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THREE MINUTES TO FIVE.

Chris Evans | 16:57 UK time, Friday, 7 March 2008

I will write until...

...Steve plays in the news jingle. Fleetwood Mac currently playing.

Just received a Bafta. Honest.

Thirteen years after I won it.

The day before my first ever Radio 1 breakfast show.

The original last seen at my former radio station, the one beginning with V. They may have been able to...

D'oh.

There goes the jingle.

CLP.

2008.

X.

Comments

  1. At 06:13 PM on 07 Mar 2008, wrote:

    so disorganised.

    I don't know.

    you need a stop watch and an alarm clock

    Oh YEs In Deedy.

  2. At 06:23 PM on 07 Mar 2008, Biggles Mum wrote:

    ARF always costs me!

    Songs I had forgotten now on my i-pod and as I can never remember who they are by - see previous blogs - easier to find!

    One of these days I will get my ARF Sylvia by Focus. Don't get chance to phone 'cos never doing anything interesting to tell at week-ends and am usually screaming off late to the post as per now!

    wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

  3. At 06:50 PM on 07 Mar 2008, m wrote:

    Wot a cop out blog Chris! Enjoy weekend folks.
    M x

  4. At 08:22 PM on 07 Mar 2008, lazykev wrote:

    cant drive...forgot to breath....a late blog.....you do like living dangerously,have a nice weekend all.

  5. At 08:48 PM on 07 Mar 2008, Tinsel wrote:

    please make the blog work properly.

    I stay in bed until I hear Chris moyles in the morning (sorry Radio 2 but Chris M makes me laugh more in the mornings!!!)

    have lovely weekends all.
    xxxx

  6. At 08:54 PM on 07 Mar 2008, dci gingembre wrote:

    Bingo...

    ..you got bail, and no you can't keep the 'cuffs, now get out of my station!!!

    KWx

  7. At 09:08 PM on 07 Mar 2008, Big Bump wrote:

    Busy man, we understand.
    This week has been mostly spent wondering how Ive reached 32 without noticing the time flying by.........
    and feeling guilty about the "interesting" dream I had involving Johnny, I cant look himself in the eye when he comes on the wireless........
    Have a great weekend all xxxx

  8. At 09:13 PM on 07 Mar 2008, phil wrote:

    No no no no no. Venice or Florence?

    Sit at one of the little cafes in St.Mark's Square as the sun goes down, the little orchestras try to out do each other to entice customers, the sun glints of the gold mosaics of the basilica. It is enchanting, and unforgettable.

    David's bum is just a bum.

    Venice every time for me.

  9. At 09:55 PM on 07 Mar 2008, Jackie wrote:

    Why do I get a woman saying "Sorry we can't bring you the programme you requested" when I try to listen to Friday March 7th's show?

  10. At 10:05 PM on 07 Mar 2008, Jackie wrote:

    Why do I get a woman saying "Sorry we can't bring you the programme you requested" when I try to listen to Friday March 7th's show?

  11. At 11:11 PM on 07 Mar 2008, Luke Warmwater wrote:

    What you on about??

  12. At 07:11 PM on 08 Mar 2008, Anne G. wrote:

    Evening each

    Been to Perth & Blairgowrie today in rain which was chucking down!!

    Bingo: We all love you dearly, but you're mad as a box of frogs.

    Anne x

  13. At 09:38 PM on 08 Mar 2008, Prof Plum wrote:


    Back from Londres one and all.

    Thankyou so much for the Birthday greetings. Very kind of you.


    Safely back home after my Birthday surprise. Now at one time, I thought it was in jeopardy. I was on the train and suddenly the guard annouced. "To the person who has pressed the emergency button in the toilet don,t worry I am on my way" Next minute the guard runs past looking all concerned. I thought OH No ... the train will be diverted to the nearest avaible station for paramedics...... Another annoucement came... Will passengers please not press the red button in the toilet please. Phew. what a relief.

    Anyway,found myself in the Victorai station area in a beauty salon. Lay on a bed with my face covered in gunk and bandages and an oxygen mask.

    Emerging some time later it was on to a fab steak bar with ponyskin chairs.

    Can't tell you anymore would get arrested. Could always share a cell with Bingo I suppose and swap stories.


    Toodle oo pp

  14. At 05:49 AM on 09 Mar 2008, gingembre wrote:

    so yesterday it finally happened, the worst day ever, my ex-wife lost her brave fight against cancer and passed away.

    We have an amazing 10 year old daughter together, I'm not sure how she is because she hasn't said much yet. I'm going back round this morning having spent most of yesterday at their house. She died after I left so I haven't seen her since, although she was remarkably calm on the phone telling me "not to worry, don't get upset" etcetc

    It is poignant to write about it on here as Chris was at his height on tv during our 'going-out' and marriage. She used to listen on Sunday afternoons whilst revising during his 'too much gravy' programme (think that's what is was called?

    Then we used to have our (big) breakfast with Chris & Gaby every morning, and I can't tell you how I drove her mad flashing the lounge light during Toothbrush!!! Then the R1 brekkie slot in the car, and Friday nights watching TFI as we got ready to go out, so it seems to me this morning that CLP was there throughout really.

    I miss her terribly already, can't begin to imagine how her new hubby and immediate family are. Sorry to ramble on...

    Chris, play a song for her this week, no need to announce it 'on air' I'll know when you do it

    Hug your families my friends out there, tell them you love them

    KWx

  15. At 11:14 AM on 09 Mar 2008, clodagh wrote:

    Mornin' all.

    Eee got smited good an' proper on Friday, ah NO maybe I've bin consigned to the Stalker box or Dunce Corner.

    Anyway what I think I was sayin' was Happy Birthday Plum and Rosie, and spookily, expressing my grave concern over the sudden and tragic disappearance of Bingo; either that he'd bin lightin' farts in 'is lorry full of kerasine again or else 'e'd bin arrested.

    Unhand that man immediately, officer. You don't know where 'e's been.

    So any road up, sounds like you had a blast, Plum, hurrah... I've experienced the old Seaweed Wrap meself, where they put you in the paper knickers and false baldy heed, (not because you need 'em, just so the staff can 'ave a laugh), slap a load of old mud from the cockle beds of Morecambe all over you, wrap you up in cling-fillum and microwave you on full power for 20 minutes then hose you down and scrub you up with Vim and half a pound of lard.

    You'll 'ave skin like a baby's bum but also tinnitus and eyes like Peter Lorre for a fortnight afterwards.

    Right well now I'm off up to Edinburgh for the week, seems I'll 'ave me work cut out on the Forth Road Bridge in these gales so watch out on the news for a pair of blondes in a Merc sailin' up the river and still steerin' like Joan Wilder.

    Oh yes. The daughter and meself went to see French & Saunders on Thursday, excellent, v. v. funny, and then The Other Boleyn Girl last night. Nice fillum, easy watching, not too much blood and gore but oh dear, Eric Bana's no Henry V111. Mind you he's a tad more convincing than Jonathan Rhys-Myers, who, having met his gorgeousness (eeeuw get me),I can tell you, is quite breathtakingly pretty in the flesh; therefore he doesn't pass remotely for Henry in my eyes.

    Henry V111, as is well documented, was, though highly intelligent, fearless and with immense charm, a power-crazed, funny-lookin' big tall ginga bloke, inclined to lapse into French now and again and prone to chubbiness due to his dodgy eatin' habits. And with even dodgier taste in trousers and headgear.

    I can't think who springs to mind can you?

    Actually, Anne Boleyn was herself no oil-painting. Charismatic, feisty and sharp, yes, but not really Natalie Portman. AND she had six fingers on one hand. Oh yes. No head, like, but six fingers.

    Still, you can't have everything can yous.

    A Bientot.

    Clodagh.xx

  16. At 11:27 AM on 09 Mar 2008, clodagh wrote:

    gingembre.

    Just to say how sad that is and what a lovely tribute. Good for you.

    Yes indeed we should all hold our loved ones close, and not waste a minute of our precious time with them on trivia and jealousies.

    Clodagh.xx

  17. At 12:06 PM on 09 Mar 2008, wrote:

    Venice every time, my mum and I flew to venice on new years day 2004 for the day and it was the most amazing day, so magical and like no other place in the world. Will definatly go back.

    Some bloke I used to fancy got married on friday, he's 22. They look like two kids getting married. Everyone is different aren't they!

  18. At 12:15 PM on 09 Mar 2008, wrote:

    Hi all

    I did have lots of things to say, but I just wanted to reply to gingembre.

    Although I don't know you my thoughts are with you. I cannot imagine what you must be going through but I hope you realise that your true friends will be there to support you and your daughter.

    Time is a great healer. It won't diminish how you feel but it will allow you to cope better as each day goes by.

    It's my birthday today (Sunday) but I'll still think of you. It really makes you want to fully appreciate your loved ones while we still have the chance.

    My best wishes to everyone

    PeeBee

  19. At 12:16 PM on 09 Mar 2008, Debbie wrote:

    Gingembre, my thoughts are with you and your family. How sad, I hope your daughter is ok.

    Lots of love
    Debbie x x

  20. At 01:12 PM on 09 Mar 2008, Anne G. wrote:

    Gingembre: So sorry for you and your wee daughter. Thinking of you.

    Anne x

  21. At 01:33 PM on 09 Mar 2008, Anne G. wrote:

    Clodagh: Enjoy Edinburgh.

    More stories of the Forth Road Bridge. Last time there was an 80 mph gale I was on the bridge when my windscreen blew in. It happened to a few others as well, and one of the tolls was demolished.

    The man driving the autoglass van on the other side of the bridge did a quick u-turn and made a fortune out of us all.

    Anne x

    PS: No tolls now, so you save £1 and wheek straight over, that's if there's not a 3 mile tailback and cones all over the road.

  22. At 02:39 PM on 09 Mar 2008, Big Bump wrote:

    Gingembre, So sorry to hear your sad news, my thoughts are with you and your little girl. xxxx

  23. At 05:08 PM on 09 Mar 2008, G wrote:

    Gingembre,

    I am so sorry to read about your loss.

    I lost my mum when I was 12 years old.

    I am now 44 yrs old and it was only very recently that I learnt something that I want to share with you that relates to the beautiful daughter that you have together.

    It will sound like these are maybe obvious words that would be said to someone but these things weren't said to me after my mother died and the absence of these words and affirmations have had profound effects on my life right up until very recently.

    I have very recently learnt that it would have been extremely helpful to me if someone had told me that I would be ok, that I would survive this terrible event that had happened in my life, that people would help me, that I would recover, that I would function normally, that my thoughts mattered, that my feelings mattered, that I would be rescued from this trauma by the people around me, that I wasn't going to disintegrate and crumble but that I would continue to be.

    Please forgive this outpouring. I apologise if you feel it is inappropriate.

    I am thinking of you all.

    Much love

    G

    ps I have made myself anonymous (sort of)....just in case there is the remotest chance that anyone who was 'close' to me ( ie my dad) at that time reads this and feels bad that they didn't say these things after my mum died.

    pps For some reason, however, I want you to know who I am....so.....on a lighter note, let's just say that between our two teams, we had a 10-goal bonanza at The Lane!!!!

  24. At 07:47 PM on 09 Mar 2008, clodagh wrote:

    G.

    Wise words, my friend.

    Can I add that we do tend to over-protect our children at times like these, when in fact it can be more distressing for them to be excluded from the process of grieving.

    If I could put back the clock and re-run just one occasion it would be to just after the death of my dearly loved dad. Our three girls were just nine, ten and eleven at the time, and though I felt they should attend his funeral, I bowed to the wishes of my mum and sister who believed that funerals were too upsetting for children, and they were kept away.

    It was only during a conversation many years later with my daughter that she became quite tearful and told me how excluded, angry and, in fact, frightened she had felt. Frightened, because I was holding back from her and, in my own grief, trying to protect her from hers.

    Nevertheless, she has grown up happy, strong, kind and courageous and my best buddy, and in the intervening years we have weathered many storms together, so I was quite amazed at this revelation.

    What children lack in life experience they compensate for in instinct. They are sharp as little razors and when we deny them their feelings, even with the best and most loving of intentions, we render them powerless and fearful.

    Gingembre. I'm sure you don't need this advice; you seem to have been fantastic. But listen to your little girl, don't hold back; and don't hold back yourself. Though traumatic and unimaginable to those of us who haven't been in this situation, this may be the most important and pivotal moment in your daughter's young life. Your role, and that of her stepfather, is crucial right now, and whatever you do is for her lovely mum.

    I wish you well.

    Clodagh.xx

  25. At 07:59 PM on 09 Mar 2008, clodagh wrote:

    G.

    Wise words, my friend.

    Can I add that we do tend to over-protect our children at times like these, when in fact it can be more distressing for them to be excluded from the process of grieving.

    If I could put back the clock and re-run just one occasion it would be to just after the death of my dearly loved dad. Our three girls were just nine, ten and eleven at the time, and though I felt they should attend his funeral, I bowed to the wishes of my mum and sister who believed that funerals were too upsetting for children, and they were kept away.

    It was only during a conversation many years later with my daughter that she became quite tearful and told me how excluded, angry and, in fact, frightened she had felt. Frightened, because I was holding back from her and, in my own grief, trying to protect her from hers.

    Nevertheless, she has grown up happy, strong, kind and courageous and my best buddy, and in the intervening years we have weathered many storms together, so I was quite amazed at this revelation.

    What children lack in life experience they compensate for in instinct. They are sharp as little razors and when we deny them their feelings, even with the best and most loving of intentions, we render them powerless and fearful.

    Gingembre. I'm sure you don't need this advice; you seem to have been fantastic. But listen to your little girl, don't hold back; and don't hold back yourself. Though traumatic and unimaginable to those of us who haven't been in this situation, this may be the most important and pivotal moment in your daughter's young life. Your role, and that of her stepfather, is crucial right now, and whatever you do is for her lovely mum.

    I wish you well.

    Clodagh.xx

  26. At 08:44 PM on 09 Mar 2008, Em M wrote:

    Gingembre - just catching up with blog, so very sorry to read your news, been feeling really down this week for some silly reason and it makes me realise how lucky I am - hope your lovely little girl cope OK.

    Em xx

  27. At 09:32 PM on 09 Mar 2008, Moose wrote:

    Thanks for playing my song Chris.

    Gingembre - thinking of you at a difficult time.

    G - well done for being brave and sharing. We know who you are, you don't need to say more!

    Signing off before another week out of the country...
    Moose

  28. At 09:44 PM on 09 Mar 2008, wrote:

    Gingembre,

    very very sorry for your loss. It's nice that you can still speak so fondly of your ex. All too often relationships break to the point of no return, and then a parting like this leaves too much unsaid.

    I lost my dad, 22 years ago now, and I was fortunate enough to speak to him on the morning of his death, and for no good reason, we hugged each other tightly, and said "i love you". I believe we were given the time to do that just before he died so we could rest easy. Because of that, I hug and kiss and tell my wee family every day.... often more than twice a day.

    Never ever take everyone around you for granted. They won't be there for ever.

  29. At 07:41 AM on 10 Mar 2008, wrote:

    Gingembre - what a terrible loss. I just wanted to let you know that in our school/church a single mum died from cancer she wasn't ill very long and it was a great shock. She left four children aged 6 8 17 (3 girls) & 19 (boy). The older children are now raising the younger girls and two years down the line with the help of the friends family and local community this new little family is doing very well.

    Be open with your daughter let her be involved and trust her ability to cope with what life has thown at her.

    Sending you and your family lots of positive vibes

    Catherine x x x x x x x

  30. At 09:38 AM on 10 Mar 2008, Prof Plum wrote:

    Very sorry to hear your news Gingembre.

    I really feel for you and your daughter.


    People sometimes have to leave us, but memories never die.

    PP x

  31. At 10:15 AM on 10 Mar 2008, Biggles Mum wrote:

    Gingembre
    So sorry about your news.
    I agree with everyone though, include your little one in everything she wants to be included in. Neice (by marriage) was the same age when she lost her Dad and she was asked her opinion on everything. She sure made it plain when she didn't agree with anything. Now a very confident 15 year old.

  32. At 11:02 AM on 10 Mar 2008, BINGO STAR wrote:

    Ello CLP & ALL Bloggers,

    Bingo Star ere.

    Gingembre - Very sorry to hear of your sad news. It must be very difficult for you & your daughter at present but I hope you both get through it, my thoughts are with you as it seems all on the blog are too.
    There's just too much of this cancer around nowadays, my auntie died of cancer a few years ago - she was only 41.
    Gingembre be strong for your daughter - it must be very hard for her losing her mother at 10 years old.
    Don't know what to say to try & help but can I just say this - remember time is the big healer & the present hurt will get ease as time moves on.


    Rosie Roo - Sorry abit late & obviously with Gingembre's sad news takes the shine away but just wanted to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO YOU" for yesterday the 9th!!!!

  33. At 11:05 AM on 10 Mar 2008, Red wrote:


    Gingembre

    I echo what eveyone has said...

    And, I agree , let her choose what she needs to do

    she 'll probably cope better than you think...

    X R

    inner peace & L . x

  34. At 11:27 AM on 10 Mar 2008, ChrissieS wrote:

    Gingembre - what can I say that can help? It's awful for you and your ex-wife's new husband. But really, really hard for your daughter. God bless her, she is trying to be brave and probably doesn't want you to think she can't cope. Children can be so strong in these circumstances.

    You have been given great advice by your friends here on the blog (G - your contribution was stunning) so I can't really add much. Except to say, that no matter how brave your daughter is trying to be, she is going to need all the support and love that everyone can muster. If she says she's "o.k." the chances are she isn't.

    But you know all this. I am thinking of you, you have some really difficult days ahead and I'll say a wee prayer that you get the strength to get through it all.

    Chrissie xx

  35. At 01:35 PM on 10 Mar 2008, Phoenix wrote:

    Playing catchup from the weekencd.

    Gingembre I feel for you indeed - trust your support network and give lots of hugs to your daughter whenever you see her and affirm how much she is cared for. G your words were wonderful.

    Off now to read more

    Phoenix
    (fingers and toes crossed this gets through)

  36. At 08:41 PM on 10 Mar 2008, AnnieMac wrote:

    Gingembre

    Just to say that along with many others, my thoughts are with you and your daughter.

    Much love

    AM

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