This “avid bee-keeper” is the main presenter of BBC Radio 4’s World At One. When interviewed by The Guardian in 2011, Oxford educated Kearney stated: “I wouldn’t think of myself as a Loose Woman”. We’re glad to hear it. This voice of reason is indeed far from that.
Tag: BBC
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Martha Kearney
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Putting it away
As the BBC announce an investigation into the activities of Stuart Hall, he transfers his marital home solely into the name of his wife and his son states that his OBE should not be revoked
You’d have thought that after Stuart Hall OBE’s barrister said “sorry for what he has done” last week, the convicted paedophile would now be trying to do his best to show some remorse. Sadly Mr Hall is now doing just the opposite.
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Libby Purves OBE
This British radio presenter, journalist and author is a much respected and reassuring voice of reason. Whilst at Oxford she was the librarian of the Oxford Union and then wrote a travel book, One Summer’s Grace, based on a 1,700 mile sailing journey she made around Britain with children aged three and five in 2002. Those who follow her Midweek show on Radio 4 find her a joy to listen to. -
Paedophile Stuart Hall guilty
Stuart Hall admits 14 counts of indecent assault
The former It’s A Knockout and BBC Five Live presenter (James) Stuart Hall OBE admitted to being a rapist and paedophile this morning.
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John Challis: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks actor John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in “Only Fools and Horses”: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Marlene is my guiding force at all times. Listen to your wife. She knows best.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Never lose that bitterness”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Wind turbines.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The energy of my youth.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Life in a warm climate.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Bloody capitalists!
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Gobsmacked”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I support animal charities especially Tusk Trust. They are fighting to save rhinos and elephants from extinction as a result of poaching. Ronnie Wood and I are the oldest and longest serving patrons of Tusk.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Mobile phones are a bloody nuisance, especially on public transport. I have got into fights in the silent carriages of trains. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. I resisted a mobile for years.
John Challis and friends If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Marlon Brando, James Stewart, Kim Novak, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Tom Graveney, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Jacques Tati, Marg Helgenberger and Paul Guilfoyle.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Gorgonzola cheese with fresh figs and a glass of vintage port on the terrace of the Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
6pm unless out to lunch.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini, stirred not shaken, with a twist of lemon and an olive for my heartburn.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I don’t do parties anymore. My 60th finished me off.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My brother-in-law, Johnny Palmer.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
ABBA.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A man with a cricket bat striking a cover drive.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Aston Martin DB4.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I wear Converse trainers.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Abby Bobblehead (NCIS), a miniature Trotter yellow van and a packet of lupin seeds sent to me from a Twitter follower in Texas.
John Challis is an English actor best known for his role as Terrance Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce in the long running BBC television comedy series Only Fools and Horses and its spin-off, The Green Green Grass.
To order signed copies of John Challis’ autobiography, Being Boycie and Boycie & Beyond, and to view the list of venues for his show on tour, go to: http://www.wigmorebooks.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/BeingBoycie
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Donna Air
This Geordie lass has most certainly done good. An actress and presenter, Air starred in Byker Grove at 13, had a daughter with Damian Aspinall at the age of 24 and began dating The Duchess of Cambridge’s brother, James Middleton, in early 2013. Of her gilded life, she comments: “I always joke on Sunday morning, ‘Where’s the butler gone?’ Especially when I’m getting up to make my own bacon and eggs”. Some may nickname her the “Airhead” but frankly they are the ones that are laughable. -
Penelope Wilton OBE
Yorkshire born and twice divorced, Wilton is the niece of actor Bill Travers. She’s performed widely but truly came to fame when she appeared alongside Richard Briers in the BBC’s Ever Decreasing Circles in 1984. As Rosemary in Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 2 and as Mrs Bibby in his The History Boys, she was brilliant but it is as Isobel Crawley in Julian Fellowes’ Downton Abbey that she is now best known. Wilton has most definitely got playing middle-class down to a tee and once commented: “I find talking about acting very boring, having to come out with platitudes about how terribly nice everyone is… I would much rather just do it”. -
Margaret Thatcher: Strong lady, weak men
Author Sarah Tucker shares her thoughts on the reaction to the death of Margaret Thatcher
I can’t really remember much about when Maggie Thatcher was in power. I know my parents were full of praise for her because our country was almost third world when she became PM, strikes crippling industries, rubbish being left on the streets and she broke the unions – something that was thought impossible. She stood up to them and it took a lot of courage to do so.
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Richard Littlejohn
Essex born journalist Richard Littlejohn claims that the Royal Family are a “bunch of tax-evading adulterers” (more…) -
Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks actor Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Vino, feminae et Carmen.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Ask, believe, receive”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
I find the fact that we make celebrities of people in reality TV shows unspeakably depressing.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss my father who died a few years ago.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
If I had a choice between being wealthy and alone or poor and in love, I’d definitely choose the latter. Preferably someone like Mila Kunis if you can arrange it.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I think a lot of people and companies made mistakes driven by greed and no one seemed to learn from historical mistakes. I’m not against big bonuses if they reward success. I believe in a meritocracy.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“We are experiencing high call volumes (today, yesterday and every other day you’ve called). Your call is important to us (so important that we have 2 non English speaking people working to answer 5000 calls a day). Please Hold (whilst you are charged 50p per minute so that when we answer we can tell you that what you want us to do is not possible”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Over the years I’ve performed at a lot of charity events and helped them raise money in all sorts of ways. On a personal level, I think the British Heart Foundation is a great charity and I have a soft spot for WWF. But aside from wrestling, that wildlife charity is good too.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
They’re a blessing and a curse. I use mine to run my whole life. It practically brushes my teeth for me. But when I lose it or it breaks I feel completely helpless. Sad really.
BBC1’s “Holby City” actor and former member of vocal group Blake Jules Knight If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Fry, Anthony Hopkins, Christian Bale and Jennifer Aniston. A few drinks, a few laughs and then perhaps make love. Not all together. There isn’t room in that bar.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I have a feeling they’d make me have it in prison but if they were foolish enough to allow me to have it in, let’s say, The Fat Duck, I’d do that and then have a couple of pints in a pub in Bray, chill out for a few hours and then, well, go home and relax. Phew that was close.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
I never really drink before 6pm unless there is a plan to start early. In which case, I can be persuaded.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A vodka martini with Grey Goose and a twist. That gets things started nicely.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
There is a yearly polo party that Audi put on for about 200 people that is the best of the year. Talented, interesting guests from the world of sport, acting and music, lots of champagne, cocktails, amazing food. It turns into one big house party in a field.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My old boss, Nigel Evans MP. He’s a lovely chap.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Pickled eggs.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
“Get it Here”.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Range Rover Evoque. A fusion of classic and contemporary, urban and rural.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I wanted to be in the army. Now I prance around treading the boards.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
My Classical Brit is wedged between my two degree certificates: a woeful 2:2 MA in Art History from St Andrews and my MA in Acting for Screen from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Jules Knight is an actor and former member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007. He appears in BBC1’s Holby City from 14th May 2013 as Dr Harry Tressler.
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/MrJulesKnight