Steven Wells RIP goes out with spooky Jacko reference

26 Jun 2009: Blimey. Some things really are too spooky for words. On Wednesday night we lost Steven Wells (“Swells”), a writer who entertained and inspired so many people (including me at a very impressionable age). It’s choking to read the final piece from any writer who knows it’s coming, but in Wells’ case, the final sentence of his final column turned out to be as shocking as anything he’d ever written. Twenty-four hours after publication, Michael Jackson was off to join him.

Dawn on the Telly!

14 Jun 2009: Dawn appeared on a BBC East documentary in 2000, called “Carry On Nursing..?” – here’s her ninety seconds of fame.

Jason Dozzell returns to Portman Road

14 Jun 2009: The story so far: Having just got myself one of those gadgets which shoehorns video signals into a USB port, I’m now going through hundreds of dusty old VHS tapes gradually expiring in the attic. So far, the oldest full-length, otherwise unobtainable Town recording I’ve found is a Sky Sports “Super Sunday” from September 1993, where Spurs came to Portman Road and drew 2-2, thanks to a late equaliser from Jason Dozzell, who we’d just sold to them. Personally, I found the shots of the old North and Churchmans stands as interesting as anything – some good close-ups as they empty out at the end (Sky didn’t seem as quick to cut to the ads or the studio in those [...]

“Thriller” at Elvyn Richards Hall Cabaret 1984

13 Jun 2009: OK, I’ve finally transferred one of the oldest VHS home movies I have to my Mac, probably with only moments to spare before the tape crumbles into a pile of iron oxide. And it is… the “Thriller” sketch from the 1984 Christmas Cabaret at Elvyn Richards Hall, Loughborough University. That’s me in the pink dress. I was born for the role, darlings. I’m going to make an attempt at remembering the whole cast, but it’s nearly 25 years ago, and there are a few names which seem to have got lost in the recesses of my memory. However, I hope one or two people who were also involved read this and can fill in the blanks. Email me or make [...]

Most embarrassing Labour result of the day

6 Jun 2009: I feel no comment is necessary. (Official Result page)