Island Life Magazine Ltd November/December 2005 | Page 15

JOHN HANNAM

Bruce Forsyth

one of those things."
I've been so lucky and have enjoyed visits to the homes of many
famous people and in the cases of Bruce Forsyth, Amanda Redman,
Dame Vera Lynn, the late Sir John Mills and Virginia McKenna they
were quite wonderful and so very hospitable. Michael Winner was a
little different. He kept me waiting for nearly an hour, was very
gruff when we met and complained because I had a double mike
stand for a more relaxed interview. "Why can't you have one mike
like everyone else - and hurry up, I haven't got all day," bellowed
Michael. In the end I set up both mikes and hoped for the best.
When the recording began he was a perfect guest
until he threatened to throw me out unless I
brought the interview to a close, as he had
someone waiting to see him. I just about made it. I
think Michael just plays along with his grumpy
image. I've recently read his book and had a hard
job to put it down.

hotel accommodation for his Island visit. I never hold grudges and
so I agreed to sort him out a nice hotel, off the beaten track. In
hindsight, I should have booked him in to a real dump, to get my
own back. Actually, I arranged for him to stay at the highly
acclaimed Swainston Manor Hotel. I was so embarrassed to find out
he did not turn up and went to a Shanklin hotel instead. Sadly, he
has since passed away.
I have a never-give-up policy and it took fully 18 years to finally get
an interview with American singing legend Gene Pitney. When he

Liz Dawn

Lonnie Donegan, one of my lifelong music heroes,
gave me a real rough ride. If I had not gone to
London to pre-record the interview to promote his
forthcoming Island gig, I would have walked out.
We had a nice pot of tea and he was so charming.
That all changed when the interview started. He
disagreed with everything I brought up and
disputed facts that I knew were right. He took hold
of my interview card with a few bullet points and
notes and threw it across the room. I had to stop
and start the interview several times and he was
ruder than anyone I had ever encountered before.
As I left his flat he asked if I could sort out some

15