Manchester Passion

Friday night we went down to Albert Square to join the crowd for the BBC's Manchester Passion. The idea behind this show was that it would retell the story of the last few hours of Jesus' life using the music of famous Manchester bands. Although the main stages were in Albert Square - outside the Town Hall, the story took place all over the city, with scenes happening in different places at different times, all broadcast live. It's the kind of thing that could so easily have been a disaster. It could've been cheesy, it could've rained, it could've had dick-heads sticking two fingers up in the background. But I have to say Aunty Beeb pulled a blinder - an absolute success. It's a shining example of the value of the BBC, and that when it works it can brave, risk-taking and innovative.

Monty for England

I don't normally do this, but given the crappy timeslot we've been landed with, we need all the help we can get!


So, make sure you tune in to Monty for England on BBC1, Wednesday at 11.40pm:


Monty Panesar insists he's just a lad from Luton who loves cricket, but as the young spin bowler becomes the first Sikh ever to play for England, fans and media alike treat him as something special. Marking Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year, this film follows Monty to India, the birthplace of his religion and his parents

STOP PRESS: Now available on the BBC Media Player.

Room with a View/Rear Window

At last! My new window, for which I submitted a planning application last July, was finally installed this weekend. Top marks to the builder for doing what others said impossible and completing the job from the inside of the apartment (meaning I didn't need to hire any scaffolding. Phew!) I'm so pleased about this I can't tell you. It felt like it was never going to happen. To put it in context, since submitting the application last summer, the Beetham tower has gone from this to this. I can finally breathe fresh (well, okay: cool) air and won't have to face another summer of stifling heat! Hurrah!!