Blog post

WC MAY 31.

Made my first visit to Harlow on Tuesday to interview Rupert Hill and Sarah Jayne Dunn, the stars of the stage version of When Harry Met Sally. Both have been soap stars. Sarah played Mandy Richardson in Hollyoaks for ten years and Rupert was Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street. There had been a little breakdown in communications, not due to the two stars, and my interviews were an hour late. They were both charming and a little concerned that they had not been reminded of our interviews. Steve Arnott, a brilliant company manager, went out of his way to be helpful – and all ended well. I managed to get the 8pm train to Liverpool Street and made Waterloo with five minutes to spare for the 9.05 to Southampton. This was delayed due to signals and I missed the Red Jet. In the end I caught the last one, 11-45pm, to complete a nightmare journey. I saw the park and ride bus was in and was relieved I did not have to walk to Somerton. The IW Council had, apparently, in May, decided senior bus pass holders (as I now quality for this) could not use them after mid-night. Was I considered too old and frail to be out at that time of night? Despite being tired and with a pocket of loose change, I decided to prove to myself that I was really fit and young enough to be out, at 12-15am. So I walked to Somerton!!! – with all my recording equipment. Got nicely tucked up in bed, at 1-50am ,to have a quick read. Then found I had left my book in the car – so I read the foreword of the next one I am going to read. It was all in a day’s work.

The following lunchtime – or later the same day – actually – I met some lovely ladies when I spoke at the Brading Haven Ladies Luncheon Group. Nice food, excellent company, wonderful hospitality – and they seemed to like my talk.

My late wife, Heather, and myself used to shout at the TV screen when The Bill’s legendary baddie, Gabriel Kent, kept getting away with so many lies, murders and deceptions. I finally caught up with the man himself – Todd Carty – and told him so. He was delighted – as he had done his job. Went to Wimbledon on Thursday to interview Todd. What a great guy and a real pleasure to work with – and we seemed to hit it off. Loved his performance in Spamalot – a great show – which comes to the Mayflower, Southampton, 26 to 31 of July. Jodie Prenger, one of my recent interviewees, was quite superb.

The week ended at the Old Gaffers Festival – where I sold a few CDs on the CP Stand and picked up several future guests for JH Meets, including a former well known Islander I had not seen for many years.