By using this site you accept the cookie & privacy notices in place.

On how I changed the face of recorded comedy aged 12

1st February 2019

Hello pals,

In the words of George Harrison, “it’s been a long, long, long time.” But I’m back – with a new blog (this), a new haircut (resembles the Guggenheim) and a new podcast.

The raison d’etre of this post is to showcase (trans: archive) a comedy recording I made with a friend when we were 12, explain how over 30 years later I have emulated this process, and crucially how the two connect. But first a promo shot of the new podcast featuring the hero from my comic novel, Alan Stoob.

Continue Reading

On promoting your book

29th July 2015

Books, eh? So many published, so few read. Trying to get noticed is the name of the game (I should know, I’ve played it. Let’s call it a draw to date).

All will be explained shortly, but here’s a picture of my dad hard at work in our sitting room in 1986.

dad in chair

Continue Reading

On my dad at 100

5th January 2015

Well helleur.

Happy New Year and that.

This is a short blog about my dad, who would have been 100 on Boxing Day.

dad and i edited 2

Continue Reading

On being Alan Stoob

6th October 2014

Hello.

I am Alan Stoob.

Perhaps you knew this already.

Perhaps you didn’t.

Perhaps you’ve no idea what I’m talking about.

Alan Stoob is a website, a Twitter account, a book and (if the planets align) a film.

I have kept my name hidden for three years but on the eve of publication and with Stoob’s cover already blown I’m officially outing myself.

Alan is Britain’s Premier Nazi Hunterâ„¢.

This is the story of Alan.

NHA Close Up

Continue Reading

Matt

16th July 2014

This is a short piece about my dear friend Matt Richell, who died in a surfing accident two weeks ago.

Continue Reading

On yodelling at a recent wedding

18th September 2013

Bonjour.

Ca va?

Good.

Recently an old university friend (Tom) and I sang at the wedding of an old university friend (Kev). An old university friend (George) filmed it and created the following short. They’re all doctors but that’s irrelevant.

Wonderful occasion it was.

Here’s the film.

On Lance Armstrong and cycling in London

29th March 2012

Hello hello do come in.

Lately I’ve become obsessed with this footage of the Tour de France. The video features Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani battling for supremacy on Mont Ventoux, the mountain where Britain’s Tommy Simpson died of a heart attack in 1967.

Below it you will find a video of your truly on said mountain…

Continue Reading

On Jimmy Saville

31st October 2011

In all my days listening to BBC Radio 4 I’ve never once heard a newsreader doing an impression of the recently deceased.

Until Saturday.

*

*

On Steve Jobs

6th October 2011

Two weeks ago I wrote an essay about former Apple CEO Steve Jobs for The Market Magazine. The editor and I had a feeling he might not be around by the time of publication. As it transpired we were nearly right.

Continue Reading

On Amy Winehouse

29th July 2011

When someone with genuine, coruscating talent dies before their time it leaves us all diminished. Such is the case with Amy Winehouse.

Continue Reading