Strictly line-up left me asking: who are they?
WHO? The question has to be asked after the full line-up of so-called celebrities for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing was announced.
Someone I met in Hinckley said it was obvious I watch a lot of telly but there’s little else for an isolating pensioner to do and, as the licence fee is a hefty bill on a limited budget, I do look for value for money on the highest rated light entertainment TV show.
To be fair some of the names are slightly familiar: Jacqui Smith, the former Home Secretary and Caroline Quentin, for instance, but they are exceptions.
Bill Bailey has been asked to go home for years but is still around so it will be interesting to see if he complies when he is voted off as he surely will be before long.
And what does one make of boxer Nicola Adams being in the first all-female pairing? It certainly
gives a new meaning to the ladies’ excuse me or should that be ladies? Excuse me!
For the rest, how many have heard of Hrvy (not a typo), Jason Bell, Clara Amfo or Ranvir Singh and the others? One of them might surprise us.
Will I be watching? You bet.
Squirrel sighting
Living close to a park, I suppose I should not be surprised to see wildlife on occasions but a first sighting (for me at least) of a squirrel in my road provided a delightful diversion.
It had obviously lost its way as my house is at the top of a cul-desac.
I watched for some time as it scurried up and down each drive, finding each a blind alley or dead end then retracing the route with the same result.
It eventually took off down the centre and sensing familiar ground must have found its way home – better than the telly any day!
Toilet tags?
When one of the charities I subscribe to sent me tickets for their next raffle they also enclosed some sticky name and address tags but the gift seems to be of little use.
It said: “These labels are for you to use at your convenience” but what value are they stuck in my toilet?
Readers’ response
I need to get out more! In my infrequent social gatherings, it has been pleasing to find people coming up to identify themselves as readers of this column and I thank them for their kindness to an old hack!
All these joined Brian Gethin who contacted me by email after my last piece to say that he too is among my regulars.