So here it is Merry Christmas

Hello again, I hope all is well with you. And that you have had a very nice couple of weeks. I have had an absolutely brilliant time. Not least because during this period I celebrated my Birthday. I am very much someone who enjoys my special day. I always make sure I do at least something fun, to mark such a memorable and big occasion. So on my Birthday itself I did go down to my local pub in the evening and have a couple of Birthday drinks with my cousin. Whose actually shares the same birthday as me and his twin sister, funnily enough. So it was very much a joint celebration really.

Neil Quigley Presenter
Neil Quigley Presenter

Then on the following Saturday I met some friends of mine for a few combined birthday and Christmas drinks. It was a really great night out and led me to having my first actual dance to a Christmas song this year. I do not like to hear these songs too early in the month but once my big day has been and gone. My festive barometer shoots up. I was reading an article the other day on how much money in royalties these songs make for their writers, every year. Here are a few examples, Slade earn around five hundred thousand pounds a year for “Merry Christmas Everybody” Wham around three hundred thousand pounds a year for “Last Christmas and Shakin’ Stevens around fifty thousand pounds for “Merry Christmas Everyone”. So my plan for next year is to write and release an amazing new Christmas song that people will want to hear year after year.

Neil Quigley Conducting an Orchestra for a laugh and badly
Neil Quigley Conducting an Orchestra for a laugh and badly

Last weekend I went on my first Christmas Party this time around. I have to confess at these events. I am usually a bit of a traditionalist and will where possible always try to simply have turkey with all the trimmings. However as this do was at a well known pizza restaurant. That was not an option. That said they did have a Christmas style menu which is what I went with. This meant I had an Italian take on a spicy stew for starters followed by a roast pork pizza with an apple sauce topping. Which was then finished off with a mixed winter berry crumble. It was all delicious. And if I am being honest with you it made a nice change from what I normally eat at these things.

After the meal we went to a near by pub to watch an Abba tribute. Now if you went to see an act performing the music of the Swedish super group. How many members would you expect to see on stage? I will be honest I was expecting four. So was quite surprised when only two girls appeared. Now over the years I have worked with and seen a lot of good Abba tributes and a few bad ones. And let’s just leave it at that, shall we.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

Now every year the event I go to that always signals what I view as my official countdown to Christmas. And always without fail puts me in the festive spirit is my visit to the press night of the pantomime. So last Monday I went to the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury to see this year’s production “Sleeping Beauty”. It is always a brilliant night out with a small reception ahead of the performance. Where I got to catch up with lots of people I had not seen for ages and have a good laugh and a gossip ahead of the show. Then it is downstairs to take our seats for part one of the main attraction. Then during the interval it was back up for a further drink and chat before returning to our seats for the second half. I do love pantomime. There is always something so joyful and magical about it in my opinion.

So to the show itself then Sleeping Beauty starring Anita Dobson, Andy Collins and Holly Brewer featuring Christian Lund as the Prince. It was written once again by the Panto genius that is Eric Potts. I have been lucky enough to meet and interview him. He is one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet funny, warm and friendly. I also went to see a play he was in. Where he seemed to revel in trying to make the other characters laugh and put them off, which he did well.  And bearing in mind that was in a show that he was also directing. It is fair to say he likes a laugh. So the script for the show was funny and entertaining, with as ever lots of local references thrown in for good measure.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

Anita Dobson was brilliant as the evil Carabosse and well and truly steals the show, with her acting, singing, dancing and goading of the audience to boo her and hate her even more. Andy Collins who again is a lovely bloke, is brilliant as Chester the Jester bringing fun and stupidly where required to the proceedings.  As well as performing his now legendary Twelve Days of Christmas routine. Which the kids and adults all seem to equally enjoy. And which gives Andy a pretty decent workout. Then we have Holly Brewer who like Andy is again back at Aylesbury for a second year in a row playing Princes Beauty. Giving the Buckinghamshire born performer chance to showcase her fantastic singing and acting skills. Christian Lund is also great as the Prince and gets the chance to share with us the fantastic singing voice that has made him such a popular concert vocal performer in his native Denmark. Add to that a fantastic supporting cast. Who all play their part in a hugely entertaining and funny take on the well known fairytale. In particular Graham Kent as the show’s dame Nurse Molly Coddles, who has more outfit changes than Lady Gaga!

A great family show with everything you would want from a Christmas Panto. If you get chance go along and see it and have some fun. Do make sure you join in though or Andy Collins may get his revenge. And you might find yourself up on the stage with him. There was a drink’s party with the cast after the performance, which I also attended. Which was great to be able to see them, have a quick chat and pass on congratulations for their hard work.  Holly Brewer did say how much she was enjoying being in it. Which I think really comes across on stage. I did also meet some of the backstage and technical crew. Who also work extremely hard behind the scenes to make the show a success and they all seemed to be enjoying the whole experience of it to.

Neil enjoying a Mince Pie
Neil enjoying a Mince Pie

Anita Dobson was of course in Strictly Come Dancing a couple of years ago now and this weekend see’s this year’s final. It is nice to see the couple I have been supporting from the start Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole still be there at the end of the competition. I think they have put in some incredible performances so far. And not always got the credit they deserved from the judges. I hope they go on to win it. The one thing that worries me about that. Is none of the professional dancers have ever won the Glitter Ball trophy more than once. And Brendan has already won it with Natasha Kaplinski is series one of the show.

Fingers crossed they can break that curse and go on and be successful. It is good to see my second adopted couple of Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton in the final to. With the support they appear to be getting from the viewers. I think personally there is a good chance that they might win it. Whatever happens I am sure it will be a fun and very sparkly night of great entertainment. Good luck to everybody involved. It was very nice to be there in the audience at the first show to watch the series get under way. And see the reactions of the celebrities. When they got paired with their professional dancers. Who seemingly all went on to become great friends with each other.

BBC TV Centre
BBC TV Centre

Last weekend it was the X-factor final. As this year’s series started I said I thought a female solo singer would win the competition this year. And if you do not believe me then look back through to August on here and you will be able to read me saying exactly that. There were if I am honest a few times during the show. Where I thought I might be proved wrong but the important thing is that I was not and I was one hundred percent right with my prediction. Congratulations to Sam Bailey. Who seems like a really nice women, who does have a great voice. She is the first person to win from the Over 25’s category since Steve Brookstein won the very first series in 2004. Winning a TV talent show does not guarantee you success. But I do hope she enjoys all of the benefits that do come with the achievement. And that may be she is one of the lucky ones who builds a long and rewarding career for herself. Sometimes it is actually better not to win it though as both One Direction and JLS proved.

Neil Quigley in the Studio
Neil Quigley in the Studio

I need to give a quick mention to the final of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. As I have said on numerous occasions. It is one of my favourite television shows of the year and Ant & Dec are magnificent on it. The two finalists this year were both brilliant. I would like to have David Emmanuel constantly looking over my shoulder, advising me and encouraging me. And let’s face it if he was a friend of mine, it would really improve my dress sense to. As for the King of the Jungle Kian Egan. He is the sort of bloke you would want with you at the front of any crisis. He is  reasonable, fearless, a great team player. Who is not scared of showing his emotions. And he would be able to make sure you always stood up at the right point during any key change. The final two deserved to be there and I thought Kian did just deserve to take the crown. I already cannot wait for next year’s show.

Neil Quigley Doing Some Filming
Neil Quigley Doing Some Filming

I watched the British Comedy Awards. Which to be honest were a bit awkward and shambolic in places. It is always a bit of an odd event. Something as subjective as comedy can be really hard to judge on an even playing field. It is a tough night for whoever hosts it with them having to tell scripted jokes to an audience of comedians. Many of whom are the ones getting slated in the aforementioned jokes. It seemed to have a very odd feel and atmosphere to it. Even though as an industry they really should be using it to highlight and celebrate great pieces of work. The most disappointing thing for me about the TV coverage of the event was them cutting off Steve Coogan during his speech. When he was accepting the outstanding achievement award. When they had let people who had not won awards speak for longer than they should have. It just seems a bit harsh to give someone a great honour then slightly ruin the moment for them. In my opinion it was some well deserved recognition for Steve Coogan. I mean, what is there not to like about Alan Partridge? Well done Steve!

Neil Quigley doing Stand Up
Neil Quigley doing Stand Up

Last night I went to the town where I first performed stand up comedy. To watch a Christmas Comedy Night at the Anchor in Tring featuring some comedians from this year’s Roving Comedy Night at the Tringe Festival. Which is something I took part in a couple of years ago. It did include a couple of very good professional comedians. who I know. Ronnie Rigsby was the host and the headline act was the brilliant Silky. Who not only was hilarious but did buy me a pint after. He appeared on the same bill as me during my stand up debut and I did give him a lift back to his hotel that night. So what I am saying is I had earned that drink. At the end is was great to see my comedy teacher Logan Murray there as well. It was a good fun, entertaining night out. And has set me up nicely to enjoy the weekend before Christmas.

Neil Quigley Happy Christmas
Neil Quigley Happy Christmas

On that note have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have lots of fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.

It’s My Birthday Week

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had an enjoyable couple of weeks. Mine have been good and heavily television based due to the fact that two of my favourite shows of the year are both on our screens at the moment. Plus a former boss and friend of mine has been starring in a Channel 4 programme all last week. So as someone who does not really watch a lot of TV normally I have been watching loads recently and enjoying it. Specially with the interaction Twitter gives you during certain programmes.

Neil Quigley Presenter
Neil Quigley Presenter

Now every year I find that I can never get too excited about Christmas until about half way through the month of December. This is not because I am a bit of a Scrooge, or the Grinch or anything like that. It is simply because my birthday is on the 10th December. So I always like to enjoy and celebrate my special day before I even think about sending cards or buying presents. I am not complaining at all. Anybody with a birthday at a similar time to me will understand that sometimes it is difficult to keep birthday celebrations separate from Christmas Celebrations. Due to festive drinks and work’s parties. While if you are born in the middle of the year say. It is a lot easier to distinguish between these two big events. Normally I do try to have my birthday as a day off with ideally drinks with friends and family members at the local pub in the evening. Which now has actually become quite a tradition. I remember one birthday when I was working down in Yeovil. I actually spent it sharing the stage with the Drifters at the Westland Leisure Complex for a big Christmas Party there. I have also been on the radio a few times when it has been my birthday. Which always made for a fun show. Well it did for me anyway.

Neil Quigley in the Studio
Neil Quigley in the Studio

All last week then my friend Steve Carpenter was one of the contestants on the Channel 4 show Come Dine With Me. I have to confess I had never watched the show before although I know a lot of people, who regularly do. But with Steve on it there was no way I was going to miss a single second of it. When I worked with him he was very good to me and often invited me round for meals. So I have first hand knowledge of how good his culinary skills are. And I have to say he is a very good cook. And always an excellent host. If the show was filmed at the height of the summer. I think he might have done one of his legendary BBQ’s for his fellow diners. They were always fantastic.

It is always interesting watching someone you know on television. Steve was just as entertaining as I knew he would be on the show. Making me laugh at lot and reminding me of situations and places we had been in together. When we were faced by shall we say a room full of people with very different personalities. Who we did not really know that well. Which was exactly what he was facing during the show. I thought he did great when it was his turn to host. His meal looked great. Although it was slightly more elaborate than I ever remember being offered when I had diner at his place. But I can confirm there was always cider on arrival if required.  That programme does have the most sarcastic sounding voice over man ever. I found him pretty annoying during the first show but then by the middle of the week. I kind of got used to it and found it very funny. So well done to Steve on his appearance on the show. I thought you were great mate. Good work!

Neil Quigley with Steve Carpenter in Yeovil
Neil Quigley with Steve Carpenter in Yeovil

Now brace yourselves for this but there is actually another Neil Quigley in the world. He also operates in the world of show business. Scary though that is. I assure you it is totally true. We are even similar ages and have fairly similar haircuts. Although I promise you we are not related. I have been aware of the other one for about the last eight years or so. But it was only in the last couple of weeks thanks to social media that we actually acknowledged each other. He is a well known International Dance DJ and record producer, who runs his own record label.

Recently I got a tweet mentioning me by my twitter name promoting my great new album that I had just released and teasing an on-line question and answer session. Which I was going to do on this subject. So slightly panicked that I was going to get a lot of questions I probably would not be able to answer. I quickly contacted the people advertising this event giving them the correct twitter handle of the Neil Quigley they actually required. And if I am honest the one they needed for this. For which the other Neil Quigley got in contact to thank me for. I guess I will just have to wait and see now, if he ever gets to return that favour for me.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I am still very much enjoying this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Simply for how good Ant and Dec are on it. The show gives them the perfect vehicle to display not only what fantastic natural presenters they are. But also the chance to do some comedy and some amusing skits in between the jungle footage. Where they poke fun at the camp mates and themselves in equal measure. For me what actually happens in the camp in almost secondary. That said the celebrities this year all seem pretty nice. And all know what it involves and are prepared to try their best and give their all to every challenge which I like. And which has not always been the case in previous years.

I have never watched The Only Way Is Essex but I had seen Joey appear on other shows. And if I am very honest I thought he was a bit of an idiot. Now I think that he is actually a really nice, good hearted bloke. Who seems like a lot of fun. I also do have to confess I was not aware of David Emanuel either. I have never been into fashion. Which anyone who has ever met me, would be able to testify. So I was not aware of his work, but he seems like a lovely bloke who offers great advice. And has a voice that would make the worse news in the world sound good. So far I have not been able to predict any of the evictions and I do not expect that to change tonight. I still have no idea who out of the remaining people in there will actually win it. All I know is it has in my opinion been excellent television and a complete joy to watch. And just in case they ever need any new presenters for the spin off show Get Me Out Of Here Now. Can I just go on record as saying I would be very happy to go and work in Australia for a month on that programme. Count me in.

Neil Quigley Doing Some Filming
Neil Quigley Doing Some Filming

This Thursday night it is the British Comedy Awards. Which are being held this year at The Fountain Studios in Wembley. Which is actually where the X-factor television series also is broadcast from. It is always an interesting night which has seen some interesting incidents in the past, shall we say. I won’t go into them here, you can do your own research on them, if you like. It is the biggest night of the year for the UK Comedy scene. I would like to see the following people or shows win awards Lee Mack, A League of Their Own, The Last Leg, Jon Richardson, Sarah Millican, Ant & Dec, Jack Whitehall and Jo Brand. It is always a good and fun night.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

Another one of my current TV highlights is Strictly Come Dancing along with the spin off show It Takes Two hosted by the brilliant Zoe Ball. This series is brilliant and there is such a feel good factor at the end of every show. It is getting far too close to call, as to who might actually win it I think. My favourite pair of Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole are still very much in the competition. And I thought their dance last weekend was stunning. My back up couple of Susannah Reid and Kevin Clifton are still in to. Although I must confess I do fear for them a little this weekend. The thing I think I like most about this show is the closeness of the special bond that builds between the celebrity and their professional dance partners. They seem to become so close and such good friends. You really do feel for them when they get voted out and realise they will not be dancing with each other any more. The emotion of the whole thing really drags you in I find. Doing Strictly Come Dancing must be an amazing experience and a great way to get one to one dance lessons with some of the best dancers in the world. I would chose that any day of the week to be on. Rather than eating bits of kangaroo anatomy in the jungle.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I said earlier that as far as I am concerned my Christmas celebrations do not really start until after my birthday on the 10th December. But the thing that for me really marks the start of Christmas and puts me in the festive mood is going to a pantomime. I am delighted and very excited to be going along to the Press Night for Sleeping Beauty at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury on the 16th December. It is a big tradition of mine to always attend this great event. This year the cast includes former Eastender and 2011 Strictly Come Dancing contestant Anita Dobson, alongside the very funny Andy Collins, the beautiful and very talented Buckinghamshire based singer and actress Holy Brewer and Christian Lund. I am just a big kid at heart. So I already know I will have a lovely evening at this event. I will give you a review of it all next time we speak. That will include the Panto itself and any pre or after show happenings to of course.

The charity football match I was due to play in later this month has now been moved to April. Which speaking as someone who is now more of a fair weather footballer nowadays. Sounds more appealing than paying on a cold December afternoon. I will give you more details about it nearer the time. In case you fancy coming along to raise some money for a good cause and have a laugh at me in action.

Neil Quigley TV Radio & Live
Neil Quigley TV, Radio & Live

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.