Cycling over, New Journey begins!

Well folks, The Tour of Britain has finished and my voice gets to rest (so do the ears of the crew). I estimate that I have probably entertained and comentated to tens of thousands of people over the the last week and The boards have been sufficiently banged (If you haven't been there, ask me to explain). It's a big undertaking (nothing to do with funerals)and a great opportunity but all over now. It tends to mark the end of my outdoor summer work, which means it's time to focus on winter opportunities including theatres, studios and smaller more intimate gigs and continue to write new material and study study study. I am now into year 3 (3 to go)of my part time Degree course in theatre studies and so its knuckle down time and time to get my head around, Shakespeare, checkov and Ibsen...(3 of my drinking buddies). Its all self study and quite a challenge, so yes I will be looking for work opportunites, writing new shows and studying.
Who said blokes can't multi-task!

Hi my name is Joe and I'm a blogger

Hello people, This is my first time as a Blogger and I'm still coming to terms with the term! I happen to be a bit of a technophobe (and bad speller) so this a challenge for me. I am also very good at talking but not neccesarily writing. So what i am saying (or typing) is that I will attempt to be a good blogger and slightly entertaining but don't expect high brow conversation or intellect or anything slightly technical. What you can expect from these blogs is entertainment, hopefully a few laughs and an insight into what's going on inside my head!! theres a thought! (enjoy as i don't have many of them). Anyway please follow these and tell others about them CHEERS BIG EARS..JOE

On the road with my big mouth

Only 3 days to go to the Tour of Britain which I can’t wait to again be part of. This is the point where my revision begins and its great to be able to revise for something other than Macbeth or Checkov, No this is not school stuff, This is fun revision. 16 teams of 6 riders, so who are the favourites?, who fancies their chances? who looks the best in Lycra? And so on and so on. As my work throughout the year varies from comedy, to light entertainment to sport and back again. It means that the ability to put on certain hats (never a berret and never lycra ! Phew)and show expertise in one particular subject becomes paramount. So for this week and the next I am a cycling geek and proud of it.

I remember back in 2001 I was the stadium announcer for Southampton FC and my first game was the opening of the new St mary’s stadium against a Spanish team called Espanyol. Boy did I sweat over those names but of course had no idea who would be playing and it was all in Spanish!. At least with this I have a pretty good idea of the riders and the teams and have followed the cycling pretty closely throughout the year. With names like Wiggins, Thomas and Cummings likely to be in the running maybe this will prove to be much easier, Who knows we might even get a British winner!!! Bring on the Tour. The racing proper starts in Rochdale on Saturday to Blackpool and i'll be at every finish spurring on the riders and making lots of noise

SW Tour Ride 2010

This Saturday sees the start of my stint as host and commentator for the Uk's biggest Cycle race and the countries largest free to watch annual sporting event. One of the highlights of my Tour of Britain work is getting the opportunity to host the Prostate Cancer Tour Rides where members of the public challenge themselves for charity riding a full T.O.B stage and Sunday’s Teignmouth ride saw over 1500 people riding from Honiton or Minehead. Hearing amazing stories and seeing smiling faces even when people are feeling the strain is humbling, especially to think that this stage is likely to be one the toughest in the whole tour. It was an 11 hour solid stint of commentating but when you think of what other people put themselves through, it makes me proud to be part of it all and the support from the crowds was awesome. If this is anything to go by, then Tuesday’s stage 4 is going to be fantastic, see you there.