Personality Interviews Chris Barber: ‘On the slide’ since 1949
24/04/2008
A new set of CDs has just been released in this country that has been a timely reminder of the debt that the British music scene owes Chris Barber.
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Meet the Jungle VIP!
For anyone 50 and over, he was the voice of Radio 1. For anyone younger, he is probably best known as the very first “King of the Jungle”. But as Tony Blackburn explains, not only has he been responsible for many innovations in radio, but he remains one of the country’s hardest working DJs - and music continues to be one of his passions. Tony Blackburn talks to Tony Watts.
Just a minute - it's Nicholas Parsons
Actor, director, writer, presenter, tumbler, straight man, panel show host and fully qualified marine mechanical engineer, Nicholas Parsons is one of Britain's best-loved personalities. Now a youthful octogenarian with a career spanning more than sixty years, he shows no sign of slowing down - let alone stopping.
Playing to the Last
After over 200 gold discs, sales of 100 million albums and success in 150 countries, you’d think James Last might be considering hanging up his baton. But, as he approaches his 80s, there’s still time for one more world tour. Will it be his farewell to Britain? “Never say never,” James tells Tony Watts.
Let’s all salute Pam Ayres
Perhaps it’s not so surprising that in a poll taken several years ago Pam Ayres was Britain's fifth best-selling poet. She talks - in prose rather than verse - to Mature Times editor Tony Watts.
Satish Kumar: "unity, not uniformity"
Jayne Warren interviews Satish Kumar, perhaps best described as a modern day Ghandhi inspired by Betrand Russell and the internationally renowned speaker on Ecological issues, author and Editor of Resurgence magazine. A regular contributor to Thought for the Day on Radio 4, he recently appeared on Desert Island Discs with Sue Lawley. His new book "Spiritual Compass" explores themes he has been developing throughout his life on the issue of spirituality in an increasingly materialistic world.
The Bill: walking the beat for over 23 years
It started life as a one-off drama entitled “Woodentop” in 1984. It has turned out to be one of television’s most enduring programmes, still running after 23 years and regularly reaching the Top Ten in the UK ratings war.
“The Bill”, set in the fictitious Sun Hill police station, follows the professional and personal lives of patrol and response officers as well as the work of the CID. Jayne Warren talks to two of the actors that made it so popular: Eric Richard (Sgt Cryer) and Trudie Goodwin (WPC Ackland). We also have a copy of new “The Bill, Series 1-3 Box Set” to give away!
Ride Sally, ride
Without Sally Boazman’s finger on the pulse and sultry tones on the radio, Britain might be one long traffic jam – all of the time rather than just some of it. Mature Times editor Tony Watts went to meet her and, as he discovers, she intends to age as disgracefully as possible and “go out” on a motorbike going at 80 on the motorway.
Man in a white suit on a mission
Journalist Martin Bell famously won his seat in Parliament in the 1997 election on an anti-sleaze ticket against the Conservative Government. Ten years down the line, he has turned his sights on the Labour Government, accusing them of betraying the British public in ways that dwarf those of the Major government.
Tony Watts talks to him about his new book, “The Truth That Sticks”.
Going, going, gone... with Eric Knowles
Eric Knowles may have made his name in the exotic (and sometimes erotic!) world of art and antiques, travelling all over the world in pursuit of his profession, but as Tony Watts discovers, he’s still a Lancashire lad at heart - and proud of it.
Electronic gadgetry? It’s just not cricket for Dickie!
It’s impossible to explain to non-cricket lovers exactly why the game is so engrossing, even when a match lasts five days and ends with neither side winning. In part it’s characters like Dickie Bird.
A modest enough player in his day, Dickie was the man in the middle whose individual umpiring style made him loved by fans around the world and respected by every player – even when the decisions didn’t always go their way. He talks to Tony Watts.
Wine, women and song
Oz Clarke has done more than almost anyone to strip away the mystique of wine and popularize it. Now, as well as having a new book on the shelves, he is also fronting a highly entertaining programme with James May. Jayne Warren discovers that there is a lot more to the affable Oz than meets the eye!
Has Paul Merton got news for you
It’s 17 years since “Have I Got News for You” burst onto our screens. From Day One the man supplying a very large proportion of the laughs has been Paul Merton. Tony Watts went to meet him at the opening of an exhibition of the spectacular work of his friend, artist Robert Conybear being held at the Wales Millennium Centre - and remind him that he passes 50 this month.
Jennifer Worth - reminding us of the unsung heroines
One of the rewards of this job is having the honour and privilege to touch the lives of so many remarkable people. Jennifer Worth, authoress, midwife and latterly musician, is one such shining example. Jayne Warren talks to her about her remarkable new book "Call the Midwife", published this month.
Well, well...it's Dean Friedman
The hair's greyer, the artistic moustache has become a close-cropped beard (also grey) but the distinctive doe eyes are still the same – if a little more worldly wise. Dean Friedman, who electrified audiences with Ariel 30 years ago, is back on the road with a UK and Ireland tour during July and August – and talks to Tony Watts about what’s been happening in between.
