John Lennon – A stand-up comedian? (Saga, July 2021)

John Lennon – A stand-up comedian? (Saga, July 2021)

If John Lennon hadn’t become a rock star he might instead have made a very good stand-up comic. Get him … read more

My Back Pages   (An edited version of this article appeared in The Oldie, December. 2021)

My Back Pages (An edited version of this article appeared in The Oldie, December. 2021)

 What Muhammad Ali, Bob Dylan, Lord Hailsham, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon, Roger Vadim, Michael Caine, Leonard Cheshire, Paul Raymond, Eric read more

How my Covid coma turned into a radio play (Daily Express, 20.3.21)

How my Covid coma turned into a radio play (Daily Express, 20.3.21)

There is a huge void in my memory that stretches from the middle of last April until the end of … read more

Joe Biden and Me

Joe Biden and Me

What about that!  A guy who stammers is the most powerful man in America – where, of course, they call … read more

My Covid Summer

My Covid Summer

First published in the Daily Mail 13.10.2020.

From the very beginning I was afraid of Covid 19. That was in … read more

Judy: Still on her way to Oz (Evening Standard 31.12.1968)

Judy: Still on her way to Oz (Evening Standard 31.12.1968)

(Renee Zellweger’s performance as Judy Garland is so good and believable that it drove me back to my cuttings book read more

Boxing Day Walks (Weekend, Daily Mail – 30.11.19)

Boxing Day Walks (Weekend, Daily Mail – 30.11.19)

Will you be wrapping up in a scarf, coat and woolly hat and going on a Boxing Day walk this … read more

‘James Dean Lives’

‘James Dean Lives’

We see his face on the sides of buses, in magazines and on billboards as he helps sell cars, jeans, … read more

How That’ll Be The Day and Stardust came to be written

How That’ll Be The Day and Stardust came to be written

‘Show me a boy who never wanted to be a rock star and I’ll show you a liar…’ was a … read more

When hitch-hiking was the only way to travel… (Daily Mail 10.10.19)

When hitch-hiking was the only way to travel… (Daily Mail 10.10.19)

When I was 18 the only opportunity I had of foreign travel was to stand at the side of the … read more