Gyles Brandreth

[Howyoudoin]

I’ve always been a fan but actually just listened to my first ever podcast which he does with Susie Dent from Dictionary Corner, Countdown fame, which is all about words and how they got their name etc.

They are now up to podcast number 99 so it’s fair to say that I’m a bit behind, but if you are interested in words, crosswords, Gyles and Susie, I suggest listening to this Crossword History special which is both enlightening and hilarious: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t ... 0505721605

I had no idea that crosswords were invented in the US and caused such a scandal both sides of the Atlantic in the 1920s.

HYD

[88V8]

I always enjoy listening to him on Just a Minute.

He was an MP from 92-97, imagine he might have progressed quite well if he'd continued.

V8

[AleisterCrowley]

Friend of Kenneth Williams too ! I love the KW diaries

[csearle]

Coaxed my e-girlfriend Alexa into playing the latest podcast to me late last night. Loved it, although there were way, way too many new words for me to remember, even though some of them I'm keen to try out on unsuspecting friends/Fools. Thing is that she kept going back through the episodes so I kept waking up through the night and picking up yet more words from Susie (I think Alexa may be getting a tad jealous). She was still at it this morning.

I need to find a way of noting the best words without moving. Thanks for the link HYD.

C.

[Redmires]

You might enjoy this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b0b92wy4

BBC Radio 4. Teenage Diaries with Gyles Brandreth

[Bouleversee]

I heard that a week or so ago and found it very entertaining. Is it all true?

I seem to remember some scandal surrounding him when he was an MP but can't recall what it was. Anyone?

[Arborbridge]

I always enjoy listening to him on Just a Minute.

He was an MP from 92-97, imagine he might have progressed quite well if he'd continued.

V8

No way: far too reasonable and not enough of a partisan ideologue to fit in. He also has a sense of humour, which seems to have died out in politics since post William Hague.

Arb.

[PhaseThree]

I heard that a week or so ago and found it very entertaining. Is it all true?

I seem to remember some scandal surrounding him when he was an MP but can't recall what it was. Anyone?

Not him - He was good friends with Neil Hamilton (Cash for Questions) and refused to believe the bribery allegations against him.He continued to support his friend well beyond the point when the rest of the country (or the press at least) had condemned him.

[bungeejumper]

I seem to remember some scandal surrounding him when he was an MP but can't recall what it was. Anyone?

I think he was one of a prominent few who outed various sex pests in the nineties and noughties. And he also annoyed his fellow politicians with a book that blew the gaff on how policy had been enforced during John Major's Conservative government.

But otherwise I know of no connection with scandal. Married 48 years. Plays up his cuddly teddy bear image, but that's the camouflage for a mind which is somewhat sharper than it looks.

BJ

[Mike4]

I always enjoy listening to him on Just a Minute.

He was an MP from 92-97, imagine he might have progressed quite well if he'd continued.

V8

No way: far too reasonable and not enough of a partisan ideologue to fit in. He also has a sense of humour, which seems to have died out in politics since post William Hague.

Arb.

Disagree. Our current PM has a wonderful sense of humour. Just look at his choice of cabinet, for example

[Bouleversee]

Not to mention the proposed fund raising exercise to raise money to pay for his unbelievably expensive alterations to his accommodation at No. 10 which he can't afford to pay for himself.