To Coyne A Phrase

Bob Warman left speechless!

ITV Central news reader Bob Warman found himself lost for words when he became the stooge for pantomime star Paul Zerdin.

Or to be more precise, the “dummy” to the ventriloquist comedian who is about to star in Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime Jack in the Beanstalk.

Paul appeared as the celebrity guest at the Press Club’s Christmas lunch, held at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Centre and Bob, anchorman on ITV Central News and president of Birmingham Press Club, was plucked from the audience up onto the stage – and, much to everyone’s amusement, transformed into “Tracey” as Paul conjured up a comic commentary at the expense of his victim.

“We usually see Bob as a suave TV presenter – but we saw him in a different light at the lunch,” said press club chairman Ed  James.

“Bob really entered into the spirit of things and his movements were a perfect match for the words that Paul made sure were ‘coming out’ of Bob’s mouth.”

The lunch, sponsored by Barclays, was attended by 100 media sector representatives and guests from the corporate community who, through proceeds from a raffle, raised just under £1,000 for Ward 11 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Northfield.

Chamber of horrors

HAS the Christmas sherry come out too early at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce?

I ask because its response to Tuesday’s inflation announcement seems somewhat confused.

Following the announcement that inflation is now 1%, the Chamber sent a comment through saying low inflation signals the need to change the business rates regime.

Greg Lowson, president of the Chamber, said:  “It is now time that the Government reviewed the business rates regime. Retailers are paying business rates which were effectively based on the pre-recession economy, yet inflation is dropping at a faster rate than expected, leading to a widening gap between business rates and the cost of products.”

All well and good but the problem is the Chancellor has already announced a review of the business rates regime. He did so in his recent Autumn Statement.

When we queried the Chamber’s comments, a member of the Chamber press office said: “The Chamber has been campaigning for a review of business rates for many years. We are simply reiterating what we have already said and we are part of the Government review process.”

Right, so let’s get this straight – the Chamber is part of the Government’s review process but it is still calling for a review?

As Terry Wogan might say: “Is it me?”

 

Grub’s up!

SPARE a thought for Keith Webb who heads up the large corporate team at Barclays in Birmingham.

Keith tells me that his team has been set a charity challenge based on the TV programme I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

Fans of that programme will know that the contestants face all sorts of arduous tasks including eating disgusting parts of animals and live grubs.

The said snacks already secured, most of Keith’s team have already completed the task but he has been unavailable to do so and will have to face up to the plateful of horrors next week.

“The problem is,” he said, looking slightly green around the gills at the prospect ahead of him, “I’ve got to eat all these grubs just before going off for our Christmas lunch. With all that food and drink as well I’m not sure I’m going to be feeling that great at the end of the day.”

Hopefully lots of money will be raised for charity but if I see Keith on the train that night I won’t be sitting next to him.”

Have a great weekend. 

 

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