WC OCTOBER 3
Monday was just heavenly – in more ways than one. I took the train from Portsmouth Harbour to East Croydon to interview Dave Prowse – probably more famous as Darth Vadar and The Green Cross Code Man. He’s just written his autobiography called Straight From The Force’s Mouth. What a lovely gentle man! I ran overtime. He was going so well with so many great memories – I just kept him going.
On the way back I called in to see Craig Douglas, at the Ryde house where he is staying – and he is in rehearsals for his Thursday night comeback show at the Medina Theatre, Newport. Craig is really looking forward to it – and the new CD, The Craig Douglas Project, sounds stunning. Apparently, he was on Radio Solent’s Alex Dyke Show on Monday morning.
Over the years I have got to know both Chris De Burgh and Daniel O’Donnell as friends. They are always such a pleasure to interview. I have never interviewed both of them on the same day – but this will now happen later this month. Both have new albums to promote. I’ve also been invited to a Chris De Burgh concert version of Moonfleet – I can hardly wait.
It proved quite a week! An Evening With Craig Douglas and Friends was a sell-out at tne Medina Theatre, Newport. It proved such a popular gig with Craig appearing on stage for the first time for two years, following his recent illness. His special guest Marty Wilde was in brilliant form and did an accoustic set with two of his musicians. He also sang a duet of Teenager In Love with Craig. They both had Top Ten hits with the same song back in 1959. They had sung it as a duet – once before. I was also in the audience on that occasion – at the Royal Albert Hall in 1959. The Mix, who backed some of the artists, are such a formidable group.
The following night I went to the BIC Bournemouth to watch Chris De Burgh in concert. What a night – and he did three hours. What a talented guy he is. Listen out for him soon on John Hannam Meets. We have got to know each other well in recent years.
On Saturday morning I attended the launch of the new Craig Douglas’ album, The Craig Douglas Project, at the County Press Shop, Newport, – and it went off very well. This is the only outlet selling the CD on the Island, a few months before its national release. Signed and unsigned copies are available at the CP Shop for just £10. Be prepared for a surprise.
I was apprehensive about my invitation to Seaview’s Priory Bay Hotel, where I had interviewed several famous people over the past 21 years. It is a lovely and well run country hotel. I am not a great dinner party person – I much prefer being in a room interviewing a future guest. The occasion was to attend the special dinner which featured Charles Collingwood, who plays Briasn Aldridge in The Archers. Any misgivings – and I only just made it one time – were quickly dispelled. I joined a super table and met some very friendly people and a good evening was had by all. Charles was in brilliant form. Confirmed Archers fans, CP columnist Charlotte Hofton and David Holmes, also known as The Doc, once of IW Radio, were amongst the Ambridge lovers present.