Tag Archives: comedy

It’s Been Quite Interesting

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been brilliant with lots of fun things going on. So since we spoke last there has been the small matter of the General Election. Which actually was a lot more straight forward than any of us anticipated. It has left me dubious about ever trusting another poll again. Next year I will definitely take the FHM Top One Hundred Sexiest Women with a pinch of salt.

In my area there was a very limited selection of who to vote for on the day. My MP is the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow. So all of the major parties have an agreement in place, in which they will not put forward any candidates in the constituency of the Speaker. So therefore it came as little surprise, when our local representative managed to get another five year term in office along with his party.

Neil Quigley Presenter
Neil Quigley Presenter

In my local councillor elections I was just happy to support the people who actually do live in my town and know the area and the people the best. So therefore I was working on the assumption that they will best represent me appropriately. Or at the very least I know I have not got to travel too far the raise any issues or concerns that I might have.

I was slightly disappointed to see the Yeovil MP David Laws lose his seat and therefore of course his job. When I was working at Ivel fm in Yeovil. He used to come in to the studio quite often for interviews. And was always really pleasant and friendly. Not only that but he always seemed to know what he was talking about and always made a lot of sense when he spoke. Which I think he did get to prove, when he got a Cabinet position in the previous government. He did seem to have his communities best interests at heart and was always available and willing to speak to people from the town. So I do wish him all the best for the future.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

It was my sister’s birthday a couple of weeks of go and she wanted to go to Thorpe Park for the day to celebrate. Now I have to admit I am not exactly a big fan of theme parks. But it was after all her big day, plus deep down I am a decent and nice brother. So a few Friday morning’s ago we headed off to the well known Surrey tourist attraction. After of course first enjoying the delights of the M25. Is there ever a time when there is not a queue on that road? As you would have probably realised by now, I had never been there before.

Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park

I think my dislike for Theme Parks may date back to my first visit to Alton Towers with a then girlfriend. So I had never even been on a roller coaster before but as soon as we arrived and entered the place she wanted to go straight on a brand new ride that had just opened called Oblivion. So for some reason, that I still can’t explain, I agreed to go on it with her. The ride itself only lasts around a minute but it took me at least five minutes after it had ended to start breathing properly again. It was terrifying and in hindsight may be I should have built myself up gently rather than going for that as my first ever ride. Mind you later on that day I did also go on Nemesis, which seemed like a walk in the park after my earlier baptism of fire.

So anyway this visit to Thorpe Park was my first trip to a Theme Park since the Alton Towers experience. As we arrived my sister wanted to go on her favourite ride called Swarm. Luckily for me she was perfectly happy for me to hold the team bag and watch from the safety of the ground. Which I was very happy to do. She came off the ride with a big smile on her face, while I was still looking petrified. Next she took me on the teacups ride. It is fair to say that I was easily the oldest person on the ride, but to be honest I really enjoyed it.

On The Tea Cups
On The Tea Cups

Then she convinced me to go on an old style roller coaster called X with her. It was set up like a disco come rave, so it was very dark with lots of bright flashing lights and loud music. I am not proud of this but basically all the way round it. I was screaming loudly in quite a high pitched yet completely involuntary way. Which only served to make my sister laugh. So there I am sounding like a right wimp with my sister laughing very loudly at me. I can only guess what the rest of the people on the ride were thinking.

Once it had finished and my sister had finally stopped laughing enough to be able to speak. She did say she would not make me go on any of the big rides. Which was fine with me. She had got herself a fast track ticket for the afternoon. So I waited patiently at the bottom, while she tried pretty much every ride the park had to offer. Before we left I did go on the Banana Boat and Flying Fish rides which were about my level. My sister had a great time and really enjoyed herself. While I just happily kissed the tarmac like the Pope when I arrived back home.

Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park

I was lucky enough to go and see an episode of the latest series of QI being filmed. It is recorded at the London Studios on the South Bank just up the road from Waterloo. Now most television shows have a warm up man to get the audience going and to entertain them during breaks. But because the format of the show is so simple. It can be made in one section with no breaks or scene changes. So there is no need for a warm up. Stephen Fry comes out first to talk to the audience and to tell some of his wonderful stories. And then he in turn brings out all the guests.

On the afternoon I saw the guests were Sue Perkins, Bill Bailey, Romesh Ranganathan and of course the excellent Alan Davies. Stephen Fry conducts the fun and steers the show so brilliantly and effortlessly. While giving the panel plenty of room to stamp their authority on the event and have a good laugh along the way. He is like a cheeky head teacher, who encourages the pupils and then tells them off when they go a little bit too far. The best thing about the programme is that not only is it very funny but you also learn lots from it. So it is both fun and educational. It was a great way to spend a few hours. And I can tell you that this latest series is going to be another cracker.

Neil Quigley TV Presenter
Neil Quigley TV Presenter

When I was leaving the studios after the QI recording I received an email from a London based comedy promoter I know, tipping me off about a secret gig appearance from a brilliant comic. Who is just about to become globally massive. So therefore I changed my plans for the evening and went along to see David Mills and his special guest at The Museum Of Comedy. The venue is amazing, as its name suggests it contains lots of great and interesting exhibits from the world of comedy including lots of great signed photos and scripts plus the actual Kenneth Williams Spitting Image puppet.

Tommy Cooper
Tommy Cooper

The main act David Mills was previewing his latest show for this year’s Edinburgh Festival. He is American but is based in London, so knows his way around the UK comedy circuit. He was excellent. It is a very original show that he is doing, performed in his own very unique style. The surprise guest spot was from the very funny South African comedian Trevor Noah. He is going to be the next host of The Daily Show, one of the biggest late night talk shows in the United States.

Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah

The great thing about the Museum of Comedy’s performance space is that it is a small room that only holds about fifty people. So therefore I had a front row seat to see a man who is set to become one of the world’s most famous comedians, perform to a small and cosy audience. He was amazing, just so relaxed, so assured and most importantly so funny. He just popped in, possibly on a night off while he was in London. To do twenty minutes. May be just for fun or to try out a few new jokes before his next big tour in South Africa.

It was great to see such a master in action, so close up. He is a very clever and amusing man. He was actually a guest on an episode of the latest series of A League of Their Own, which I saw being filmed at Elstree. The new series of the show hosted by James Corden started on Sky One last weekend.

Museum of Comedy
Museum of Comedy

Talking of comedy full details have now been released for this year’s Tringe Festival. The brilliant three week comedy event that takes place in Tring. It is now three years since I took on the eight week comedy course led by the genius that is Logan Murray culminating in me performing four gigs in four different pubs on the same night. With Tony Law as part of the Roving Comedy Night. I have said it before and I will say it again. It was a perfect way to make my stand up comedy debut in front of such a generous and receptive audience.

The whole experience from start to finish was so memorable and so much fun. Good luck to all this years trainee comedians. Who are now two weeks in to their training. This year’s Roving Comedy Night is on Sunday 28th June. If you can, I would urge you to support the event and go and see a whole host of top comedy talent hone their Edinburgh Shows. For more details of the Tringe Festival follow the link –http://www.get-stuffed.biz/tringe/

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

The other Friday I went to the Tower Bridge Studios in London to do some filming for the new series of the Sky One programme Duck Quacks Don’t Echo hosted by Lee Mack. On the show they attack popular myths and scientific rumours. And try to prove or disprove them. While of course having a laugh along the way. I was involved in the shooting of one of the experiments for a future episode. Now as I do not want to spoil it for you and because if I am totally honest I am not sure exactly what they were trying to test.

Tower Bridge Studios
Tower Bridge Studios

I do not want to give too much away about what went on. But let us just say as part of the procedure before we filmed I had to under go an ECG examination and have my blood pressure checked. It was the first time that I have ever had an ECG reading. Good news, all was good and I am quite healthy by all accounts. So I am viewing this, as a bonus free health check provided by the production company. It was a lot of fun doing the filming. A nice day hanging out in television land. The crew were great, very friendly and helpful. The new series is due to start on Sky One sometime around the autumn. So please do keep an eye out for my cameo appearance on it. And see if you can spot me.

Tower Bridge Studios
Tower Bridge Studios

This weekend I am actually back up in Liverpool to celebrate the final day of this year’s Premier League season by watching Everton play Tottenham at Goodison Park. Followed by a few Bank Holiday Weekend drinks with my good friend Jeff Nolan. Also very best of luck today to Wycombe Wanderers who play Southend at Wembley Stadium in the League Two Play Off Final. I used to watch them regularly as a teenager and I did play for their under sixteen team for about half a season. I hope all my Buckinghamshire friends and family have a great day out at the home of football, whatever the final score. If I was not away I more than likely would have gone to the game myself.

Neil Quigley in Liverpool
Neil Quigley in Liverpool

I am very excited currently because this Wednesday evening I am going to the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham to see Paul McCartney. It is as part of his current “Out There” tour. I was lucky enough to see him join Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band on stage for the encore at Hard Rock Calling at Hyde Park in 2012. They performed a couple of Beatles songs together and it was brilliant. But I have always wanted to see a full “McCartney” solo show. I am going with Jeff Nolan and we have a hotel room booked and plan to make an occasion out of this possibly once in a lifetime opportunity. I look forward to telling you all about it the next time we speak.

The Boss in action
The Boss in action

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

TV Times

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been great with lots of fun things going on. I spent quite a bit of time in various television studios and in a well known West End theatre watching several TV programmes being made. I did have one mini personal disaster the other day though.

On the way back from London I managed to somehow leave my wallet on the train. Which led to a few slight issues with getting in to my house. As my key was in it. And with paying for any items that I needed for the next few days. Happily I did get it and all the contents that it contained back. So thank you very much to Chiltern Railway’s for finding it and returning it to me. That was very much appreciated and saved me a lot of hassle. I will be more careful in the future, to make sure my wallet always leaves the service when I do.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

The excellent “The Last Leg” has been doing a very short run of election special shows for Channel 4. I went and saw the first one of these programmes broadcast live from the Fountain Studios in Wembley. It was in a smaller studio than the one they normally use. So the audience were much nearer to the action and right on top of the team. Which I think actually created a better atmosphere for it. The host Adam Hills and the regulars Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe were on top form. They were all very funny.

The show was live on Channel 4 from ten that night but fair play all three of them came out on to the set about twenty minutes before it was due to start, to have some fun and a laugh with the crowd. And to film the opening titles sequence. Adam Hills did admit that he was a little bit jet lagged when he walked out. As he had only just recently arrived back in to the country from Australia. I have to say though you could not tell and it did not affect his performance. He was still as razor sharp as ever. It featured possibly the oddest two guests I had personally seen on the show. Bearing in mind it was an election special of course. So this did kind of limit their options as the guests had to be relevant.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

The first one was the then deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Who to be fair came across quite well and showed that he could take a joke. He also did pretty well considering that it is not really the ideal show to get into big political discussions and opinions. As they are basically just waiting for the opportunity to try and get the next joke in. Or to bring in some embarrassing footage of politics going wrong. They did have a clip of Nick trying to tell a joke at a press conference. It was that bad he should probably stick to his day job, and that is saying something.

The second guest was Piers Morgan. Who actually got booed when he walked on to the set. I can’t think of many other guests who have ever received that treatment when appearing on any programme. He took it well. But with the things he often says and does for effect. He is clever enough to know he always risks this reaction. I can’t say I particularly like him, but I admire and respect what he has achieved. And annoying I do sometimes have to agree with some of things he says. It was a fun night out and you left the studio in a good mood, even after all the election talk. Which I think is the sign of a good show.

Neil Quigley TV Presenter
Neil Quigley TV Presenter

Next up it was a trip in to the heart of London’s theatre land to go and see the final episode in the latest instalment of Sunday Night at The Palladium being filmed. On the way to the show my friend and I stopped off for a lovely Italian meal in a well known and popular chain of themed restaurants. I had the steak washed down with a nice glass of red wine. The perfect pre-theatre meal in my opinion. We had collected our tickets earlier in the day so had some free time before we had to return to see the show.

So after we had eaten we then went for a quick look round Carnaby Street to walk off the food. We accidentally stumbled across this shop just off the main street. Which the very stylish looking manager informed us was the oldest shop in the Street. It certainly had a great selection of original sixties style clothes, classic band t-shirts, and handmade leather boots, which all looked very cool. The manger was also a tailor who designs and makes many of the items on sale. It is a really eccentric and authentic place and well worth a look at if you are in the area.

London Palladium
London Palladium

Then it was time to take our seats in the Upper Circle of the iconic London Palladium to enjoy the return of the ITV weekend variety programme. The host for the night was Jack Whitehall. I really like him and I do think he is extremely funny. He did a brilliant job anchoring the night. I have seen him out in social situations. His stage persona can, I guess seem a little brash sometimes, but in “real life” he is a very nice, friendly bloke. Who is happy to just have a quiet drink with mates with no fuss whatsoever.

The acts on the bill included a Japanese Dance Troop, who were amazing. A knife throwing act, who I had to watch through my fingers as it was scary stuff. Jack Carroll the young comedian from Britain’s Got Talent. Top comedian Sara Pascoe, who was on great form. The music for the evening was supplied by Jess Glynne, Leona Lewis and the fantastic Simply Red. Who had the whole place totally rocking.

It was a great night out at a tremendous venue. I love variety shows and think that there should be more of them on television. As it was the very last one in the current series, it will not be on our screens until the end of May. But do look out for it and give it a watch if you get chance. It’s fantastic Sunday night entertainment.

London Palladium
London Palladium

Then the next night I was back at the Fountain Studios in Wembley to see an episode of the new Saturday Night show “Play To The Whistle” being filmed. It is hosted by the excellent Holly Willoughby, who for me is one of the best presenters around. Switched on, very slick and funny when she needs to be, perfect in many ways. The executive producer on the show is Dan Baldwin, who is also Holly’s husband. He is involved with a lot of high profile panel and game shows.

Wembley
Wembley

Also on the show is Bradley Walsh, who is great, a true professional and very nice man. And footballer Frank Lampard, who plays his role brilliantly. He knows why he is there and what he needs to do. The other regulars are comedian’s Romesh Ranganathan and Sean Walsh (Both of whom I have seen perform live) They are both very funny men. And finally ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard pops up when required to bring a bit of madness and his own brand of fun. From what I have seen I think he may be a little bit crazy.

The guests on the panel at this particular recording were the legend that is Bob Mortimer, Pat Cash and Natalie Anderson from Emmerdale. They were all great fun, but for me Bob stole the show. He has a unique sense of humour. I think it is the way that he delivers his stuff in that kind of matter of a fact way, that makes it so amusing.

Without giving too much away. There is one bit in the show where it goes a little bit off piste. And everyone involved suddenly has a go at a fun little game. Which just started off as a challenge between Bradley Walsh and Pat Cash. This ultimately leads to seeing an airborne Holly Willoughby. Which is something I thought I may never get to see but I was glad to be there to witness it. This may or may not make it in to the show but if it does the way she lands goes some way to demonstrating Newton’s Laws of gravity.

Neil Quigley in London
Neil Quigley in London

It was great entertainment and the whole gang were up for it and really throwing themselves in to it. Again this episode was recorded well in advance and will not be on our screens until at least next Saturday night. If you are in and fancy a laugh keep an eye out for it. It will make you smile. As ever with these things the funniest moments probably will not make the edit. Which is why I really enjoy being in the studio on filming days.  You never know exactly what will happen.

Neil Quigley Presenter
Neil Quigley Presenter

And finally from the world of television I went to a Celebrity Juice recording at Elstree Studios. They normally record the show on a Wednesday and then it goes out the following night. The one I was at was Keith Lemon’s special birthday show. Which was great because they all wore fancy dress and they played all the host’s favourite games from the past. It was good to see Holly Willoughby for the second time in three nights, without her accusing me of stalking her. This show is also produced by her husband Dan Baldwin.

Elstree Studios
Elstree Studios

As well as the other regulars Ferne Cotton and Gino D’acampo, on the show were Professor Green, Charlotte Crosby and Gok Wan. I once interviewed Gok when he was filming one of his television shows in Bristol. He told me right at the end of it that he had to dash off as he had a lady waiting for him in her underwear. For those of you who know him or his shows. You will know that this is perfectly wholesome and all above board. The alcohol was flowing through out, it was a pretty wild and fun recording. Celebrity Juice that is, not my interview with Gok. I think you could certainly see that if you did watch the show on ITV2 the other Thursday.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

On Bank Holiday Monday I went and tried out a new sport for the very first time. Having never set foot on a proper golf course before because I have never really had the desire to try that particular game. I was much keener to try a new form of this sport featuring my favourite sport football. So after being invited by a former football team mate to play Foot Golf with him and a few of his mates. I jumped at the chance. Ritchings Park Golf Club in Iver has built a specially adapted course for football’s. It has only just recently opened, so we were one of the first people to try it out. It costs sixteen pounds per person for a round. Which does include a football and a scorecard for your group, detailing the par for each hole. Plus a map of the course.

Foot Golf
Foot Golf

It was a good laugh and if I am honest a little bit harder than I had thought it would be. It took us about two hours to get round the eighteen holes. When we had finished we had a pint in the club house, so we could just double check the scorecards. I came in last place out of four but it was a close game. And I was only four shots or if you like kicks off the leader. If you are a football fan and fancy a good giggle with your mates I would definitely suggest giving it a go. It is really well set out. The holes are set in to the greens like proper golf, only they are football sized. And they all have flags in them to. I do plan on having another game or two before the summer is over. It was certainly a very pleasant way to spend a May morning.

Foot Golf
Foot Golf

I have mentioned before that I am a big fan of twitter. And one of the reasons I like it, is for moments like this. Listening to Chris Evans on the Radio One Breakfast Show is what made me decide that I wanted to work in radio. So imagine my delight when one of my broadcasting hero’s re-tweeted something I had posted over the weekend. It is fair to say it did lead to an increase in my personal traffic on the site. Well at least for a couple of hours anyway.

It was simply an observation about how his description of what he was experiencing at the airport. Would have made for a very different start to the film Love Actually. I still enjoy listening to Chris Evans on Radio Two now. He is such an exceptional communicator and a very interesting man. So cheers for the on-line mention Sir, it was very decent of you.

Twitter Fun
Twitter Fun

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

That’s Life

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been on the whole brilliant with lots going on. A few weekends ago I was up in Liverpool for the Grand National Weekend. I had a fantastic weekend. I always enjoy myself up there and needless to say owing to the rather large event happening, the place was buzzing. I stayed with my mate Jeff Nolan. I travelled up on the Thursday. He met me off the train and we went for a catch up in his local pub. He lives near Aintree, so the place was packed with very smartly dressed people. Who had been enjoying the first day of racing.

Now we had obviously had this conversation previously but I had forgotten somehow. I was staying with Jeff from the Thursday night through to the Sunday. So as we are talking I say, it must be your first Wedding Anniversary soon? To which he replies yes it is this Saturday. What sort of mate am I? I had pretty much invited myself to stay and in the process managed to gatecrash my friend’s first year marriage celebrations. Not ideal but at least I was there to wish them both a very happy anniversary on the day itself in person. And I did buy them both a drink.

Neil Quigley & Jeff Nolan
Neil Quigley & Jeff Nolan

We actually went to Aintree for Ladies Day on the Friday. All dressed up in our suits and looking pretty smart and dapper, if I do say so myself. We did pop to the pub for a few pre racing drinks. But don’t judge us, we were not the only ones, pretty much everyone had the same idea. And the place was packed. I have to say I did spot some of the women wearing some pretty eye catching outfits. As you would expect for Ladies Day of course. I enjoyed the afternoon. Slightly helped by the fact, we had a couple of winners between us. Which always aids the enjoyment I find.

To beat the rush we headed in to the centre of Liverpool just before the last race to continue the party. We visited a few different venues including a couple with a Beatles theme. We went to the Hard Day’s Night Hotel and popped in to The Cavern Pub for a quick Fab Four sing-song. It was a great day out with good mates. I would recommend a day at Ladies Day to anyone. The atmosphere is great and the fun continues long after the racing has finished for the day.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

On Grand National Day itself we went round to Jeff’s parent’s place to watch the Swansea against Everton game. He is an Everton season ticket holder so there was no way he was missing the match. Then when it had finished we headed to the pub the watch the big race. After visiting the bookmakers on route to place our bets. I thought it was an enjoyable and exciting race and thankfully all the horses were fine at the end of it.

Grand National 2015
Grand National 2015

None of the selections I made on the day were successful but I did manage to win the Wembley Sweepstake. So thank you to Many Clouds and jockey Leighton Aspell for making that possible for me. I also managed to pick the winner of the Scottish Grand National the week after. So again thanks to Wayward Prince and the jockey Robbie Dunne. It is a shame I did not pick the winner of the Irish National to complete the treble. In Liverpool on Grand National Day it is fair to say the celebrations continued well in to the evening. It was a great weekend, so much fun. Thanks to Jeff Nolan and his family for putting up with me. And apologies for spoiling their celebrations. I am already looking forward to my next visit up there at the end of May. To witness the end of the Premier League football season.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

On the train journey home from Liverpool I managed to do something that I have not done for years. As I was getting on my second train of the day I was putting my luggage in the rack above the seats. When I caught my funny bone on the top of one of them. I had forgotten what a totally odd feeling that is. There is that quick shot of pain that only lasts for about a second or so. Then your whole arm goes instantly numb and feels really weird for the next few hours. Hopefully it will be a while before I hit it again. But it has confirmed to me that it is called your funny bone because it is different not because it will make you laugh when you hit it.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

For the last couple of Summers I have had a brilliant time working with Regatta Radio in Henley. To bring full coverage of the Henley Royal Regatta to the airwaves. Sadly I have been advised that Regatta Radio will be taking a break this year and will not be broadcasting at the event. They do plan to return next year though. Hopefully working more closely with the event’s organisers to provide even better coverage.

There is still a chance I could be involved when they do return. I am really going to miss working with the extremely hard working and enthusiastic team there this year. I have learnt so much about rowing over the last couple years, thanks to mainly the very talented commentators we had working with us there. Although as I am not going to be working there this year. I may have to spend a day there actually just enjoying the rowing. If I can get myself a ticket of course.

"Gloriana" looking very regal at Henley Regatta
“Gloriana” looking very regal at Henley Regatta

You will hopefully be pleased to hear that my crown fitting is complete and went well. And that I am now the proud owner of my very first crown. The first of many I suspect. I was surprised by how quick the final part of this procedure was. I got to the dentist, sat in the chair. She then fiddled about with my mouth for around a minute. Yanked the temporary one out and then literally banged in the new one. Then she just did a bit of filing and the job was done. I was in and out in five minutes. Despite being told that I could eat or drink with it straight away. I still waited two hours to do this so I felt safe with it. Old habits die hard I guess.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

It was all happening this week. As well as the dentist’s I had my annual eye test at the opticians. Now as a glasses and contact lens wearer I do always like these regular appointments to make sure my prescriptions are up to date and that my eyes are in good health. So after all the normal and obvious tests. With the whole better with, better without questions, with the different lenses held up to your eyes. Where most of the time I find I can’t see any difference between them at all. Anyway after those tests, they do a few other checks including a field of vision test.

Now this is probably just me but it reminds me of the sort of test that Yoda would have set Luke Skywalker at the swamp in Star Wars. You do one eye at a time. By sticking your head in to this machine and focusing on a single red light. Then you have to press a button to show how many green lights you see flashing, every time the red light moves. It is a game I weirdly really enjoy. I am a very competitive person and I like winning. So I was really trying my at it best. In my excitement I did inform the optician that I was very competitive. So when she gave me my score at the end. She said that I got one hundred percent. Now I am not totally sure if I did or if she was just telling me that so I would feel pleased with myself. But I did walk out with quite a spring in my step.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

Talking of Star Wars I did see the second teaser for the new film last week. It looks absolutely brilliant and I loved the the fact we got to see some little snippets of the original stars including a shot right near the end of it featuring Hans Solo and Chewbacca. It is fair to say one of them does appear to have aged better than the other. I really can’t wait for it to come out. But I will have to be a little bit patient, as it is not due to be released until the 18th December. I now wish that I did not sell all my original Star Wars figures a couple of years ago. It is going to be an extra special Star Wars Day on May the Fourth this year, I think.

Neil Quigley in Liverpool
Neil Quigley in Liverpool

As with everybody’s lives there is light and shade and good and bad days. Last Wednesday I attended the funeral of my Uncle. The last time I had seen him was New Years Eve. I gave him a lift home after a party. He was happy, had enjoyed a good evening. And was ready for the start of the brand new year. He died after a short illness in hospital. The last memory I have of him, is how I intend to remember him. My thoughts at this time are with my aunty and my two cousins. The day itself was a celebration of his life, which is what I believe these things should be. RIP Uncle Kevin.

Neil Quigley Presenter
Neil Quigley Presenter

You may or may not have heard about a new web streaming app that has recently been launched called Periscope. Basically it can give you the ability to broadcast live to the internet through your mobile phone or tablet. So you can do short video broadcasts, which will go live to a web page and then will stay stored on your Periscope account as videos. I have just started using it as have Philip Schofield, Tony Blackburn and Chris Moyles to mention but a few. So if you have the app or follow me on twitter. Do keep an eye out, as I will be producing more and more live webcasts and videos on there over the coming months.

Neil Quigley TV Presenter
Neil Quigley TV Presenter

I went along to Windsor Races with my parents recently. I am partial to a bit of horse racing and Windsor offers great Monday evening race events all the way through the summer. Normally with some great post-racing entertainment. Windsor is a lovely little, friendly course right next to the Thames. So it is a great place to spend the evening, in my opinion. The parking there is great, the portions of the fish and chips are quite unbelievable and they do get a lot of the top jockeys and trainers there. I had a good night with two winners and a place bet coming in. Which does all add to the enjoyment, if you can correctly select a few horses. Watching the races certainly gets the heart rate up and gives the vocal cords a good work out. Or it does for me at least. I suspect I will be back there a few more times over the coming months.

Windsor Races
Windsor Races

Over the next week or so I am going to be seeing a few different television shows being recorded. Which I am looking forward to. As it is always fun in the studio watching these programmes being put together. The first of these will be The Last Leg with Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker at the Fountain Studios in Wembley. I am then also returning to the same studio just a few days later to watch an episode of Play To The Whistle being filmed with Holly Willoughby, Bradley Walsh and Sean Walsh.

Arriving at Elstree Studios
Arriving at Elstree Studios

Then finally a couple of days later I am off to the Elstree Studios to see Celebrity Juice being filmed. I am slightly concerned that Holly will think I am stalking her. When I keep turning up at every single place that she is working. They all feature top comedians. And are mostly light hearted shows. Who do not take themselves too seriously. So they should all be a right good laugh. Which is always a very important part of my world.

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

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

Fools and Horses

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been great with quite a bit going on. I managed a celebrity spot on the train in to London the other day. Now to be fair I already knew that this particular person lived in this certain location, so I was always keeping an eye out for them every time I stopped at their station. So statistically it was bound to happen eventually and it did on that morning. I was just sat in my seat minding my own business when the unmistakable figure of Robert Lindsay walked past and took a seat slightly further down the carriage and facing me.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I was close enough to hear the full conversation he was having with his friend, with that wonderful and very distinctive voice that he has. So I am well up to date on his latest projects and immediate plans. He is a truly great all round performer. He can do it all act, sing, dance the lot. Most recently he has been starring in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in the West End. In the eighties he was starring in the musical Me and My Girl. When it was in London and then he went with it when it transferred to Broadway. In that show he does an amazing version of the Lambeth Walk. He seemed like a really nice friendly and approachable gentleman. So hopefully it will not be long before he is back on our television screens again.

Neil Quigley TV Presenter
Neil Quigley TV Presenter

A few Saturday’s ago I went and saw my mate Andy Holmes perform in the Harold Pinter play Betrayal at the Queens Park Arts Centre in Aylesbury. If you are already familiar with it. You will know that it has three main roles. One of which, he was playing. It is always slightly odd I find seeing a friend performing on stage. You want to enjoy the show but you are also just rooting for it to go well for them at the same time. I have seen him in a couple of things before but this was possibly the most dramatic piece that I have personally witnessed him in. I really enjoyed it. I thought the whole cast were great. And I know from speaking to Andy the time and effort that they had all put in to it, to make it work. Which I think showed in the performance.

Cast of "Betrayal"
Cast of “Betrayal”

He did have a couple of kissing scenes in it. In the fairly busy bar afterwards he made the mistake of asking me what I had thought of his love scenes, to which I replied well that is the most action you have had in ages. He did tell me later that the actress who he had to kiss actually had her husband in watching that night. Now I am no actor but that has to be a little bit awkward surely. It was a lovely fun way to spend the evening and congratulations to everyone involved with the production.

Andy Holmes in action
Andy Holmes in action

After seeing the play I then went to a pub in Aylesbury for a quick fortieth birthday drink with someone I have known for about twenty years now. His name is Colin Morton. We met when I joined Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio. This is how and why I decided to join. It was while I was in my final year of a Leisure and Tourism course at Aylesbury College that I really developed an interest in radio. Mix 96 had recently launched in Aylesbury, so I wrote to them and managed to get a week’s work experience there. It was while I was there during that week that someone suggested that I joined the local Hospital Radio, so I did.

Neil Quigley back at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio
Neil Quigley back at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio with Martin Kinch

Colin was already there and had his own show. You start out as a producer gathering requests from the wards. Then you get trained on the equipment and hopefully get your own show. All of which I did. Colin then got a job at Mix 96 hosting the evening show and the Saturday Sports Show. I have to thank him really for getting me involved in the Sports Show. As I think he suggested me, when they needed someone to come in and ring up all the local football clubs to get the scores. And then to read out the half time and full time scores from these games. Which I then did. And the rest as they say is history. That is what really gave me my break in radio, if you like. So it was great to see Colin and Andrew Duthie, who was also there for a nice catch up and to talk about old times.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I am still doing quite a bit of work at Wembley Stadium. I was there taking some people around on behalf of the Football Association before the FA Trophy Final between North Ferriby United and Wrexham. I was taking a select group of North Ferriby fans round. It is always great to be there on a match day. Walking through the Mixed Zone, being in the players tunnel and then going pitch side. You can really feel the excitement of the occasion building up. It was a cracking game as well with the underdogs winning five-four on penalties after a three all draw in extra time.

So well done North Ferriby United. I like to think my tour was a lucky charm for them. I think some special praise needs to go to the Wembley ground staff to. On the Friday Night England played Lithuania there. Then on the Saturday a Rugby Union game between Saracens and Harlequins took place. And then the FA Trophy Final was there on the Sunday. The pitch looked perfect and there was not even any trace of the rugby pitch markings from the day before.

Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium

It is always good to do new things in life and experience things for the first time. So last week I went for my first ever crown fitting at the Dentists. This was required because I have had a root canal treatment. And apparently to protect the tooth you need a crown on it. So to make sure that the finished crown fits they have to take impressions of your teeth. I have to confess I didn’t find that process much fun and it does not leave a very pleasant taste in your mouth at the end. It seemed like she took an impression of all my teeth not just the one required. So I am now slightly concerned she may be worried that all my teeth may be falling apart, and that she will need to replace them all. I have a temporary one on at the minute with the proper one due to be fitted in a week or so. Wish me luck.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

On Good Friday I went with my mum to see Wycombe Wanderers play Oxford United in League Two. Now as a teenager I was for a couple of years a season ticket holder at Wycombe. I also briefly played for their under sixteen side and I did have a trial game for their youth team. However I did not get selected. I instead went and played for two years in the Aylesbury United Youth Team. Funnily enough my first game for them was in a one-nil win against the Wycombe Wanderers Youth Team in Beaconsfield. The Wycombe/Oxford game was pretty poor for the home side specially in the first half but they did battle back and make a fight of it in the second half. Although ultimately it was in the end a very disappointing result for the team who are currently chasing promotion. Plus let’s face it no one likes losing to their local rivals.

Adam's Park
Adam’s Park

Before the game I managed to catch up with a couple of people I know. Firstly Daniel Freeman, who was there to report on the game for Sky Sports and my good friend Nathan Cooper, who was there covering the match for BBC Radio Oxford. Strangely the three of us have all previously worked on a game together before. When I was working at Ivel Fm in Somerset, Yeovil Town then managed by Russell Slade got to the League One Play Off Final at the then newly built Wembley Stadium in 2007 against Blackpool.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

We managed to get full commentary rights to broadcast the whole game live on the radio. To do that we needed two excellent commentators to help us. I already knew Daniel and Nathan and luckily they were up for getting involved. So the three of us produced a full show from the National Stadium with Daniel and Nathan as the two commentators and me operating as the co-commentator for both of them. While presenting the show before and after the game. It was a busy but fun day out and I thought we did a brilliant job covering the occasion. It was great to see them both at Wycombe and good to see them still doing at excellent job reporting on football matches and bringing them to life on the radio and television.

Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium

Last Saturday it was the final show in the current series of the brilliant Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Once again there was nothing missing from the programme or the series. In my opinion it has taken all the best bits from about twenty different big Saturday night television shows from the past and put them all into one show. In handy bite size sections. But it all works so well and is great family entertainment. This weekend we will still be able to see the Geordie boys on our screens. As the new series of Britain’s Got Talent starts on Saturday. And if the first instalment is anything like the London audition show I went to see. We will be in for a crazy time.

BGT Dominion Theatre
BGT Dominion Theatre

There will be acts that will take your breath away and leave you feeling like that is the best thing you have ever seen. And then on the other side of the scale there will performances that will make you cringe and even cause you to cover your eyes and ears, so you do not have to witness it. I don’t know if it was just the session I was at but Simon Cowell seemed a lot nicer and more compassionate in his critique. So I am not totally sure if he was just in a really good mood that day or if becoming a father has seen him mellow a bit. I reckon we will know for sure if this the case or not by the final at least. The audition shows are always bonkers and give Ant & Dec plenty of comical moments to enjoy. Good luck to all involved with it and let us hope for a worthy winner this year.

Ant & Dec
Ant & Dec

I had a really nice Easter weekend which did involve eating quite a bit of chocolate. But life is all about balance and give and take, so I did actually go for a morning run on Good Friday and Easter Monday. To be fair that was not only to work off the sweets I had consumed. I did manage to have a few drinks with mates to, so these calories had to be dealt with and burned off. I met one of my friends in Marlow. Which is always a place I enjoy going to, specially in the summer. Normally for a nice walk along the river there. It really is a nice and relaxed place to meet people and have a good chat and a catch up. And it does boast The Hand and Flowers Pub, which has two Michelin Stars and is run by top chef Tom Kerridge.

Neil Quigley in Liverpool
Neil Quigley in Liverpool

I am up in Liverpool this weekend enjoying being there for the Grand National Race meeting weekend. I love the city and always really enjoy spending time there. I came up for this festival about five years ago and had a brilliant day out at Aintree for Ladies Day. It is an amazing experience everybody really dresses up and has a top time. This time I am just up there and enjoying the partying after racing rather than being at the track itself. The place is packed out in the evenings, with either people celebrating wins or drowning their sorrows, if they have lost. For sheer atmosphere alone watching the Grand National in a packed pub in the centre of Liverpool is only second to actually being stood there on the course at Aintree itself. I will tell you more about my time in Liverpool next time we speak.

Neil Quigley with The Beatles
Neil Quigley with The Beatles

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

Viva Las London

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been nice and busy, with quite a few fun things going on. I have made no secret of my total appreciation for Ant & Dec. And the great job they do on our televisions. I was watching Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV player a couple of Sunday’s ago and was surprised to see Wembley Stadium featured on the show.

You know how they always use different locations to display the audiences faces for when they randomly select one to play “Win the Ads”. Well they were using the giant screens at the front of the stadium to do this. Now I was working in the Wembley area on that Saturday evening. I did wonder why the central Arch was fully lit and bright red in colour, as I was waiting at the train station to go home. Then obviously when I caught up with the programme the day after, I realised why. If I had known in advance I would have gone there and tried to get myself in the shot. May be that is why nobody told me.

Neil Quigley Presenter
Neil Quigley Presenter

Well I can confirm I did use my surname and my minimal Irish roots to justify going to London to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style this year. I went to my favourite pub in the capital. Which just so happens to be the Irish Bar in Rupert Street off Leicester Square called Waxy O’Connors. I have long maintained that they serve the best Guinness in London.

And I certainly enjoyed having a few pints of the black stuff in there on this special occasion. It was as you would expect packed full of lots of very happy people, who were dressed mostly in green. There was traditional Irish music being played by a live band. The atmosphere was great, everybody was just there to have a good time, a few drinks and a bit of a sing-song. I really enjoyed it. It was a great way to spend the day.

Waxy O'Connors St Patrick's Day
Waxy O’Connors St Patrick’s Day

While I was in London celebrating I managed to also catch up with a couple of friends, who I used to work with. Including one who just happened to have randomly been up in London for a few days from his home in Cornwall. It just shows you the power of social media. I put on Twitter my plan’s for the day ahead. I then saw that he said he was coming to London, so we exchanged messages. Then a few hours later we were meeting up in a pub for a couple of drinks.

His name is Scott Temple. I used to work with him at Ivel Fm in Somerset. So it was great to see him and have a good catch up. Which did of course include a bit of reminiscing, as well as a more general conversation about radio. He is currently working at Pirate Fm in Redruth. So all things considered the day worked out perfectly. I think I might do a very similar thing next year on March 17th.

Neil Quigley and Scott Temple
Neil Quigley and Scott Temple

I went to see the Book Of Mormon last Wednesday. It was a musical I have been wanting to see for a while and I had heard some brilliant things about it. So I was excited to finally get to see it. I have to confess that prior to going along I did not do any further research on it at all. So I had no idea about the plot, the cast or what to expect at all. It is currently showing at The Prince of Wales Theatre. Which is one I do like and one that it easy to find, as it is right in the middle between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. I had a decent seat near the front of the balcony. Which I settled in to just before curtain up, with absolutely no idea of what to expect.

Prince Of Wales Theatre
Prince Of Wales Theatre

From the opening number, which was an upbeat real show setting song. That was brilliantly written and cleverly performed, I was transfixed. It does warn on the tickets that it contains explicit language and I would agree it is not for the faint hearted. But you need to remember that it is written by the people behind South Park. So you should already realise that no subject is taboo. And that they will be happy to use the full colourful range of the English language that is available to them. As they confirm beyond no reasonable doubt about ten minutes into the performance.

Neil Quigley Drawing
Neil Quigley Drawing

It is so hard to do a funny musical with songs that are catchy, that contain great lyrics and that make you laugh out loud. But the team behind this production manage that with ease. The cast many of whom have come with the show from Broadway are all brilliant. Aside from the main plot itself. There are so many small sub plots and lots of random and sometimes surreal visual jokes. That you really have to concentrate on what is happening on stage or you might miss something.

It is a totally brilliant show, thoroughly entertaining, extremely funny. And you might find that it can actually start some big serious conversations about life and your views on it. If you are not easily offended, are open minded and fancy a laugh. I would go and see it while you can, as it closes in London fairly soon.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I finally got round to going for a meal at my local Indian Restaurant last week. It has only been open for about ten years. May be I have been somehow subconsciously avoiding the place. As the building it is in used to be a library when I was a young child. So I think the last time I had previously been in there was when I got a book out when I was about five. Anyway the reason I went along really was because my mate Alvin was there doing his Elvis Show.

It was an all in fixed price for a set menu meal with the entertainment included. Firstly I have to say the food was fantastic. A great big selection of starters to share. Followed by a huge selection of main courses to pick from with rice and naan bread included. So for that alone I will be definitely be going back there. The staff were really friendly and helpful to. So it was a nice all round dining experience.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I have seen Alvin perform many times in the eighteen odd years I have known him. In anything from small venues to big West End Theatres and he always puts on a great show. With the same energy and enthusiasm. Which is the mark of a great performer. My mum is a big Elvis Presley fan so he once made an appearance at one of her birthday parties for me. He was brilliant and brought the house down. As ever on this night in the Indian he was great to.

He is a massive fan of the man he portrays and has studied every detail of the performances his idol used to give on stage. And brilliantly recreates them. Alvin is also a very good comedian, so he mixes his great vocal portrayal of the King with lots of jokes and lots of humour. If you know anything about Elvis. You will know that he himself had a great sense of humour. He liked to laugh, be a bit cheeky and have some fun while on stage performing with the audience. Which is something Alvin replicates in his shows. So we had a funny night, enjoying classic songs, effortlessly sung by a mate, who was rocking a very stylish Elvis Presley white jump suit.

Alvin Printwhistle
Alvin Printwhistle

My comedy teacher has just released the third version of his book “Get Started In Stand Up Comedy (Make Em Laugh). That man is Logan Murray. As well as being an author on the subject. Logan also runs lots of Stand Up Comedy Courses at various locations throughout the year. I was lucky enough to attend one of his eight week courses in Tring a couple of years ago. When I became part of the brilliant Roving Comedy Night as part of the Tringe Festival.  This was when I finally got my first taste of doing some stand up comedy. After thinking about giving a try for about the previous five years. Logan is a hugely experienced comedian and a brilliant teacher.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

It was quite intensive in that the sessions were three hours long. But the time flew by as it felt like we were just messing about and having a laugh the whole time. Doing many improv and joke writing exercises. While trying to release our inner child. Then after seven weeks of basically pratting about each of the group had produced five minutes of original material to perform four times in four pubs in Tring on the Roving Comedy Night. Not only is he a great teacher, funny, interesting and engaging. He is so encouraging and is happy to give up his own time for you to go through your routine and to give you some one to one coaching in the lead up to your first big performance.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

If you have ever wanted to try stand up comedy. My advice would be just go out there and give it a go. You will never know if you are any good or not until you try. I would recommend having a look a the book first or even better if you can why not do one of the courses. Even if you do not become the next big thing and if the gig at the end of it is the only one you ever do. It would still be worth it for the great experience. And you will still learn things that will help you with your everyday life. Doing the course does give you a great insight into comedy and it will certainly give you a good giggle, which I personally think is very important in life. Make jokes not war.

Neil Quigley doing Stand Up
Neil Quigley doing Stand Up

I did manage a celebrity spot, while I was in London recently. Well I did thanks to a little bit of assistance anyway. It was while me and my sister were walking through the ticket barrier at Marylebone Station. As we were going through I saw a women with blond hair heading towards me. I thought I recognised her. I was convinced I knew her or had at least met her before somewhere. So I gave her a very nice polite smile as she walked past. Then moments later my sister turned to me and said did you see Jo Joyner just then?

Now I have to confess I do not really watch Soap Opera’s. So I did not realise it was the actress who played Tanya Branning in Eastenders. Now as I said she did look familiar, but I have never met her previously. So I now just hope she did not think my smiling at her was too weird. I was only being friendly to someone I thought I already knew.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

April is already looking like it is going to be a really fun month. It is of course Easter Weekend next weekend. So that means you can legitimately have chocolate for breakfast right? And who doesn’t enjoy a nice Hot Cross Bun or two? I am going up to Liverpool for the Grand National weekend, which I am looking forward to. It will be absolutely buzzing up there for that event.

Then at the end of the month I have been offered the chance to go along and see an episode of Celebrity Juice being filmed at the Elstree Studios. I am a big fan of the show. It normally gets some very good guests on it. It is crazy enough on television, so I am expecting it to be total carnage in the studio and lots of fun of course.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

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