A Day With...The Richard Bacon Show

 James and Richard 

A pint with Piers!

 Piers and James at 'The Hansom Cab', in Earls Court, London 

Having interviewed Piers Morgan over the telephone, for my university's radio breakfast show last March, it was great to finally meet the man who is to take over from the broadcasting phenomenon that is Larry King!!!

Chatting at his Victorian pub, The Hansom Cab, in West London, the chat show host was in high spirits as he celebrated his latest success in the States.

Although Piers said, replacing the CNN legend, who announced earlier this summer that he was stepping down from his world-famous show, will be like following, "Sinatra at Vegas", the former Daily Mirror editor explained,  he was "excited at the prospect."

Piers, whose show will be watched in more than two-hundred countries, admitted it was a "dream job" and said he would like to get Obama on the show.

He told me, "We'd like the President. He is the most significant figure on the planet and we are trying to get him."

Well done Piers- you'll be great! Good luck.

Bumping into Gazza again!

 'Gazza' and James 

Paul Gascoigne has had his problems but he was a real gent to me...Cheers Gazza.

 ...And the shirt he gave me. "To James, love Paul Gascoigne" 

Enjoying a beer with Jimmy Anderson and Kevin Pietersen

 Jimmy, James and Kev enjoy a drink at 'Vendome', near Green Park 

In conversation with Alastair Campbell...the 'king of spin'

 I was really impressed by Alastair and the amount of time he 

 gave to chat to me as a humble student journalist. Decency costs nothing! 

In conversation with USAIN BOLT...of lightening

 James chatting with Usain 

If there is one interview you really do not want to be late for it is with the man universally known as ‘the fastest human that has ever lived’, or for those not so hot on cryptic clues, the sporting phenomenon that is Usain Bolt…of lightening (as his publicist's business card quite rightly calls him).

As I wandered down London’s busy Oxford Street, I made a conscious effort to check my watch every few minutes, or so, to make sure I wasn’t ‘running’ late - if you’ll forgive the pun - as I thought, ‘surely the man who has already shattered numerous world records for not only being fast but very fast, can’t ever be late for anything’.

But to my surprise, my illusion of the affable athlete was wrong, as for probably the first time in his professional career Usain was behind schedule.

Lounging on what can only be described as an uncomfortable looking red leathery sofa, Jamaican born Bolt was finishing one of the many interviews he would have to endure throughout the relentless publicity run for his autobiography: Usain Bolt: 9.58.

Although Usain was clearly busy, a raised thumb, pointed in my direction, acknowledged my arrival in the room and was his thoughtful way of saying hello, while he was tied up elsewhere. A nice touch for someone who could quite easily have an over inflated ego.

As I watched the remaining few minutes of the interview, I was pleased to see Usain looking like he always does…calm and collected.

Once the interview was over the world beating runner, who stands at an impressive 6’ 5”, slowly sauntered over to introduce himself. “Hi, I’m Usain Bolt”, he said.

As we stood looking out over a view that showcased the whole of London, Usain began to help himself to some of the fabulously extravagant and, might I add, tasty looking food that had been laid out for him.

Given the impressive view, Bolt was quick to ask, in that deep, soft, slow tone of his: “Is that the Tower of London?”

“I think it’s the Houses of Parliament”, I replied.

“Oh”, he said. “I would like to go there. Can I go there?”, he asked his manager, and best friend of twenty years. “Sure, we’ll arrange it for next time”, he assured Usain.

His relaxed attitude towards life is quite amazing and something that has always fascinated me about this extraordinary twenty-four year old.

“I didn’t know I would achieve so much in my career so far. I really wanted to be Olympic champion over 200m, I never knew I would be Olympic champion over 100m and a world record holder too. 

“You definitely dream of these things, but I never thought I would have gotten this far at least and it’s a dream come true, so I got to just keep working hard and keep focused.”

 
While intensity is etched on the faces of his rivals during the build up of a do-or-die event, Bolt nonchalantly smiles, dances and even has time to mess about for the television cameras capturing the action. But why shouldn’t he be relaxed. Bolt is the fastest man ever – at both 100-hundred meters and 200-hundred meters.

“That’s just me, that’s my personality and that’s who I am”, Usain said. 

“For me I don’t I get nervous because if I’m really prepared there’s no need to be nervous. I have already done the work to prepare for this situation. If you think about the race too much you start getting nervous and that’s not good to run. If you get nervous then you start making mistakes. If you try to focus too much then you over think things and you make mistakes, and I don’t want to make a mistake, so I try to be relaxed.”

He adds: “When I’m at the start line I try to think about random stuff. What am I going to do later, to just take my mind off the race. 

“Then when they say on your marks, I re-focus. It gives me less time to stress out or to think too much.”

If you lined up a hundred people and asked them who the best basketball player in the world is, the best footballer, or the best cricketer, it is unlikely they would give the same answer. But ask any one ‘Who is the best sprinter in the world?’, there is only one answer - Usain Bolt. Why? Because that is what it says on the clock. There can be no dispute or argument.

Understandably, he doesn’t get tired of being reminded of his title or his incredible achievements.

“Being the fastest man in the world is a wonderful thing. It’s a wonderful title. For me, it’s just wonderful to know that I’m faster than everybody in the world.”

As someone who wasn’t blessed with any fast-twitch fibres, I was curious to know what it feels like to run at that speed.

“It’s extreme but running at that speed you can’t really tell. It feels normal to be because I’m used to running fast all the time.” 

But as well as being blessed with natural talent, Usain has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is.

“It’s all about training. When I train hard, and I know I’m ready it’s easier for me to relax and not stress because I know I’ve put in all the work I need to. If I don’t win, I know that I just need to work harder.

“At school, I was always the fastest and if I wasn’t the fastest on day one I would always get there because I was very competitive and I always wanted to be the best. I was always running until I was the best. I was always competitive, so I always ended up being the fastest in school.”

Usain told me he gets his competitive edge from his parents - and understandably, they're very proud of his incredible achievements.

“My parents are very competitive when it comes to sports so I think I got it from them, and I have the drive to do my best at all times. They’re definitely proud of me.

“My teachers in high school saw the talent and they told me to keep working on it. My parents supported me 100% through everything. Everybody gave me support because they knew I could do it. And they kept on pushing me even when I got injured and stuff.”

So, as someone regarded as the best sprinter in the world, I was interested to know what he thinks makes him such a great runner? 

“I just think I’m blessed with a lot of talent and I was just blessed to bring joy to the world. I think when you have talent people say you have a destiny. I guess this is just my destiny- to go out and make the world happy and run as fast as I can.”

When he talks about his childhood, he does so as if it were only yesterday. It’s a reminder of how young he still is. “Growing up as a child I was full of energy. I loved sports. As soon as I left school for the day I was out playing football, cricket or anything. When I was young I loved to climb trees, I loved to ride bikes, go to the river- just being a boy, getting into trouble.

“I couldn't live anywhere but Jamaica.”

So what rocket fuel does the fastest man in the world consume?

“It's good to get in the habit of a proper diet but I eat anything I feel like. At the moment I eat junk food.”

Although Bolt is renowned for his record within track and field, cricket was his first love. He grew up when the West Indies were still a force in the international game, and he wanted to be the new Courtney Walsh or Curtly Ambrose. He was gifted, too, opening the batting and bowling for his local side. “I’m an all rounder- definitely good at both”, he explained.
 
So why did Usain - a talented cricketer - not go with his heart? “It was literally just my teacher saying ‘try track and field’. 

“Really I’m a cricketer and I really love playing cricket. That’s what I grew up on- my father loves cricket and I was very good at playing so I didn’t think about playing about changing because that’s what I wanted to do. But when my teacher said try it, I tried it and started winning, so it was fun and I just continued.”

Usain, who comes across as a very likeable individual, wears the mantle of role model with grace. Despite coming from a poor Jamaican background, where his first races were on a track that had a two-foot dip towards the finish, he explains that hard work and discipline can overcome almost anything. “Anything’s possible for me. That’s one of the things I live by”, he said inspiringly. “I think it’s very important to have something that you want to strive for. If you want to be the best at anything you do, you have got to really work at it and push yourself to the limit.”

One of the perks of being Usain Bolt is that sporting stars love to meet him as much as he likes to meet them. “I do get star struck sometimes. I’m big on football so when I met Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and all these guys it’s an honour.”

So, what do all these sporting superstars do when they get together I wondered? “We just try and hang out” he said. “I also get their autographs! But I have some of these guys on my BB (BlackBerry) so we talk and whenever we get a chance we meet up.”

As we near the end of the interview, I ask about his ambitions. Ultimately, he says, to my surprise, he would love to make a go of playing football professionally. He’s being deadly serious: “I definitely want to try football. I think I’ll be a good soccer player because I watch these guys and most of them just use speed and I think I’m good at doing that! (laughs). I’ve messed around with Cristiano (Ronaldo) a little bit but I play football every Sunday, with all my friends in Jamaica, when I get the chance, so I’m ready to play.”

But before that, Bolt says, there is so much more he has to achieve on the track. “My main ambition is to become a legend in the sport. I want to be remembered as one of the greatest athletes ever to live.”

As I made my way out of the room, I asked Usain about breaking world records. He explained rather casually: “I wasn’t even giving my all when I broke them.” To which we both chuckled.


Usain Bolt: 9.58 is published by HarperSport at £20.00

Campaign launched to save Elmlea Junior School's playing field.

A community in Bristol says it's outraged by the council's plans to build on a primary school's playing field.

A campaign has been launched by parents and local residents to help save Elmlea Junior School's field in Westbury-on-Trym.

James Davies reports.

The 'Sky's' the limit

 James on the Sky News set 

Here are a few of the news stories I have written during my work placement at Sky News Online. What a great experience! Thanks to Rob, Jules, Phil, Jon and everyone else at Sky News.

Wayne Rooney's Art Is 'Picasso-Esque'

Atchoo! 'Hay Fever Suffering To Soar In UK'

Cabbie's Hirst Sketch To Drive A High Price

'Stilettoed Socialist' In Anti-Brown Blog

Bananarama: Fruit Collection Won't Be Split

Barrier Reef 'Pulverised' After Ship Crash

Threat To Hollywood Sign: Deadline Extended

L Of A Driver: Woman Flips Instructor's Car

Bank Robber Held In Bear Hug By Customer

Burger King Sued Over Whopper With Spit

Volcanic Dust Cloud: All You Need To Know

Satellite Device Tracking Speed From Space

Giant Crab May Have Pinched Record Title

Greek Goddess Kylie Shares New Song 'Snippet'

An interview with Wales' Under 20's captain- Dan Watchurst

Dan Watchurst interview - Wales Under 20s captain by jamesdaviesmedia

Three minutes with Stephen Jones

 Stephen and James 

Podcast: Homelessness in Cardiff

 The Big Sleep Out 2009 

An interview with Piers Morgan

 Piers with James at 'The Hansom Cab', near Earls Court 

Piers Morgan interview web by jamesdaviesmedia

Misadventures of a Big Mouth Brit, by Piers Morgan, published by Ebury Press

As a trainee reporter, I’ve been asked more times than I care to remember, ‘who’s your favourite journalist?’ When asked this question, most people expect me to say I’d like to follow in the footsteps of Jeremy Bowen, Jon Snow, Robert Peston and others of that ilk.

Even when I explain I’d like to have my own chat show, it’s taken as a given that I’ll retort the legend that is Sir Michael Parkinson.
So when I respond Piers Morgan, the majority gasp and look at me in horror.
In fact, when I told one of my university lecturers this, he paused and simply muttered disappointedly, “oh, one of those.”

As a young aspiring journalist, I must admit, I happen to like him and in fact think we’re actually quite similar. I’m not the only one. When I went to cover Michael Jackson’s press conference in London, twelve months ago, I met one of Piers’ oldest friends-media King-pin, Alan Edwards- who said I reminded him of a young Piers- to this day I’m not sure whether that was meant as a compliment.

Although I think it’s fair to say that Piers Morgan, or Piers Pughe-Morgan as he was born, is the human equivalent of Marmite, you can’t deny or do anything but admire his ability as a journalist.

At just twenty-eight, Piers was Editor of the News of the World, and two years later headhunted by the Daily Mirror. The reason? A unique gift for finding, investigating and selling a story, and knowing just where to look and who to talk to.

Piers changed the face of popular journalism, taking the British press into a new era, and introducing the nation to the cult of celebrity.

Despite his infamous sacking, where he was escorted off of the Daily Mirror’s premises, he set a standard during his tenure, that has been much emulated, but never equalled.

Perhaps the most famous newspaper editor of recent years, Piers is never far from controversy, with his uncompromising personality and forceful opinions always guaranteed to cause a storm.

But it was with the help of his friend, the cultural phenomenon that is Simon Cowell, that has helped Piers burst onto our T.V screens and become a true global superstar. Judging talent on both sides of the Atlantic, Piers, the ultimate celebrity insider, is once again at the helm of mainstream media.

Although Piers often seems vain, egocentric, occasionally pompous and often wincingly smug, throughout my interview I found him to be honest, witty, balanced, charming and truly capable of laughing at himself.

In an exclusive interview for James Davies Media, Piers describes the experiences that shaped the boy and created the man who would go on to carve out such a dazzlingly brilliant career.

From starting at a local newspaper in south London to judging talent on one of America’s biggest shows, Piers, one of this country’s brightest and boldest personalities, tells me the real story beyond the glare of the media spotlight.



James: We know a lot about your illustrious and incredibly successful career. From working in Fleet Street editing the News of the World and the Mirror to Britain's Got Talent but we don't know too much about your childhood. What were you like as a child?

Piers: My mother says I was always quite a happy child. When I wasn’t tormenting and torturing my brothers- which is what older brothers should always do of course to their younger brothers- I think I was a happy boy. I had a very pleasant upbringing. I was a bit mischievous at school. I wouldn’t say I was exactly an academic scholar because I preferred running card schools and playing cricket to getting my head down but I wouldn’t say I was a bad young man.

James: What do you think those who taught you and knew you at school will think of your success?

Piers: Some of them will be absolutely flabbergasted. There will be one guy, who one parents evening with my mother simply looked her in the eye and said “The only thing I want to say about your son is that he’s an absolute buffoon”- so I’d imagine he’s going to be fairly gobsmacked by what’s happened. But as for the others, I think they’ll probably look at me with a wry smile and probably think he was always a bit naughty but they quite liked me.

James: What sort of ambitions did you have growing up?

Piers: I always wanted to be a journalist, always. My mother remembers me reading the newspapers avidly when I was about six or seven, which I now realise having sons of my own of that age is probably quite an unusual thing to do when you’re a six or seven year old. So I used to read the Daily Mail and stuff which probably explains a lot about why I am, the way I am now. But I think I always had this real desire to be a journalist. That’s why I say to people who want to be one now- unless you’ve absolutely got the passion for it like I had I wouldn’t go into it.

James: Where did your interest in journalism come from? Do you think it was just inbuilt in you?

Piers: Yea, I think so. My grandfather dabbled a little bit in journalism- he used to do private undercover reporting for various papers and I think it was just one of those things. I just had an absolutely insatiable lust for news- I just couldn’t get enough of news and I think if you’ve got that in you then you just have to follow your dream a bit.

James: You trained at Harlow College. How did that affect your life? Were you a normal student, going out drinking or were you always focused on what you wanted to do?

Piers: Oh god no. I got drunk at least three times a week and I’m talking seriously drunk. We used to drink Grolsch out of those bottles of pot. I used to drink like twelve or thirteen in a night which is the kind of thing that could hospitalise me now but it was great fun. Harlow’s a fantastic place to go and get drunk. I was also on a course where there were fifty-six pupils in my year of which fifty-one were women- so for a young red blooded man like me aged nineteen who liked a drink and a pretty girl it was about as good as life got.

James: You've interviewed some remarkable people. From Princess Diana to Michael Jackson. What was that like?

Piers: Yea, I think the one thing that I’ve never been is in awe or star struck around famous people which has probably held me in very good stead because I’ve seen so many people who just crumble and start trembling when they see somebody famous when actually they’re all just human beings and I was always able I think because of my background of going to a comprehensive and a prep school I sort of had the posh end of education and the rough end if you like and I think it taught me to mix with anybody. I’m equally at ease with a coal miner as the Prime Minister. To me they’re all the same, they’re all human beings.

James: How has fame affected you? Did you ever think you would be as famous, and perhaps more famous than those you interview?

Piers: (Laughs) Not really- I didn’t think I’d go into television in quite this way but I always fancied being famous because I thought it was a lot easier than working for a living and the reality is that it is. If you can deal with what I think are very minimal downsides i.e. the loss of your privacy, the so called intrusion, people coming up to you all the time- if you can deal with that which I always think is very easy to deal with then actually being famous is great. You get treated very well by people. Everyone I meet is always very nice. You get upgraded to lovely suites like the one I’m in now, you get driven around in flash limos that somebody else pays for, you get upgraded on flights, eat at nice tables in restaurants- I mean what’s not to love?

James: You mention the issue of privacy. Do you think that’s destroying journalism at the moment?

Piers: Journalism is better now than it’s ever been in my experience. It was completely lawless in the 80’s. There was no privacy law then, no PCC, hardly anybody sued the papers and so the balance of power was completely with the newspapers which was dangerous and the balance of power now I’d say has gone back to the celebrities and is now coming back to a more sensible middle ground where everybody kind of knows the limitations. I mean the papers went too far, then the celebs went too far and hopefully we’re reaching a point where both sides realise they need each other.

James: You said you quite like the fame side of it all. Did you ever imagine you'd be as successful as you've become?

Piers: No but I did always work very hard and I always think that the harder you work the luckier you seem to get and all the people I know who’ve made it- like Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole- they’ve worked very hard . There are no short cuts in this business. If you want to get on you’ve got to be prepared to get up at four o’clock in the morning and work to midnight and do that for weeks on end, as we all do on these shows.
It’s tough- the rewards are great and the fame’s lovely and everything else but staying at the top of this sort of business is hard work and if you’re not prepared to do it then don’t start.

James: Why do you think you’ve done so well? What have you done differently?

Piers: Well I think you have to get lucky. I mean I was lucky that Kelvin Mckenzie spotted me at The Sun and thought ok we’ll give this guy a run on the Bizarre column. I was lucky that Rupert Murdoch spotted me and thought I know what I’ll do I’m going to give him the News of The World. None of this is normal and I was in the right place at the right time when people wanted to take a bit of a gamble with a younger guy. I think that once I’d been given those amazing jobs I did work my absolute damndest to make it work for them and for me- and I think they would say that. But the original stroke of luck is just sitting there in the right chair at the right moment when people like that who can change your life do change your life.

James: You’ve mixed with some of the biggest stars around. Why do you think some people are at the forefront of life while others sit back?

Piers: Well I’m not sure that everybody wants to be famous for one. A lot of my friends who live in my old village where I came from are very happy not being famous and not being rich and everything else. They’re quite happy with their lives. They don’t have all the weird stresses that come from fame and fortune of which there are many because I see it really corrupts people. I think I’m lucky like Simon (Cowell) that we became well known in our 40’s so we’d seen so many people cock it up that we realised the only way to enjoy it is to have a laugh and not to take it all too seriously. If you take it seriously you’re going to get buried in this game because it’s so seductive and you start to really believe your own bullshit and start to think you’re wonderful. When that happens it’s the rocky road to ruin.

James: What do your family and friends think of your success and all that you've been able to achieve, because you've been incredibly successful haven't you?

Piers: If you ask my mother she’d say she worries about me all the time and that I work too hard. I mean it’s a very precarious business and she hates all the critics having a go at me like any mother would. However, if you ask my two brothers, one of whom is about to go to Afghanistan, they’d say I’m a damned lucky little git who has the time of my life, gets ridiculously over paid for something that a monkey could do and they think it’s all ridiculous and the truth is probably somewhere in-between (laughs).

James: Do you think the fact that you’re brother is in the army and goes to war keeps your feet on the ground more than most celebs?

Piers: It doesn’t bring me down to earth but it makes me realise how comparatively purile and inconsequential my jobs are. I write for a living, knock about columns, I do fun T.V shows, none of it’s going to change the world. I hope that it entertains people and cheers people up a bit and becomes a talking point but the reality is my brother will be going to war with the Taliban in a few weeks time and he’s got four kids at home and that’s a real job- I don’t even pretend that mine’s in the same conversational bandwidth to be honest with you.

James: What do you like to do away from the spotlight?

Piers: I go to watch Arsenal whenever I can. I have a season ticket there with my kids- have done for over twenty years and been following them for forty years. I play cricket still- love that. I love playing and watching cricket. Other than that I like going to nice restaurants, drinking good French wine, having a laugh with friends, seeing family and lying on a beach. That’s about it really.

James: Where did your interest in cricket come from because that’s something you’ve always had a passion for isn’t it?

Piers: I played for the England prep schools team when I was about twelve or thirteen and I was quite good then. I could have played for Sussex school boys- I had a few run outs for them but then I went to the comprehensive where they didn’t play any cricket and it took me about another year to get back into it with the village and by then I’d missed the boat really, but I love cricket- it’d always been a real passion of mine and I count people like Freddie Flintoff and Ian Botham and all my heroes as really good friends of mine now which is great. I just love hanging out with them. If you ask me about who would you rather hang out with- Madonna, Beyonce, Jack Nicholson or Ian Botham, I’d say Ian Botham.

James: Who’s your perfect interview and why?

Piers: The one I’d love to do is Jack Nicholson because he’s the ultimate star. He doesn’t give a damn how he looks and he’s always pictured on boats in the middle of summer with six girls under twenty-five clutching six packs of beer and pizzas, looking about seventy-six stone with this big grin on his face and that’s the way to go isn’t it?

James: If you were to have a dinner party with three or four guests who would you have and why?

Piers: Freddie Flintoff because he’s absolutely hilarious, drinks like a fish, tells great stories and he’s a lot smarter than people think he is.

I’d have Stevie Wonder to sing.

I’d have Marilyn Monroe-I’ve just read a book about her which was fascinating. I’d love to know what she was really like beneath all the media caricature, so she’d have to be there.

The fourth one would be Warren Buffen- the richest man in the world because he’s a fascinating guy and he’s got a very simple view of how to make money.

So I could talk cricket, learn how to make money, chat up Marilyn Monroe and have Stevie Wonder singing in the background. That’s a pretty good diner party.

James: You interviewed Michael Jackson who recently died. What was he like to interview?

Piers: Well I interviewed him and shook his hand through a glove. He’s an extraordinary character- very strange sort of schizophrenic to interview because one minute he’d have this high pitched voice and the next minute quite a lower pitched voice talking about business as if he was a really hardnosed business man. He was a strange guy Jackson. I felt sorry for him to a certain degree but he was addicted to fame and addicted to celebrity and he milked that for all he was worth. It’s very sad what happened to him but I wouldn’t like to have seen Michael Jackson get too old because if he got too old he’d hate himself even more. He’s one of those guys who found the ageing process horrendous.

James: As someone who's been incredibly successful within the media, what do you think makes a good journalist?

Piers: I think tenacity’s a massive thing I think. You’ve got to try and be charming. People have got to want to talk to you and they’ll only do that if they feel slightly charmed by you. You’ve got to be very hard working, very dedicated. The kind of person who’s about to go to a dinner party with all your favourite people and a big story breaks you don’t even hesitate to cancel the dinner. That just shows you it’s in your blood. You’ve got to be a stickler for accuracy. The one thing I hated on The Mirror was getting things wrong because if you get it wrong people laugh at you and what’s the point in that? And obviously in the end I had to quit or be sacked over the Iraq photos which turned out to be apparently wrong but as a general rule I liked accuracy over everything else because if it was true it was deadly information. If it was untrue it was pointless.

James: You mention your sacking. What was it like going from editing a national newspaper to having nothing?

Piers: The honest truth is that I was getting a bit bored anyway. I’d been doing editing papers for eleven years and it’s incredibly tiring and draining. I also felt I’d done some of the biggest stories that were ever going to come across an Editors desk- I was right. 9/11, Diana’s death, Dunblane- this is stuff that stuff I don’t think has been replicated in any sense since so I think I did get a spectacular decade for news events to edit the paper in and had a great time but was getting itchy feet and it all kind of came at the right time for me so I was actually quite relieved to be out of the day to day mayhem. I miss some of the journalists and I miss some of the fun but I don’t miss newspapers because the importance of newspapers is eroding by the day.

James: Simon Cowell always strikes me as an extraordinarily interesting character. What’s he like to work with?

Piers: He’s an extraordinarily interesting character. He’s tough, he’s demanding. He’ll reward you well and be loyal if you work hard and if you constantly evolve. He’s always looking to see evolution from everyone that works on the show. If you just tread water and take the money and think you’re wonderful then he’ll soon get rid of you- I think he’s right to do that. That’s what keeps his shows fresh and it all keeps us on our toes. But he’s also very, very funny and very entertaining to work with.

James: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Piers: I think the thing I most enjoy about my job is the unpredictability. You’re never quite sure what’s coming next. Travelling’s great. I’ve spent four months of the year travelling around America and have had a great time doing that. I really love America. I do my other travel show which took me this year to China, Marbella and Vegas and I love doing those- so I think the variety, the travelling, the fact I’m not chained to a desk anywhere- I don’t even have an office- I just work from home whenever I’m in the country. And the fact that I choose what I want to do now and I don’t do anything under duress or for the money- I’m in that fortunate position where I can just choose to do what I like doing.

James: At the moment you’re doing Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. With Jonathan Ross finishing his chat show would you ever like to do that sort of chat?

Piers: Not at the moment. I think the thing about Life Stories is that it was getting fifty per cent higher ratings than Jonathan’s anyway, which confirmed to me that the British public, as I suspected, actually were getting a bit fed up with three people coming down a stair well plugging their latest album or book and actually wanted a more in depth interview and so I think one of Jonathan’s problems was that he was only getting like three million for his interviews and I was getting four and a half. I’ve re-invented the chat show format to make it one guest, their life story, more dramatic, more emotional, more in depth and I think that’s working and I think it’s the others that are now looking at what we’re doing and thinking well that’s working better than we are.

James: What advice would you give me as a trainee journalist wanting to become, if possible, the next Piers Morgan and follow in your footsteps?

Piers: Well you have to be annoying. I was writing to endless people all the time. Editors of papers, magazines, I was writing stories, sending in interviews and doing what you’re doing. I mean you’re tenacious, you got hold of me, you wouldn’t take no for an answer and you got the interview and I think that’s what you’ve got to keep doing and you’ll find that eventually people do crack. They’re not all going to but occasionally you’ll get a hit and when you get a hit you’ve got to make sure you try and sell it somewhere and then sell it again.

James: Have I been annoying?

Piers: (Pause) Not that annoying actually. You’ve been quite polite and I thought you were quite good.

James: Thanks Piers I really appreciate that.

Piers: No problem mate. You take care.

When James met Chris Evans

 In conversation with the affable Chris Evans 

Chris Evans’ extraordinary career has seen him become one of the country’s most successful broadcasters and producers. From The Big Breakfast to Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and TFI Friday, the affable broadcaster changed the TV landscape during the ‘90s. On Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast show and as owner of Virgin Radio, he ushered in the age of the celebrity DJ. But this is only part of the Chris Evans story.

In an exclusive interview for jamesdaviesmedia, Chris describes the experiences that shaped the boy and created the man who would go on to carve out such a dazzlingly brilliant career.

Determined to escape the dreary council estate in Warrington where he was born, a single-minded Chris started out as the best newspaper boy on the block, armed with no more than a little silver radio. It was here that he would develop a life-long and passionate love affair with broadcasting.

From paperboy to media mogul, Chris, one of this country’s brightest and boldest personalities, tells James Davies the real story beyond the glare of the media spotlight.

Chris, we know a lot about your illustrious and incredibly successful career in broadcasting but we don't know too much about your childhood and what you were like growing up. Can you tell me a little about your early years?

"I grew up on a council estate in Warrington, which was tough. Sadly, my Dad died prematurely- if you can say that about anyone dying at anytime- so life in the beginning was quite hard for me. Apart from that, my early life was great. But I've always had this desire to do well and to try and enjoy life. I think I've done that."

Where did your interest in broadcasting come from?

"It came from listening to the radio and from watching the T.V. From Noel Edmonds Swap Shop, to Mike Reid’s breakfast show, to Timmy Mallet and from my brother who was a disc jockey at a club.

But I think the light went on when I went to see Timmy Mallet do a road show at Old Trafford football ground. That was very exciting. I interviewed him, much like you’re doing to me, and asked him how I could get a job with him. Fortunately for me, there was a guy who was helping him who was leaving, so I wrote off for his job and got it. There was no money. I didn’t get paid for four years but it was experience you couldn’t buy and so that’s how the radio thing started."

What was it like working with your hero?

"It was frightening. Primarily that’s the first thing I think when I think about working with Timmy because his show was so manic and so demanding and compelling and brilliant that to panic was the main ingredient to the night...for me at least. But I learnt so much. It was such a quick learning curb. Ninety per cent of what I do now is still based on what I learnt when I was working with him."

Although you’ve been broadcasting for a number of years now, are you nervous about taking over from Sir Terry (Wogan)?

"It’s going to be a very tough gig. But it’s what I do for a living. It’s not like I’m being asked to play football for England. Although I do want to be the Wayne Rooney of Radio 2- I want to work hard for the team for ninety minutes and more."

You’ve had an incredibly successful career in both television and radio. What do you think makes a good broadcaster?

"Terry! He’s extremely articulate and confident. He’s got a fantastic voice, good dictation, and a brilliant education. He makes emails sparkle. He takes some pretty average material and makes it sing. I don’t know how he does it."

What do your family and friends think of your success and all that you’ve been able to achieve because you’ve been incredibly successful haven’t you?

"I don’t know really. I don’t know what they think of it. I think they like it. I think my Mum likes it but I’m not sure. We don’t really talk about it to be honest. I’m from one of those families that keep your feet very firmly on the ground. My friends- I don’t really have many friends from when I was younger but I hope most people are happy for me."

I imagine being in the public eye is an incredibly surreal experience, particularly when people want pictures and autographs. What do you like to do away from the spotlight?

"Oh god, it is. What I love to do is sit in my garage and smell the cars. I love smelling my cars. I know it sounds silly but I know exactly where I am when I’m doing that. I also like to be with my son and I like to have dinner and a glass of wine with my wife every night. That’s it really. Just the simple things. I don’t watch much tele or listen to much music because I do it for a living. I like to read. In fact I’d like to read more. Everyone would like to read more I imagine. I don’t really consider it a spot light. I consider it a job. I used to consider it a spot light and that was a big, big mistake. For me the day starts like anyone else’s really. I brush my teeth and go to work. Then it’s home. I like to keep it simple these days."

In the 90’s I think it’s fair to say you enjoyed a night out.

"I did, but all the mayhem of the 90s wasn’t who I was – I was taken away with the times. I was living the rock star’s lifestyle, pulling women I’d never dreamt of and it was party time. I used to go out for days at a time and get smashed. I wasn’t an alcoholic, but I definitely had a problem. I did drink too much.And when you go to parties you do strange things – especially if they last for a while. Mine lasted anything between five and ten years. I didn’t really like it though. I like being on my own."

How did living that sort of lifestyle affect you?

"I stopped putting the hours in and started to live the life. I’d become a self-important twat. I thought I was invincible. I was utterly confident for all the wrong reasons. And now I’m confident for all the right reasons. Probably a bit less confident than I was then, even though I’ve got more to be confident about. I became an idiot when I thought I was moving on the same level as the bands and actors who came on TFI Friday. I thought I was part of Oasis, and what I am really is a facilitator. I forgot that. I’ve got back to why I loved radio in the first place, what I’m here for. I push the boundaries every day. We're still being as creative, but not as loud and brash."

You’ve had some fantastic guests on your shows and were able to interview some quite remarkable people. From George Best to the Spice Girls, Pierce Brosnan to Tom Jones. What was that like?

"It was interesting and intriguing. Because the show was live I didn’t really have time to get into them. You’re talking to me for longer than I ever talked to any of those guests in four years. So it was fun but there wasn’t much depth to it. I got a sense of who people were but I didn’t really get into them like you are. This is a different sort of journalism- it’s more comprehensive. We had fun but I would have liked to have talked to them for longer. You mention George Best. What I remember most about George is when he came to my house. We had this football and he said ‘go on then, kick it to us’. I kicked it to him and it was unbelievable. He literally plucked it out of the air- amazing. He was like fifty odd."

Did you ever imagine you would be as successful as you are and achieve all you have? It’s quite remarkable isn’t it?

"Well every single job I’ve ever had- maybe with the exception of one- I absolutely loved. I was a newsagent and I absolutely loved it. When I worked behind the bar at the Red Lion in Warrington I loved it. Even being a fork-lift truck driver was great. It’s all been great. But the success I’ve had is brilliant but it’s contemplative and what’s better than that is talking to you- the next generation. Success can get in the way though. It can be a bit of a heavy bag to carry."

Would you ever consider going back into television?

"It’s not a question of whether I’m going to return to TV. It’s a question of whether TV is going to be there to be returned to. I would go back if we could come up with an idea that was different and new. When I was on Jonathan’s (Ross) show it was very exciting to be there but not for a second did I want to be Jonathan and I was quite relieved that I wasn’t."

When you look back at your career I imagine you have some great memories and reflect fondly on it. Do you have any regrets?

"The only thing I regret in my life is the thing with my daughter because that’s huge and wrong. I was a selfish prick. I regret that, but there’s nothing I can do about it."

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to break into broadcasting today and emulate, if possible, all you have been able to achieve?

"Take it one step at a time. Have an end goal in mind but don’t become self-important like I did. Always keep it simple and don’t over flower anything. Perhaps most importantly, don’t have any baggage. Keep re-doing things time and time and time again until you absolutely don’t have time to do it anymore because things can always get better."

Having interviewed one of the country’s best loved and most talented broadcasters, Chris, an engaging and incredibly likeable chap kindly offered me a week’s work experience with him on Radio 2. This said it all. Success, fame and wealth have not turned his head, nor has he let it dilute the straightforwardness that has always been his way. Thanks Chris.

It’s Not What You Think, by Chris Evans, Published by HarperCollins.

jamesdaviesmedia.co.uk