In conversation with the affable Chris

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.

James and Ben

 Knife-edge decisions, adrenaline rushes, extreme weather, bitter rivalries, heart-stopping races – they are all in a day’s work for sailing’s ‘Superman’, Ben Ainslie.
Ben has won four Olympic medals including successive gold’s in the last three Olympic Games, making him not only a British hero, but quite simply our greatest Olympic sailor ever. He is a true Olympic superstar, up there with the likes of fellow Olympians, Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps.

In addition to his three Olympic gold’s and one silver, Ben has won eight World and European Championships during his illustrious sailing career to date, been crowned ISAF World Sailor of the Year twice, and won British Yachtsman of the Year four times.
Without question, Ben is the most accomplished competitor at work in British sport today.          
Although the likes of Chris Hoy, Lewis Hamilton and Rebecca Adlington, of course, deserve unreserved praise for all that they have achieved within their sports, the real adulation should be kept for Ainslie, who with a combination of dedication, stamina, tactical nous and an unrelenting level of ruthlessness, rarely witnessed before in British sport, has achieved almost all of his childhood dreams.
           
In an exclusive interview, Ben reveals the truth behind his incredible achievements and his plans to bid for a fourth gold, where it all began- on home waters- at the London Olympics in 2012.
From his proudest moment, representing Team GB, to one tough decision that almost risked destroying his career, Ben gives an insight into his life and explains why he can’t be second best.

Ben Ainslie, CBE, was born in Macclesfield on February 5, 1977. As the son of Roderick Ainslie, one might expect a young Ben to take an interest in water sports- after all, his father captained the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973.
Sitting in what can only be described as a box-room, Ben revealed how it all started and how he took his career to stratospheric levels.
Rotating from side to side in a red swivel chair, Ben explains, “I was about eight when my family moved to Cornwall.  It’s a great place for a kid to grow up, especially if you love the water because you’re by the sea. I was lucky, because we lived on the edge of a creek, off an estuary, so it was very easy to get down to the water and go out sailing whenever I wanted to.”
He added, “My parents were keen sailors so they got me into the sport but purely from an enjoyment point of view. When I was nine I was given some hand me down, second hand dingy, which is what most kids learn to sail in and it went on from there.”

What started as a hobby, quickly turned into a way of life, and by the age of sixteen the talented sailor was already Laser Radial World Champion.
Reflecting on his childhood, Ben said, “Where we lived was quite remote so it made catching up with my friends difficult, so sailing really became the big thing for me and my big focus as a kid.
I came up through the youth divisions, like all other sports, so it was a gradual progression. It wasn’t one day that I suddenly woke up and decided I want to be a professional sailor or go to the Olympics. When I was 18 I won the Youth World Championships and three months later I won the Olympic trials for the ’96 Games. That was really the big turning point for me in terms of actually seeing it as a sport, where I could become a professional and I could do it full time.”
           
At just nineteen years old Ben, an ambitious and ferociously competitive young man, won his first Olympic medal- silver in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Looking rather relaxed, the Olympic legend revealed, “I think in many ways winning a silver medal was very good for me because it gave me the determination to go out four years later and work that much harder to go one step better- so it wasn’t all bad, although it was pretty frustrating at the time.”
           
Four years later, Ben achieved every athlete’s dream, winning an Olympic gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Ben, a charming and affable spokesperson off the water, reveals just how ruthless he is on it, admitting to fierce rivalries, above all with the Brazilian, Robert Scheidt, yes that’s right, Scheidt, who robbed him of gold in his first Olympics four years previously.
With a broad smile emblazoned across his face, Ben remarked, “It was an epic race with a man who has a fantastic name! It was one of those classic rivalries that had gone from ’96. In the four years leading up to Sydney, we were competing against each other in various events which either he or I would win. It came down to the final race in Sydney and I basically had to take him out- so it was some pretty aggressive tactics.”
           
Looking somewhat relieved, as he relived the marathon duel, Ben added, “It was incredibly intense but I managed to get there and do the job, so it was a huge relief. When you’ve got that sort of fierce rivalry against somebody, to actually come out on top was a massive relief more than anything.”
           
What Ben did, to beat the Brazilian in Sydney, has been questioned in some quarters and regarded as unsporting by certain critics – not by me, I might add.
Looking a little bemused, Ben explained, “It was a little bit frustrating at the time. There were a few sporting commentators who didn’t know anything about sailing who were questioning the fairness of it, but actually within the history of sailing it wasn’t that new and certainly I didn’t break any rules. It was just very aggressive sailing. But sometimes in any sport, that’s what you need to win”
           
 In place of the tall and friendly man on shore, a darker and more driven character began to emerge. So, I wondered, where does this ruthless streak come from?
After a brief pause, Ben said, “I don’t know. Like in all sports you have to be ruthless at certain points to get a result and to win.”
           
After the Sydney Olympics, Ben, who is an Honorary Doctor of Sport, at Southampton University, changed focus and spent fourteen months with the One World Challenge America’s Cup campaign.
In 2004, Ben competed in the Athens Olympics and again won gold in the larger Finn class, only to return to the Cup, competing with the Emerates Team New Zealand as an after guard member and ‘B-boat’ helmsman.
His most recent win was gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Ben commented, “The gold in Beijing was very special because it was my third consecutive gold which meant a lot.”
           
So has Ben dared to imagine what it would be like to be coming home for the gold medal, on home water, in Weymouth with the union flags flying?
After a brief chuckle, Ben said, “It’s a scary thought. Winning a gold medal on home waters- where I grew up, learned to sail and trained- would be a pretty surreal feeling and something very special.”
           
It’s no secret that the British Olympic Association are targeting a number of key sports for medals- rowing, cycling and sailing are top of that list.
It has been argued that these are all fairly exclusive sports, as you have to have a certain amount of backing behind you in order to compete. This argument however doesn’t stand up with the affable Olympian.
“I think there’s always a bit of a misconception. All Olympic sports at the top level are elite, but if you go down to the grass roots in sailing, I think it’s one of the highest participation sports in the UK. The big thing is to encourage the youngsters to get involved and make them realise it’s not that hard at the grass roots to get into a sport. It’s then up to you to take it as far as you want.”

Although kids all over the globe dream of representing their country and becoming the best in their chosen sport, Ben rather humbly admits he couldn’t have imagined achieving all he has. “When I was a kid I dreamed of maybe going to the Olympics and somehow winning a gold medal, and perhaps one day being involved with the America’s Cup, but I never dreamt I would be where I am today, but I doubt most people do.”
The affable sailor continued, “I think if you love doing something and you’re inspired, you set about on the track to try and do as well as you can and who knows where it will take you.”
He added, “My success has been a result of a number of different things. Obviously a huge amount of hard work, which you need in any sport, but I’m also really fortunate to be supported by great people- coaches and sponsors. It’s amazing, with individual sports you only see one person out there competing, but the team normally behind these people is huge- so I’m very fortunate with the support I get.”
           
Having expressed his desire to race at the next Games in London, what advice would the charismatic Olympian give to those who wish to follow in his footsteps and, if possible, emulate all he has achieved?
“The key is to enjoy it and to get involved. Sailing I think has come a long way in the last ten years. The likes of Ellen MacCarthur have really brought sailing into the living room and she’s really helped promote the sport, but it’s still got a long way to go.”

Another gold in two years time would certainly help promote sailing even further and judging by his track record you wouldn’t bet against Ainslie making it four gold’s from four games.

Close to the Wind, published by Yellow Jersey, priced £18.99

Interviewing Stephen Jones

The unmistakable image of Michael Jackson

For followers of the entertainment world, June 25th, 2009, will be a day they will never forget. Michael Joseph Jackson, the greatest pop star of all time, collapsed in his rented Californian home and was whisked by ambulance to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, in Los Angeles, where doctors frantically tried to revive him, after he had suffered suspected heart failure.

The picture all Michael Jackson fans didn't want to see

As the news of the shocking crisis spread, worried fans gathered outside the hospital and other spots throughout the country, and the world, to pray for the beloved singer.
Sadly, when Michael Jackson tragically died, two months shy of his 51st Birthday, it seemed as though the whole world suddenly stood still and went into mourning.

The outpouring of grief, from his fans, has been tremendous and something rarely matched in the history of music and entertainment, but that’s the power of a man who was called a King, crowned a King, and truly was, as, his dear friend, Elizabeth Taylor once declared, “the King of pop, rock and soul”.

Millions of people around the world will have their own memories of Michael. I’m no different, other than the fact I was fortunate enough to grace the great man’s presence, while he was in London promoting his final This Is It tour.
Having been invited to Michael’s press conference, shortly before his death, I was able to see, up close, the man who, with the mere mention of his name, is able to stop the world go by.

The excitement that surrounds the superstar is incomprehensible to someone who hasn’t ever seen or experienced it. Even hours before his arrival there was an unexplained buzz amongst all those who were lucky to be in the vicinity. We all knew ‘The King of Pop’ was coming. As an admirer of his work, I was incredibly excited to be part of ‘HIStory’ and couldn’t wait for his comeback.

Michael at the press conference in London

Standing within three metres of Michael, I was able to see, firsthand, the pandemonium that surrounds the singer, wherever he goes.
The chorus of screams is insatiable and one that does not go unnoticed, with him responding, in his characteristic tone, “I love you, I really do, from the bottom of my heart.”

Despite the world’s fascination with his appearance, up-close, he looked well and, dare I say it, normal.
But what struck me most about Michael, was the aura he exudes. His mere presence sends a crowd, of even hard-nosed journalists, wild, who are hanging on his every word.
This is something that few entertainers have or ever will have, but I suppose that is what made Mike special. The man’s charisma.

The magnitude of Michael Jackson’s star power is almost impossible to overstate. His influence on music and culture has been immeasurable. During his lifetime, he has smashed sales records, pushed creative borders, broken racial boundaries and influenced generations of pop, R&B and hip-hop stars.

Thriller Live poster

Michael Jackson impersonator

Not that anyone could ever forget…but this is why Mike was special….

While his fifty years on this earth were entirely too short, his light flickered so bright when he lived that it has left an indelible mark on everyone who has ever listened to his music, or been helped by this gentle and sometimes tortured soul.

We now celebrate Michael’s life’s work as we reach out and eternally hold that gloved hand and remember him forever in his music.

Perhaps, somewhat fortuitously, Michael knew these would be his last performances.
“These will be my final shows in London. This will be it. When I say this is it, this really will be it. This is my final curtain call!”

Michael Jackson lived the last hours of his life doing what he was born to do. He will always be ‘The King of Pop’. May he now rest in peace.

As I lethargically sauntered around town, painstakingly doing my Christmas shopping, I was approached by a man selling The Big Issue. Rummaging through my pockets, I pulled out all of my small change and bought a copy- after all it’s Christmas.

Having exchanged pleasantries, we began to make small talk. Before I knew it I was engaged in a full blown conversation about homelessness and the issues surrounding the subject in South Wales.

Each question I asked was elicited with a short speech. Although his ramblings took up most of my afternoon, I didn’t mind as his insight into this  forgotten world was fascinating yet, at the same time, incredibly sad.

I began to think about the number of those living on the streets. Without knowing it, I had subconsciously ignored the vast majority of those sitting in doorways, as all of a sudden I couldn’t look anywhere without seeing someone begging.

Figures from The National Assemly for Wales show that the number of recorded homeless in Wales is continuing to grow. Shelter Cymru estimates that as many as fifty-thousand people experience homelessness in Wales every year.

For most of us, it’s difficult to imagine sleeping on the streets, particularly over the festive period. For many, Christmas is a chance to relax and a time for people to be with their friends and their families- not a time to wake up cold and alone. The stark reality however for hundreds of people across the region is quite different.

Homeless people come from all walks of life. Gareth Whittaker is forty-three and he’s been living on the streets of Cardiff for almost twenty years. Having gone to university and served in the army he didn’t ever imagine he would be sleeping rough.

As Gareth told me, few of those on the streets choose to be homeless. Most would like to have a permanent home, a job and a settled life style, but it’s a big step from being on the streets to living independently.

Gareth Whittaker audio:

Before long, Gareth introduced me to a number of his friends. From those I spoke to, there was a general consensus that “there’s a need for emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.” Particularly in the winter months.

I tend to agree with them. A night shelter would provide a safe refuge for those who sleep rough and those who struggle with the relentless cycle of homelessness and addiction.

Jeremy is one of Gareth’s friends. This is what he had to say:

This winter, seven churches in Newport are opening their doors to those who don’t have anywhere to stay. The Newport Night Project gives those who are homeless the opportunity to escape the cold weather during the winter period. For two months the shelter will provide food and a bed for the night, for those in need.

The Newport Night Shelter

Click here to follow The Newport Night Shelter on Facebook

The Newport Night Shelter

St Julians Methodist Church, Newport.

I caught up with Jade Holtham, Project co-ordinator of Newport Teen Challenge. She believes more needs to be done to help those living on the streets in South Wales.

An interview with Jade Holtham.

The Newport Night Shelter and Newport Teen Challenge

Jade Holtham

1. What is the Newport Night Shelter about and how does it work?

St Julians Methodist Church- one of seven churches in Newport opening their doors to the homeless this winter.

2.  How long has the Newport Night Shelter been running?

Where the homeless can seek refuge for the night.

3. Where did the idea for the Newport Night Shelter come from and how did you get involved?

Volunteers serving up the food.

4. What more can be done to help homeless people in South Wales?

The meal- Cottage pie and mixed vegetables...mmm.

5.  How serious is homelessness in South Wales?

Tucking into a hot meal.

6.  What do you hope the Newport Night Shelter will achieve?

Getting ready for bed.

7. How do you deal with people acting aggressively?

The Night Shelter's policies

8. Does this sort of thing happen regularly?

One of Newport's success stories.

9.    What other initiatives and schemes are you hoping to get involved in?

10.  What do you think the Newport Night Shelter means to those who use the service?

I spoke to Raymond- a homeless man staying at the Newport Night Shelter. For many of those living rough like Raymond, the Christmas period merely highlights an uncertain future.

The Big Sleep Out

On the first Friday of December, Huggard- a charity offering support for the homeless in Cardiff- holds a sleep out in Cardiff. The charity hope the event will raise much needed funds as well as awareness for those who are homeless and vulnerable.

Twenty-two year old Peter Whalley slept rough in Cardiff for five years.

With his drink and drug addiction he thought there was no way out and he believed he had no hope.

Peter has turned his life around and now has a job, is engaged and a place he can call home.

He told me about his experiences living on the streets and encouraged others living rough to follow his example.

1. What issues are there surrounding homelessness in South Wales?

2. Can you explain what it’s like to sleep rough in Cardiff?

3.  What do the homeless think of events like the Big Sleep Out?

4.  As someone who’s got themselves off of the street, what advice would you give people who are homeless to do the same?

An interview with Richard Edward’s

The Big Sleep Out

1. What is the Big Sleep Out about

2.    How long has the Big Sleep Out been running?

The Big Sleep Out begins (04/12/09)

3.   Where did the idea come from and how did you get involved?

Getting ready for their first night on the streets.

4.   What do you hope the Big Sleep Out will achieve?

Braving it at 2am.

5.  How many people got involved in the Big Sleep Out and why do you think they did get involved?

Huggard Centre

Huggard Centre, Tresillian Way, Cardiff.

The number of those deemed as homeless has reduced according to the latest statistics released by Cardiff County Council.

The news comes five months after The Welsh Assembly unveiled a ten-year plan to deal with the number of those living on the streets.

Despite the drop, Shelter Cymru has warned the recession could have a severe affect on the amount of homeless people in South Wales.

Richard Edwards, the Chief Executive of the Huggard Centre, a charity that offers support for the homeless in Cardiff, says he has noticed the difference in the numbers coming for help since the economic down-turn.

So what more can be done to help those sleeping rough in South Wales? I spoke to Richard Edward’s, the Chief Executive of the Huggard Centre.

Huggard Centre- a place the homeless can seek help.

An interview with Richard Edward’s

Huggard Centre

Richard Edwards- Huggard Centre Chief Executive

1. What sort of work do you do here at the Huggard Centre?

2.  What’s it like working at the Huggard Centre?

3.  How serious is the issue of homelessness in South Wales?

Entrance to the Huggard Centre.

4. What more can be done to help the homeless in South Wales?

5.  Has the recession affected homelessness?

6. What does Christmas mean to a lot of those on the streets?

Drugs: The harsh reality for many living on the streets in Cardiff and South Wales.

7. What more could Cardiff City Council and the Welsh Assembly Government do to help those who are homeless and reduce the numbers of those on the streets?

8.  What message would you give to those on the streets at the moment who perhaps think they have no hope and no future, particulalry over the Christmas period?

Huggard Centre leaflet

The video below looks at the lives of young people currently seeking accomodation  at the Huggard Centre and offers an insight into their work.

Podcast- Homelessness in South Wales

Interviewing Lord Coe

http://soundcloud.com/jamesdaviesmedia/seb-coe-interview

Lord Sebastian Coe will forever be remembered as one of the finest athletes to represent Great Britain, after winning four Olympic medals and setting an astounding eight world records, in middle-distance running.

Coe who studied economics and social history at Loughborough University, began his running career at the tender age of 12 after joining Sheffield’s Hallamshire Harriers, and it was here, between studies, a teenage Coe trained and began to win county and school championships at 3,000m, 1,500m and cross country.

His father Peter, who was also his coach, cleverly built on his son’s potential with a lot of technical and weights work. It paid off, with Coe winning his first race in 1977, during an 800 metre event at the European Indoor Championships, in the aptly named, San Sebastian, Spain, setting the pace for the rest of his career.

Now, as chairman of the 2012 organising committee, Lord Coe is once again the man at the centre of the world’s greatest sporting event.

As the press began to tuck into the vast array of biscuits, and cakes on offer, as part of the mini buffet put on for the launch of John Keddie’s book Running the Race, Lord Coe took his opportunity to swiftly slip into the press conference before the hoards of reporters, who had gathered, had time to notice his arrival.
Dressed in a smart blue suit, with his hair neatly arranged, there was a certain film star quality about the two times Olympic gold medallist. It is not just the way he presents himself that projects this image, but the way he assertively holds his lean 5’9″ frame too.

On entering the room he quietly made his way to the front, scanning the several rows of seats, as he anxiously looked for somewhere to sit. After spotting his designated place, he hurriedly sat down, picked up a copy of the book he was promoting from the pile that he and the author were to sign later, and began to read the foreword he had written.

The buffet had proved a fine and welcome distraction for Coe who for, some reason, seemed to want to keep a low profile, enabling him to sit alone.
Although this was the first time I had been in Lord Coe’s presence, it was immediately clear what type of man this celebrated Olympian was.
Despite his willingness to keep himself to himself, there was a certain air of authority and unquestionable confidence that only the most successful athletes possess.

After introducing myself, Lord Coe rather charmingly moved his belongings that were stacked up on the seat next to him, and invited me to sit down.
Before I could begin the interview, Lord Coe, or Seb as he wished to be called, insisted on getting us both a cup of tea. As he went to fetch the drinks, I wondered where I should start the interview. Not only has he had a fascinating career, but he has had an enthralling life too.

Back in his running days he was one of athletics’ greatest middle distance runners. Not only has he won two Olympic gold’s but, in 1979, he was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year after breaking three world records, in just forty-one days.
With an engaging enthusiasm, he said, “I trained and raced for 12 years before I made an Olympic Games, so for me winning an Olympic gold was the culmination of hundreds of thousands of miles of running, weight sessions and coaching paying off. But I suppose the first thing you feel finishing an event with a great result is relief, because you don’t feel you’ve let down all the people who’ve been helping you along the way. You’re also glad it’s over for the moment, although you soon get back into the mindset of wanting to be a better runner next time round.”

But it is not just on the track that Lord Coe has excelled. In 1992 he became a Conservative MP, working alongside William Hague, and now holds the prestigious position of Chairman of the 2012 organising committee, where, arguably, he won his greatest ever race by bringing the Olympic games to London.

The London bid was initially way off the pace and when the five candidate cities were shortlisted, London was rated third behind Madrid and favourites Paris. But with the timing that he showed so often in his illustrious running career, Coe helped London produce the late charge that was required to pip their French rivals.
His combination of world record-holding pedigree, political experience, and his general affability played an undeniable part in the bid’s success, giving it an air of authority that was hard to ignore.

It seemed somewhat fitting that he played such a pivotal role in persuading the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to award London the 2012 Games as he has a wonderful history with them. “The Olympics are the greatest sporting event there is,” he said.
Eliciting each question with a short speech, he continued, “They transcend sport. There is no other non political gathering that brings people together in such profusion and with such a wonderful vision. It’s not the panacea for all human ills, but it sure goes a long way to driving all sorts of values. Just look at the values of both the Olympics and Paralympics. The values of respect, friendship, courage, determination and sheer will to overcome adversity. This is something only sport can manage.”

Despite Beijing’s meteoric success Lord Coe, who once ran an astonishing seventeen miles one Christmas morning, assures me he is not suffering sleepless nights over the awesome responsibility.
“I’ve broken 13 world records in my time. I don’t intend to break a fourteenth and be the first organiser of an Olympics to bring them in late. Of course we will have a fantastic Games.
“We have a wonderful propensity in this country to doubt our ability. We have fantastic examples of excellence at every level, whether it’s in the arts, sciences, in the quality of our policing or armed services. And yet we sometimes enter a tunnel of despair about it, which few other countries actually do.”

The newspaper headlines were inevitable after Britain’s Olympic success. ‘It’s great to be British!’; ‘Britannia rules the Games!’
And who can blame them? It was, after all, a terrific summer full of success for Team G.B, with Great Britain firmly sat in fourth place in the medals table.
Lord Coe proudly boasts, “We’ve got a very good funding programme at elite level now with more money going into elite level sport than ever before. Although money is important it’s not the sole part of the story. You need athletes with hunger and commitment, as well as world class coaching and great administration to win gold medals. Excellence costs.”

Despite his obvious confidence about success both in the medals table and in the running of the 2012 games, Lord Coe certainly has a lot of work to do over the next three years as Chairman of the organizing committee. However considering the achievements of his career to date, he seems like the perfect man for the job.

With Ricky

As I peered over the hoards of people who had assembled, to get a glimpse of Ricky Hatton, at the launch of his autobiography, I wondered what the man at the centre of all the fuss thought of the attention.
After all this isn’t something your average lad from the Hattersley council estate, in Hyde, or any other lad, from any other place, for that matter, is likely to experience.

The signing was only supposed to last an hour, but Ricky was adamant he would sign for every fan that had come to see him.
People of all ages, races, backgrounds and sexes had congregated from all around the country for a squiggle that apparently read Ricky Hatton ‘Hitman’.

Two long hours past, and the crowds of people who had come to see their hero were finally ushered out of the busy book store on London’s Oxford Street, by the burly security men.
But instead of going home, many opted to stay, singing a catalogue of songs, including ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘Hatton Wonderland’ that are synonymous with the pint sized boxer, on fight night, outside the front of the building, on the busy shopping street.

This was something ‘The Hitman’ clearly enjoyed, and took enormous pride from. With his baseball cap pulled over his thick eyebrows, covering much of his face, he began to jump around, firing jabs into the air. He evidently worships his fans, as much as they worship him.
As I made my way over to the man who is as well known for his hard-drinking lifestyle out of the ring, as his boxing in it, he put out his cut and bruised drinking hand saying, “Your hands are soft. Can’t be a boxer.” To which we shared a mutual grin.

Despite his publicist wanting the interview to be conducted in one of the many back rooms, Rick, as he wanted to be called, decided he would rather wonder around the cd section as we chatted.
As soon as the shop floor was cleared we made our way passed the menacing security, towards the music section. “Can you see any Oasis?”, he asked.

Reflecting on what he had seen, and heard, during the course of the afternoon, the people’s champion looked up and smiled. The steely glare that is so prominent during his weigh-ins was replaced by a look of almost childlike excitement, that made his face come alive.
He explains, “I feel no different to the man in the crowd, but it’s nice to reward them. I don’t think there’s ever been a British boxer with a fan base like mine.”

There is no question, he is a talented fighter, but it is his character as much as his skill that has made him one of the most loved of all the British boxers, followed by Hollywood stars and adored by the likes of David Beckham and the Gallagher brothers.
Ricky mused, “A lot of fighters shut themselves away. I’m not like that,” he said. “As long as they’re not getting in the way of my training, anybody, who wants, can come to the gym, especially those from my local area. I like to think I’ve done the area proud, and people shouldn’t be excluded, especially kids.”

Despite his fame, wealth, and superstar status he still likes to drink a pint, or two, of Guinness and play darts at the New Inn, the pub his parents once owned, on a Thursday night, with his legion of fans, who he now refers to as “my friends”.
This part of his lifestyle, however, is often criticised. In between fights, Ricky has seen his weight balloon to an astonishing 180lb, 40 over what it should be. Often only making the weight he needs to weeks before the fight.

This has resulted in his fans jokingly renaming him ‘Ricky Fatton’, which the affable boxer likes to play along with, opting to wear a fat suit into the ring.

He explained, “I’ll still go down the pub with the lads, and eat my fry ups. That will never, ever change. That’s me, and that’s what makes me who I am. I like to let my hair down. I know I do it a bit more and a bit heavier than most, but if I only had to lose 3lb before a fight I’d probably go out drinking the week before anyway.”

Still wondering through the music section, Rick’s attention is drawn to a cd called ‘Footie Anthems’, which immediately brings us on to his love of Manchester City, the club for which his father and grandfather both played, and the team he supported as boy. He too might have been a footballer, as he was on City’s books as a teenager, but he was a better boxer.

“A lot of people like watching football, but I’m a die-hard. When City get beat on a Saturday, that’s my weekend ruined,” he said. “When we play United, I’m just as much up for that as for my fights.”

‘The Hitman’, who has come from the heart of working-class England and represented his community with intelligence, humour and decency continued, “I go to as many away games as possible. It’s nice at away games because I stand in the queue, buy a ticket and then sit with the rest of the City fans. People find it strange, you know. I will be in the queue for a pie and Bovril at half-time and fellows will ask, ‘What are you doing here, Ricky?’ But if they knew me personally, they would know I don’t see myself as any different to them.”

This said it all. Success, fame and wealth have not turned his head, nor have they diluted the straightforwardness that has always been his way.
It is this sort of attitude which has undoubtedly assisted Hatton in his comeback after the Mayweather defeat, and has now helped him to restore his reputation as one of the greatest British boxers of all time.

Sir Jackie and James

He made his name as one of the all time greats behind the wheel. Winner of three Formula One Championships, 27 Grand Prixs and ranked in the top ten drivers of all time, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE is one of the most highly regarded names in global sport.

On the track Sir Jackie’s story is an inspirational one of drama, drive, determination, danger, excitement, tragedy, controversy, glamour and, of course, massive success.

Beyond the sport, his life is a compelling tale of his early battle with dyslexia, and achieving world-wide recognition as an outstanding sportsman, a role model and more recently as a highly accomplished and respected businessman.

From growing up in a Scottish village, to the racetrack of Monaco, and the boardrooms of the world, Sir Jackie Stewart has led a ‘chequered’ and eventful life. Revealing all however, the former race ace explains, “everything has not always been champagne and parties.”

Although Sir Jackie will be seventy-one in June it seems evident he has no intention of slowing down as he motored into the room at some speed.

Born, as he put it, “in a wee village called Milton better known for Ballantines whisky”, Sir Jackie explained his love of fast cars began, at a tender age, while he worked at his dad’s garage.

These days, racing prodigies begin competing in karts from as young as four and have their education structured accordingly. That wasn’t an option in the Forties where Sir Jackie was raised.

Although it seems no surprise that racing became a passion it was however during a chance meeting with a customer, while he was an apprentice mechanic, that put him on the road to becoming a world champion.

As he sat sipping a glass of Coca Cola the Dumbarton born Scot explained, “When I left school at fifteen I became a garage mechanic. I was preparing, what I would call, some club racing vehicles for a racing enthusiast, who was not allowed to drive himself. One day he came in and he asked me if I would like to do a wee event as a reward, which I did and I finished second. He came back and said ‘what about doing the next one’, which I did and won. It was then a kind of rocket ship. I was never really aware that I had any skills as such for racing, but once I got a taste for it I definitely wanted to do it again.”

His first attempts were impressive, showing exceptionally quick reflexes and a cool demeanour behind the wheel. As a youngster the talkative racer showed incredible hand-eye co-ordination and it looked likely he would follow in the footsteps of his dad, a former amateur motorcycle racer and his older brother Jimmy, who was already a successful racing driver.

According to the affable Scot, it was Jim’s brilliant career in motor racing that ignited the flame of a young Jackie’s burning passion for the sport. “He was one of the best and smoothest sports car drivers in the world during the 1950s”, he explained. Before adding, “He was my hero. He was everything I ever wanted to be.”

Despite his eminent rise to the top, Sir Jackie explained he had an unhappy school life and was by his own admission, “a failure in the making”.

Although education played a huge part in his formative years, it was for all the wrong reasons. Twiddling with the phone cord next to him, Sir Jackie mused, “Yes I was a failure educationally. I’m a dyslexic so my school years were by far the unhappiest of my life. In those days, as it still is in some places, dyslexia was never identified. You were just stupid, dumb, or thick. These were difficult times because it’s humiliating not being able to read or write, and do all the things everybody else does so easily.”

Adding with what can only be described as a real sense of sadness, “Dyslexics need to understand that they can achieve and they can succeed. What is a shame is a great many of them are never going to reach their full potential.”

Nevertheless, his harsh Scottish school days are what instilled in Sir Jackie the will to triumph. Like many dyslexics wee Jackie had an extra desire to prove himself in life.

“Because you cannot do the things that people your own age can do so easily you’re made to feel inadequate. You feel humiliated. You have no self esteem. I had a terrible complex but managed to rise over it. Sport gave me my chance in life, starting off with shooting, where I shot for Scotland and then Great Britain, and then motor racing. Now it doesn’t really worry me that I can’t read or write correctly, and it doesn’t bother me that I don’t know the alphabet. I do look back and wish my teachers were here to see me now because they and the educational system had totally written me off.”

The triple Formula One world champion, who last stood on top of the winners’ podium in 1973 -the year he retired- is clearly proud of all he has achieved. So, I wondered, what does it feel like to be the fastest man on the planet?

Launching into what can only be described as a vivid description, he exclaims “The adrenaline is incredible, but a good racing driver doesn’t make it look like he’s going that fast.”

He added, “The first time I won the world championship I thought there was going to be thunder and lightning and the world was going to change. In fact it didn’t change at all. It’s one of those titles that I think its better when you haven’t been world champion thinking wow what if I were a world champion once you’ve won it you say well maybe I could win it again. Once you’ve won it again and again it loses its sparkle slightly but when you’re introduced as world champion it’s a nice experience because you’ve worked hard to achieve it. From my point of view I can’t say it devalued its currency the second or the third time. In fact it enhanced it.”

Sir Jackie might not have enjoyed the playboy reputation of many racing drivers, but his impact on the sport extends far beyond spraying champagne on the podium and showing beautiful girls around the F1 garage.

With his pioneering efforts to revolutionise track safety measures, the ‘Flying Scotsman’ never shirked from a challenge or turned away from a crash.

In 1966, while racing at 164mph in the rain, Sir Jackie Stewart left the track, crashing into a tree during Spa-Francorchamps. He remained in the upturned car while the vehicle’s fuel poured onto him. “The tiniest spark would have made me a human bonfire,” he said.
After this near-death experience, Stewart became an outspoken advocate of Racing Safety. Having driven through an era when fatalities were almost shockingly inevitable, Stewart knew what it was like to lose friends. He was the F1 Champion who wanted to live fast but not die young.

Sounding somewhat frustrated, Sir Jackie explained, “In those days, if you were racing for a five year window in formula one, there was a two out of three chance you were going to die, which is a ridiculous average. People did not think racing drivers needed to think of safety because they were seen as gladiators and if you were killed that was your full awareness before you went in there. I thought that was all wrong. I thought I was being paid for my skill not for the risks I was taking.”
Having tirelessly campaigned for racing safety, Sir Jackie became incredibly unpopular with a number of those involved in the sport. He boycotted, campaigned and protested and was involved in a very major change in the safety of racing, making him more than just a wizard at the wheel.
In an emotional tirade, the Scot explained, “It needed to be done because there was a period in 1968 where four of our drivers died in consecutive months. When that happens to you and you’re constantly going to funerals and you’re witnessing the grief and the devastation, when it doesn’t have to happen, I realised I had to do something.”

With sporting success comes adoring fans who, more often than not, verge on the obsessed. This is certainly the case for the one-time racer.

There was an undeniable sense of excitement amongst the hundreds of fans who had flocked to meet Sir Jackie- their hero – who was here to meet his legions of fans, who had painstakingly waited in a queue that circled the block in the relentless rain. Judging by the number that had turned up, it seemed he would be here for quite some time.

Sir Jackie, a man of immense charisma, charm and integrity rather humbly reflected on his A-list lifestyle, putting the whole showbiz razzmatazz into perspective.

He explained, “When I first met Peter Sellers or when I first met the Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor or the Queen you do get slightly star struck to begin with, until you met a great collection of people and you then get used to it. You find that people are just as anxious to meet you as you are of meeting them. The real stars I don’t think see themselves as celebrities. It’s the would be’s who see themselves as important. The real stars don’t need to act or behave in a manner that lets people think they’re something different. So I think that soon wares of. If you get intoxicated by that you’re going down the wrong road. Although I’m Sir Jackie Stewart OBE I’m still Jackie.”