Favourites
This page features everything that I love. Or, out of everything that I love, these items or people, for me, are what I love most. Or… oh, go figure!
Male Singer
LUTHER VANDROSS
Luther Vandross has played such an inspirational part with my love and passion for music. I will never tire of his voice and was very sad when he died. I have a good collection of his songs, his ballads being my favourite of his varying styles. His version of The Impossible Dream still makes me tearful when I’m alone and absorb every note.
Female Singer
KAREN CARPENTER
I love Karen Carpenter’s voice. You appreciate the clarity and crispness of her voice most when wearing headphones. My favourite song of The Carpenters is Rainy Days and Mondays.
For me, Karen Carpenter is the absolute best singer ever.
Group or Duo
GALLAGHER & LYLE
The best for me is listening to the ballads of Gallagher and Lyle. I think they peaked in the late 70s and my favourite song by them is ‘Missing You.’
Song Of All Time
IT MUST BE LOVE BY LABI SIFFRE
This song means so much to me and was probably the first record that I ever played, at the age of around 6. It was in my Grandmother’s record collection and the most amazing part, I have never grown out of the song. If it’s ever on the radio, I feel that my whole world, mind, soul and body stops to listen to it until it’s finished. Each time it takes me back to those days when I’d spend hours alone in front of Gran’s old gramophone, playing every record she had. It’s now currently set as the ringtone on my mobile when Jezz calls.
“If Leaving Me Is Easy” by Phil Collins, “Out Here On My Own” by Irene Cara, “Easy Come, Easy Go” by The Sutherland Brothers, “Missing You” by Glallagher & Lyle, “Is It Ok If I Call You Mine?” by Paul McCrane, “Crossroads” by Don McLean, “I Can’t Help It” by Olivia Newton-John and Andy Gibb, “So Into You” by Ray Parker Jnr., “I Won’t Hold You Back” by Toto, “Shining Star” by The Manhattans, “Last Night At Danceland” by Randy Crawford, “My Sweet Lady” by John Denver, “Childhood 1949” by Bobby Goldsboro, “Walk On The Wild Side” by Lou Reed, “Are You Mine” by Bros, “Like Sister and Brother” by The Drifters, “We Do It” by R & J Stone, “Stir It Up” by Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Satisfy My Soul” by Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Runaway Love” by Natural Mystics, “If You Can’t Give Me Love” by Suzi Quatro, “Stumblin’ In” by Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman, “Let Go” by Gallagher & Lyle, “Fifteen Summers” by Gallagher & Lyle, “Shining Star” by Bette Midler, “Falling In Love With You” by Andy Gibb, “(Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away” by Andy Gibb, “Don’t Break My Heart” by Vaya Con Dios,”Since I Left You” by The Avalanches, “Look What You’ve Done To Me” by Boz Scaggs, “The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan” by Marianne Faithful, “Shine Silently” by Nils Lofgren, “Fall At Your Feet” by Crowded House, “Need Someone” by Mary J. Blige, “Reflections Of My Life” by Dean Ford, “I Still Want You” by Richard Hawley.
Most Hated: “Fairy Tale Of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, “Bills Bills Bills” by Destiny’s Child, “Dirty” by Christina Aguilera, “Jilted John” by Jilted John, “Darlin’” by Frankie Miller,
Album Of All Time
RUMOURS BY FLEETWOOD MAC
I have never tired of any of the tracks on this album. Dreams, Gold Dust Woman, Oh Daddy, Never Going Back Again, The Chain, You Make Loving Fun are all superb tracks.
“On The Radio Greatest Hits Volumes 1 and 2” by Donna Summer, “Secret Combination” by Randy Crawford, “Grease” by Various Artists, “Buddy Holly Lives 20 Golden Greats” by Buddy Holly and the Crickets, “Fame” by Various Artists, “The Turn Of A Friendly Card” by Alan Parsons Project, “Bobby Vee Singles Album” by Bobby Vee, “The Very Best Of The Stylistics” by The Stylistics, “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, “Off The Wall” by Michael Jackson, “Saturday Night Fever” by Various Artists, “40 Greatest” by Elvis Presley, “Hopelessly In Love” by Carroll Thompson, “Hatful Of Hollow” by The Smiths, “Hotter Than July” by Stevie Wonder, “Got To Be There/Ben” by Michael Jacksons, “Destiny” by The Jacksons, “Bad Girls” by Donna Summer, “The Best Of Earth, Wind and Fire Volume 1” by Earth, Wind and Fire,
TV Programme
HEARTSTOPPER
The story line of Nick and Charlie is so compelling. The seasons cover every aspect of teenagers experiencing their sexuality, and there’s a good-varied reaction of their parents and peers.
Coma, After Life, Sex Education, Schitt’s Creek, Benidorm, Pose, Have I Got News For You, Impractical Jokers, Doc Martin, Coronation Street, Hi-De-Hi, Smack The Pony, Titty Bang Bang, Ugly Betty, Hotel Babylon, The Professionals, Dad’s Army, The Dog Whisperer, QI, Whose Line Is It Anyway, Come Dine With Me, Getting On, Cheaters, Gogglebox, Celebs Go Dating, Are You Being Served?, Dinnerladies, Roast Battle, The Chase, 8 of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Superstore,
Most Hated: Eastenders, Poldark, Poirot,
Movie
GREASE
Grease has been the one film that I can watch, time and time again and still enjoy almost as much as the first time. Stockard Channing’s Rizzo is my favourite character.
Actor
JASON WATKINS
Jason Watkins is phenominal. Playing the role of Simon Henderson in the Channel mini-series ‘Coma’ was compelling. He played the part so realistically. Jonas Armstrong, who played Paul Franklin, was a gangster-style villain and Jason’s character was petrified of him. I was totally captivated by his fear throughout the four episodes.
Actress
SIOBHAN FINNERAN
For me, Siobhan Finneran is one of the best British comedy actresses. Her role in Benidorm was more than believable.
Comedian
KENNY EVERETT
My hero of all time and the memory of him alive, and well, is everything I’d love to be. Kenny is also my most favourite DJ of all time.
Comedienne
VICTORIA WOOD
For me, no-one was ever better for observational comedy than Victoria Wood. The most respected funny woman of all time.
Voice
TONY ROBINSON
Personally, I find Tony Robinson’s voice the most interesting. Anything he ever reports on, is always fascinating. He just has the best voice for presenting.
Most Fanciable Man
NEWMANMARCEL (from TikTok)
Well, it has been Nyle Dimarco for many years, but this year, 2024, I stumbled upon Marcel on TikTok. I was mesmorised by his stunning looks. In my opinion, facially (and the body for that matter), he is perfect.
Most Fanciable Woman
JACLYN SMITH
Since my teenage years of watching the original series of Charlie’s Angels, Jaclyn Smith has always been the most perfect looking woman in my life. Her beauty and character name Kelly Garrett were the reasons for choosing Kelly as my daughter’s first name.
Radio Presenter/DJ (Living)
NICK ABBOT
Nick Abbot is currently on LBC. He is a very dry-witted presenter and finds everything to complain about.
Hot Food
HOMEMADE CHICKEN CURRY
Taken from a recipe that Dad taught us very early on in life, and since then adding chicken stock and coconut, this dish is not only extremely tasty but always reminds me of having tea at home together, normally Wednesday evenings. This dish is just as nice with chips instead of rice.
Biscuit
McVITIE’S HOBNOBS DARK CHOC
For quite a few years, it’s always been the Border Oat Crumbles (half chocolate) but McVitie’s have done it… with their dark chocolate version of chocolate Hobnobs.