Long Form

For many people, Christmas is a time of light. For those of the Christian faith, it is a season of deep significance; a celebration of birth, renewal, and hope. Churches fill with carols and candles, reminding believers of something larger than themselves. Families, too, see Christmas as a long-awaited reunion. It’s the one moment in…Read moreRead more

On Sunday afternoon, it was announced that former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton had passed away. Even though he had been very open about his mental health challenges and his battles against the demons of drugs and alcohol, his death came as a shock. He was only 46 years old and he had been planning…Read moreRead more

Earlier today, I hosted the 1,000th episode of my daily LiveStream, The Break Fast Show. Before we get into the why and how I became a LiveStreamer at the (then) ripe old age of 55, let me put that into some context. My favourite band of all time is Ultravox. I was introduced to them…Read moreRead more

Get a bunch of men in the same room and, sooner or later, the conversation will turn to the all-important matter of sport. Whether they’re football, rugby or cricket fans, they will quickly divide themselves along tribal lines, each vouching for their own sport or their own team. If those men happen to work in…Read moreRead more

It’s weird, isn’t it? For decades – centuries even – the demolition and construction industry has shaped the built environment. But now, in 2025, the tables have turned. The demolition and construction industry is being shaped by the environment. The need to safeguard and protect the planet is the single, most powerful force driving the…Read moreRead more

Do you know what today is? Yes, it is a Wednesday. It is also the day before the 24th anniversary of 911. It is the birthday of golfer Arnold Palmer, actor Colin Firth, and of Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry. But, beyond that, today is World Suicide Prevention Day. In truth, the name of the day…Read moreRead more

Regular viewers will know that I have no fear of addressing controversial subjects on this show. But today, we are entering exceptionally dangerous territory; we are going to be wading into treacherous waters filled not with sharks and crocodiles but by talk of immigration and flags. But before you lash a Union flag to your…Read moreRead more

It’s weird how inspiration strikes. There I was, minding my own business, music playing in the background, when a song came on that instantly transported me back to the mid-1980s while simultaneously providing me with a useful and timely metaphor. That song, “If I was” by former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, was released almost 40…Read moreRead more

The night before last, I was sent a link to a newspaper article about a demolition gone awry. The headline read: “Norton demolition temporarily halted after digger toppled onto side among rubble”. As if that headline was not self-explanatory enough, they showed several photos of a New Holland excavator lying on its side. For all…Read moreRead more