Tired but really worth it. In the old days I used to stay out for days on end with no good reason. Last night t'was an Elton John reason I was late abed. How interesting it was to leave my hotel room and wifey woo - after only four hours kip - to be on the radio.
Leon Russell is a dude. Elton is a warhorse. Music is the water that makes us humans grow, and there's more tonight with Elton again on the telly on The One Show at 7pm and Robert Plant on the radio at 8.00pm.
Is this a dream, or is it all really happening ?
Praise be.
CLP
2010
X.
Simply cannot wait for tonight. Elton John and Leon Russell and the first Electric Prom - off the scale. Actually in bed for one hours sleep. After the show this morning and Children in Need filming all day with Gordon Ramsgate, I need to have a quick kip so's I can make the most of every second of what I already know is going to be an amazing live music experience.
Night night for now and see you on the radio 8pm live. Remember, Simon backstage from 1700 with Drivetime.
CLP
2010
X.
We are together again in the car - (my petrol not his) - as we re-embark upon the Sporting Challenges (Jonny won the first series).
So how about a word from Jonny. If he had a blog what would he write? Belly Du Jour perhaps?
Here he goes. . .
Morning everyone, I'll have to be quick as I get car sick - writing in a car. In fact that's it. I need some fresh air.
Sorry.
Jonny.
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Bit of a miz day weatherwise for us all. There was literally a false dawn with a dappled red sky hoodwinking us into thinking the sun was going to part of our lives today.
Wrong! It's wet, cold and raining in London right now. But fear not!
"We need to sort out your holiday dates for next year," clarions my producer - little Hels Bells from Hull.
So, now amidst the dreich of a dark, dank Tuesday morning, my inner eyes are conjuring up visions of summer sun 2011.
Well, actually, they're not to be honest. I got straight on to finding out the dates for The Open, The Masters and The Monaco Grand Prix.
Tash loves going to those three events and insists they are our vacation priorities every year. Er....
CLP
2010
X.
Am sitting outside my publishers in my nice cosy, warm car, listening to Elton John's new album. It's a ovely piece of work - alongside his mentor Leon Russell - who sounds like a perfectly mixed blend of Willie Nelson and Neil Young.
I'm gonna go in and sign a thousand copies of that thing - you know what I'm talking about. Radio show was before all this - the best job I've ever had - fancy getting to chat to Mr Buble!
Home lunchtime to 'er indoors and the little one, and I've just received a text from my daughter who's coming down for the weekend.
Plus, my mum's tests came back all clear and the sun is shining amidst a California blue sky.
Have a great great day.
CLP
2010
X.
Currently in the middle of a round of interviews to do with you know what - and if you don't - it doesn't matter.
Wales just pointed out how instrumental Wales has been in my life. Billie and Dr. Who; and Celtic Manor being the venue of The Ryder Cup where Tash and I met for the first time.
Indeed, if Sir Terry hadn't built his golf resort to realise one of his many dreams, then there wouldn't be a little Noah running around Berkshire today.
Crazy, life, isn't it ? Wonderful of course, but crazy.
Right - off to record my first ever hologram - and then One Show and Paul O'Grady to talk more about that thing that's in the shops now.
CLP
2010
X.
PS: Note from the Brekkie Production Team:
If you haven't watched The Sporting Challenge's Greatest Hits yet, please take five minutes out of your day to do - we promise you won't be disappointed!
Watch the The Sporting Challenge's Greatest Hits
I have a picture of my son as my mobile phone screensaver.
I changed it last night from one of him in my garage, wearing an oversize cap - cute and funny - to one of him during last night's bath time, laughing his head off - joyous.
I thought the garage/car snap was wonderful, but this new image makes me feel almost indescribably positive and lucky inside - every time I catch even so much of a glimpse of it.
So, perhaps you might want to change your screensaver now and again, until it makes you feel more of how you want to.
Have a great day.
CLP
2010
X.
In 1989 I climbed aboard a train from Manchester to come and seek success down South. Little did I know then how fortunate I would become by now. A rocky ride, yes but ultimately a fantastic and fascinating twenty years has passed by.
Yesterday I made the mirror image journey to attend The Radio Festival and appear on stage to discuss how where I'd first worked. Piccadilly Radio in Manchester was so important and special to me and everyone else who was lucky enough to be around there in the seventies and eighties.
I made the journey on my own, again on the train - both ways in a day, which gave me plenty of time to reflect and remember. Several of my original radio heroes were present at the forum/session, call it what you will. I still felt like the tea boy, which is what I was - and I suppose - how I should always feel around these giants.
So what did I do ? I got the beers in. It's important to know your place and what an amazing place that was.
To Woody, to Wardy, James H, The Funster, JC, Paul Locket, Sweeney, Umberto, Day On The Dilly, Mally (of course), Big, Gatesy, John Pickford, Stuart Pike, Matt Proctor, Beechy, Tony (K)Ingham et al - Hats Right Off !!!
CLP
2010
X.
Cole Moreton his name. The journalist/writer who came to interview me yesterday. Two hours we had allowed for the piece. So how do I explain the fact that he was at mine making himself a cup of tea at five o'clock this morning ? Well, you know, sometimes that's just how it is.
We ended up in mine and Tash's favourite Italian restaurant, a couple of beers, a glass of wine and many hours of conversation the wiser/more confused. Never go drinking with a journalist "they" used to tell me. Well let me tell "them", this one was ok, I have developed a keen sense of smell over the years. Good article or bad, I had a stimulating time.
Woke up in a great mood. Show: Brucie's missing knighthood, Julian Lennon in conversation and six and a half minutes of Elton John's Tiny Dancer - not a bad radio breakfast. N
ow on a train to Manchester to The Radio Academy sessions and to witness Whispering Bob being inducted as a fellow of said organisation.
Back tonight. See you on the radio.
Xxx.
CLP
2010
The man's name Cole Moreton - freelance writer for The Mail - Live magazine.
I was gonna do the the interview at Radio 2. But it just seemed too small and too something else - I'm not quite sure exactly - just not right today for a long and meaningful "chat".
This bloke used to be in radio, or has at least dabbled, and seems to be "on side". Not that this matters, but it is merely an observation that one makes upon first meeting a print interviewer.
Anyway, from the bustling West End, we now find ourselves parked up outside the "F" garage in Egham. We're risking the stereotypical, me at super car garage, but the fact is I come here to see my mate Morgs for a coffee every Monday, whilst Tash takes Noah swimming.
So, here we go and I'll let you know.
CLP
2010
X.
Five past six, just about to dive into the shower (alone), quick frock on and then a final read through before we go on the air at seven.
Parky is the main guest with hopefully a lovely moment from Jay Rayner about his lovely mum Claire, along with a little tribute film that the team here have made for our favourite Friday foodie guy.
The end of the show is scheduled to culminate in my being in the line of fire of five time Ultimate Fighting Champion Randy Couture with only three slabs of chocolate for protection !
I may see you Monday, I may not. . .
CLP
2010
X.
Saunders back behind the mic today after his day off with the runs. I'm getting better (I think), Lynn is getting worse, Selina still immune!
Have no idea what lurgy this is, all I know is that it's very good at making us all feel very bad.
In other news, very few tissues left around the building after the constant footage of the heroic Chilean miners yesterday caused floods of tears - for all the right reasons.
Off to do a voice over now, next to my favourite pie shop. Is it ever too early for a pie ?
Life just keeps on getting better don't it.
CLP
2010
X.
So who knew Jonny was feeling under the weather as well as the rest of us yesterday?
Man Down in the Sports Locker - that was the news that greeted me when I turned the phone on this morning..
"We can get someone else from ´óÏó´«Ã½ sport or Deadly can do it," read the message.
"Deadly all the way," I clarioned in reply.
"But he knows nothing about sport - just so you know."
"That's never stopped us before."
And so it came to pass that this morning Alan Dedicoat became super sub sports reporter. And mighty fine he was too, although the scheduled Sporting Challenge of Falconry was a bridge too far.
The upside ? Both the falcons and I get a bonus day off to bed down in our nests. Which is exactly what I am going to do.
X
CLP
2010.
See, now the thing is, I have a chest infection and a bit of a sniffle generally. You probably can't tell, because Dr. Footlights and his daily dose of adrenalin tends to help us radio types to get away with it the minute we enter our studio.
The second I get back in the car however - all those tingles start again, you know the ones - that hurt when someone so much as brushes past you.
My head feels like a medicine ball, and my throat has taken on the texture of sandpaper.
The major problem with this is though that soon, very soon, Jeremy Vine/Simon Mayo is/are bound to get it next, because we all use the same microphone so close to our mouths and noses.
When I hear either of them with a cold, sore throat or other I can pretty much guarantee I'm next for an attack of the phlegm. So, huge apologies boys but I think whatever I've got is heading to an ear nose or throat near you.
CE
2010
X
Back behind the mic after a two week break that seems like it lasted a year - Italy, Wales and Scotland all in a fortnight! Motor cars, watching golf and then more golf (playing or at least trying to play) - all in that order.
Found myself on a bus at on Saturday afternoon with Samuel L Jackson, Andy Garcia and Huey Lewis - not something that I thought would ever happen to me. Sam surprisingly quiet, Andy very passionate and Huey just a hoot. That's one for the memory bank.
Busy few weeks coming up, so I'd better lie low for a few days and recharge the tanks.
See you tomorrow morning - 6.30am - don't forget!!!
CLP
2010
X.
