and make the most of it.

I did really well and got some great stuff including plenty of January reading of some ace autobiographies. I then met a few of the family at the local pub for a few festive lunch time drinks. Before heading back to the house to enjoy a traditional turkey dinner. The afternoon was then spent playing fun games and eating chocolates.

I did watch Mrs Brown’s Boy and The Michael McIntyre Christmas show that I saw being filmed at the Theatre Royal in London. I did managed to spot myself in the audience a couple of times but I did have the added advantage of knowing exactly where I was sat. It was a great hour of television but the recording itself lasted over three hours so obviously they had to cut quite a lot out.

I felt a bit sorry for comedian Russell Kane as he performed a very funny set on the night but did not feature in the show at all when it was shown. As a Strictly fan it was lovely to see Aljaz and Janette appear as part of a surprise on an unsuspecting couple. I have to say that close up his is an annoyingly attractive guy.Then the day ended as it often does with me falling asleep in front of the television. I hope you to had a fantastic Christmas. Mine was brilliant as ever.

I have had a truly wonderful year in which I have got to see a lot of my favourite comedians perform live. I have seen Sir Paul McCartney play live and enjoyed the Grand National Meeting in Liverpool. I have seen lots of great West End Shows, seen Spurs play in a Cup final at Wembley and played a game of football at the stadium myself. I have attended some great party’s and met some interesting and fun people along the way. Here’s to lots of fun, new and exciting things happening in 2016. I am really looking forward to the next twelve months. To misquote Han Solo “I have a good feeling about this” Bring it on!

Hope you are having a brilliant festive period and best wishes for next year. Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.

More TV Times

August 22, 2015 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been busy with lots going on. I have been spending a lot of my time recently at Wembley Stadium, showing lots of wonderful people around the place. Which has been fantastic fun. A lot of them have taken on the zip wire challenge and flown across the famous Wembley pitch. I still haven’t and have no intention of doing so. Even though I have been up to the top of it, where it all starts from a few times now to escort people up there.

While at the home of English football there is always a good chance that you might bump in to a few familiar faces. The other day the England Under 21 Manager Gareth Southgate strolled past me on his way to a meeting. For the record he is still an ex-player, who it would seem still keeps himself in shape. Unlike some of them you see. I have previously be lucky enough to come in to contact with the England Manager Roy Hodgson a few times to. He is a top man, polite, happy and friendly. Plus he is always happy to say hello. He is doing a brilliant job with the team securing us qualification to the 2016 European Championships currently.

At Wembley the other week I ended up escorting a film crew from ITV around. They were there to do some filming for a new secret project. Which I believe will be revealed and then shown on television sometime in September. The presenter they were working with was the lovely Andrea Mclean from the TV show Loose Women. She and the whole crew were very nice, friendly and professional in what they were doing. I can’t tell you any more about what took place and what they were up to at the Stadium but keep an eye on ITV during September and you will be able to see for yourself then.

I was lucky enough to catch the final moments, when the England Cricket Team won the Ashes live on television. It has been an amazing series for the home side. Who few thought had a chance of being successful this time round. It is a fantastic achievement. The fact that it was wrapped up with one test still to play makes it even better. The way they played throughout it and the spirit within the side should be totally admired. It was great to watch the players and the fans celebrating together at Trent Bridge. After the victory had been secured. And as someone who is proud of where he was born. It was great to see a man ,who has links with my county Buckinghamshire lifting the Urn for the second time as England Captain. Congratulations to Alistair Cook and the rest of the squad. Nice one gentlemen!

The English Premier League football season is under way. I have joined three separate Fantasy Football League’s. I imagine I will do the same as I do every year. For the next four weeks I will be working hard on them all and concentrating on picking the right team for each match. Trying to score as many points as I can. Then by the end of September. I will forget all about them only to remember again around the end of March. When it will be too late to make any changes and improve things.

My actual team Tottenham have not started brilliantly so far with a defeat and a draw at home. But it is a long season and things will get better. I hope so at least. I am certainly planning on getting to White Hart Lane a few times to see them in action this year. Hopefully in one of the many cup competitions we are in. I fancy a good run in at least one of them. Hopefully with it ending in a Wembley final.

I spent an interesting morning at BBC Broadcasting House in London the other week. I was there to discuss a future work opportunity across a few of the network’s radio stations. This included me getting the chance to demonstrate my skills in one of their space age like and fully digital studios. This was brilliant fun working with some truly talented people. Then followed a meeting to talk about the stations requirements and how I could fulfil these needs operationally across some of the BBC’s most well- known brands. If I can manage to become involved in these ongoing productions. That will be so satisfying to be involved with creating such memorable and sometimes such poignant radio.

On the way to BBC New Broadcasting House

I went to my second cousin’s twenty-first birthday party over in Milton Keynes last Saturday. It was a fun night out. As most of my family live on the other side of Buckinghamshire. One of my Aunties organised a coach for us all. Which I think did slightly catch out the bar staff there, when thirty of us arrived at the place at exactly the same time.

It reminded me of my twenty-first party, which was at our local village hall. I had my mates from my hospital radio station at Stoke Mandeville do the disco for me. Although somehow I remember that I ended up setting up the equipment for my own do, in the afternoon My Uncle also very kindly organised for a singer friend of his to come along and perform for an hour or so. Which was brilliant and really added to the occasion.

It also set the standard that now means at each of my party’s I try to have some sort of act there to entertain everyone. So for example for my thirtieth birthday party I booked a stand up comedian. Who was excellent and went down a storm. I have a big birthday coming up in a couple of years, so I am already thinking about who I could hire to play at that. Going back to last Saturday, it was great to see the whole family enjoying themselves. And we had a fun coach journey home at the end of the evening, with everyone in very good spirits, shall we say.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is currently taking place up in Scotland. It is still an event that I really want to go to one year. Because as a big fan of comedy. The chance to watch so many different comedians in such a short space of time definitely appeals to me. Already so far during my brief stand up career. I have got to meet and work with many different acts. Many of whom take their show’s to the festival every year. And every year it will be a brand new performance with all new material. So they work very hard on them to get them right totally ready for Edinburgh.

One such performer is the hilarious Silky. Who I have seen in action a few times over the last few years at the Tringe Festival. In fact after my first ever gig I gave him a lift back to his hotel. He is a great comic and knows everyone in the business pretty much. He also runs his own comedy clubs to. Keep an eye out for any Kill For A Seat comedy nights in your area. He is storming it up there this year, with his show’s selling out and getting great reviews. Which is brilliant and so deserved. He is a really nice bloke and most importantly very funny. Oh and he can play the guitar to as well you know.

Someone else who is having a great Festival is Maddy Anholt with her show Diary Of A Dating Addict. She worked so hard getting the funding just to be able to put it on there in the first place. So it is great to see her doing so well. She has now had over ten sell out shows in a row and the reviews have been fantastic for it. Four stars from Chortle, no less. Well done to all the performers and audiences at the Festival his year. One year I will definitely get up there probably as just an audience member but may be, just may be as one of the acts. Stranger things have happened.

I am once again looking forward to going to see the annual It’ll Be Alright on the Night programme being recorded at the ITV London Studios in a few weeks. I have always enjoyed the out takes show, since as long as I can remember. I can’t explain why but things are just very very funny when they go wrong on the television. What I like about it, is how many big name stars are perfectly happy to share their bloopers with the world. Showing that they are human and also that they have a sense of humour.

The thing I like about actually being there in the studio is that I get to see these mistakes before they are broadcast across the nation. It is now hosted by the brilliant Griff Rhys Jones. Who links it all together in his own unique and entertaining style. It will be as ever a fun few hours just sitting down and having a good old laugh at other peoples expense. I expect it will be shown on the TV either sometime in the late autumn or possibly around the Christmas period. Sorry for mentioning the C word, so early in the year. In fact please forget I mentioned it.

I am also heading off to the Elstree Studios next month to see another episode of Celebrity Juice being filmed. I suspect Fearne Cotton will be missing from this series. As she is currently pregnant with her second child. Last time she was not on the show she was replaced by Kelly Brook. I would not be against this happening again. And her being there while I am. Just saying. Considering what a wild and crazy show it is, the guest list for panellist’s is usually very impressive and often contains some big names from the world of television. So I am hoping for a top line up for it, when I am there.

Still one of my biggest disappointments from working in radio I think. Is the time when I had an interview with Leigh Francis lined up. And then at the last minute due to circumstances beyond both of our control it did not happen. I am a big fan and would have loved to have a chat with him. I do think the way he totally becomes his character creation’s is both brilliant and terrifying in equal measure. Specially bearing in mind what a quiet and totally normal family guy he is in every day life. Or so I have been told anyway.

I am still waiting to hear if I will be involved in the new series of 1000 Heartbeats. I should know by the end of this month if I will get the chance to go toe to toe with Vernon Kay. While trying to keep my cool and my heart rate down. As I am playing the games and answering the questions. To try and win myself some big money. Fingers crossed that I do get the chance to do it. I have actually been stood next to Vernon Kay a couple of times before in the past.

Once backstage many years ago now at T4 on the Beach at Weston-Super-Mare. When he was still the skinniest man in the world. Then the last time was at Wembley Stadium a couple of years ago at one of the NFL American Football games there. This time he had really bulked up as he was playing the game himself for the London Warriors. And taking it very seriously.

I am not sure I have ever seen such a big transformation in body shape. So fair play to him for that. If I do get on the show I think I am going to have to mention that to him. Might also see if he remembers speaking to June Brown in Somerset back on that Summer’s day. As I had a very interesting chat to her that day. One that still haunts me now on the very rare occasions that I watch EastEnders.

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.

Neil Quigley Presenter