On Thursday just gone (that’s 19th Dec 2024 to you) I somehow appeared in the online and print versions of the Daily Telegraph. The online version featured a gratuitous headshot which the print version, mercifully, did not.
Last night (Friday 20th Dec 2024 – and oh my, it was very late last night) I put in a brief appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live where, in between the news items, I was interviewed by a very nice chap called Steffan Powell.
The cause of these online, print, and radio appearances? Sadly, not my three bestselling novels but, instead, Matthew and Diane’s creation: the Dull Men’s Club – UK Chapter. I don’t know why neither Matthew nor Diane didn’t jump in to the 5 Live interview, I definitely remember getting Matthew in on the invitation. Anyway, along with fellow admin, Lewis, I help the group tick along, prevent fights about Yorkshire vs Lancashire tea from breaking out, and grease the wheels of discussions on such things as tyre pressure monitoring systems, Windows swap files, short-wave listening, bin day activities and many, many more interesting topics.
The Telegraph interview was a phone call from ace feature writer and south London resident, Guy Kelly. The call took place as I was preparing to walk the dogs. Indeed the conversation continued to flow while Robyn, Chewie and I bumbled around the village in the rapidly-darkening late afternoon. Guy was an interesting person to talk with. He forgave me the Chewie-related interruptions (he can be a bit of a challenge if I take my eye off the ball. Chewie I mean, not Guy). Anyway, sales of the Telegraph (paper edition) were significantly higher in these parts on Thursday.
The 5 Live thing was interesting even before we got to the final stage. Much earlier in the day I had a chat with a tremendously interesting researcher. No slouch in interesting topics, Judy was an expert in (if memory serves correctly) the Mark 4 Vauxhall Astra and a particular Vauxhall Nova SR. The conversation got down to the replacement subframe she’d recently ordered. Anyway, we arranged a time for the interview (23.25) and I was sent a Zoom invitation. I joined the Zoom call at 23.15. A radio engineer came on the line and we did some sound checks. She asked what device I was using because I was a little crackly at their end. At her request I switched off the Bose Bluetooth earbuds with built-in microphone and reverted to the laptop speakers and mic. Unfortunately this change of device made me sound as though I was standing in the cupboard underneath the stairs, but at least there were no crackles.
If there is insufficient dullness in your life, you can slide into some more on the BBC Sounds app (or the BBC Sounds website) right here. The dullness begins at 1:29:42. I’m sorry.
Fame at last!
I’ve not listened to it yet… was it around 15 mins worth?
I’ve been enjoying the goings on of The Dull Men’s Club, each week on James May’s show.
It was indeed around 15 minutes worth. Or maybe 10. Or less. But it seemed to go on for a very long time and I ran out of things to say. Also, I sound as if I’ve just woken up and I’m not making too much sense yet.