Category Archives: Books Films, TV & Radio

Open season for the trunk of funk – the Craig Charles interview

According to your spheres of interest, you may know him best as Coronation Street’s Lloyd Mullaney or Red Dwarf’s Dave Lister, or just as that cheeky Scouse lad off Robot Wars or Takeshi’s Castle. But many more of us know … Continue reading

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Guitar-wielding visiting author proves a hit – the John Dougherty interview

Children’s author, poet and songwriter John Dougherty is a regular on the school visit circuit, and was in Lancashire recently, helping promote the Fantastic Book Awards. You might have spotted a few of his books, like Zeus on the Loose, … Continue reading

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Legendary poet redefines Black History Month – the Benjamin Zephaniah feature

It made perfect sense to invite legendary dub poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah to launch Lancashire’s Black History Month celebrations. But somehow there was no real surprise that the star attraction was soon questioning the validity of the event he … Continue reading

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Phil Cool, John Foxx and the Swing Park Incident

To coincide with my recent John Foxx and Phil Cool interviews on this blog, here’s the part of the jigsaw that links those features – the true story of that broken nose incident, or at least Phil Cool’s version of … Continue reading

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End of an impressionable era – the Phil Cool interview

Forty years after swapping the electrical trade for the comedy circuit, Phil Cool is all set for his final shows back in his native Lancashire. And it’s perhaps rather apt that there’s been no great fuss about the former TV … Continue reading

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From Mary, Mel and Sue to motorbikes and binned Baked Alaskas – the Paul Hollywood interview

Grown women get excited at the mere mention of his name, and it’s fair to say this island nation has risen to the charms of celebrated master baker Paul Hollywood these past few years. The one-time sculpture student from the … Continue reading

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Beyond the fringe – the Roger McGuinn interview

I feel those of us who spent our teenage years watching guitar bands owe something of a debt to Roger McGuinn. My arrival on the London gig circuit properly came in the mid-’80s, amid a plethora (or a plectra, maybe?) … Continue reading

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From Ultravox and Underpass to overground success – the John Foxx interview

John Foxx has become something of a cult hero in discerning circles over the last four decades, making a big noise in the art and music world. He has strong associations with the new wave of electronic music that saw us … Continue reading

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Kick it like Dick, Kerr’s – the story behind No Man’s Land

In a year of widespread First World War centenary commemorations, a Lancashire theatre company is focusing on another aspect of that defining era – the rise of women’s football. And Northern Irish actor/playwright Stephanie McKervill is just the latest to … Continue reading

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A truly independent spirit – the Badly Drawn Boy interview

Ahead of appearances at the Beat-Herder Festival in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley and Portmeirion’s Festival No.6 in North Wales, writewyattuk tackled Damon Gough – aka Badly Drawn Boy – on everything from Beck to Boney M and Bruce Springsteen.  Before I … Continue reading

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