Tuesday 25 October 2016

Annabel Giles to Feature in Forthcoming Bowel Cancer Fundraising Book


I am happy to reveal Annabel Giles as a new addition to the forthcoming fundraising book for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. It seems there is little that she hasn't done in her varied career as a television and radio presenter, actress, panelist, novelist and former model. It will be really interesting to meet Annabel and find out a little more about the real person. I wonder what the first record she bought was?

Coming up for two months into the new book project, and I am already building up an impressive list of people taking part. I have yet to star the photography yet for a few reasons. Firstly I have been concentrating on getting in touch with people, but more importantly I have been allowing the dust to settle a little following losing Mum to bowel cancer on August 29th following her four year battle with this awful illness. It has been a sad period, but I think maybe getting out there and beginning the meeting and photographing of people would actually be a great tonic. There is no doubt that the actual experience of meeting people for the last book, Lives & Times, was one of the most positive and enjoyable periods of my life. I am sure this time will be equally as so.


Monday 24 October 2016

Bowel Cancer Survivor Dafydd Wyn Farr-Jones To Be In The Book


Dafydd Wyn Farr-Jones has been one of my biggest supporters all the way through my fundraising for the Beating Bowel Charity over the last four years. Daf is a bowel cancer survivor, and he dedicates an amazing amount of time to fundraising for the charity by holding celebrity auctions and the soon to be published book, Cook Along with Celebrities and Inspirational People. Daf was a great help with the last book I published, Lives & Times. He gave me some ideas and put me in touch with Lorraine Kelly, which was a great chapter for the book. He has already given me a number of contacts for the new book. Daf is a great inspiration to others and it will be a great experience meeting and photographing him for the book.

Bowel cancer is often perceived as an older person's illness, affecting those aged 50 and above. More and more younger people including Daf are being affected by cancer. Lots more needs to be done in raising awareness about bowel cancer, especially when in comes to younger people as diagnosis can be missed with devastating consequences.

Sunday 23 October 2016

Frank Turner


This is another great scoop. I am really happy to have had a positive response from Frank Turner to being part of the new book I am doing in support of the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. The singer-songwriter born in Hampshire has built up a massive live following over recent years on the back of a highly successful solo career. However the last time I saw him was on stage with Skinny Lister in London last week where he spent as much time crowd surfing as he did on stage. So I am hoping to meet and photograph him before the Reading gig next month on his UK tour. Sadly for me the gig has long since sold out, so I will have to wait for another day to see him perform, but it should be great fun nevertheless.

The new book is the follow up to Lives & Times, which I published in 2015. It is being done in memory of my mum who passed away in August following a four year battle with bowel cancer. More needs to be done about raising awareness about this awful illness, and as well as raising funds for the charity, if the book can play a small part in raising awareness then it will have done its job well.

Thursday 20 October 2016

Cricketer & Journalist Mike Selvey To Feature in Forthcoming Bowel Cancer Fundraising Book


I am delighted to announce that Mike Selvey has agreed to be part of the new fundraising book I am writing in support of the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. The former England pace bowler is someone I can remember watching on television as a young boy growing up. I find it surprising that he only played in three Test matches. He spent over 20 years as a summariser on Test Match Special and worked as a journalist for The Guardian newspaper for over 30 years. Talking to someone with such an in depth knowledge of cricket will be fascinating. Cricket played a big part in my previous book, Lives & Times, which featured Jonathan Agnew, David Lloyd, Steve Harmison, Michael Holding & Melinda Farrell. I am delighted to continue that trait in the new book.

The new book is being done in memory of my Mum who passed away on August 29th following her four and a half year battle with bowel cancer. The book's aim is to raise funds for the charity, and also to raise awareness about bowel cancer. It remains the 2nd biggest cancer killer in the UK, but is one of the most treatable if detected early with a survival rate of over 90%.

Monday 17 October 2016

Kim Wilde Comes On Board The New Bowel Cancer Fundraising Book


One of the biggest female artists of the 1980s, Kim Wilde, has agreed to be part of the new fundraising book for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. Still remembered for her debut UK hit Kids In America it should not be forgotten that she had also had a US number one single with her cover of The Supremes, You Keep Me Hangin' On. I have to admit that my own personal favourite song from her early days is Water On Glass and I still have and play my copy of her most successful album, Close.

These days Kim is still recording music and touring, and she is also a very successful landscape gardener winning numerous awards, hosting television programmes and writing books. It will be fascinating getting an insight into both careers, and how on earth she manages to fit in being a wife and mother as well!

Bowel cancer is the second highest cancer killer in the UK, but it is one of the most treatable if detected early with over 90% of patients surviving more than five years if caught early. The idea of the book is not just to raise funds for the charity, but to also help raise awareness about this awful disease which sadly took my mother in August after a brave four year battle with it. This will be my third fundraising book following up Beating Bowel Cancer and Lives & Times.



Sunday 16 October 2016

Gaz Top Comes On Board The New Bowel Cancer Fundraising Book


Gareth Jones, also known as Gaz Top, has agreed to be in the new fundraising book I am doing for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. It will be fascinating to get to know a little bit more about this larger than life character. He started out as a roadie with The Alarm before becoming a children's TV presenter during the 1980s and 1990s. As well as running his own television production company, these days Gareth writes and hosts a podcast, Gareth Jones On Speed.

In the last book, Lives & Times, I managed to get all four original members of The Alarm. The connection with my favourite band will very much continue in the new book. In addition to Gareth, I also have current band members James Stevenson and Smiley taking part. Hopefully there might still be more to come...

I have yet to begin the meeting and photographing people yet, but I am hopeful that I will start this pretty soon. If the last book is anything to go by, it's going to be such a positive and rewarding experience. My mother passed away at the end of August after losing her four year courageous battle with bowel cancer.

Monday 10 October 2016

Paralympic Gold Medalist Anne Dickins To Feature in the New Book


I am really happy that Paralympian canoeist Anne Dickins has agreed to be in the new bowel cancer fundraising book. She recently won Gold in Rio and it looks like we will meet up in November once she resumes training. Anne's story is one of battling back from a serious back injury to Olympic glory and I am really looking forward to hearing more about it first hand. 

I am only a few weeks into this new book project, and the support so far has been incredible with over 20 people now on board the follow up book to 2015's Lives & Times. Once again it's shaping up to be a very eclectic mix of people, and I can't wait to begin the process of meeting and photographing them. All proceeds raised will once again be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. The book is being done in memory of my Mum who passed away in August following a four year battle with bowel cancer.

Eddie Gray From The Legendary 1970s Leeds Utd Side Will Feature in The New Bowel Cancer Charity Book

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Eddie Gray was a member of legendary Leeds United team from the 1960s and 1970s. The Scottish winger played over 450 times for them in a long playing career with just the one club. He also managed the club twice and these days is still involved at the club in his role as football ambassador. I have an older brother who is a life long Leeds fan, so I am hoping that getting Eddie to take part will prove popular.

My first ever top flight match was going to see Leeds play Arsenal in a not very exciting 0-0 draw at Elland Road in September 1981. My brother drove us to the game and I remember the day as much for the accident we had in roadworks on the M1 on the way to game. How we got to the game and back home after being clattered from behind is beyond me.

In the last book, Lives & Times, I managed to get footballers Phil Parkes, Mick Channon and Charlie Nicholas on board. This time I already have Kevin Sheedy and Eddie. Still room for at least one more. As with Lives & Times all proceeds raised will be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. The book is being done in memory of my Mum who passed away in August after losing her long four year battle with bowel cancer.



Sunday 9 October 2016

Terry Christian Comes On Board The New Bowel Cancer Fundraising Book


Terry Christian, TV, radio presenter and journalist, will feature in the new fundraising book for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. He is perhaps best known for hosting The Word on Channel 4 in 1990s, but he has always been heavily involved in bringing bands from the Manchester music scene to the fore, so I am particularly looking forward to chatting to him about music. He has been brave enough to appear in Celebrity Big Brother and is a regular guest on television and radio shows. There will be plenty to talk about with someone whose career in the media now spans over 35 years. I will be heading up to Manchester to do this one...

Saturday 8 October 2016

Actress Susan George To Take Part in the New Bowel Cancer Charity Book


I am really pleased to reveal that actress Susan George has agreed to be in the new bowel cancer book. I first came into contact with Susan through Mike Read, who features in the Lives & Times bowel cancer charity book that I published in 2015. It has so far raised over £2500 for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. Susan, like my late mother, has a love for Arabian horses. She has been breeding them for over 20 years, and she very kindly invited Mum to go an visit the stud farm on Exmoor. Unfortunately Mum's failing health, once the cancer spread to her brain, meant that it didn't happen. My mother lost her four year battle with bowel cancer on August 29th. 

So this is one chapter in the book where I have a good idea on what might be a nice way to do it. The idea is to photograph Susan at the stud farm, making the trip that Mum was unable to do. My own knowledge of horses is very limited, so it will be a fascinating experience getting to know a little bit more about Susan and the Arabian horses.

Susan's husband, the actor Simon MacCorkindale, was sadly taken by bowel cancer in 2010. Susan has set up Lasting Life, the Simon MacCorkindale Legacy raising funds for cancer, specific needs and RAFT, a pioneering medical research organisation.

Friday 7 October 2016

Christine Ohuruogu Olympic Gold Medal Winner On Board The New Book


Christine Ohuruogu is a 400m runner and has competed and won medals at the last three Olympics, making her only the second athlete to achieve that. Gold at Beijing in 2008, Silver at London in 2012 and Bronze in the relay at Rio in 2016. She is a double world champion and the British record holder. I am very much looking forward to meeting Christine at the Lea Valley Athletic Centre where she trains.

Meeting Christine will continue the Olympic theme that I started in the last book, Lives & Times, where I met Sir Steve Redgrave and Katherine Grainger. It will fascinating to find out a little bit more about what goes in to becoming a gold medal winning athlete.

The new, as yet untitled book, is being done in memory of my Mum, who passed away in August after a four year battle with bowel cancer. All proceeds raised from sales of the book will be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. The book will also help to raise awareness about this awful illness that is still taking far too many people, and yet s very treatable if detected early.

Thursday 6 October 2016

Musician James Stevenson To Feature in The New Book


With almost 40 years experience as a musician, James Stevenson is going to make for a fascinating subject to meet and photograph for the new fundraising book for Beating Bowel Cancer. Aside from being in my favourite band, The Alarm, I wonder if it might be easier to list the bands and musicians he hasn't performed with! I reckon if James was to do a book like this one I am doing he would have no difficulty getting it packed full of famous faces.

James sent me a message from LA where he is at the moment, and we will hopefully be able to sort out a meeting once he gets back to the UK in a couple of weeks. Sadly James has also been touched by cancer, so it is a subject close to his heart as well.

For anyone who bought the last book, Lives & Times, James does feature in a photograph taken at Abbey Road, but you need to buy it to read the full story.

Actress Michelle Collins Will Feature in The New Book


More terrific news on my quest to get people to come on board the new fundraising book for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. Actress Michelle Collins has kindly agreed to take part in the book. Remembered by many as Cindy Beale in Eastenders, Michelle has been a star on stage and on our television screens for over 30 years. My own personal favourite television programme she appeared in was Sunburn. We will hopefully meet up to do the photo in the new year as Michelle is extremely busy this side of Christmas. It will make for another fascinating chapter in the book.

It's quite interesting coming at this new book from a "post Mum" situation. She got to see the last book, Lives & Times, but of course sadly won't get to see this new book. I know how proud she was of the last book, so I am doing all this in her memory.

Kevin Sheedy Joining The Forthcoming Book


Ex Everton footballer Kevin Sheedy has kindly agreed to feature in the new fundraising book. Kevin has beaten bowel cancer and he is now an ambassador for Beating Bowel Cancer, the charity I am raising funds for. He is still involved at Everton, now coaching the U18 side. 

Bowel cancer does not discriminate and can affect anyone. England's 1966 World Cup winning captain, Bobby Moore, sadly was taken by this awful illness. In my last book, Live & Times, I met ex West Ham goalkeeper Phil Parkes who had also beaten bowel cancer. I am sure meeting Kevin will be a fascinating experience. The question is can we do the photo on the Goodison Park pitch?

I have a couple more ex professional footballers on my radar at the moment. Arsenal legend Ian Wright and Eddie Gray from the legendary 1970s Leeds United side. So if anyone out there can assist with getting these two on board the new book I'd be very grateful.


Monday 3 October 2016

Elizabeth Alker From BBC 6 Music Will Feature In The New Bowel Cancer Book


Elizabeth Alker works a music journalist and presenter on BBC 6 Music, and she can also be heard on Radio 3. I tried to get her to be in the last book, Lives & Times, so I am really happy that she has agreed to be in the new bowel cancer fundraising book. Just imagine a job where where you get to talk the biggest names in the music business. She succeeds where I have failed in getting interviews with just about any name you can think of... Will she let me in on the tricks of the trade? Of course I am equally sure that it must be a pretty tough job at times working very long hours to get just a few minutes of material that eventually gets broadcast. I find it quite fascinating, so I am looking forward to finding out a little more about Elizabeth and what she does.

The last month has flown by. My Mum passed away at the end of August after finally losing her 4 year long battle with bowel cancer, and since then I have decided to embark on doing this new book which has already started to build up an impressive cast. The idea behind the book is to raise funds for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity, and and also to raise awareness about bowel cancer. It is the 2nd highest cancer killer in the UK, and yet it can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases if detected early. The more names I can get to come on board the book, the more chance it has of getting a bigger profile and reaching a larger audience. On a personal level doing this book will give me a wonderful positive outlet while I come to terms with losing Mum...




Sunday 2 October 2016

BBC Journalist Nick Robinson To Be In The New Book


Nick Robinson, the former BBC political editor and now a presenter on Today on Radio 4, will feature in the forthcoming bowel cancer fundraising book. One of the main stays of BBC news political reporting over the last decade, I am very much looking forward to meeting him. Away from his media career Nick has been going through his own cancer battle. He has published a book on the 2015 General Election and his own battle to report it.

It will be fascinating to get an inside as to the role of a journalist who has got to interview just about every big political hitter of the last 20 years or so. Hopefully I will get an insight into the professional journalist, the man battling cancer. and of course finding out about the first record he bought.

All proceeds from the forthcoming book will be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity in memory of my Mum, who lost her four year battle with bowel cancer at the end of August. The current Lives & Times book and screen print have now raised over £2650 for the charity. Hopefully the new book will do equally as well.

Saturday 1 October 2016

ESPNcricinfo Chief Cricket Correspondent George Dobell Supports Bowel Cancer Book


I am really happy to have got George Dobell, the chief cricket correspondent at ESPNcricinfo, on board the new bowel cancer fundraising. George is about to head off to warmer climates to cover cricket in the southern hemisphere, so we will arrange a meeting sometime next summer when he is back in the UK. Whilst looking for a photo of George on the internet, I came across this cracking one of him with the legendary Richie Benaud. 

Cricket was a big theme throughout the Lives & Times book, my last fundraising effort, and I am hopeful to get a few more cricket names on board this book. It was frustrating a week or so ago, as I realised a little too late in the day that George was in conversation with Jonathan Trott at the Henley Literary Festival talking about Jonathan's autobiography Unguarded. Very local to me and I would have loved to have gone to it, but this actually gave me the idea to contact George so it worked out well in the end. I have tried contacting Jonathan too, but I have yet to get a response.

It's one month since my Mum lost her 4 year battle with bowel cancer, and all proceeds from sales of the forthcoming book will be donated to Beating Bowel Cancer.