BBC - Radio 1 - Greg James

Jordin Sparks...

Greg James — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:34:56 +0000

I had a lovely interview with Jordin Sparks on the final big show before my holiday today.

Bye bye everyone! I'm off to catch Venga Airways to Lanzarote. See you in a week!

A new craze? Kind of.

Greg James — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:17:13 +0000

I used to do this at Uni (I will try and dig out the photo) but it appeared in the papers yesterday that people are starting a new craze by lying down in odd places and taking photos of it. Like this:

Why not do your own and send it to me?!

Beaten by a girl...

Greg James — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:39:35 +0000

I had a fantastic morning at the home of cricket, Lords, yesterday. Excitement is building for The Ashes which starts tomorrow! If you don't know what the Ashes are, then have a look at this brief history. Suffice it to say, that it is one of the greatest sporting rivalries bewteen England and Australia.

Although the majority of the attention will be on the men's game, the England women's team are also playing Australia. It has been in the press lately about the incredible success of the team, They are world champions and currently hold the Ashes. The women's game has come a long way since the days of them running around in skirts. It has taken years of hard work for the women's game to be at the level it is now and it's brilliant for the future of cricket.

Now, I went along to see just how good they are. I had a practice session with them. Turns out - very. I got bowled by a girl. World champions though, so no shame really.

I love a bit of cricket and used to play loads, but haven't for a couple of years and was a bit rusty!

JAM TV...

Greg James — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:47:53 +0000

So, bear with me on this one. Calvin Harris had a rant last night about some TV woman getting him to do a rubbish interview where he had to open some a jar of jam three times. He ranted about this on his Twitter and it made me laugh a lot as he got more and more angry as the night went on. So much so, that he created 'JAM TV' where he wants to get as many people to film themselves opening jam.

His original one is on YouTube. Search for 'Jam TV Episode 1'

Here is my one. Have a go yourself and I'll put it on this blog! GO!

Take That.

Greg James — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:06:43 +0000

I was bleating on about this on the show today. I'm not the biggest Take That fan in the world but they're kind of hard to ignore and not love them even a little bit! My theory is everyone loves at least one Take That record. My favourite is 'Never Forget' and I played it this morning at about 6:15 if you care to listen again. I also played out my exclusive recordings from the gig. On my phone. BUT - it was before Chris played out the official highlights! Again, another exclusive for the big show.

Here's a selection of photos from the gig. It was mega.

Mum and Dad loving it:

Chris played out an hour of highlights this morning from 9. Listen to them here

Wimbledon...

Greg James — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:44:57 +0000

I decided to pop down to Wimbledon yesterday and queue up for some ground pass tickets which allow you to wander the grounds and all the courts except the good ones basically. It took about 3 and a half hours but was well worth it as it's a great place to spend a lazy day.

Here are a few photos from the day:

Look! It's all the officials you see on TV. Just 'chillin'

I was sat on Court 3, looked up to the posh person lunch bit and saw....Sir Cliff! (He's in the red jacket).

I sneaked in to David Garrido's (from Newsbeat) amazing commentary box position. So cool:

Have a look at David's videos from the last two weeks including the infamous "grunt tennis" one!

I then snaked my way down to pretty much courtside, without the security seeing me. It's a beautiful place:

Mark live in Canada!

Greg James — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:59:30 +0000

This morning, I spoke to our man travelling the Americas on his bike for a new BBC One documentary. I'm following his progress on the show and he's currently in Canada! Look!

This is him talking to me on his satellite phone in Canada. Cool eh? That's his bicycle too. Obviously.

It's all over...

Greg James — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:25:22 +0000

So it's done for another year. The bins are being emptied, the toilets hosed down and the stages dismantled. What an amazing weekend it was. There are loads of video highlights here so you can relive it all.

I am ruined right now - it took me 5 hours to get back to London to do the show yesterday afternoon and I feel a bit lost after being in such a brilliant place. It's the feeling you get after a big night out - you don't want it to end and you kind of want it to start all over again.

I want to go back though next year but will be worried the weather won't be any good!

A few final shots:

This perfectly sums up the end of Glastonbury. Someone's wacky shades stamped into the drying mud.

And I met these lovely Radio 1 listeners whilst out and about:

Easy like a Sunday morning...

Greg James — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:26:23 +0000

Up at a more respectable hour this morning so had about 5ish hours of sleep.

Totally amazing night last night. Maximo Park, a little bit of Kasabian and A LOT of Pendulum. They were so good:

The crowd on The Other Stage:

It was then on to 'Trash City' - basically the freaks all come out there and there's a club which is a giant pinball machine. I know how 'hilariously random' yar yar yar etc...Here's me with one of said freaks:

And saw this weird fire breathing thing. Don't remember much about Trash City really. Very tired by then.

The sun sets on Saturday...

Greg James — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:01:52 +0000

What a day. Just before I go mental to Pendulum, here are a couple of snaps.

I gave in to the Maximo in the end. Predictably.

Kasabian are just finishing up behind me. I am a Glastonbury convert. I can understand why people like Jo Whiley come back year after year. If I didn't come back, I would feel like I would be missing out.

Me wet wiping my underarms. Form an orderly queue ladies...and yes, I know, my glasses are awesome.

And finally...People queuing for a dump:

Worst alarm call ever...

Greg James — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:45:00 +0000

...Chappers and Dave. As much as I love them both, they are not the most welcome voices to hear at 7.30am after a rough night's sleep in a tent after going to sleep at 3.

This place is so good though and in a way, you don't want to waste time sleeping through it.

Was up early then and was set a challenge to find a live act to do an inpromptu Live Lounge for us. It didn't happen as no one was up early except people picking up litter and mums and dads with little kids.

No one here. Too early:

Me in some weird dug out in the ground at the healing fields. It was called "The Earth":

Wasn't sure whether to go and get St. John's Ambulance service for this chap:

MINI UPDATES...

Greg James — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:04:32 +0000

Don't forget this little beauty for mini updates from 'the farm'.

WOW.

Greg James — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:48:06 +0000

Well, I didnt know what to expect but this place is totally surreal. So massive and almost too much going on. A few bits I've seen today/tonight:

Lady Gaga and her undercarriage (she wasn't wearing undercrackers)
The Streets
Annie Mac's Mash Up on the BBC Introducing Stage
Friendly Fires
and Lily Allen, who I saw backstage too looking lovely.

and I only got here at 6. Great day but totally shattered as haven't really slept since my show this morning.

Time to cuddle up in the tent with my boss now. Oh joy.

I didn't know what to expect from this place but so far it is mind blowing. Too much mud though.

I'm on air all weekend on every show starting at 7:45pm with Chappers and Dave. Going to try and find my tent now and get a bit of sleep before the sun wakes me up.

Here's me and Annie, obviously:

I'm here!

Greg James — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:39:53 +0000

Not without problems though of course. Self inflicted mind you. I packed absolutely everything, or so I thought. Except my ticket. Idiot. Anyway, luckily, I got in after much persuasion.

I'm sitting in the BBC compound with my snazzy new wellies on. They've got painted raindrops on them, if you care.

Already seen Annie Mac, Grimmy and Reggie on site and just watched the amazing Friendly Fires on The Other Stage.

All I have to do now if try and locate various mates who are dotted around the festival. This could prove to be very difficult as the phone reception is rubbish at best.

I found a place to sleep though. Jo's options of a transvestite and a tree house weren't the best, and the only place to stay tonight is sharing a tent with my boss Piers. Oh well. At least it's on site and will be dry. But if he starts talking about audience research and how to develop the show - I'm off.

Friendly Fires on The Other Stage:

Cor Blimey Guv'

Greg James — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:23:59 +0000

From Katy Perry's Twitter yesterday. Her in the bath eating pizza. Nothing more to add!