WC May 18.
What a way to start any week – and it couldn’t have got much better. On Monday I went to Bill Wyman’s Sticky Fingers restaurant in Kensington to interview the real legend himself. What a charming man! He gave me a great interview to help celebrate the launch of his first solo album for 33 years – and it’s quite brilliant. A lovely lunch – thanks Bill. It was a day to savour and I enjoyed every minute – but not the late night power cut when I got home. From the wonderful Sticky Fingers to candles in the bedroom and bathroom. Mind you, when Bill and I were younger it was outside toilets. I did get back too late from London to see the Groundlings production of A Midsummer Nights Dream at Shanklin Theatre, which I understand was brilliant.
The next day was just as brilliant. I have known Jimmy Tarbuck for 36 years and I went to his Surrey golf club to catch up with him to plug his Medina Theatre gig on Sunday June 7. Probably the best interview I have ever done with him. Jimmy is wonderful company and much fun was enjoyed – and he even drove me back to the station. Nice one Tarby! To end a busy day I went to The Tempest at the Apollo Theatre, Newport. Watching Danny Carmichael, I can see where his talented son Colin gets all his comedic skills from.
On Wednesday I headed for Chichester to interview two stars from their new musical A Damsel in Distress – Nicholas Farrell and Sally Ann Triplett. Nicholas, one of the most famous television faces in Britain, has appeared in Jewel in the Crown, Torchwood, The Choir, Lipstick on Your Collar, the Riff Raff Element, Sparkhouse, Chariots of Fire, The Iron Lady and Charlotte Gray. Sally appeared in two Eurovision finals with Prima Donna and Bardot and has been in numerous West End hit shows. Her TV’s include EastEnders, Doctors, The Bill and Crackerjack.
Had a great evening on Friday at the Havenstreet Community Centre, where I was the after-supper guest in an event arranged by the local church. A super meal and a great crowd to talk to. My girlfriend Bertie even won a raffle prize. That doesn’t happen very often.
The week ended at the old chapel in Winchester House, Shanklin, on Saturday night. I did not go to pray but to watch singer songwriter Robyn Hitchcock, who lived in Yarmouth for many years. A great show from this much-admired eccentric. He was joined on stage by the wonderful Australian singer songwriter Emma Swift.