Tag Archives: Camden

Racing Ahead

March 16, 2018 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of weeks. Mine have been pretty busy and lots of fun. I went out for a few drinks in Camden recently. I do not go out there very often but when I do I always enjoy it. It has such a different and interesting vibe to it. Plus there are lots of great pubs to visit. It is an area where you really do see all sorts of people in every outfit you can imagine and yet nobody there looks out of place.

I ended the night in a pub that I always visit, when I am there. Which is the Hawley Arms. It simply is just a cool place to hang out with a great energy and atmosphere to it. It was famously Amy Winehouse’s local. There are lots of memories of her dotted around. It is also the place where Pete Doherty once held a press conference in the beer garden. They both used to drink there regularly. But it was a popular haunt with celebrities and music stars long before them. Liam Gallagher, David Bowie and Boy George were once fairly frequent visitors to the place. Having a drink there does make you feel a little bit like a pop star.

I made another one of my fairly regular visits to the excellent Old Rope comedy night in London last Monday. It is a new material night for top comedians at the Phoenix Pub just off Regent Street. The night is hosted by the wonderful Tiff Stevenson. She is helped by her dad and mum. Who work on the door and look after all the other acts. It was another great line up. The place was sold out with an audience of comedy lovers. Which does make for a lovely atmosphere for the comedians.

On the bill performing their new stuff were Eleanor Tiernan, Andy Zaltzman, Phil Wang, Tony Law, Tania Edwards and Simon Brodkin. They were all brilliant. It is all very honest. In that they will sometimes make reference to if a new bit has worked or not or even admit if something needs more work. As an audience member it does make you feel that you are part of the process of shaping their new shows. I also find that owing to the fact I have attended a comedy course with Logan Murray and because I am in the process of reading his book. I can spot some of the writing exercises, that they have been doing to create the new material. There is a process and science to comedy.

The headliner was the brilliant James Acaster. He did forty minutes of his latest show. Which is already hilarious and will probably be even better by the time he tours it. He really is on fire at the moment. It was another fun night. If you are free in London on a Monday night. Then go to the Old Rope. You really cannot go wrong.

While we are talking about comedy. Very sad news this week with the death of the great Ken Dodd. He died at the age of ninety in the same house he was born in and lived in all his life. And what a life it was. One of the best comedians this country has ever produced. Sharp, clever, funny, silly with a love of comedy and making people laugh. I do regret the fact that I never got to see him perform live. I bought my parents tickets to see him as a present once. His live shows were famed for over running. If he and the audience were having a good time (as they always were). He would just keep on going. It always got to the stage where people were in danger of missing last trains or trying to re-book taxi’s for later.

It was a running joke at every venue that the theatre staff would leave him the keys and he would lock up when he was finished. This was the case when my parents saw him. The show started at 7.30pm and the interval did not happen until 10pm. He eventually and probably reluctantly finished just after midnight. You could never say that you did not get value for money at a Ken Dodd gig. He rightly has a statue at Liverpool Lime Street Station. With him depicted holding one of his famous tickling sticks. It is a very welcoming sight when you arrive in to the city. RIP Doddy. Thanks for the laughs.

My team Tottenham Hotspur have been knocked out of the Champions League. After a two all draw away at Juventus in the first leg. We were beating them one-nil at home in the second leg at Wembley Stadium. I was at the game. The atmosphere, as you would expect for such a big game was fantastic. We played brilliantly in the first half and were deservedly one up. All was looking good with the world. Then as soon as the Italian team got their first goal. It really seemed to jolt our players. They looked a bit shell shocked. Which seemed to lead to a lack of concentration. Which in turn lead to the second goal.

We gave it a good go and were unlucky when Harry Kane’s header hit the post in the dying minutes. If that had gone in it would have at least taken us to extra time. But alas it was not to be. The whole competition was fun. But as a team you can’t buy experience. Going out like this after doing so well, will hopefully help us to progress further next season.

Finishing in the top four has now become even more important for Spurs with the European adventure coming to an end. It would be disappointing to not be playing in the Champions League in the first season at our great new stadium. I was at Wembley to see us beat Huddersfield. Which was another important three points at home. It was also pleasing to see us bounce back from the European failure with a good away win on the south coast against Bournemouth.

The downside of that was Harry Kane going off with an ankle injury. Obviously any team would miss his goals and a player of his quality. But oddly our record when he has not played is not that bad. And personally I feel the team as a whole misses Christian Eriksen more. When he is out. That said I hope Harry is back and playing soon. And that we have a great end to the season.

Congratulations to Ant & Dec who recently celebrated the one hundredth episode of Saturday Night Takeaway. Which is still the best Saturday night entertainment show in my opinion. The centenary show featured lots of old clips from the show. It was fascinating how young the two Geordie presenters looked when it first started. They work so well together. It still regularly delivers new fun items and classic old favourites.

When a programme has been going for such a long time. It is so hard to keep the quality up. It is tough finding new ideas because they have basically done everything that can possibly be done. Which is always a problem for long running shows. However when you have those two fronting it. They can make anything entertaining. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Just a quick reminder that I do a weekly podcast. Which is basically a radio show on the internet with no music featuring stories and old interviews from my twenty years working in radio. It is available on I-tunes, so why not subscribe to it? Then you will get every new episode automatically downloaded to your device. I would also like to point out that it is free. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-neil-quigley-radio-podcast-ep7/id1236437663?i=1000406202689&mt=2

Thanks to my mate Dan Smith for giving me my first experience of the Cheltenham Festival last Wednesday. I am a big horse racing fan and have previously been to Royal Ascot and The Grand National meeting at Aintree. But never before had I been to the considered home of National Hunt racing. It had been on my to do list for a few years now. Therefore I was very happy to put that right on Ladies Day this year. As it is set in such a beautiful part of the country. The train journey itself gives you the chance to enjoy the wonderful countryside, as you head there with tens of thousands of fellow race goers.

It is as you would expect for an event that has been running for so long very well organised. They run shuttle buses from the station to the course for five pounds return. They pick you up outside the station and drop you right by the entrance. We were in the Club Enclosure. Which gives you a great view of the finishing line from the stands. It also offers you the chance to enjoy some nice bars. The whole course is so well designed that you can see the entire course sprawling out in front of you. All framed with the Cotswold Hills behind it. It really is a perfect setting.

As it is a race meeting that does pit the best British Trainers against their Irish counterparts .While taking place during St Patrick’s Day, week. I thought it would be rude not to have a few pints of Guinness, while I was there. The day’s racing itself was top quality. With some brilliant high class contests. You really cannot beat seeing the end of the races as the horses jump the last and fly up that big hill to the finish line. Especially if your horse is in contention still or ideally winning. It is perfectly acceptable to scream and shout at the top of your voice to cheer you selection home.

I bought a brand new suit for the occasion. And if I do say so myself, I was looking fairly Dapper. I had a brilliant day battling the on course bookies. I had a winner in the second race. Another winner in the fourth race. Then came the final race of the day. I was looking for an outsider to put an each way bet on. I recognised a horse that was called Relegate. I remember seeing it win somewhere before. I liked the fact it was being ridden by Katie Walsh. She is a great jockey. Who has had a lot of success over the jumps in Ireland. It had odds of 33-1 for it to win. I just fancied it, so I put a ten pounds each way bet on it.

I then returned to the grandstand to watch the race. With two fences to go my horse was right at the back of the field. Then after it had jumped the last it suddenly flew in to action and caught the horse that was leading right in front of me on the home straight. I had to double check it was my horse. As it had just come from nowhere. You can imagine my joy and excitement as it won. I netted three hundred and eighty pounds. Which was a great way to round off my first Cheltenham Festival. I also got to see the force of nature that is Altior storm to victory. I will definitely be returning there next year. I cannot wait. It really is a fantastic day out. If you are a fan of horse racing, it is something you must go and experience.

Today is St Patrick’s Day. My Granddad was born in Ireland and I do have an Irish surname. Which I think gives me the right to go out today and enjoy a couple of pints of Guinness. I will be heading as always to my favourite pub in London Waxy O’Connor’s. Which I also believe serves the best pint of Guinness in the capital.

It is always a great place to celebrate. They have live Irish music. The day will be improved further this year by the fact that Ireland play England in the Rugby Six Nations. Which will ramp up the atmosphere even further. I will let you know how it was next time we speak.

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

London Central

May 28, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of week’s. Mine have been quite busy with a few fun things going on. My three years of working at the home of English Football. Wembley Stadium have now come to an end.

I enjoyed my time there immensely. I got to work with a great bunch of people. Plus I got to meet so many fascinating people from all over the world. While basically doing what I love and do best constantly talking.

My highlights of this association included. Actually getting to play a game of football on the famous pitch itself. Meeting and shaking the hand of the England Manager Roy Hodgson.

Working closely with a lot of the NFL team’s who visited to play in London. As part of the International Series. And sharing a lift with the most famous boxing ring announcer in the world Michael Buffer.

I did head to one of the local pubs. For a few drinks after my last day there. Well it would be rude not to right? It was in there that the manager of the department I had been working for. Very kindly presented me with a football signed by my former colleague’s.

And a new England shirt with my name and the number of years I had been there on the back of it. A gift I absolutely love.

I have always wanted an England top with my name on it and up to then I had never had one. But I do have one now. I could not be happier. And I am really looking forward to wearing it during the Euro 2016 Tournament. Come on England!

Thanks to the team at Wembley. For all being great and for my happy memories of the place and the generous gifts.

When you are next watching television. Do keep your eyes open for the new PG Tips Green Tea advert. As it features an actor friend of mine. The very lovely and extremely talented Charlotte Milchard. It sees her playing a nurse at a health spa alongside the now famous Monkey. Who has been the star of their campaign for many years now. No offence to Johnny Vegas but I do feel my mate is a much more attractive side kick for the famous mug of tea drinking primate.

I first met Charlotte Milchard several years ago now. When I was working at the radio station Ivel fm in Yeovil. She was appearing in the pantomime at the Octagon Theatre in the town. Every year we used to get the cast in to interview them all. We had a really good laugh. When she came in. She was playing the baddie in it. And I must admit was proper scary. When she was in character.

I always used to go the press night the see the show. And as I had already met them all previously in the studio. I normally ended up going out for a few drinks with them all afterwards.

She was actually in a couple of the productions while I was down there. So it was often a nice annual catch up. When she ventured down to Somerset. I also saw her appear in an early incarnation of one of Ben Langley’s Ha Ha show’s. Which she was absolutely brilliant in as well. She was also in the TV show Sunstroke playing Mandy.

And she appeared in the film The Fourth Kind alongside Milla Jovovich. She is a fantastic actor and great company to be around. I am hoping to meet up for a cup of tea and a nice catch up with her soon. I will have to try and make sure I am drinking PG tips of course. To stay totally on message and brand.

I was at Windsor Race Course the other Monday for their Queen’s 90th Birthday Meeting. Which featured music from a Beatles tribute act. After the racing had finished. Although I think may be they could have booked a band formed in honour of another big English band. To keep with the theme of the evening more.

I can also confirm the Queen herself was not actually there. It was lovely and sunny. Which is quite unusual, as normally when I am there. It seems to be chilly and over cast. Nice to see the legend that is Timmy Mallett was also there. I have met him a few times. And he is such a nice person. I did help produce a radio show that he did for a very short period. When I was still working at Mix 96.

I am a big horse racing fan and do like spending time at the races to relax. I was watching the horses go round the pre parade ring before the first race of the evening. When you see those horses up close. You realise what finely honed species they are. They are so well conditioned and rippling with big powerful muscles. I will tell you what, they definitely do not skip leg day.

I was convinced one of them looked at me and smiled as he walked past. So I had a bet on him in the race. And I think he finished about fifth. So that is now a theory that I will no longer be using to select horses in the future.

I did have a couple of winners. Which always makes for an even more enjoyable time at the races. I personally find. I had Sea of Snow in the third race of the evening. And then in the race after I had spotted a horse called You’re Always Right.

He was not particularly fancied and he had quite high odds. But as I believe I have an annoying habit of being right about most things. I went with the name and put my money on him to win.

Well I am sure you can imagine my delight or even possibly have heard my screams. When he raced through the final stages to take victory at odds of 14-1. If only every trip to a race track could end just like that.

Needless to say I had a great night. And I am hopefully looking forward to getting back to Windsor Races again before the end of the Summer. That is working on the assumption, that it actually begins at some point of course.

I have again made a trip to the ITV Studios on the South Bank in London. This time to see an episode of the new series of QI being filmed. This series is called N. It is of course the first one that will not feature Stephen Fry in the hot seat.

He has been replaced by the super talented Sandi Toksvig. On the panel for the show I saw were Noel Fielding, Sarah Millican, the Australian comedian Colin Lane and our course the programme’s now only main stay Alan Davies.

With a new host in place. They have brought in a few little extra ideas and slight changes. But the main body and aim of it is exactly the same as it has always been. And let us face it Sandi Toksvig is basically the female equivalent of Stephen Fry. They are both hugely intelligent and quick witted. She has already developed a great relationship with Alan. Which I think is an important part of the show. As because he is there every week you have to be able to keep him in his place and in check.

While having lots of banter and fun with each other. Which they both manage effortlessly. She is the perfect replacement. She did a fantastic job being in charge of the madness. While getting more than her fair share of laughs for her jokes and observations. All the guests were great.

Noel Fielding was his usual surreal and hilarious self. Sarah Millican proved once again why she is one of the best comedian’s in the country. And as Colin Lane and Alan Davies have been great friends for years. They were very funny feeding off each other. While having a good old laugh.

It was another good fun afternoon spent in television land. As ever I learnt lots of new and interesting stuff that I did not know. And most importantly I laughed lots. This is going to be another great series of a now classic show. To which the change of presenter only enhances and freshens it up a little bit. In my opinion.

The guest list for the whole series looks brilliant. With many of the shows regulars returning to make an appearance. They are still filming it over the next few months or so. It will be shown on BBC 2 in the autumn.

The other week my good friend Jeff Nolan was down in London for a few days. So we thought it would be a good idea to meet up for a few drinks. We ended up going to Camden. Which is some where I have been a few times over the years but a place where I do not tend to go to that often. We ended up in The Hawley Arms. This is a fairly famous venue in the area.

It is where Amy Winehouse used to drink, sometimes perform and on odd occasions serve behind the bar. It is also some where that Pete Doherty used to frequent. In fact he once held a press conference from the pub’s beer garden. To announce that Babyshambles, his second band were going to reform.

The last time I had been in there was probably around ten years ago. When I was in there for a mate’s birthday. On that date we did spot a celebrity in there at the bar. And no it wasn’t Amy Winehouse. It was actually Chris Parker. He was then starring as Spencer Moon in Eastenders. And it was also around the time that he was appearing in the first ever series of Strictly Come Dancing. He actually made it to the final of that with his partner Hanna Karttunen.

I really enjoyed being back in there. It does have a really cool and relaxed vibe. The beer is good and it is a very well kept place. Plus it does have lots of signed pictures on the wall of many of the musical superstars. Who have popped in there for a drink over the years. They still do have live music nights in there on a regular basis. It is a area that I think I should try and visit more often. When I am in and around the capital.

Ironically on the same night we were in Camden. Just down the road the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards were taking place. One of the industries biggest annual celebrations. It was hosted by Jon Holmes. He is a really funny and nice bloke. Who I have had the pleasure of interviewing in the past.

Well done to all the winners. I was pleased to see Capital North East Breakfast with Bodg, Matt and Scarlet get the bronze award. In the Commercial Radio Breakfast Show of the Year (Over 2 Million TSA) category.

The reason for this is that I actually worked with Bodg at Passion 107.9 in Oxford. He was doing the Drive Show there and I was hosting the morning show. He is an exceptionally talented broadcaster and more importantly a really nice bloke. I remember one day he was interviewing the big American group Wheatus on his show.

So I hung around to meet them and hear the interview. They were lovely and fascinating blokes. They invited Bodg and me to go and see the show they were playing in Oxford that day. Telling us that they would put our names on the guest list.

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

We were delighted and excited to accept their very kind offer. Unfortunately though we got the start time of the gig wrong. So we arrived at the venue and got in just in time to witness the band return to the stage to perform their encore. Which was fortunately Teenage Dirtbag.

So we got invited to a concert for free by the actual band. And only got to see them play one song. I guess on the plus side though. If you were only going to see them play one song. You would probably choose that one, right? Anyway congratulations Bodg. Top work.

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

Neil Quigley Presenter