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Into town today for two or three hours of cancer chat. First I was interviewed by a journalist from the Independent and then a long interview for Radio 4 for a series about what happens when you have cancer. Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving.
The first interview was in the bar of the Soho Theatre and I spotted Jenny Eclair's daughter, Phoebe at one of the other tables. I used to share Edinburgh flats with Jenny in the 90s and so have known Phoebe since she was a little girl. Now she is a very successful playwright. I was going to pop over and say hello, but by the time I'd finished my interview he was deep in conversation with some theatry person and I didn't want to risk wrecking a possible commission. I left the theatre, turned right and then right again and who was coming towards me? It was her mum, Jenny. I was about to say hello and ask if she was going to meet Phoebe but then realised it was in fact Su Pollard. I just walked on, laughing that I could make such a mistake. What a life Jenny must have if even her good friends can make this error.
Apparently Su later tweeted that she'd passed Charley Boorman in the street. Not really, but there must have been times when two people have met, mistaken each other for two different people and had a conversation and now I want to be there to see that.
Don't know how much I can say about the Radio 4 show, but it was a candid discussion about my experience and the host's rather more frightening story of having prostate cancer. We talked for ages and they won't be able to use everything, but it's great to have this stuff talked about openly and honestly. I learned a lot about prostate cancer that I did not know and once again feel I got off very lightly with just losing a nut. But we laughed a lot at each other's predicaments. It is, for me, the only way to face up to something so horrible and scary.
I managed a lightning fast Stone Clear this evening. Warning - contains dog diarrhoea NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK (I've just heard from someone who had that bit overheard by a colleague and has now presumably had to get a new job)
And a very funny RHLSTP with Ted Lasso legend and a man still in his forties, Lloyd Griffith.
Listen here.
