Lyric writer for numerous musicals since 1965. Some did quite well.
Joined May 2010
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9 Nov 2025
Matt is a genius artist at the top of his form. Yesterday and today in Telegraph absolute genius. It's not just the actual gag but the bewilderment of his characters with which we all identify.
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7 Oct 2025
Dame Jilly Cooper - simply one of the most charming, witty, honest and gorgeous women of her time. A great chronicler of British life and people - and perhaps above all brilliantly funny. No rivals. She was unique. And lovely. RIP
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19 Sep 2025
Happy Happy Birthday Pete Murray. 100 today! Great broadcaster. I have many good memories of being on one of his many radio shows over the years and just as good memories of listening to him in the sixties way before I ever thought I'd meet him. So glad I did.
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Tim Rice retweeted
26 Aug 2025
This is what London used to look like 🧵
1. London Bridge commuters in 1984
x.com/WorldByWolf/status/182…
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11 Aug 2025
One of my favourite actors, Ray Brooks (The Knack, Cathy Come Home etc) has died. He should have been an even bigger star; I particularly loved his subtle approach to portrayal of apparently confident characters who were never quite as bold as they seemed. RIP Ray and thanks.
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18 Jul 2025
So many stars of my teen/pre-teen years leaving the stage. RIP Connie Francis one of the greatest, ballads or rock. Queenly, emotional voice. Only Brenda Lee matched her recording impact in late 50s/early 60s. She recorded 3 songs by my pal Don Black. I'm v.jealous. All Connie fans sorry now.
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15 Jun 2025
So good that Elaine Paige is now Dame Elaine. The only mystery is why she had to wait so long. I often wonder if she hadn't been so brilliant in creating the role of Eva Peron in the original production of Evita in 1978 whether the young writers' careers might have taken a less spectacular course. We writers need great interpreters of our stuff and EP sure delivered.
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11 Jun 2025
RIP Brian Wilson. Fun fun fun & now I've grown up to be a man (debateable) I still love his greatest hits. If you were around in the 60s you had to. Irresistible melodies and sophisticated and/or funny lyrics that made us all want to sample California. God only knows how he achieved so much in just a few magnificent years.
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11 Jun 2025
Freddie Forsyth was one of the great novelists of his age. He would have been a great one in any age. I was honoured to have known him well and to have enjoyed and respected his robust views. He packed two centuries of life into his 86 years. RIP
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29 May 2025
Sorry to learn that John Peters has died. I loved his weekly 1950s chart run down on Boom Radio. He was a giant of local radio, notably in Nottingham and knew his stuff! Tempus fugit.... RIP
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25 May 2025
Very sad news. The amazing Alan Yentob has died. He had the most extraordinary career supporting and reporting so many aspects of culture with artistic authority and expertise. A giant of television who (famously) knew everyone. So glad I got to know him well in recent years. RIP
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25 May 2025
Terrific day for Sunderland yesterday. Thrilled to be at Wembley for the return from 8 years in wilderness. Took me a while to remember that the blokes in the red and white stripes were the oppo but by half time I was on top of the situation. Ha'way the lads!
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16 May 2025
Charles Strauss, composer of so many great musicals including Annie, Rags, I & Albert, Bye-bye Birdie and Applause has died aged 96. A long run such as that enjoyed by many of his wonderful works. Funny, relaxed gent. Much of his work will still be enjoyed in 96 years time. RIP
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17 May 2025
My apologies, but moronic spellcheck changed Charles Strouse to Strauss as in Johann.
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16 May 2025
Just done 22nd show of 35-show tour of UK/Ireland. All have gone remarkably well, Palladium obviously a highlight but Malvern audience tonight just as enthusiastic. 22 standing ovations so far. Unless it's punters wanting to leave early. Coventry, Leeds, Leicester next 3 up.
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16 May 2025
Interesting in our frantic times that the useful conversational expression “to cut a long story short” is usually now cut to “long story short” thus a victim of its own quest for cutbacks
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9 May 2025
RIP Alan O'Duffy, outstanding recording engineer/producer, a vital part of the first success by unknowns ALW & me - the original JC Superstar album 1970. Big, charming, gentle man, brilliant behind the recording desk, funny, musical, friend for life I'm glad to say.
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