Comment With - Barry Speker

The saying 'There is no such thing as bad publicity' is often attributed to the 19th century showman, circus owner and selfpublicist Phineas T Barnum. 'The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about' said Oscar Wilde. It may be a sign of lowering moral standards but in recent times bad publicity seems to enhance popularity and standing.

Opponents of Donald Trump thought publicising his sexual misdemeanours and misogyny would harm his election campaign but his ratings increased. Boris Johnson’s outbursts and the recent announcement of details of his impending divorce have not halted his leadership aspiration. Jeremy Corbyn’s close association with Hamas, Hezbollah, the IRA and other terrorist groups seems not to have weakened the devotion of the Corbynistas.

The singer Lily Allen now admits sleeping with female prostitutes while on tour away from her husband and children. Admissions of adultery, escort girls and a porn habit seem to have sent pre-sales of her upcoming autobiography soaring. Maybe she should consider a career in politics.

It is some time since asking for a scotch or a whisky and ginger became so passé. Any self respecting whisky drinker will ask for a malt or name the preference – Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Glenlivet or Bunnahabhain and know Speyside from Lowland. Respect also for award winning Japanese malts. There is now a credible English malt to discourage the insistence upon the Scottish varieties. Lakes Distillery was formed in 2011 near Bassenthwaite but with an office in Gosforth. They hold the world record record for the most expensive bottle from a new distillery, which raised nearly £8000 at auction. The company is now planning to raise £15 million through a stock market flotation. It is intended to build a global luxury whisky brand.

Time to ask for a dram of English?

The fox hunting ban in the UK resulted in scavenging urban foxes being a regular sight in our suburbs. In Australia it is the worsening drought which has led to mass migration of wild animals into towns and cities. Mobs of camels and kangaroos have converged, creating havoc on the roads. The reaction of a local was in contrast to what happens here. One farmer said ” I rang the boys and we got some guns to go and sort them out”. No mamby pamby calls to the RSPCA.

As usual, millions are wild with excitement at the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. I had to ask who were all of these ‘celebrities’. Yes I know Graeme Swann, Kate Silverton and Katie Piper, but then the TV audience is far better informed than I. Are they taking in the ‘wholly unrehearsed’ matching of the pairings and waiting to enjoy what is described as family fare? Or is the interest in seeing who has left who for whom, under the renowned Strictly curse?

Theresa May had made it clear she would not be participating and did not need to reinforce this with her dancing exhibition while on her African tour. She said she could watch only the first 40 mins of the Bodyguard as it is unrealistic because the politicians were not going on about Brexit (no mention of the sexy Home Secretary).

The value of the TV audience was highlighted by BBC football pundit Mark Lawrenson. An anonymous viewer emailed to say that he had noted a mark on the left side of the former footballer’s face and he should seek treatment. Lawrenson is delighted the viewer has now been traced and thanked.

And finally, there was an excellent concert at the Royal Albert Hall during the Proms. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with pianist Yuja Wang playing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3 in C Major. Only 50 years almost to the day when I attended my graduation at the Royal Albert Hall.