Tag Archives: london

Use The Force

November 25, 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. The other week I found myself back in a very fancy bar in London. That I had not been in for a while. I popped in to Sushi Samba to have a few cocktails and enjoy the amazing views.

It is a pretty cool venue not far from Liverpool Street Underground Station in the Heron Tower. It is on the thirty-eighth floor and you get up to it by using these glass elevators. That reminded me of the ones’ at the end of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. They are so quick, it seems that you travel from the ground floor to the bar level in under twenty seconds.

So once you have arrived at the correct floor. Obviously the first thing you need is a nice tasty cocktail to settle your stomach. The selection is excellent and the staff are all fully trained in the art of flaring. I tried a mango one and also a strawberry one, while I was there. They both tasted sensational but very dangerous. As you could not tell that they contained any alcohol, at all. You could only really taste the fruits. But I can confirm that when I got up to leave. I did notice it then.

The views from there are spectacular. They have an outside roof bar. Plus huge windows that look out of every side. You can pretty much pick out any London landmark that you wish to. You get an instant feel how high up you are, when you realise you are towering right above The Gherkin.

It is a really good place to visit every now and again. I always really enjoy it in there. Afterwards me and the people I was with headed off just down the road to find somewhere to grab a bit of food. I had never been to a Turkish Restaurant before. And to be clear we are not counting Kebab Shops we are talking serious proper eateries only. So we thought we would try the Turkish place called Haz.

We had the selection share platter option. The food was very nice but heavily bread and hummus based. Which was perfectly fine with me, as I like both of them a lot. It was all washed down with a couple of glasses of red wine. Which possibly helped my enjoyment of it even further.

I am a massive Star Wars fan. So I was very excited when I found out that there was going to be a massive Star Wars Exhibition taking place at the O2 in London. I was even more excited when I manged to get a ticket to go along to the preview day a few Monday’s ago. So I could have a look around it before it officially opened to the general public. When I arrived there on the day. I could not work out why there were so many people already there.

It then dawned on me that the ATP Tennis Finals were taking place there. And that Andy Murray was due on court in the next hour. The whole place was absolutely heaving. Well done to him on becoming the number one tennis player in the world. That is a fantastic achievement. It is great that he is of course British to. Well at least until he slips down to number two anyway.

Right so back to Star Wars then. I have to confess that on the way there I was way to excited for a man of my age going to such an event. The actual full name of the attraction is “Star Wars Identities”. So as well as lots of amazing items, memorabilia and costumes from the actual films.

It also looks in to the individual make up of each of the character’s. And gives you chance to discover your own Star Wars Identity. This part of it is really tailored to the children. And is actually very cleverly done, I think. But everybody who goes round gets the chance to do it.

When you arrive you get issued with an earpiece. So you can hear the audio from all the screens you see and also for extra audio information about the items on display. You also get an interactive wristband. Which is what you use, as you go round to create your own personalised Star Wars Identity.

You are then shown to the starting point. Which is a cool welcome video to watch. When that has finished you can just take yourself round the place at your own pace.

The first actual items you see from the films are several different Storm Trouper costumes. Followed by the actual C3PO and R2-D2 used by Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker respectively. Which nearly blew my mind. Then you get to see the carbon cask that held Hans Solo and Princess Leia’s gold bikini from Return Of The Jedi. Before Yoda, Jabba The Huts actual eyes and one of Peter Mayhew’s actual Chewbacca outfits.

Not to mention other costumes worn by Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Queen Amidala. Plus some of the members of the Dark side of the force including The Emperor, Darth Maul and of course the man played by the Green Cross Code man Darth Vader.

As well as taking lots of pictures as I went round. I was also using my wristband at the various sections to build and find out my own personal identity. It was a nice fun added thing to do. The way it was explained and linked back to the development of human beings. I think would be very educational and interesting for children. At the end they show you a picture of what the Star Wars you, looks like.

And you can sign up to have them email you the whole back story of your character. Just in case there was any doubt. I can confirm that I was a high ranking Jedi. As a massive fan of the whole thing. I really enjoyed the exhibition. And I would recommend checking it out if you are a Star Wars fan.

I went with my dad to Wembley Stadium to see England play Spain the other week. It had been planned for a while. In fact when we got our tickets for it. Sam Allardyce was still the manager. It was a classic Quigley visit to the home of football. We got there early had a drink before we went in. Then we had a bit of Pizza pre-match inside the ground and settled down in our seats in time to watch the players warm up. We did get a free commemorative t-shirt each as well, which was nice. A freebie is a freebie. I am not proud.

The game itself was alright. If I am honest we had hoped to see more of Spain’s star players on show and being Spurs fans it may have been nice to see more of our players out there. The game started well with England getting an early penalty. Which was won by Vardy and then confidently put away by Lallana.

Then early in the second half Vardy scored with a diving header. Then completely confused me with his Mannequin Challenge. As I could not work out why he stopped mid celebration. I thought the goal had been ruled out at first. Before I finally realised what they were doing.

It was all going so well. Until the last five minutes when England suddenly decided to throw away. What would have been a nice morale boosting two nil win albeit against an under strength Spanish team. To finish with, let us say a respectable draw. The more changes they made the better they got and the more substitutes we made the worse we seemed to get.

After the game we went and had a beer. While we waited for the queues at Wembley Stadium Station to go. It was an enjoyable night. And only a friendly, so the result did not really matter. But how the game ended however was a little bit frustrating.

Now I do not want to shatter any illusions here and ruin the magic of television. But sometimes even for charity shows people may not be available on the night due to other commitments but still want to be involved. This means that occasionally they will pre-record bits in the studio to be inserted in to the live show.

So the day before Children in Need this year I was at the BBC Elstree Studios to see some performances being filmed in advance. It is always fun being there. It is where they film Eastenders. And it is also the studio complex where the original Muppet Show was made to.

The first thing I got to see was a comedy sketch featuring the comedian Russell Kane and the sitcom character Mr Khan with their “families”. For a fun dance off to settle a quiz at a church hall. It was very cleverly done and well choreographed.

Plus if you saw it, you will know that it featured some very fancy moves from the Grannies of the families’. Thanks to some clever camera work and two amazing stand in body double dancers. Who were totally brilliant and came in and did their bit in only one take.

I was so pleased and surprised by what came next. I got to witness three numbers by the cast of the new big West End production of Aladdin. It was a massive hit on Broadway in America and has recently transferred to England. It is something that has been on my radar to go to. But I have not quite got round to it yet. Anyway they were all totally brilliant specially the Genie Trevor Dion Nicholas. Who so looks and sounds the part.

It was also good to see the beautiful Jade Ewen performing. She is playing Princess Jasmine. And did a fantastic version of A Whole New World with Aladdin himself Dean John -Wilson. I was so pleased to see this. Now I really cannot wait to go and see the full show.

The final insert that was recorded the day before, while I was there. Was a performance from real life great mates Shane Richie and Tony Hadley. The Spandau Ballet front man was the first radio interview I ever did. He is a top bloke and good fun. He told me back then that he does sometimes have a few problems remembering lyrics. So it was not a surprise to me when he pulled out a piece of paper with the words on to check them again before the song started. He lives near me nowadays, so I do occasionally see him out and about at various places. They performed “Do It For Love” which is off of Shane’s latest album.

They both have great voices and it sounded brilliant. Plus they were both a lot of fun before and after the song. With Shane offering to take us all for a quick pint in the Queen Vic. It was another fun day at Elstree seeing some great stuff. It was all very well done.

I bet if you watched Children in Need on the Friday night. You would have had no idea that any of those things that I have mentioned had been recorded the day before. And were not being performed live on the night. Congratulations to everyone involved in the show. Which this year raised a record breaking £46 Million pounds. Just on the night alone itself.

So in my working life recently. I got to watch a radio interview with the brilliant Laura Mvula taking place. I shared a lift with Gabby Logan. Each of the lifts at the BBC have different radio stations playing in them. We were both in the Radio 1xtra lift.

And I have also have seen Ian Wright around quite a bit recently. He is just one huge bundle of energy that fella.

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

Dead Funny

November 11, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really nice couple of week’s. Mine have been quite busy with some fun things going on. I have just upgraded my mobile phone. I do sometimes wonder how we ever used to cope without them now. My whole life appears to be on it.

As it contains my diary, my photos, my social media, my train times and also all my phone numbers. So with all my contacts and google constantly with me at all times. I do not need to ever remember anything ever again. I can search for the answer to anything, instantly. Which in many ways is terrifying.

I am a very good customer. In that as long as the company I am dealing with does not annoy me and cause me any hassle. I will probably just stay with them as it is easier than changing. Sometimes I do feel it is better the devil you know. So even though I could have almost certainly got myself a much better deal elsewhere. I simply stuck with the same lot again.

When I got the notification that I was due an upgrade. I went straight back to the Carphone Warehouse. I got my very first contract phone from them at least sixteen years ago. I still use the same service provider and have the same number. I am a very loyal customer. For the last couple of renewals. I have gone to the same branch and even seen the same person. Who to be honest is brilliant. I tell him what I need the phone to do. That I will not be paying for a new phone. And that ideally I want it to be a cheaper monthly payment than my previous deal was.

He then makes that happen every time, so far. So I have just got the next I-phone up from what I had previously with a bit more inclusive data. Mainly to cover the amount of time I spend messing about on Twitter. He set up my new phone for me. Which took a lot longer than it should have. Because some silly idiot could not remember his ID for Apple. In my defence I very rarely use it. I plan on repeating this exact performance in two years time. I am very much of the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” school of thinking.

Just three days after I had got my brand new shiny phone. I had a bit of an incident with it. After which I discovered a feature that they appear to have included. Which the company who make them. Had not really made a big thing out of. But that I found to be a bit of a life saver. Now this will sound a little bit like an advert that you may have seen on the television. But I promise you, this did really happen to me.

I was on the phone to a friend of mine, while I was cooking my dinner. I was washing up as I was going along. So had a bowl of warm water in the sink. As I was trying to talk to my mate and also drain the water from the potatoes, I had just cooked. I managed to drop the phone in to said bowl of water. It was completely submerged for about a second or two. Before I whipped it straight out.

My pal was still on the phone and connected. So I explained what had happened and said I would call him back later. In a bit of a panic. I dried it with a towel and then put it straight in the airing cupboard. To try to dry it out a bit. As I must have heard somewhere that this was the thing to do in this situation.

Then I did what everyone does now. I googled to see if this particular phone just happened to be waterproof. To my surprise and delight the internet seemed to suggest this was the case. With reports of YouTube videos showing people dunking them for an hour and them still working straight after. So happily it has been fine since and it looks like I have got away with it. But just to be on the safe side. I will no longer chat on it when I am cooking in the future. I am far too reliant on my phone to risk that again.

I must admit I am not a fan of Halloween. I have never really got in to it, even as a kid. The whole ghosts and ghouls thing never interested me. And as for going round and asking strangers for sweets. That goes against everything I was taught as a kid. I have not got any children yet, so may be I cannot quite see the fun side of it and the excitement in it for them.

Parents spend the whole year telling their off spring to be careful due to some weird and wonderful folks in the community. Then one night of the year. They could inadvertently send them straight to their door. As you have already guessed I am not at all one for trick or treating. So to stop this being an issue. I simply go out every Halloween night.

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

This year I went to the Vaudeville Theatre in London to see Dead Funny. The play is set around the time of the death’s of comedy legend’s Benny Hill and Frankie Howerd.

It is about the relationship’s of two late thirty-something couples. The stress and problems that can happen in life, as the year’s progress. The plot is centred around the “Dead Funny Society”. Which is a social group. Who meet up regularly to reminisce and celebrate the lives of great comics.

The play is very funny in its own right. But it also includes lots of nods to great comedic talents from the past. With many impressions and even some of their old classic routines repeated. Which just added to the enjoyment and nostalgia of it for me. The all star cast were all totally amazing. You have Katherine Parkinson, who was in the IT Crowd. Steve Pemberton from The League of Gentlemen and Benidorm. Ralf Little from Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. Emily Berrington, who was in the second Inbetweeners film and Rufus Jones from W1A.

They were all brilliant. And all get to do impressions of the some of the top comics of all time. I never thought I would write this but Ralf Little does a perfect impression of Max Miller and Emily Berrington is somehow a more than passable Ernie Wise at one point.

I would definitely recommend this show if you like your classic comedy. May be you are heading towards your forties. Or you just enjoy a damn good laugh from your visit to the theatre. Just one word of warning. It does feature a bit of nudity, so it is not for the faint-hearted.

I had cracking front row seats and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a lovely friendly theatre to. It is worth getting to your seat a little bit early as before the curtain goes up they have screens showing lots of classic clips of the comedy geniuses in action. Which really puts you in the mood for the performance.

A few weeks ago I was sat in the BBC Radio Theatre watching the American comedian Rich Hall record one of his US Election Breakdown show’s for Radio 4. If you did not catch any of them. They were set in a pretend American Radio Talk Station with Rich as the show’s host assisted by his English co-host Nick Doody. They would take pretend callers played by Mike Wilmot, Lewis Macleod and Debra Stephenson. Raising various comedic points all about the American Election campaign.

It was the first time that I had seen Rich Hall in action live and he was brilliant. So sharp and very dry. It was a fun show to see made. And at the time of course hugely topical. We now of course know the outcome of the said election. I think there is a chance of extracting plenty more comedy from this in the future though. With the way it has panned out. So may be this programme will return at some point. Or run all through the next four year term, possibly.

I was at Wembley to see Tottenham Hotspur’s second home Champions League game of the season there. This time I took my dad and one of my best friends with me. The evening did not start too well. When the train we were going to get to the stadium was cancelled at the last minute.

So we then had to wait thirty minutes for the next one. Which as it had two train’s worth of people on it was absolutely rammed. We still got there in good time. But may be I should have seen that as a sign of how the night might go.

It was again a great atmosphere inside the ground. And I was excited that my dad and mate were going to see top level club European football for the first time. I managed to get some decent seats again. In the front row behind one of the goals. During the warm up one of the official warm up balls had been left just in front of me. I must confess for a moment I did have my eyes on it. But the Spurs staff retrieved it in the end.

The game itself was not great. We didn’t take our chances and gave away a fairly soft goal. Two things you can really not afford to do at that level. But despite the result it was another good night out at the home of football. As long as we win the next one away in Monaco. We can still qualify for the next stage.

As ever working where I do currently there is always the chance of meeting or at least catching a glimpse and some interesting and exciting people. I was quite pleased to pass one of my radio heroes in the office the other week. As Danny Baker walked past on the way to do his BBC Five Live Show. He had his hat pulled down and was looking at the floor. Which made me suspect he was not interested in a chat at that point.

The Today programmes Nick Robinson is someone I often spot. And I can now add to that list Colin Murray who currently is presenting Fighting Talk on a Saturday morning.

On the way to BBC New Broadcasting House

I was also working on a show the other week. Where one of the guests was a former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino. This man has actually been in to space several times on the iconic Space Shuttle’s. He has space walked and he has fixed the Hubble Telescope. He was on to talk about his new book “Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe”.

He said something during the interview that made me think. He has looked down on the earth from above. While out in the vast nothingness of space. And his view was we are all little individual space travellers who are constantly moving through the galaxy on our little planet. Just a tiny speck of the whole universe. I took from that enjoy life, push boundaries and try as many different new and exciting things as you can.

I had a general routine dentist check up appointment the other week. And they foolishly let me pick the time that I attended. So you will probably not be to surprised to find out. That I opted for two-thirty in the afternoon. Simply for comedy value. So when people found out I was going to the dentist and suggested the standard joke time. I could say. Yes, that is right. It is the little things in life that amuse me the most.

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

Sunny for Old Rope

October 28, 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. A few Friday’s ago I went to the Harold Pinter Theatre in London to see Sunny Afternoon.

It is a musical telling the story of the band The Kinks featuring all of their big hit songs including of course the title of the play. It was a really great show. The cast were excellent. All extremely talented actors, singers and even musician’s. As all of the songs were performed completely live on the stage.I must admit that although I was familiar with the band and their music. I was not completely aware of their story. I knew a few bits and pieces about their history. And I was aware that the relationship between the two brothers in the group was at best awkward.

Basically the group started as a party function band. Just as backing for another singer. But he was being outshone by the lead and rhythm guitarists. So he became their manager and Dave and Ray Davies were sent forward to front the group. At that point becoming The Kinks.

Ray Davies was the main songwriter and singer. While Dave Davies was the brilliant lead guitarist. Who ended up playing all those iconic rifts to their huge tunes. Dave was younger and wilder. Ray was older but more introverted.Which led to some moments on stage when they were literally fighting each other to be centre stage. Which is brilliantly portrayed during this performance.

It was a fantastic show, with plenty of real life emotion and pathos to it. A very compelling story with just a constant string of amazing songs coming up one after another. The finale was great and featured a brilliant version of one of the band’s biggest hit’s. The whole cast looked like they were really enjoying themselves. It is always the sign of a good show. When you leave in a great mood with a couple of the songs stuck in your head in my opinion.

I was back in the Criterion Theatre a few days later to watch a show that I had been meaning to see for a while now. The other year I went and saw the hilarious “The Play That Goes Wrong”. Which was written and performed by the brilliant Mischief Theatre Company.Well they have another play on in London at the minute called “The Comedy About A Bank Robbery”. Which is what I went to see.

It was exactly the same cast that I saw perform in their first play. So they had all moved across to take the leading roles in this latest production. And once again they were all fantastic. They are all so talented. The title does sum up the play very nicely. It does exactly what it says on the tin. It is just a good old fashioned fun production. Including great word play, innuendo, farce and slapstick. All within a brilliantly woven and clever plot. Which will make you laugh out loud. Plus there are actually a couple of unexpected twists in the tale to.

It is simply another quality and entertaining show from this very clever and close knit theatre company. They have found a style and niche that seems to work for them. And they are tremendous at executing it. The timing of some of the set pieces just has to be seen to be believed. I would recommend seeing either of their two shows. If you want a good old belly laugh from your night out at the theatre.

They have a third play as well. Which they perform around the festive period called “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” which is on between now and January. It is something I plan to see. A version of it has already been filmed and it will be on the BBC over the Christmas period. I would suggest you keep a look out for it and watch it if you get the chance. If it is half as good as their other two plays I have already seen, it will be excellent. Such a friendly group as well. I did get to speak to one of the cast very briefly after and they love what they do and really enjoy doing it.

I have spent the last two Monday evening’s laughing my head off at a brilliant comedy night in London. That I had been meaning to experience for the last year. So I was delighted to finally get the chance to check it out. It is held every Monday night at The Phoenix Pub. Which is just off Regent Street, right in the heart of the West End.It is run by the very funny Tiff Stevenson and the night is called Old Rope Comedy. She hosts it every week and it is a new material night for both upcoming and very established comedians to try out new jokes.

There is actually a rope hanging from the centre of the stage. And if a comedian does a joke that they have done before. They are meant to hold it. As a symbol for money for old rope. Hence where the night gets its name from. This is to encourage them to try out new stuff only. And so the audience will know when they do existing material. It is a very well run, established and respected night. So therefore does attract some well known performers each week.

On my first visit I saw Sarah Kendall and Tony Law perform. Both of whom have their own show’s on Radio 4. I actually gigged with Tony Law myself when I made my stand up comedy debut at the Roving Comedy Night of the Tringe Festival. He was the headline act for my show and was excellent on stage and giving advice between gigs.He has once again re-invented himself with a completely new look and image and was hilarious during his set. It was Sarah Kendall who headlined. And did a run through of her soon to be recorded latest radio show. Which was based on her last Edinbrugh Fringe Festival Show.

All the comedians on the night were brilliant including an eighty odd year old female comic, who was quality. The atmosphere in the place was perfect for comedy. A nice, polite expectant audience. Who were just there to have a good time and a few laughs on a Monday Night. On my second visit the comedians performing included the excellent Aisling Bea, Brian Gittins and someone to certainly keep an eye out for called Lou Sanders. Who is also very funny. Do go along if you ever get the chance. It is a great fun night out.

I am still happy with the way things are going for Tottenham Hostpur currently. Although we have been drawing a few too many games recently. We do still remain unbeaten in the Premier League. We are in fifth place one point off the top spot. Things have been a lot worse than that this stage of the season in the past.

We are still in with a chance of qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League to. Although we are suffering a bit from a lack of goals currently. So it will be good to have Harry Kane back in the team soon, I hope.

Another team I like to keep an eye on is Wycombe Wanderers. I used to go and watch them play regularly as a child. And for a season or two I was the owner of a season ticket there. I kind of grew up watching the Martin O’Neil era unfold. Mind you the first Wycombe game I saw at their old ground Loakes Park. Was them playing Tottenham Hotspur in a testimonial for their then goal keeper Gary Lester. Which is why I really went along for the first time to see them.

I actually played for the Wycombe Wanderers Lions under sixteen’s for just over half a season. And I did have a trial for their youth team but I did not get in. Instead I played for the Aylesbury United Youth Team. With my first game for them actually being a goalless draw against the Wycombe Youth team at Beaconsfield FC’s pitch. So I do have some kind of an affinity with the club, I guess. So last Saturday I went to Adams Park with my Dad to see the Blues face Barnet. A game that I saw many times as a kid. When both teams were still in the Vauxhall Conference, as it was back then.

It had been a few years since I had been to see them in action. So I have to admit I was not that familiar with a lot of the players. They have currently got a goalkeeper on loan from Chelsea. He is their fourth choice keeper behind Courtois, Begovic and Eduardo. He looked like a very good player.

You could tell he was a class above this level. He is a long way from the Premier League team’s starting eleven. But he has a contract with them. Which is rumoured to be worth about thirteen thousand pounds a week. Nice work if you can get it.

The game itself was pretty terrible to be honest. Both teams struggled to play much football. Wycombe had an own goal ruled out after the referee had blown for a foul while a cross was flying in to Barnet’s penalty area. And two defensive lapses led to the away team’s two nil victory.

Plus points from the afternoon included spending quality time with my dad. The sausage and bacon roll that we had from the burger van outside. And seeing the beast that is Adebayo Akinfenwa in action. My dad and mum are season ticket holders and have to endure this experience every week. Joking aside, all the best to Wycombe Wanderers for the rest of the season, They are a nice family friendly football club.

It has been another dramatic two weeks in Strictly Come Dancing. Naga Munchetty and Lesley Joseph have both left the competition. They both went a bit early I think, as they still had a bit more to give for me. That also meant we lost their partners Pasha and Anton. Which is a shame as Anton does bring a lot of fun and cheekiness to proceedings. Laura Whitmore could not dance the other week as she had injured her ankle. Brendan Cole missed last week’s show with a lung infection. Leaving his partner Anastasia to dance with Tameka’s former partner Gorka.

Rumours about Brendan’s health got totally out of hand. When the Sunday Star actually ran a story claiming that he had died. Which came as quite a shock to the dancer. When he read it while resting at home. I am still loving the show though. It is just great all round entertainment. Tess Daily and Claudia Winkleman are doing a great job on the two main shows. And Zoe Ball is brilliant on the nightly spin off show “It Takes Two”. Such great fun. I would love one of those professional dancers to teach me to dance.

The latest Derren Brown live show “Miracle”. Which I saw in The Palace Theatre in London on its opening night was shown on Channel 4 recently. As I have said before I am a massive fan of his work. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it again. I could see him do that show over a thousand times and still not have a clue how he does it.

He is like a real life Jedi. It is all just so clever and mesmerising. His performances are also so well structured with a set start, middle and end. With the final act and trick always just pulling the whole show together and completing the story of the night.

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

Racing Away

October 15, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really nice couple of week’s. Mine have been quite busy with some fun things going on. A couple of Saturday’s ago. I went to Ascot for an afternoon of racing with one of my best mate’s.

He turned forty earlier in the year and me going to the races with him was part of my present. Always treat people to something you enjoy doing yourself, as a gift. That is my tip. Now we randomly selected a date that we would both be able to make. And would you believe it just so happened to be their Beer Festival meeting. I mean what are the chances of that?

We got to the course around midday and collected our race cards, our beer tokens and our festival pint glasses. They had over two hundred and eighty different beers to try there. So if we were to get round them all. We certainly had our work cut out.

I do have a couple of favourite local brewery’s. And as luck would have it. They all turned out to be there. These are the Rebellion Brewery in Marlow, XT Brewery in Long Crendon and The Windsor & Eaton Brewery. Which I am sure you can work out for yourself, where they are based.

So to be honest we stuck to these brands during the afternoon. Just sampling a few of their different ales. I hasten to add. It was a fun afternoon. Ascot is a great course with a fantastic grand stand from which to enjoy the races. But as it is a venue that is often visited by Royalty. I guess that you would not expect anything less. It was nice just enjoying a few drinks and trying to win some of the beer money back on the races.

Although it is fair to say we were not very successful on that front. We both had horses pipped at the post. That would have got us a win each. And the only success we had was my friend got a second place for a horse that he had backed each way. I do enjoy an afternoon at the races but I have still never met a poor bookmaker.

We grabbed some food while we were there. To keep our energy levels up of course. I did like the combinations of some of the food and drink outlets they have there. For example we enjoyed a lovely real Cumberland sausage hot dog from the Champagne and Grill Bar. Where you could buy a bottle of Bollinger with an accompanying hot dog or burger. And to my surprise many people were.

Another great afternoon out. Most people get dressed up to go to the races. So it has the feel of being at a giant wedding. With the added bonus of some horses to shout for. Always a great day out win or lose. Although let us be honest, it is better if you do have a few winners.

I am really enjoying this series of Strictly Come Dancing. Once again there are some really good and entertaining couples. And I always like seeing the close relationships that develop between the professional dancers and their celebrity partners.

I would still not like to pick a winner yet at this stage of the proceedings. I think there has to be a few of them in contention. Personally I have not got a favourite yet. So I am actually a little bit sad when I see any of them leave. But that is the deal. And the way the show has to work.

I did feel really sorry for the first one’s to go Melvin Odoom and his partner Janette Manrara. I think he is just the sort of character you want around the place. Upbeat smiley, fun and to be fair to him not the worse dancer there by a long way. Also it is a shame to see a fantastic dancer like Janette go so early. But again that is the nature of the beast.

It was unfortunate to, in the way it happened with Anastacia being unable to take part in the dance off due to injury. I really like her and with what she has been through she is truly an amazing person. But it just seems almost wrong that by not dancing she went through. I appreciate they are the rules and they have to be in place for matters like this.

And ultimately it was the public who decided who went. So basically anyone who was not happy with the outcome. Unless they voted for Melvin cannot complain. If they thought he should still be in the competition. They should have voted for him.

Although he has done a bit of television presenting. He is best known for being on the Kiss FM Breakfast Show. Which is a big national station and has some very impressive listening figures. But I think the audience that listens to him on the radio would not necessarily be the kind of people, who may watch the show. And even if they did. I imagine they would probably not vote.

Which possibly led to him going so early on. Even though there are less accomplished dancers than him still in the competition. Or to look at it another way. It is just a fun Saturday night entertainment show. They know what they sign up to and being voted out is all part of it.

The next celebrity to go was Tameka Empson. Who was was sent home by the judges after a dance off with Laura Whitmore. Again to be fair I thought both of them were very unlucky to be in the bottom two. There were worse performances and neither of them really deserved to leave the competition at this point.

But the best dancers are not always the most entertaining. It goes out on a Saturday Night. So why shouldn’t we enjoy some silliness and appreciate the people who are trying their best but just ultimately making us laugh.

Yes it is a dancing competition but part of the reason it has lasted so long. Is that the celebrities involved are not dancers. It was a shame to see Will Young leave the show for personal reasons. I thought he was progressing along very nicely with his partner Karen Clifton.

I wonder who will go this week. Or if indeed anyone does after this shock departure. I have no idea what they will decide to do. But I suspect they will carry on as normal and as ever one couple will be out on Sunday.

Last Tuesday evening I managed to get myself a place in the audience for The One Show on BBC One. It is their mid evening magazine style show that is on Monday to Friday at just before seven. It just so happens to be filmed at the same place where I work. But it was the first time that I had been in their studio.

The guests on the show I saw were Jasper Carrott and Alistair McGowan. I have been a massive fan of Jasper Carrott for pretty much as long as I can remember. My dad was a fan and used to watch his shows. So I think he may well have been the first comedian I ever saw.

We met up in the Media Cafe in New Broadcasting House to check in. Then about fifteen minutes before the show was due to go on air. We were taken in to the studio. Already sitting on the famous green sofas were Matt Baker and Alex Jones. There were just ten of us.

And they were nice and friendly making a point of say hello and welcoming us when we arrived. The floor manager Paul was brilliant as well. Telling us all what we needed to do and having a laugh with us. He also works on Strictly Come Dancing. So is a busy man at the moment.

They then bought the two guests Jasper and Alistair in. The actual show itself goes very quickly and there are screens up so you can watch all the films that they feature. As the studio is small you are actually very close to the action, so get a great view of what is going on.

I for example could see the two presenters auto cue. And I was pretty much looking straight at Jasper Carrott for the whole programme. It was a great experience. And one I may well try to repeat in the future. Then after the show had ended Matt and Alex came over for a quick chat and so the whole audience could have a big group photo with them.

I am still delighted with the way the Premier League season is going currently. Tottenham Hotspur sitting in second place. Still unbeaten in the league having defeated the leaders Manchester City in the process. Ruining their one hundred percent winning start. As I said previously I cannot remember a better time to be a Spurs fan than now.

And at the moment we are still missing Harry Kane. Imagine what could happen when he is back. I am aware that there is a long way to go. But whatever happens I intend to fully enjoy this season. And hopefully get along to a few games. Specially as this is our last season at White Hart Lane.

Last weekend I was out and about in London. As I often am nowadays. I was enjoying a nice walk around the South Bank. Stopping off for a relaxing cup of tea on my travels. It was getting to around two o’clock. When I realised I had not had any lunch. So after weighting up the pros and cons of a pub lunch or food on the go. I opted for the latter. And went to the nearby Borough Market.

If you have never been. Imagine a market jam packed with every type of food you can think of and lots of people. It is always so busy down there. All the stalls are amazing. After walking around the whole place first.

I settled for a home made Chicken Burger. Which was exquisite. The quality of the meat was exceptional. And way better than you would find in any fast food restaurant. I really must remember to eat there more often. When I am in that area.

In the last couple of week’s I have been working on some new and interesting BBC radio shows. The other week I had the pleasure of working with the extremely talented news reader Tom Sandars. On a World Service News Bulletin.

He is a regular on many of the BBC’s stations including Radio Two. In fact you may have heard people trying to make his toes tap. When Sara Cox is covering the Breakfast Show for Chris Evans. Not only is he brilliant at his job. But he is a really nice person to.

I also walked straight past the radio legend that is Simon Mayo in the office the other day. I was desperate to chat to him about Tottenham’s season so far. But as I do not actually know him. I just settled for a knowing nod and a smile, as he went by.

My final recent BBC celebrity spot was the brilliant Huw Edwards in the staff canteen. Enjoying some food before the big evening news show’s.

I am looking forward to seeing Sunny Afternoon at the theatre in London. It is another one of those shows. Where you already know the songs are ace before you go. It is based around all the music of The Kinks.

I believe it is kind of the story of how the band were formed as well. A bit like the English version of The Jersey Boys. I will let you know what I thought about it next time we speak.

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

Music Be The Food of Life

August 6, 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. I had dinner at a very good mate of mine’s house recently. This guy was actually my very first landlord. As I moved in as his lodger. In the very first house he bought. I was good friends with him before this arrangement. That was not how we met, by the way.

As it happened, he actually received the keys for the place. Just before he went away on holiday with his then girlfriend. So I moved in and started living there. Two weeks before he finally got to move into his own place. He had already selected which bedroom was his, mind you. I decision which I respected.

Anyway I had not seen him for a while. So he invited me round to see him, his wife and their children. For a general catch up and some food. It was a lovely evening. Just having a few drinks. Enjoying the sunny weather in his garden. Chatting and laughing like friends who have known each other for a long time do. Then after they had put the children to bed, we ate. I thought it was genius what they did for the meal. It was certainly something that I had never done before.

They had one of these special cooking stones. Which you heat up in the oven at a very high temperature for an hour. So it absorbs the heat. Then when it is at the correct temperature. You carefully bring it out and put it on its own special stand. Which has two little gas burners under it. So it maintains some of its heat. Laid out on the table were small bits of steak, escalopes, chorizo slices, halloumi and some tuna.

Which you then just cook up yourself using the aforementioned stone. Which is placed right in the middle of the table. So everybody can reach it. You can then cook everything to your own taste. Exactly how you like it. Have the combination of food that you fancy. It is so sociable as well. As there are natural pauses when you are cooking on the stone. There is lots of time for good quality conversations. During what is a leisurely and enjoyable dining experience.

It was the first time I had tried it. And I would definitely do it again. It was a fantastic evening. I must say that I was very impressed with my own stone cooking skills. As the food tasted great. Compliments to the chef.

A few Sunday’s ago now I headed over to a pub in Surrey. To help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of one of my Dad’s cousin’s and his partner. They are a very musical couple. And they are really in to the folk music scene. So as part of the afternoon. They organised for some friends of theirs to come and play live in the beer garden. They set up a little acoustic stage in one corner. And the acts took turns to get up there and play a few songs.

They were all great. Martin and Sara, the hosts of the party also play guitars and perform to. So they got up on the stage and did a few numbers. That was the first time I had seen them play.

Now I appreciate I am family. So I might be slightly biased. But I thought they were absolutely incredible. The guitar playing and the vocals were spot on. So it was an afternoon of great music performed by really friendly and nice people. Who could want more?

I was not driving. So I thought I would treat myself to a couple of drinks. I was delighted to find that the pub did a particular lager. That you rarely see nowadays. The German beer Lowenbrau was on tap. It has been years since I have seen it any where. But I love the taste of it and it brings back lots of great memories for me. I have been lucky enough to go to Oktoberfest in Munich twice. It is a fantastic event. Bigger than you can imagine. With over fifteen Bierkellers. Each of which can hold around four thousand people.

The camp site I stayed at both times I went actually had Lowenbrau available in their on site drink dispensers. Plus my favourite Bierkeller was the Lowenbrau tent. I had a great time in there. Having a few steins and dancing on the tables. While singing along at the top of my voice to the Oompah band. If you ever get the chance I would recommend you go along and experience it for yourself. The atmosphere there is just brilliant. Great fun!

So I think what I am saying is. Basically I enjoyed finding the drink in the pub. And I enjoyed drinking it sitting out in the sun. While watching some great live music. A lovely Sunday afternoon, whichever way you look at it. Thanks to Martin and Sara for the invitation. I look forward to seeing you perform again in the future.

I had a great evening at the Savoy Theatre in London seeing Funny Girl. Unfortunately I did not see Sheridan Smith perform in the lead role. As I was hoping to previously. So I saw the show but not her.

Not her fault, mine completely. I did not realise that she does not do the Monday performance. So she was never actually due to be there. That was a bit of a shame. Only because I really wanted to see her perform live. As I am a big fan.

The show though was fantastic. Natasha J Barnes was sensational in the lead role of Fanny Brice. The part played by Barbara Streisand, no less. In the film version from the sixties. She was excellent, the accent, the comedy and her singing voice were all exceptional. She was really good and thoroughly deserved the ovation that she received at the end.

Also in the cast and playing the leading man Nick Arnstein brilliantly is the charismatic Darius Campbell. Now we all remember the first time we saw him on television on Pop Stars doing his own unique version of Britney Spears’s “Baby One More Time”. Since then he has gone through several style changes. Had a few big hits as a solo singer And now has reinvented himself as a decent West End performer.

He was great in this role, totally assured and in command of everything. Top marks to the whole cast. It was another really enjoyable musical outing. And you never know. I still might go and see it again. To see if I can catch Sheridan Smith in it before the run ends.

For a very long time my mum has wanted to go on a river boat cruise down the Thames in London. The other Thursday I finally managed to make this wish a reality for her. I organised for us to go on an Afternoon Tea Cruise with Bateaux London.

They are a tour company who operate from the pier at the Embankment. We had to arrive fifteen minutes before our designated boarding time and wait in a lounge area. For the Captain of the ship to give us the green light to go on board.

Once on the boat we were then shown to our table by one of the staff members. I had booked us a window seat. So we could make sure that we got to take in all the sights as we sailed past. Then next an extra little surprise arrived. I had ordered us both a glass of champagne on arrival.

Well I figured if it is worth doing, it is worth doing properly. It set the afternoon off lovely. It felt great sipping on the champers as the boat set off on its journey. It is the closest I will ever get to feeling like Richard Branson.

There was also an on board pianist. Who played all through out the cruise. That gave the whole thing a little bit of class. And made for a very enjoyable atmosphere for the journey and the sight seeing. We were on a boat called the Harmony.

We set off down the Thames to take a look at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament first of all. We then turned round there and headed back up the river. Heading past the South Bank and a few places I know well like the ITV Studios.

We then passed by HMS Belfast. Which is a very impressive sight. Got a great view of the Shard and the London skyline in general. Then we caught a glimpse of the wonderful Globe Theatre. Which by the way is well worth a visit if you get the chance. I have been on the tour there. But I really want to go and see a Shakespeare play performed there at some point.

Now as a massive Tea fan. An Afternoon Tea cruise is of course perfect for me. So I have already enjoyed a few cups of the best drink in the world. When they bring the food part of the experience out.

Firstly the sandwiches. Which were a selection of Ham & Mustard, Cheese & Cucumber and Salmon & Cream Cheese. They all tasted great. And were cut perfectly with no crusts. Then we got a huge Scone each. With plenty of clotted cream and jam to go with it.

I had not had one for such a long time. I had forgotten just how amazing they taste. Then to top it all off we had a great selection of mini cakes. All of which were then washed down with yet more cups of tea.

All this is happening while we are heading up to Canary Wharf. And then turning around again there to head back past land marks such as the Tower of London and the Gherkin. Plus we passed underneath Tower Bridge and London Bridge for the second time. As we made our way back to the pier. That was our starting point.

It was a really enjoyable hour and an half. All the staff were lovely and helpful. The food and beverages were fantastic. It all just worked so well. With the piano music as a nice back drop the our great capital city. It was a brilliantly relaxing afternoon. Just a nice way to see London.

So Celebrity Big Brother has returned to Channel 5 for the second time this year. I have to confess I did watch the launch show. To see who was going in to the house. And to see if I had actually heard of any of them. Most of them I had no idea who they were. But I can’t say I warmed to any of them. From what they were saying about themselves. The only ones that I recognised were Ricky Norwood, James Whale, Samantha Fox and Christopher Biggins.

I met Christopher Biggins when he came in for an interview on my radio show. When I was working at Ivel Fm in Yeovil. He was on a tour promoting his autobiography. It was not long after that he had been crowned king of the jungle and won his series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. He was a nice bloke. Easy to chat to and happy to answer any question on any subject you liked. With plenty of humour thrown in for good measure.

He gave me a signed copy of his book. Which is a fascinating read. He has had a very wide and interesting career. He has been in so many huge shows and pretty much worked with everyone in the business at some point or another.

So I have to confess I am very surprised at what happened to him in the house. Which led to his early departure from the show.

I am very much looking forward to going up to Liverpoool next weekend. To see my mate Jeff Nolan. And also to see Tottenham Hotspur’s first game of this season at Goodison Park against Everton. We had a great go at it last time.

So I am full of hope of optimism for the the year ahead. Be good to see the team in action. And it is always a great stadium and great place to visit.

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

Neil Quigley Presenter