If you want a highly enjoyable 45 mins - and who wouldn’t want that? - you could do far worse than listen to this, which I thought a delight: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

It’s a niche complaint, I know, but I’m upset by the cheapness of the logo of this 1983 documentary.

It’s just coincidence but I live alone so I want to tell someone that as I was reading the word ‘lobster’ on this app just now the singer of the song I was listening to also sang the word ‘lobster’ (nb The song was not Rock Lobster).

"Have Tim Henman killed"

For all the talk of distinction and eminence my main conclusion, from the cutaways to the Royal Box, is that there are a lot of men who need to be taught how to tie a tie. #Wimbledon

Something I find genuinely wonderful about Glastonbury is watching an artist I don’t know singing a song I’ve never heard then indicating to the crowd who immediately start singing it word-perfect. It’s really lovely.

Exchange of the Day

‘You’re not dressing me in Mr. Fish!’

Nice to see Lesley Standring’s still in work

I’ve started watching McCartney 3,2,1 and can’t help feeling that if I was going to spend a protracted amount of time in Paul McCartney’s company, or even just say hello to him, I might well put my socks and shoes on

Every Target book comes with a memory and mine for this is of the woman in Boots saying ‘£1.60? That’s a funny price for a book, isn’t it?’

I blink repeatedly and my imaginary bowler hat shoots into the air as I hear Georgia Mann casually use the term ‘BDSM harness’ on Radio 3 just now

I’m selling this Douglas Camfield mag, amongst some other things, if anyone fancies a gander: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11643014...

I do feel for #Strictly that their format doesn’t really work as a one-off for Christmas Day… but then which of us can say our own format does?

“Dancing ‘Street Commercial’” is a preposterous thing to hear at 4.10pm on Christmas Day #Strictly

Christmas is saved! By which I mean The Repair Shop is doing a secret Santa after the DEBACLE of omitting it from last year’s Christmas episode

“Yesterday I called John Rutter the King of Christmas but then I received a text saying that actually Jesus Christ is the King of Christmas” - Georgia Mann on Radio 3 just now proving it is possible to hear a thousand yard stare

I’m always unsure whether Margo & Jerry’s perplexity at the company not delivering their order on Christmas Day is a narrative conceit or a real expectation one could have in the ‘70s

@chrischapman81.bsky.social I’ve just watched the Box of Delights documentary, which is exemplary. The number of contributors is thrilling and the whole thing is wonderful. Thank you - and bravo!

Corporate Christmas card arrives from the accountant. Murky picture of everyone from the firm on the roof of the office. At night. The expectation can’t be that I’ll display it - can it? But, if not… then… what?

One of the loveliest days of the season today, taken round the continent with Radio 3. To feel connected to the world and yet also to shut everything else out and just - be. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

That the George Michael/Andrew Ridgeley/Pepsi/Shirley friendship seems so authentic in the videos then, and is proved to be so still, 40 years later, could be almost banal, were it not for George’s death. His absence makes their continuing friendship joyful and really rather affecting

Something terribly moving about Chris reaching for, and his hands feeling their way up, the glitter ball #Strictly

Always love the Children in Need/United Colours of Benetton vox pops #Strictly

Throughout this series, Carlos has given an object lesson in the adage that there are no small parts, only small performers #Strictly

#Strictly showing Brucie and Natasha Kaplinsky in 2024 evokes the same feeling as when the Cybermen watched clips of William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton in 1982

Genuine talent. Real accomplishment. Lovely, sympathetic people. Handsome European men with beautiful smiles and exposed pelvises. If there’s something you want from the #Strictly final that you’re not getting I don’t know what it is.

I don’t have any particular hopes or wishes for 2025. Read more. To spend time with my friends. To have Vito look me in the eye and explain something - anything - in his awkward, poetic English. Is that so much to ask? #Strictly

Chris’s technique could improve - that’s the show. We appraise technique. But then you suddenly catch yourself remembering that he’s *blind*, and his accomplishment is having made you forget #Strictly

I don’t have any particular hopes or wishes for 2025. Read more. To spend time with my friends. To have Aljaž take me in hold for an American Smooth and spin me and just keep spinning me round, for ever. Is that so much to ask? #Strictly

JB just seems like a really nice man, doesn’t he? #Strictly

Might start a fanzine called The Gold Band Sitting Just Above Vito’s Bicep #Strictly

As a woman in ballroom dancing you have to have quite an ambivalent attitude towards gravity, don’t you? #Strictly

“I’m an idiot,” says Anton. Audience erupts into applause #Strictly

Yep, that’s a show dance #Strictly

Oh god, I’d forgotten about Toyah #Strictly

This will forever be remembered by everyone who saw it. Like the second act of Trevor Griffiths’ Comedians.

Screenshot of the Series tbh #scd #strictly

Might start a fanzine called Vito’s Glasses #Strictly

Ready to down a shot every time Claudia asks ‘What would you like to say to [X]?’. No one in the last three weeks of #Strictly is ever frustrated by lack of opportunity to tell their partner (and sometimes the public) how they feel about them. I can never see straight enough to vote.

Merry Christmas from the Royal Mail Delivery Office

The local Post Office so bizarre now. The counters, shrunk and withdrawn, in a corner of a large shabby room. In the adjacent corner, a concession selling vapes and playing New Age muzak. Like a too-pointed dystopian Play for Today.

And here’s the ticket you needed if you wanted to be in the audience this week in 1982 #totp

Not quite how they phrase it on Radio 3

What’s the German word for when you see the books that were until recently in your flat in a photo of a shop window on social media?

Even Shirley breaking out the ‘iconic’s can’t dampen my delight that there was no locking or freezes in that routine #Strictly

I sort of like that no concession is being made to Chris being blind. But, also… Chris is blind. Blind! That was phenomenal! #Strictly

“Women, bow!” #Strictly

“I’d like advice on how to play Catherine Parr” #Strictly

Carlos has understood how to work the Clauditorium #Strictly #InternetEraSentences