No she didn't. Long list of Britain breakers before you get to Mary Whitehouse.

He was excellent, calm and measured.

I've not been to a cinema since 2019. A lot of it is to do with films on offer. A lot is to do with audience whispering, phone checking, rustling sweet papers and, I kid you not, sitting next to a person who plonked herself by me in a near-empty cinema, proceeding to eat a curry-smelling sandwich.

RIP Edward Stourton. I read his splendid book, Auntie's War, and sent him a letter. He replied: "The BBC postal system is not very efficient, and your kind letter has only just reached me. I am so pleased to hear you enjoyed the book, and it was very good of you to let me know." Regards, Edward S.

Dame Diana Rigg born this day in 1938. Died at 82 in 2020. One from my autograph collection, requested in 2006 when she was appearing at London's Wyndham Theatre. Class act!

Clive Myrie in Downing Street is an annoying and underwhelming presenter.

Nicely put. 🤣

One of the great actor's names - Rip Torn.

We lost James Garner this day in 2014 at 86. Charisma by the ton. Photo in my collection but sadly no autograph. This is Jim Rockford......

This day in 2014 we lost James Garner at 86. So good in everything. A great loss. Here's a photo I own. No autograph, sadly. This is Jim Rockford.........

Who? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I lost faith when the BBC booted Mike Harding from the Radio 2 folk show. Long may the Rochdale cowboy ride. Take care.

Swimming up stream here. I think Curb Your Enthusiasm stalwart J B Smoove is very irritating. Watching him in Larry David’s new mock-US history comedy, I confirm he is very irritating.

This is a lovely clip of Sam Neill and his friend Bryan Brown. Enjoy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bia_...

Just finishing Melvyn Bragg's excellent memoir. Just ordered Lyse Doucet's new book.

Oh, I've just got a hook on a memoir. You Can Take Belfast Out of the Boy, But You Can't Take the Boy Out of Belfast. Stories of love, hate, Catholics, Protestants, music, poetry, literature, drama and school reports.Oh, and a heroic mother. Typing already.

A great film, a message within, and Alec Guinness outstanding.

Real reporters. RIP, sir. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Nadhim Zahawi. Liz Truss. Kwasi Kwarteng. The best of us. What would we be without these brains?

Gotta say, the www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk has been so supportive of my writing, Very grateful and always will be. Áine Toner. Gail Walker.

Lovely to see @annodracula.bsky.social leaving a copy of Offbeat, a book I also contributed to, for all to see while recording a feature for the On the Beach blu-ray. Review of the BFI release coming soon to @on-magazine.bsky.social in which I’ll mention the film’s tenuous links to East Yorkshire

World Cup football tonight like watching porridge congeal. Dire.

Via The Oldie, Barry Cryer’s guide dog joke. www.theoldie.co.uk/blog/barry-c...

There is a plague of podcasts, and I haven't been invited to a single one! #hurt

RIP Dermot Murnaghan at 68. Born in Devon, raised in Northern Ireland, a stellar career as a journalist and presenter.

The Grove Bookshop, Ilkley, Yorkshire took delivery of the first 3 books of tales - I think they do mail order - but if you’re close enough to go to Ilkley then do visit the shop - it’s seriously lovely - copies also available at The Portico Library Shop Manchester and Limestone Books, Settle.

At a Post Office (in England): "I'd like to send this letter to Belfast." PO Asst: "You need a customs label." Me: "No I don't. Belfast in in the UK." PO: "But it's in Ireland". Me: "It's in the UK. No labels required." PO: "It's a customs thing." Me: "No it isn't." I went elsewhere with my letter.

The mighty voice king Mel Blanc left us in 1989 aged 81.

I’ll be handling the publicity for this one myself so please get in touch if you’d like a PDF copy for review or would like to book an event or interview

I don't know who commissions BBC Radio 4 "comedy" but, my God, where are the laughs? So much crap billed as stand-up and as funny as toothache.

I remember I was driving up the M1 from Leicester to home and in tears. Rupert Lowlife should be condemned for such bollocks. I hate current politics. Can't think of a single inspirational person to enthuse the younger generation anywhere in the world - in the right way!

This is the kind of prick politics has become. Shame. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Growing pet hate. I don't like supermarket checkout operators commentating on my groceries. #noneofyoureffingbusiness

Great War flick. Early role for Stephen Boyd.

For all scribes out there, Ireland's Own's short story competition is open for entries. www.irelandsown.ie/irelands-own...

Powerful book.

Behind the paywall I'm afraid but I'm in the Belfast Telegraph today. The picture is not of me and one of my grandsons, by the way. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/family/...

Excellent appreciation of The Misfits western by @smeeho7.bsky.social mail.aol.com/d/list/refer...

I have a piece in tomorrow's Belfast Telegraph on being a Granda - F (7), T (6) and M (3). Thanks to Aine Toner, Features Editor. Always appreciated.

They’re finally here - beautiful hardbacks of the US version of #FewAndFarBetween published by @scribnerbooks in a few weeks’ time. Now’s the perfect moment to get in touch if you’re a US based journalist/podcaster/person with literary connections. Would love to talk to you.

Who the hell does he think he is? As unimportant as a speck of pollen on a mouse's whisker. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

I've written a few books, but freelance writing is much more rewarding. Although freelance is getting harder.

Three months of #FewAndFarBetween and the last of the gorgeous @noalibisbookstore special editions are waiting for you to pick one up quickly before they’re all gone.

One of the best football songs. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDRB...

Finally got round to sorting my autograph collection into albums. These pics are pre-sort and just a selection. Enjoyable hobby over the years.

Back Home. 1970. Top of the Flipping Pops! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ-E...

We lost Buddy Ebsen at 95 in 2003. Come and listen to my story about a man named Jed...... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwza...

Izal toilet paper was made in Sheffield. That fact might come in handy one day. You're welcome. 🥸

Lady with one of the most poetic names ever - María Cristina Estela Marcela Jurado García - aka Katy Jurado, left us this day in 2002 at 78.