Tag Archives: radio

Ear We Go Again

June 25, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of week’s. Mine have been quite busy with a few fun things going on. I did have to make a brief trip to Stoke Mandeville Hospital the other week. It was just for a check up appointment for my ears. I had some problems with them at the start of the year. And saw the same nurse back then.

Without getting to gory. They basically hoover out my ears with a special mini vacuum cleaner. Which is not painful but it does give you a pretty weird sensation. While they are doing it. So I am pleased to confirm that my ears are now nice and clean.

And my hearing is probably the best it has been for ages. While they are doing the procedure. You can see what they are doing in the ear itself. On a big screen, right in front of you.

Neil Quigley at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio

I chose not to watch it. As I am very squeamish. I am so bad I can’t actually watch Casualty. I know what they are doing is not real but if there is any blood and gore on it. I really cannot look. I started my broadcasting career at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio.

So as I walked past the studios on the way to my appointment. That brought back lots of nice memories. I started there as a producer before progressing to hosting my own shows. During the five or so year’s that I was there. Good times and some lovely memories.

Neil Quigley back at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio with Martin Kinch

A couple of weeks ago my good friend Adam Fisher celebrated his fortieth birthday. With a night out at a casino in Reading. I have been on a couple of holidays with him over the years. Including my one and only trip outside of Europe. When we went to Las Vegas for a week.

A place which I absolutely loved and fully intend to return to at some point in my life. I also had the honour of being an Usher at his Wedding to. In fact while we were in Vegas. I ended up going ring shopping with him. As he was planning his engagement to his now wife. When we returned from the States.

Neil Quigley and Adam Fisher in Las Vegas

I got to the Casino first. It is a place I have been to a few times over the years. However I was surprised to find that when I arrived I was actually still a member there. I must have joined over fifteen years ago now. On the plus side it meant I did not have to sign in. So I could just walk straight in. They then showed me up to where we would be having our meal.

It was the night of the England versus Russia game. With Adam being a big fan of the football. He had organised for us to be near a big screen, so we could see it. The waitress gave me a place name card with what meal I had ordered on. As I was first there.

I put it in the best place to be able to watch the television. So when everyone else arrived later on. And they were looking for somewhere to sit. I already had the best seat in the house reserved. I am telling you. You can’t buy experience.

Neil Quigley's Favourite Shirt Number — Neil Quigley’s Favourite Shirt Number

It was a great night. And lovely to catch up with lots of people. Who I had not seen for ages. The only slight disappointment was England conceding a last minute equaliser. Although that did mean one of the guests won a bottle of Prosecco. For predicting the correct score. It is very fair to say that she was the only one cheering at the final whistle.

I did do a little bit of gambling. Well it would have been rude not to right? I played a couple of hands of Black Jack. Which is my casino gambling game of choice. Sadly though I had no luck at all. But fair play to the Birthday boy. Who managed to double his money. As we were sat there at the table.

As part of the deal struck with the venue. We each got a five pound free bet token to use. I have always fancied having a go at Roulette. But as the odds are so stacked against you. I tend not to play it with my own money. But I did use the free bet on it. I felt a bit like James Bond.

When I put my whole five pounds on just one single number. It felt quite exciting while the wheel and ball were spinning. But then it stopped. No where near my selection. And the game was over very quickly. At that point I decided to leave. Quit while you are level. Right!

I am spending more time working and socialising in London. Which is brilliant. This has led to a couple of sporting celebrity spots recently. Firstly I saw the Welsh former Hurdler and Olympic Silver Medallist Colin Jackson. Then the unmistakable figure of former boxer Chris Eubank walked past me. His dress sense is amazing. Both of them are forty-nine. And both are still in prime physical condition.

A doctor once said to me. That it is easier to maintain a level of fitness. Rather then stop and start from scratch. So I do still try to keep myself fit. With running and some weights. And seeing two guys ten years older than me looking so well. Gives me great motivation to keep going. And proves that the hard work and effort is worth it.

Neil Quigley talking to Victoria Pendleton

I am enjoying watching the Euro 2016 Championships. England are doing alright I think. We are playing some good football. And have done what we needed to do. Which was to get out of our group. And get in to the knock out stages. And from a personal point of view.

I think it is nice to see so many Tottenham players in the squad. I am starting to get quite excited now. I think we might have a chance of winning it. In a one off match there is always a chance right? But people are so right, when they say, it is the hope that kills you. Come on England!

I have to confess I have quite enjoyed seeing all of the Queen’s Birthday celebrations. When the whole Royal Family are dressed up and they appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to wave at the huge crowds below. That is always a beautiful moment, I think. There is something very British and very reassuring about it.

Also I like the tradition now of the military fly past’s down The Mall and over the Palace. They always looks great. In Regents Street currently. They have Union Jack flags running down the whole street. It looks brilliant. There is nothing wrong in being proud of where you are from, displaying a symbol and a passion for that.

It has been quite a busy time for the Queen. Last week it was Royal Ascot. So she was at the races every day. She arrives in a horse drawn carriage. In another fantastically splendid procession. Proving you can gamble on absolutely everything nowadays. You can have a bet on what colour hat she wears.

She is massively into her horse racing. And actually owns a couple of race horses herself. So I was very pleased when she had a winner on the last day of the festival. She had a nice big smile on her face in the winners enclosure. When she was collecting her prize.

The new series of Task Master on the TV Channel Dave started last week. It is a comedy challenge panel show hosted by Greg Davies and Alex Horne. The episode that I went to the filming of will be shown next Tuesday night at 10pm. I was sat right in the middle of the front row. So if you do watch it keep a look out for me.

It is a very funny show. The whole panel were on fire but Joe Wilkinson was very funny on the night. Plus you may also want to keep an eye on just how competitive Jon Richardson and Kathryn Ryan are. Simply a good fun, totally silly programme.

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

Also the BBC New Comedy Award London Heat that I went to see. At the Up The Creek comedy club in Greenwich. Was on Radio 4 Extra last Sunday night. It was a fun night with some great up and coming new comedians.

Having listened back to it myself I can confirm I totally agree with the three acts that the judges sent through. And the winner of the heat George Lewis is definitely one to watch and keep an eye out for in the future, I reckon.

Also you may well have caught a very brief cameo appearance from me during it. My name does not get a mention and there is no real way of knowing it is me. But one of the acts believe it of not does do a knock knock joke.

Which required a little bit of audience participation. And no one will be at all amazed to discover. I was more than happy to step in and help out. In my best Radio 4 style voice. Listen below.

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Congratulations to the legend that is Rick Astley on securing his first number one album for around thirty years. With his latest record called 50. In doing so he also managed to hold off the challenge of Tom Odell. Whose new album Wrong Crowd went in at number two.

I have to confess I am a fan of all his eighties songs. As was the comedian Peter Kay. Who used the singer as the support and warm up act for his “Tour That Doesn’t Tour Tour.” The first single off the album called “Angels on my Side” is absolutely brilliant. Welcome back Rick.

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

I have always been a fan of the chat show format. Currently my favourite one is The Graham Norton Show. Mainly because he gets some great guests on. But also because I do think he is a very good, funny and laid back interviewer.

It is quite a chilled show. So people do tend to open up a bit. It is definitely on my radar to go along to a recording of it. A couple of weeks ago he did a rare one on one interview with Charlie Sheen. Who happily did seem in quite a good place.

He appeared to have calmed down a lot compared to his past behaviour. And he appeared to be coming to terms with his current and well publicised medical condition. I have to admit I was a little concerned about him when he was having his tiger blood rants. Although I did find them fascinating.

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but personally I reckon he is a pretty good comic actor. And let us face it he has certainly lived a little over the years. He did seem genuinely happy about the warm response he got from the audience.

I am very much looking forward to paying another visit the the ITV Studios on the South Bank in London. To see an episode of Mr & Mrs being filmed. I went to a recording of the last series. And it was brilliant fun. Phillip Schofield is the master. When it comes to studio based presenting.

They always get brilliant celebrity couples on there. Who reveal a lot more to the audience, than will get shown. When it eventually goes out on the television. I will let you know who was on it and how it was next time we speak.

I have started working more regularly at the BBC in London. It is just an amazing place to be and I am thoroughly enjoying being part of this fantastic organisation. And producing radio with such talented and dedicated professionals.

I am really looking forward to getting more involved with lots more different shows during the rest of the year.

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

Sport and Leisure

June 10, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of weeks. Mine have been very busy as ever, with lots of fun things going on. So firstly congratulations to Richard Jones on winning this year’s Britain’s Got Talent. In doing so, he became the first magician ever to win it. I think he might have been the only magical act this year. Who basically did not look like he would injure or kill himself in some way during his act.

It was kind of fitting that in this, the Queen’s 90th Birthday year. A member of the Military Services was successful. And will now therefore perform at this year’s Royal Variety Show. Providing his boss, who is technically Her Majesty of course. Will give him the time off.

So once again well done to him on this massive achievement. I will now look forward to seeing him performing alongside the other famous soldier turned entertainer James Blunt at the Queen’s 95th Birthday Party.

It was another fun series hosted brilliantly by the masters that are Ant & Dec. The judges were great again. And all do bring something different to the party. Annoyingly Simon Cowell is still the one judge I find myself agreeing with most. When he is commenting on the act’s performances. Although sometimes I might personally have phrased this criticism in a slightly different way.

I really enjoyed my night at the Dominion seeing one of the heats. I will most likely try to get to another one next series. Being there live does give you a good chance to get an idea of the overall standard of that year’s contestants.

I am a huge football fan. I have always played the sport. I really enjoy watching it. I have been lucky enough to visit many of the great stadiums in the country. And I have even managed to play a match at the biggest and best one of all, Wembley Stadium. Rugby however is something I hated playing as a kid at school. I was never really any good at it. I was quite tall and fairly skinny as a child.

But my games teacher still put me in the second row. Which meant I had to go in the scrum. Which I really disliked. Mind you that said with my lack of pace. I could never have been a winger or full back. Since leaving education I have watched the odd game on the television and kind of enjoyed that. Even though I have little idea of what is actually going on.

However when a mate of mine offered me the chance to go and see England play Wales at Twickenham. I jumped at the chance. Even though I used to live in Iseworth for a couple of years, when I was growing up. And therefore drove past it quite a few times. I had never actually been to the stadium to see a match. And despite not being a massive fan of the sport.

I am very patriotic and always happy to support an England team at whatever they are competing in. I had heard what a great experience it was suppose to be. Plus how the feel and atmosphere differed from that of a football match. And I am pleased to say this information was perfectly accurate. It did feel different.

I met my friend in Wembley and we got the tube to Hounslow East. A station I last used around thirty-two years ago I reckon. When my mum took me for my first ever day trip in to central London. So it was nice and at the same time quite weird to be back there. We then decided to walk to the ground. Stopping to enjoy a drink at a lovely little pub, we found on the way.

Once we were refreshed we continued our walk to the ground. I have to say as you approach it. It is a very impressive sight. We got in to the fans area outside the stadium. Which was impressive in itself, with live music and television screens to watch. Not to mention a nice selection of places to get pretty much every type of food you could think of.

We then made our way towards where our seats were. We were up in the top part of the South Stand. Which meant that we had to make our way up a concrete style ramp. Like in a multi-storey car park. To get to where we needed to. I actually preferred that idea to having lots of steps to climb up.

To blend in with the rest of the crowd only, of course. We found the nearest bar and got some drinks. With the two main choices being Lager or Guinness. When you buy your first drink they charge you an extra pound for the plastic glass it comes in. Then as long as you bring this back to the bar they will refill at the normal price.

I am guessing this is to encourage people to bring glasses back to the bar and not leave them lying around the place. At the end you can either take the glass home as a souvenir or take it to the bar and get your original pound back. Fair play to some kids at the end. Who I saw collecting up any glasses that had been left. To take them back to the bar and get the cash for them. One child I saw must have had about ten pounds worth in their hands.

The atmosphere was really friendly and relaxed. And one thing I found very strange coming from a football watching background. Was that the fans were not segregated. It did not matter who you were supporting. You could just sit anywhere, it would seem.

I really enjoyed the game. Even though I did not understand the finer points of it. We had some good seats. So we got a decent view of all the action. I think by following the rest of the fans I shouted and cheered at the right times. It was great to see England win.

It was just simply a fun and relaxing afternoon. Watching an England team play in the correct national stadium for that sport. I would definitely go and see a game of rugby there again. If I got offered the chance to.

Last Tuesday I went to the fabulous Up The Creek Comedy Club in Greenwich. To see the first London heat of this year’s BBC New Comedy Award. It was the first time that I had been there. I have to say it is a lovely little room for comedy. With a nice bar that has a nice selection of drinks. Which is pretty unusual for these kind of places.

I would say it was the perfect place to hold this event in. Very comfortable for the audience. Which means it is a nice arena for the acts to perform their comedy in. In front of a very supportive and enthusiastic crowd.

Previous finalists in the competition include amongst others Silky, Lee Mack, Marcus Brigstocke, Peter Kay, Shappi Korsandi, Russell Howard, Rhod Gilbert, Alan Carr, Sarah Millican and Joe Lycett. So as you can see over the years since the first one in 1995. The standard has been pretty high.

It has also been a great stepping stone for many new and up coming comics. There were ten comedians taking part. All performing their own original stuff. I can’t say any more at this stage. As it was all recorded for Radio 4 Extra. Who will be playing out all the heats and acts in a special radio series later in the summer.

What I can say is. The heat was hosted by the excellent Jessica Fostekew. Who was very funny and did a brilliant job. I was sat right on the front row. Which did lead to a very awkward conversation between me and her.

When she asked me if I could be any food at all. What food would that be? To be honest this is something I had never previously considered. So after a lengthy pause I panicked and said a burger. Funnily enough she did come back to me at all after this incident.

Then later on one of the acts used me. So they could tell a sort of knock knock joke. So do listen out for it when it is on the radio. As you may get to briefly hear my dulcet tones. I thought all the comedians were great. I know from experience. That it is not easy getting up there and making people laugh.

And on reflection I do think the judging panel of three. Which included the brilliant Holly Walsh. Got the decision about right on which three acts to send to the semi finals. Another great night enjoying some live comedy. Go and see some yourself. When you can. Laughter is always good for you.

Also last week I went to see a former colleague and friend of mine Jack Harding in his latest stage production. He was starring in the brilliant Sea Life at The Hope Theatre in Islington.

It was the first time I had been there. It is a lovely venue above the Hope and Anchor pub. Which of course acts as a theatre bar for the performances.The play was totally amazing. It was a very dark comedy written by Lucy Catherine and directed by Matthew Parker.

The set was fantastic. Being sat in the audience you really felt you were there. The sound, lighting and staging were also spot on. Even to the point that as the play is set in a coastal town. When you walk in to the auditorium. There is a strong smell of Fish and Chips that greets you.

The whole cast were excellent but I have to say Jack Harding was sensational as Eddie. A really strong and powerful performance. Showing exactly why he has been Offie nominated for Best Male actor for this role. It was a full two hour show. Which flew by so quickly. As it was so gripping and entertaining.

It was also lovely to catch up with him after the show. And it gave me the chance to buy him a well deserved drink. For the role he has had to grow a big bushy beard. Which to be fair is an absolute triumph in itself.

It seemed to me like it was a quite an emotionally draining role. So I imagine he has been sleeping very well during its run. The final performance is actually tonight. So I am glad I managed to catch it when I did. Also keep an eye out for Jack Harding. When the next series of People Just Do Nothing is released.

I was away for a couple of weeks for work related reasons recently. I stayed in a great hotel in Worcestershire. That had some great photographs of old BBC Television shows on many of the walls. The room that I was staying in had some pictures from the original Generation Game with Bruce Forsyth.

And two from Allo Allo featuring the great Gordon Kaye. When I was a child my parents ran a newsagents in Iseworth. And he used to come in to the shop regularly to buy his papers.

In the hall way just outside my room was a picture of Smashie and Nicey. The DJ creations of Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse. Harry actually lives near to me nowadays. I actually saw him at my local train station the other month.

Small world isn’t it? I think the person who came up with that sixth degrees of separation thing, could really have been on to something.

So the Euro 2016 Football Tournament is underway and England play their opening game against Russia tonight. I have to confess I have not got too excited about this yet.

But a good England victory tonight could change all that. Good luck to Roy Hodgson and the squad. Somebody has got to win it. So why can’t it be us?

I remember I was very excited before Euro 1996. Which was held in England. There was a really good documentary about it with Alan Shearer on the BBC the other week. He caught up with the manager Terry Venables and lots of the players from the squad. To talk through their memories of it.

That made me remember how great it was. The feel good factor in the country. And how close we came to winning it. If only Paul Gascoigne was two inches taller. We would have made the final at the very least. So near and yet so far. A win for England this time would make for an amazing summer. Come on England!

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

London Central

May 28, 2016 Neil

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Face in The Crowd

May 14, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of weeks. Mine have been very busy with lots of fun things going on. Firstly on the May Day Bank Holiday Monday. I went on a road trip with my good friend Andy Holmes. To see his football team Hereford FC play in a Cup Final.

It was the Herefordshire FA County Cup Final between Hereford FC and their local rivals Westfields. It just so happened, that it was being played at Edgar Street. Which is The Bulls home stadium. Mainly because it is the biggest and best ground in the county. It was the first time I had been there. And the first time I had ever seen his side play.

We decided to watch from the seated area. There was no seat allocation. So you could basically sit anywhere you liked. We sat right at the back and by ourselves. With no-one either side of us. Before kick off the Hereford FC mascot.

A great big huge pedigree Bull was shown around the pitch a couple of times. While they were playing Woolly Bully by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs. Which to be fair was the perfect song for the occasion. They play in the FA Vase final next weekend against Morpeth. And apparently the same Bull is heading to Wembley to do the same thing there.

The game itself was pretty entertaining. If not a very one sided affair. Hereford FC beat Westfields by five goals to one. With the visitors being reduced to ten men after conceding a penalty. At the end of the game we were allowed to go on to the pitch. To see the players lift the trophy in the stand over the other side of the ground.

It was a very pleasant afternoon watching a better standard of football than I was expecting. It was nice to be able to share in my mate’s team’s victory. It also means I have an one hundred percent record of every time I have seen them play they have won. I really do wish that I could say the same with my team Tottenham Hotspur.

Talking of my team. We did get back from Hereford in time to see Spurs draw with Chelsea on the television. In what was a very lively game to say the least. It has been a while since I have seen that many of our players get booked. And I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed at the final whistle. I then also watched us lose to Southampton at home last Sunday to. Which was equally as annoying, to be honest.

That said a point tomorrow away at Newcastle. Will mean that we finish second in the Premier League. Our highest finish in twenty-three years. Mind you whatever happens. It has been a brilliant season. And I am greatly looking forward to next season already. The club motto is “Audere est Facere” which means “To Dare is To Do”. Which is also a mantra, that I do try to use in my everyday life to.

The other week I was once again back at the fantastic Museum of Comedy. It is a place that firstly contains lots of great comedy memorabilia, from the Carry On Films to Tommy Cooper and much more in between. Including the actual stuffed bear that appeared in an episode of Steptoe and Son.

And secondly it has a lovely small performance room. Where lots of top comics often come to perform “work in progress” shows. In front of audiences of around ninety people. I was there to see Stewart Lee do just that.

I have to confess that I had not really seen much of his live stand up myself. So I was not sure totally what to expect and if I would like his stuff. But he does seem to be the comedians’ comedian. As lots of his peers often reference him as being someone very clever and creative. Who totally gets the art form. And who you can learn from. I have to say that he was brilliant from start to finish. A master of his craft.

From his very specific and explicit no pictures rule. That he laid down the second he walked out on stage. Through to him then reading out some of his columns from The Sunday Times. He was hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed it. He also did the set he used to do at Open Spots. When he was just starting out in comedy in 1989. And that in itself is a bit of a masterpiece. Which has weirdly just about stood the test of time. Well it has with a few ad-libbed amendments anyway.

It was another great gig. At one of my new favourite comedy venue’s in London. So far I have seen Trevor Noah, Josh Widdicome, James Acaster and Michael McIntyre play there. It is a really friendly room, giving the acts a great environment to try out new jokes in. While I was there I did notice that the exceptionally talented Maddy Anholt is there performing her new show Rent Girl on 23rd July. If you are free and around London. I would suggest you get along and check this out.

While we are talking about comedy and comedy venues. The line up for this year’s Tringe Festival has been released. It is a three week annual event organised by the great Ben Moorhouse. Most of the gigs take place at the Pendley Court Theatre in Tring.

A lot of the acts who perform are previewing their latest Edinburgh Festival shows. This year the Tringe runs from Sunday 26th June through to Saturday 16th July. Comedian’s appearing include Milton Jones, Sam Simmons, Shappi Khorsandi, Nish Kumar, Katy Brand, Mark Watson and Sean Walsh to mention just a few.

The Tringe Festival does hold a lot of very happy memories for me. Because it was as part of this great event four years ago now. That I made my stand up comedy debut. I took part in the brilliant eight week comedy course led by the Guru that is Logan Murray. When I started I thought I was amusing. But had no idea if I could write material, stand up on stage and then make people laugh. I met lots of great new friends. We spent the time just playing games and constantly laughing. Then some how at the end of it. All of us had five minutes worth of jokes to perform at The Roving Comedy Night.

For the night we were split in to groups of four. Then we were allocated our own professional comedian. We then travelled around four pubs in Tring performing our new comedy musings to around four hundred people in the process. With the professional comic headlining each of our little shows. I went around with the sensational Tony Law.

It was great to see him at close quarters and then get to talk to him as we walked between gigs. The whole of the night was just a totally unbelievable experience. It gave me such as buzz. It is hard to explain the feeling of excitement, relief and satisfaction. That I felt as I met up with the rest of my comedy group for a pint after our memorable shared experience.

This year’s Roving Comedy Night is on Sunday 3rd July. I would recommend you go to see new people giving comedy a go for the first time. While also being supported by top class comedian’s. It is a really entertaining night out.

Best of luck to all the trainees currently on the course. And preparing to give their first performances. You will absolutely love it. For more information about the Tringe Festival and The Roving Comedy Night click on the link here. Tringe Festival

I was back at the Fountain Studios in Wembley last week. To witness a recoding of an episode from the new series of the Dave Channel comedy show Taskmaster. I have just realised it is quite a hard concept to explain in writing.

A team of celebrities are given a selection of weird and wonderful tasks to complete. They are all set the same one and have to compete against each other to win points. Their efforts are then scored in his own unique way by the Taskmaster. Who is Greg Davies. The show was devised by Alex Horne. Who assists Greg with the show itself and also he helps the contestants with some of the challenges to.

Greg Davies was hilarious. And did a great job hosting and chatting to the audience in between takes. He and Alex Horne were really good together. It is a very funny. If not at times slightly surreal programme. With some of the things that they make them do. Taking part in this series are Doc Brown, Joe Wilkinson, Jon Richardson, Katherine Ryan and Richard Osman.

Now I do not want to give too much away but to say Jon and Katherine are very competitive is an understatement. The whole panel were on form and very entertaining. But for me on the night I thought Joe Wilkinson just edged it. Mainly with his sly looks to the crowd and his reactions to what the others were saying. Which at times were priceless.

It was a fun show to watch being filmed. I had a decent seat right in the middle of the second row. So I got a perfect view of all the action. Not only that but the production team also gave me a free bottle of Budweiser on entry. If you saw the first series. You will know a lot of it is filmed in advance with them doing the tasks.

Well we got to see them played to us on a big screen. While watching the contestants watching themselves and more amusingly the others attack these dilemmas in very different ways. Keep your eye out on Dave for when this new series starts. It is well worth seeing. I witnessed some true works of genius. While I was sat there in that studio.

Last Sunday Night it was the TV Baftas. Hosted brilliantly by Graham Norton. I thought his opening monologue was great. He kept the whole thing together very nicely. I do always try to watch the awards ceremony if I can. Mainly to see what great dramas or documentaries have passed me by over the last twelve months.

Well done to Peter Kay for winning two nods for his brilliant come back situation comedy Car Share. I thought it was right that Strictly Come Dancing won the Entertainment award. The last series was brilliant. The standard of the dancing was so high. Every week the show was a real spectacle. And very enjoyable.

Lastly it was nice to see Leigh Francis win Entertainment Performance. The character’s that he plays including the wild Keith Lemon. Are I get the impression a million miles away from the actual man. Who I have heard is one of the nicest and loveliest people. You could wish to meet and to work with. That is according to a friend and former colleague of mine, anyway.

I even liked the way he did not want to or feel comfortable accepting the award in his own voice. May be showing how he likes to try to keep his public and private life completely separate. Anyway Well done Leigh Francis. Totally deserved. I almost got to interview him once. It was all booked in. Then unfortunately something came up at the last minuet and it never happened. Oh well that is showbiz.

If you watched last week’s Britain’s Got Talent. Towards the end of the show you may have seen a familiar face appear in the crowd. I went to the final London audition. Now as they cut and change from location to location during this stage of the show. You never know when acts you witnessed will be on or indeed if they will make it on screen at all. There was a fantastic singer called Rachael Wooding. Who came on and did a great version of “With You” from the musical Ghost.

She admitted she had been an actress and appeared in the West End before taking a break to have children. At the end of her song the camera cut to the audience. And you got a nice view of me appreciating her stunning performance. Clapping and smiling. It must have been quite obvious it was me. As basically straight away after it happened. I was getting text and Facebook messages from friends and family. Telling me that they had just spotted me on their television.

So it might be worth keeping your eyes out for me for the rest of the audition shows. Just in case you see me clapping and cheering for another one of the wannabe’s. That I saw when at the Dominion Theatre, trying out for the judges. That is them not me, just to be clear. I was sat right behind the top judging panel. So I got a good view of their reactions to the acts.

As I said previously I am going to be working for the BBC starting this summer. I will be doing some behind the scenes radio production work. Across several different shows on a few of their different networks. I am really looking forward to the challenge. And I am very much looking forward to when I start with them. I have always wanted to work for this great organisation. So I am very thankful for this amazing opportunity.

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

Game Time

April 30, 2016 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of week’s. Mine have been quite busy with a few fun things going on. I really did enjoy watching the Tonight at The London Palladium show. That I had been to the recording of on the television. It was brilliant the way they put it all together. It is so clever bearing in mind I know the order in which it was filmed and also how it was shown in the finished programme. And the people who edit it all together are geniuses.

I am going to let you in to a little secret. Although he appeared on the television version. Ronan Keating was not at the recording of it. He must have performed his song on another night. Then they slotted it seamlessly in to this one. Now bearing in mind that I was there on the night it was filmed. When I watched it go out, just for a moment I thought may be he had been there and I had just forgotten about it. That is how slick it was.

The star of the show was undoubtedly Shelia Belton. A ninety-year old who they let sit in the Royal Box. After they had surprised her and made her the stand in Queen for the night. To coincide with Her Majesty’s big birthday. She was funny, lively, confident, cheeky. And as you saw if you watched the show. A really surprisingly good opera singer. She totally made the night for me. I would love to be like her when and if I reach anywhere near that age. Bradley Walsh was brilliant with her. And is a top all round variety host, I think.

He did a great job making the whole thing look effortless and like he was having the time of his life. He is a lovely bloke to. I met him very briefly once backstage after a performance of Ha Ha Holmes at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. He was there to see his great friend the brilliant Joe Pasquale perform. “Squeaky” as he calls him also makes cameo appearances throughout this current series.

During the breaks in the filming Bradley tells some great stories about some of their many escapades together. Which are hilarious. I am really looking forward to seeing the rest of show’s.

They have got some great guests on it. Including the celebrity, who was my first ever proper radio interview. The legend and all round top fella that is Tony Hadley. So lovely, friendly and fascinating to chat to.

After being at Aintree Racecourse a few weeks ago. To watch horses jump over some of the biggest fences in the country. Last Monday I went along to the beautiful Windsor Racecourse. To enjoy their first evening flat racing meeting of the season.

It is always a fun night there. And it is some where I plan to take advantage of a few more times over this summer.

I was in the Parade Ring before the first race. Just taking a look at all the horses who were running. When a group of jockeys came out of the weighing room and walked right past me. I have to confess I had forgotten how small some of them are.

Seeing a few of them together dressed in their shiny and brightly coloured silks looked quite cute. If not a little surreal. It made me smile. It is a tough job and they have my total respect for what they do. And what they put themselves through. To maintain their weight and their energy levels. Not to mention the risks they take and the skill that they exhibit.

It was a top night of racing. I do like seeing the horses thundering past me on the way to the finish line. I had one pretty decent winner. Which meant I just about broke even. Which I always count as a success on these sort of occasions.

It is a lovely venue right by the Thames. It is a nice little course, so you can easily move between the parade ring and the track without missing any of the action. During the summer evenings. They often have some live acts on after the racing to. Which always adds to the experience and the fun, I think.

The other week I was back at the spectacular BBC Radio Theatre in London. Watching two shows of the very long running Radio 4 programme “Quote UnQuote” being recorded. It is celebrating its 40th Birthday this year. Which coincidentally, so am I this December. The show is hosted by Nigel Rees who also devised and created it. There is a panel of four people. Who have to answer questions and queries about certain quotes.

On the way to BBC New Broadcasting House

At the recording I was at. These included the comedian Arnold Brown and Sir Christopher Frayling. The quotes are read out by the current voice of the football scores. Former Radio 4 announcer Charlotte Green. Who went further up in my estimation. When she admitted that she was a Tottenham fan. As part of the show the guests get to suggest their favourite quotes.

I think mine would have to be “You are damned if you do and damned if you don’t” which was given to us by one of the great philosopher’s of our time Bart Simpson. To be fair the panellists did choose slightly more high brow individuals to take their wise words of inspiration from. It was an amusing and educational evening. As well as being a right good laugh.

I am a big fan of the Royal Family and the Queen. I think they are an important part of our history. And a tradition and institution that in many ways sets us apart from most other countries in the world. I think they do lots of great work for charity, world relations and also in promoting the United Kingdom to tourists. I appreciate not everyone agrees with this. But this is my website, so my rules.

So I would like to wish Her Majesty a very happy 90th Birthday. Long may your reign continue and please keep doing the amazing job that you are. I watched a great show about the Queen on BBC One. As part of the celebrations. It was her and many members of the Royal Family including Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Anne and some of her cousins. Watching old home videos from her childhood and the early years of her time as our sovereign.

A couple of things really stood out for me. What an amazing, strong, focussed and clever person she is. But most importantly how she likes to have fun. From an early age you can see that she was happy and energetic. Plus the footage of her and a young Prince Philip show what a great relationship they have together. It also showed how great and hands on they were bringing up their children. Bearing in mind the pressure and the time demands placed upon them.

I thoroughly enjoyed the programme. I thought they all came out of it really well. Prince William and Prince Harry were watching it together and they made me laugh several times. They are quite the comedy double act. I would love to meet the Queen or either of the two Princes. May be when I get my Knighthood or MBE in the future. Although I have a feeling meeting them in private in a low key situation could be a lot more fun.

Last weekend the FA Cup Semi-Finals were at Wembley Stadium. My mate Jeff Nolan is a massive Everton fan. And therefore came to London to see his team play against Manchester United. So I met up with him before and after the game. To get a partial fans experience of the day.

We started off in Kentish Town before making our way to Camden and visiting The Worlds End and The Elephant’s Head. Then he headed off to the game and I headed in to Leicester Square to meet another friend to watch the game with.

I was obviously supporting Everton. Mainly because I was going to meet Jeff again later. So I wanted him to be in a good mood. They gave it a go and despite going a goal down, still managed to equalise after missing a penalty. And then lose the game in injury time. Making it an exciting match for the neutral but ultimately disappointing for any Toffee’s fans.

I did see Jeff after the game for a consolation drink at The Albany in Great Portland Street. It was a really enjoyable day with the exception of a two hour segment. When the actual reason for him heading down south was taking place.

The digital channel Dave after spending years and years just repeating other people’s shows. Seemingly sometimes on a constant endless loop. Are now making more and more of their own programmes. Last Monday I went along to the Fountain Studios in Wembley. To see a recording of one of these shows. It is a brand new series called Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit. As you will have hopefully gathered from the title of it. It is hosted by the Irish Comedian Dara O’Briain. He is ably assisted by comedian and former gaming journalist Ellie Gibson.

There are two team captains. The video gaming comedians Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon. Who basically came up with this idea for the Edinburgh Festival last year. They are then joined by a celebrity each. The teams then compete against each other in five different games. Both classic and brand new ones. The two contestants on the one I was at were Susan Calman and David James. She is less than five foot tall and he is six foot five inches. So it is fair to say. That there was a slight height difference between them. But they are both hugely competitive.

Dara O'Briain — Dara O’Briain at Tring picture courtesy of Adam Hollier Photography

The audience was full of proper gamers. I will be honest I only went for a laugh. And because I like watching TV shows. So before it started I was a bit worried I might be out of my depth. But then the first game they played was a variation of Tetris. So after that point I knew that I would be all right. I do not want to give too much away. But they also played another very old game called Chuckie Egg. Do you remember that one?

The version they played was from the classic ZX Spectrum 128 computer. That was the very first computer that I had as a child. I think my favourite non football related game was Treasure Island. I used to spend hours playing it and never got anywhere near completing it. That was back in the days when computer games came on a tape.

You had to put them in the cassette player. They took about ten minutes to load. While making a sound somewhere between white noise and what the radio sounds like when you are searching for new stations. The kids today with their instant loading games with amazing graphics. Don’t know they are born.

The show itself was very funny and Dara O’Briain was brilliant. Made the whole thing very enjoyable. And well done to the production team. As all the technology worked perfectly. And there was lots of it that could have gone wrong.

Oh well so unless there is some sort of miracle it does look like Tottenham’s title hopes have gone. And by the time you read this Leicester could have been crowned Premier League Champions. An honour that they fully deserve.

They have had a sensational season. I am very proud of my team. If you had said this is how we would finish at the start of the season. I would have happily taken it. I just hope the club can keep the manager and players all together. And then mount another decent challenge next year.

I am looking forward to spending a lot more time around New Broadcasting House and the BBC this Summer. I will tell you more about this next time we speak. But it will be an exciting and interesting couple of months.

I was there for a meeting the other week and heard Nick Grimshaw waiting for a lift and saw the legend that is Steve Wright walk right past me. Happy Days.

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

Neil Quigley Presenter