Category: That Reminds Me . . .

WHAT do the comedians Jimmy Carr, Ricky Gervais, Jack Whitehall, Joe Lycett, Michael McIntyre, John Bishop, Alan Carr, Russell Howard and Jon Richardson have in common? They are all ‘more influential’ than … Continue readingThe peerless Peter Kay

FOR most of my life I have suffered from vertigo and claustrophobia, both of which can be traced to the same fortnight in 1970. In the summer of our fourth … Continue readingTwo phobias for the price of one

WHEN it came to choosing a junior school for me, my father was insistent that what had been good enough for him would suffice for his seven-year-old son. I was … Continue readingThe woke warrior wrecking my old school

A FRIEND and former colleague at the Daily Mail in Manchester, Robert Carson, has sent me this picture from a time when newspaper offices were actually a fun place to work. It … Continue readingHostage night at the Mail

THIS week, a fond look back at a classic example of the ‘so bad it’s good’ school of TV comedy. I refer you, m’lud, to Nearest and Dearest. In seven series … Continue readingNearest and Dearest

A WHILE ago I described here my sojourn in the North East as a trainee journalist. From January to May, 1974, I was a miserable soul, chilled to the bone by the … Continue readingStreakers and rioters

CONGRATULATIONS to my former colleague Tony Gallagher, who has been appointed editor of the Times. Following stints at the Telegraph and the Sun, this makes him one of a rare or possibly unique breed … Continue readingTony Gallagher, one of the good guys

ONE of the bonuses of having been born and raised in North East Lancashire is a fond acquaintance with stew and hard. Usually abbreviated to ‘stoo ’n’ ’ard’, this great … Continue readingLet them eat oatcake

IN the days before newspaper production moved into the computer age and everyone had to sober up, there was ample scope for howlers. A combination of drunken and incompetent reporters … Continue readingThe Black Museum

DOING my time in godforsaken Blackburn (1977 to 1980) I lived in a council flat not far from a huge warehouse known as Tommy Ball’s. This former cotton mill was … Continue readingBreaking up at 30,000ft