November 2011

North Yorkshire  lights up , Joe McElderry is great shock,  and a dead mouse goes on tour! Just a few things that make up an ordinary day in the life of The James Watt Breakfast Show at Minster FM.

A few days ago I was invited to meet Joe McElderry when he came to York Barbican.  I was ushered in to his rather small dressing room, a bowl of Smarties no blue ones. I thought it must be a rider, but no it’s just what was provided Joe told me.  The interview was great -  I will stick it on here soon.  But then the killer statement from Joe.  ‘Hope you enjoy the concert’. I was in 2 minds about staying but now was duty bound to go.  Now which part of the audience was I more like – the white haired Pop star to opera star fans,  or the young females  who loved Joe in the Xfactor.  I went will low expectations,  thought I would stay for a bit then go home. But the whole night was brilliant The support acts went down well – The Reason 4 a reject xfactor man band that got to judges houses a year or so back – they were great, then Joe McElderry came on. I thought he can actually sing, this came as a surprise as we are so programmed to slag off all things Xfactor.  He started with the pop stuff all in tune and lots of running about , then he changed shirts and put a jacket on for the classical bit. A big voice out of a little body. He can belt them out. I am still having difficulty in saying out loud he was great , but with therapy I may be able to admit he was  in a couple of years time.

Commander Fluffy is the latest recruit to the show. He is a mouse. I found him in the kitchen at home the other day at 4am.   I let Lady Watt know who about our new pet via text message it said ‘Mouse downstairs –love you’ and on air with a special song. I  then had to work out how to catch him. We really wanted him alive, as we planned to let him out in the studio to amuse Louisa on news – well maybe the rest of us.  A careful operation ensured the arrival of Fluffy the following morning, I had told him to act dead. Louisa not impressed (see the video) with the present. But here is the thing Fluffy loved Louisa, but the love was not reciprocated so Fluffy really did die of a broken heart.  Without her love life was not worth going on with.  We did bring Fluffy’s brother in to try and revive him with mouse to mouse resuscitation, but sadly it was too late.  So Fluffy is lying in state in the Minster FM freezer under the crispy pancakes until the funeral can be arranged. Plans are still in progress, but we have earmarked a spot in the Minster FM garden.  It will be quiet spot to reflect on the time Commander Fluffy was with us.

Fluffy had a great time at various light switch ons. In Malton Steve Arnold aka Ashley Peacock was visibly moved, as Ashley was already dead and knew what it felt like to be written out of a top show. Princess Yasmin from the Grand Opera House panto wasn’t so sure, and even refused one of my dog biscuits I carry around when I meet celebrities.  The crowd really wanted fluffy, but we had the dead mouse tour to continue. The next night he was stroked by Norton kids with love and care. By Pickering on Saturday the dead mouse tour became very emotional as we thought we saw him move, but the Minster FM vet did confirm it was just a bit of trapped wind.  I will attach a photo of Commander Fluffy happily sleeping on the microphone; his favourite spot contribute jokes and suggest great songs to play on the show.

If you have any ideas on how we should mark his passing do let me know and I will catch you every morning on Minster FM 6 till 10am!