I first met Steve McFadden in Milton Keynes at Christmas in 2005, where he was starring in pantomime.
Back in September 1980, I was summoned to Ryde’s Carousel Club, close to where work had begun on the new Tesco store, to interview a new jazz funk band, who were rehearsing for their debut tour. They were called Level 42 and even performed two warm-up gigs at the nearby La Babalu Club.
The first time I met David Icke was in 1985. At that time, he was one of the most famous faces on television, via Grandstand, Newsnight, Saturday Superstore, The Nine O’Clock News and the sudden birth of live TV snooker.
Only a few friends knew I was going to London to interview Joan Armatrading and they were all envious I was meeting up with such a talented singer songwriter.
I spoke to Roger about his hit TV series, opera singing and working alongside his wife… In March 2017, I wrote to one of my favourite actors, Roger Allam, at London’s Donmar Warehouse Theatre.
I’d seen Ian Dockray on stage in several Shorwell pantomimes and could hardly believe it when he played Buttons in Cinderella…he was in his sixties and Cinders was young enough to be his granddaughter.
Chris Russell is one of only seven Islanders to have played first class cricket over the past 90 years. The Wroxall youngster, who spent nine seasons as a fast bowler with Worcestershire, has now returned to his home soil to skipper, and hopefully revitalise Ventnor, our only Southern League club.
The sad death of Yarmouth’s Colin Smith, at the wonderful age of 96, took my mind back to the occasion when my East Cowes Sunday school teacher, Miss Hollis, told us a story about two heroic Island brothers who sailed the Atlantic in a 20-foot boat.