Archives for November 2008
Time for some payback
From Monday 1 December, in England offenders serving community service orders like scrubbing off graffiti or tidying the roadside will do it wearing orange jackets with "Community Payback" in large capital letters on their back. The government says the idea is to make punishment more visible and remind us that lawbreakers face consequences.
They'll be in orange to distiguish them from the more common yellow jackets. We've been given exclusive access to a work party clearing the towpath by the River Thames near Hampton Court Palace in South West London.
On Friday Shelagh joined three offenders: Wayne, 21; Sunny, 20; and 24-year-old Rob Fairbairn. They are the first to wear the jackets, and told Shelagh what they thought of the idea. You can listen below.
What is Britain's favourite Carol?
This was the burning topic we were discussing on this morning's show, in my opinion it would have to be Carol Vorderman, however before I get put on the naughty step by the editor for being silly, I better explain that I meant Britain's favourite Christmas carol.
In a close-run poll carried out by BBC Music Magazine, the carol that hit the number one spot and was voted ahead of well-known favourites including Once in Royal David's City, Ding Dong Merrily on High and Silent Night was....
In the Bleak Midwinter
A bit of a surprise in my opinion, I'd rather hear a burst of 'O Come All Ye Faithful' while I munch on a mince pie. But I'm not arguing with the 51 directors of music who voted.
To accompany the results of the poll, we were lucky enough to be joined in the studio by Cantabile - a London Quartet. They've given over 2,000 live performances and this morning they huddled around a microphone in the Breakfast studio and sung 28 different carols for us, in 2 and a half minutes. Yes, 28 carols in 2 and a half minutes.
Have a listen to the performance below and see how many carols you recognise.
And if you were wondering what other songs made the top 10, have a look below.
1. In the Bleak Midwinter
2. In Dulci Jubilo
3. A Spotless Rose
4. Bethlehem Down
5. Lully, Lulla
6. Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day
7. There is No Rose
8. O Come All Ye Faithful
9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten
10. What Sweeter Music
Award-winning story
5live reporter Gavin Lee has won an award for his story about football agents in Nigeria.
His scoop won Sports Story of the Year at the Foreign Press Association Media Awards 2008.
The story ran on 5live Breakfast and many other BBC outlets and it was the documentary version which ran on the BBC World Service which gained the award.
Sorry love, what's your name?
Using words such as 'dearie' or 'love' when talking to older people is set to be ruled out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
In the Guidance for Care of Older People report nurses will be told that they should always speak to older people 'courteously and respectfully' and address them as adults, without using such words as 'love', except when they are part of everyday speech. Instead it advises calling patients by their preferred names.
Hang on a minute - did I just read that right? "Such language shouldn't be used 'unless it is part of everyday speech". I'm not from up North myself but my housemate's gran is and whenever she rings up (not me, but my housemate) and I happen to answer the phone she often finishes her sentence with "thanks love".
Lost in space
NASA astronauts working on the International Space Station accidentally let a tool bag drift off into orbit last week. No bigger than a brief case, it's now hurtling around the earth at more than seventeen thousand miles an hour. Astronomers reckon the bag is visible from earth. Really? Our reporter Rowan Bridge went out last night to try and see it.
Lost for words
It's not often Shelagh is lost for words.
But this morning, she was struggling for speech when she heard about the suggestion that women would do more sport if it was a bit more like shopping.
The suggestion has come from Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation.
The problem - we were told - is that facilities for many women doing sport are just not good enough. They are used to individual cubicles and modern, clean toilet facilities - not the sort of thing you find in the average sports pavilion, where there's little modesty and often not much more in the way of cleanliness.
Have a listen back to the item below:
Chuck in London texted to say it's not just the women who want a better deal: This is insulting to men. Do you think men like dirty dressing rooms and walking around an open changing room with their bits hanging out?
Kate in Gloucester emailed us: I know this business about giving women a different experience at the sports hall sounds a bit patronising, but I think there's a valid point - and they're not aiming this new iniative at Annabel Croft or those who already regularly use gyms and put up with the facilities.
They're aiming it at people like me.
I don't go to the gym or my local leisure centre for just the reasons Sue is outlining. My local municipal centre literally stinks, of mildew and damp and too much bleach, the floors are wet rubber, there are nowhere near enough changing cubicles, it's like being back at school when the worst thing about going swimming was getting changed.
Give the woman a break - I would certainly go more often if the whole experience was better run and more pleasant, rather than doing my lonely exercise on my cycling machine at home where it's warm and I can have a power shower in privacy afterwards.
WILLIAM, it was really nothing
Arsenal Captain William Gallas has broken the unwritten rule of being a team mate: "What's said in the dressing room, stays in the dressing room". It's one of sports great cliches, a bit like "what goes on tour stay on tour "but that wouldn't make sense in this situation.
He became Mr Grumpy at Chelsea even, we're told, threatening to score an own goal if he didn't get a move. In the end, he got that move as he went north as another hero to the Arsenal fans, Ashley Cole, headed west. Before long, Arsene Wenger promoted him to captain.
The dictionary's definition of captain is...."One who commands, leads, or guides others, especially a designated leader of a sports team".
Think Russell Crowe in Gladiator, think John Terry on Wednesday (awful mistake that led to goal but scores to rectify). Then think of Gallas, yes that's the one that sits on the pitch and cries when Arsenal have a bad game against Birmingham, the one that tells the secretive press that his team mates are falling out, and that one of his colleagues insults and harasses the other players.
I know how they feel. I got into work by 6 o'clock this morning and before i'd even logged on my computer I had my editor barking at me. He wanted to know who we could speak to about this and he expected an answer even I hadn't even had my obligatory cup of coffee. I think the Arsenal players have it lucky, they don't have to try and wake up Martin Keown at 7am. For those of you who don't know it's actually illegal to call footballers before 9am.
I eventually tracked down Perry Groves who played over 150 times for Arsenal and got him to chat to Rachel and Nicky. He was wide awake....and was keen to tell us his views
There may be unrest in the Arsenal camp but at least they don't have a full-blooded mutiny on their hands which is what will happen on this show unless things start to change. It's been a while since we won some silverware too you know (although more recently than Arsenal.Ed).
Falling back in love with football
When England failed to qualify for this years European Championships I fell out of love with football. I was pleased that we had the Beijing games to look forward to so I could find myself a new favourite sport. Then came along Fabio.
I don't think Capello's first year in charge couldn't have gone much better really - his record reads played 10, won eight, drawn one, with the only blip being the 1-0 defeat by France in March. It finished on a high beating Germany 2-1 in Berlin - a feat no team has achieved since 1973, the year the Vietnam war drew to a close and the year Pink Floyd released the album "Dark Side of the Moon".
But all the build up to this match focussed on who wasn't there.
No Gerrard, no Lampard, no Rooney, no Hargreaves, no Walcott, neither Ashley or Joe Cole....in fact only Goalkeeper David James, Captain John Terry and Gareth Barry were the only players from Capello's first XI that started. Not that you can generally guess his starting line up.
So how did a young, inexperienced England brush aside Germany - a team that came third in 2006 World Cup and runners up in this year European Championship?
The answer is that Capello has completely shaken up the England camp and changed the mentality of what it means to wear the England shirt, and what is expected of you. Gone are the Playstations and card tables, gone are the days of high jinx at the team hotel. Instead Capello broke down the egos like a Boot Camp Sergeant (not the strictly come dancing one) before slowly building them up together as a team....and that's the key word here, TEAM.
England have been criticised for years as a group of individuals who can perform of the highest stage for their clubs but not for their country. This is changing.
Capello has not shyed away from making big decisions, just ask Michael Owen. Not many international managers would have the guts to drop their most prolific striker but that's exactly what he has done. Not many expected Capello to go with Walcott over Beckham against Croatia.
The Italian has proved that a football team must work together and that each player is like a cog in a machine, each must play his own important role. That is how Greece won the European Championships in 2004, and that is why England's "second string" comfortably beat Germany. But German fans will always tell you that they only play well in competitive tournaments, they have that killer winning instinct that takes years to develop so let's not get carried away.
England may not have yet qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but they are well on their way, but one things for sure, i'm excited and I care about England again....although I think winning a penalty shoot out is still some way off.
Hazel Blears is a tap dancer
Things we learnt this morning.
Hazel Blears (the MP for Salford and a government minister) is also a tap dancer.
It's the sort of fact that is emerging in the wake of Sergy-gate - the national controversy over the continued presence in Strictly Come Dancing of John Sergeant.
Our political reporter Joanna Shinn waltz'd (sorry that's terrible) down to Westminster to see if she could find any more potential dancers. Listen to her report below.
Plus there are more closet dancers, yesterday we learnt that Business Secretary Peter Mandelson also reckons himself on the dance floor "I do quite a good American Smooth" he told us, although he added " I don't want to boast".
So, does it matter if personality is winning over talent? Nicky spoke to Fenia Vardanis who came up with the idea of the show for the BBC. Listen to the interview below.
Noel's story
This country has, we're told, the third highest number of people wanting to end their life with the help of a group in Switzerland called Dignitas.
According to the group, there are seven hundred and twenty five Britons on the list. Only Germany and Switzerland have more.
5 live spent a day filming Noel Martin who is one of those people who had decided to end his life.
Santa school!
We've sent our intrepid reporter Andrew Fletcher on one of his toughest assignments yet.
Andrew has gone to Santa School - to find out just what it takes to become an assistant to the big man in red.
Take it away, Andrew...
King of the Flingers
Stoke City's Rory Delap may have an amazing throw-in but, ten years ago, former Tranmere Rovers player Dave Challinor officially held the record for the world's longest throw-in. So feared was he that opposition teams wouldn't even give him a towel to dry his hands at away games - League throw out the towel
He may not be the record holder anymore but on Friday's programme Dave gives us a masterclass on how to get maximum distance on the ball. Here you can see what happened when he tried to match his own record with the help of our reporter Stephen Chittenden.
Watch Dave share his tips for launching a big throw-in:
English football: "starved of cash and treading water"
It's not a new point - but this time the argument carries some real weight because of who is saying it.
In a frank interview with Radio 5 live, Sir Trevor Brooking, the Director of Football Development at the Football Association, says he's frustrated that a lack of investment in coaching players at schoolboy level means homegrown talent will fail to make an impact in the Premier League and on the international stage.
He also claims that England is lagging behind other countries and that in 10 years time English football will not be where it should be.
Here's Nicky speaking to Brian Alexander, who interviewed Sir Trevor:
You can hear the full interview with Sir Trevor and all the reaction to what he has said in "Football's Fame Academy" - a special report by Brian Alexander in tonight's 5 live Sport from 7pm.
Welcome to HMP Hewell
On Wednesday Nicky is live from HMP Hewell. He arrived on Tuesday afternoon and spent the rest of the day speaking to a variety of people who'll you'll hear in the programme.
He'll be talking to the governor of the prison, inmates and those who live in the area, as well as Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Justice.
We'll be adding more audio and pictures to the blog throughout the morning so please check back to see and hear more.
Tuesday: HMS Illustrious
Breakfast's reporter Stephen Chittenden went aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious to mark the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day.
Amanda Peak's interview
Amanda Peak - whose two sons were killed by Ipswich player Luke McCormick's dangerous driving - says the club should apologise to her after midfielder David Norris celebrated a goal at the weekend by showing support for his team-mate. He appeared to make a "handcuff" gesture.
Hear her interview below.
Jon Culshaw is... Barack Obama
George Bush's time in the White House is nearly up and with his passing also goes a source of rich material for comedians .
President Bush has provided so much material for impressionists the world over, it's a wonder he hasn't charged!
But comics need to take on a new character now in the form of Barack Obama. So who better to get in to road test their new impression than comedian Jon Culshaw.
Watch the video below to see Jon doing what he does best live on the show this morning.
The verdict on President-to-be Obama
You may remember we heard a lot from Lady Lykez on the programme earlier in the year giving her perspective on the big talking point at the time - teen gangs and knife crime.
She is a performer whose real name is Malaika Hendrickson. Her views, as a black teenager growing up in London, sparked a lot of response from listeners. She spoke for a group of people we rarely hear on the radio - and she had many interesting things to say.
We're going to hear from her again on Friday's programme at the end of a week when the crowning of the first black Formula One world champion was merely the opening act for the biggest story of the week - actually, year - when Barack Obama was elected America's next President.
Bernie Ecclestone on Hamilton
Bernie Ecclestone has played down the extent to which Lewis Hamilton was racially abused by fans in Spain, when they painted themselves black and wore wigs.
We spoke to the President and CEO of F1 on Breakfast this morning - and asked about Hamilton's amazing achievement in only his second season.
We also asked for his views on the stick Hamilton has taken from his fellow drivers and from the fans, especially the racial abuse he suffered in Spain.
Listen again to the Bernie Ecclestone interview below.
---------------------UPDATE---------------------
Statement from FIA
An FIA spokesman said "discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or society, and everyone in our sport will join us in condemning these abusive and hateful comments (i.e. the ones on the Spanish website). We have condemned the actions in Spain and the comments on that website - we have even launched a campaign for equality in sport - everyrace.net."
Hamilton response
Lewis Hamilton responded "I didn't see it as a joke. It's something that happened but it is in the past," he said.
"What's more important to me is that I had a lot of support, especially from
UK fans.
"As long as I have my country behind me it makes me very proud. It makes me
very proud to see my fellow countrymen holding up the flag.
"All the other stuff I need to put behind me. I don't generally keep up with
what's being said and I haven't read what Bernie said.
"But I know Bernie and have a huge amount of respect for him."
Read more of Hamilton's response here.
Don't forget you can download the Chequered Flag podcast for all the reaction to Lewis Hamilton's World Championship victory.
When Shelagh met Fergie
We sent the the Queen of Breakfast to meet the Duchess of York.
Shelagh was interviewing Fergie about being accused of starting a smear campaign against Turkey, for secretly visiting Turkish orphanages to expose their conditions.
Sarah Ferguson and her daughters spent several weeks in Turkey and Romania and discovered horrific treatment of disabled and unwanted children. But Turkey's minister for women and family has claimed she's trying to ruin the country's image ahead of a vote on whether it should be allowed to join the EU.
You can listen again to the interview below, the audio is hard hitting at times so if you're easily upset by descriptions of neglect you may not want to listen.
Can he fix it?
Lots of listeners were quick to point out similarities between the President elect of America - Barack Obama - and Bob the Builder.
It came as Mr Obama repeatedly used the phrase "yes we can" during his victory speech - a phrase many people this side of the Atlantic think was coined by the best of British odd-job men.
"Felipe Massa is world champion - NO!"
Were you listening to the extraordinary closing stages of the Brazilian Grand Prix?
If you need a reminder, you can listen back to the whole race online in the BBC iPlayer.
"I've never seen anything like it" said our commentator David Croft moments after he thought he was calling home Massa as the world champion - only for Lewis Hamilton to clinch the title with a last gasp move past Timo Glock... to clinch the vital 5th place.
"And there's absolutely no chance for Lewis Hamilton to get back. They're throwing their hats into the air in the crowd here in Interlagos because Felipe Massa, with Lewis Hamilton coming home to take sixth place, is world champion. No! Lewis Hamilton's up to fifth! Lewis Hamilton has made it up to fifth by the end of the line! Ferrari think they've won it. Our timing screen says that's Lewis Hamilton's fifth and Timo Glock is sixth and there's confusion at Ferrari -- but I'll tell you what, the times say Lewis Hamilton is the winner."
On Monday's Breakfast programme we'll reflect on Hamilton's extraordinary achievement to be the youngest-ever world champion - and we'll compile congratulatory messages for Lewis. We'll send them on to the team HQ after the programme...
UPDATE: 08:22 Monday 3rd Nov
We spoke to Keiran Crawley, who worked closely as a mechanic and engineer with Lewis Hamilton in his early karting days, and one of the greatest ever British Formula 1 drivers, Sir Stirling Moss - have a listen back to the interviews here:
Don't forget you can download the Chequered Flag podcast for all the reaction to an amazing victory for Hamilton.
A day at the races
On Sunday we're broadcasting live from the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Manchester velodrome. If you weren't up early enough to catch it live, you can listen again to the programme in iPlayer.
Our journey to the velodrome started at a ridiculously early time yesterday morning when we boarded a train from London to Manchester, as soon as we arrived we were recording interviews, editing audio and shooting video to ensure it was all ready for the show on Sunday.
Not sure how we wangled it but we managed to set up our make-shift 5 live studio slap bang in the middle of the velodrome.
During the programme you'll hear how Phil got on at his first visit to a Cycling World Cup. Phil kept a video diary of his day at the races and you can watch it below.
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5LNPI: Is Katie Price our creation? 23 Nov 09
10:14 Mon, 23 Nov 09
Katie Price - or Jordan as she's sometimes known - has walked out of the TV reality show I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. She's complained about the public picking on her all week, and she genuinely divides opinion. So is she our creation? Does she simply reflect us?
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