Archives for October 2008

Greg Whiley Cox

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Greg James|08:44 UK time, Friday, 31 October 2008

Good morning! Hope all is OK with you...You might have just heard Chris talking about his Tube story, well I've got one too...On the way in this morning, I thought I saw ex Airport star, Jeremy Spake. I really think it was him!

Anyway, welcome along to Friday, I am covering Jo/Sara's show this morning which will be fun. After the show today, I'll be jumping aboard another budget airline to pop off to Ireland as I'm deejaying there on Saturday night. It's a Halloween themed night so do you think I should dress up? I hate Halloween and don't want to dress up as some lame ghost. Maybe I should take some costume inspiration from one of my favourite comedies:

My Big Fat Mexican Wedding...

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Greg James|14:04 UK time, Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Good afternoon everybody!

Here's a phat video for you to have a peak at...

CLICK HERE

I'M BACK!!

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Greg James|06:29 UK time, Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Well, I'm not really sure what happened, but I know for a fact that I've been having blog withdrawal symptoms!

Anywho, the blog is back!

So, lots to catch up on, hope you've still been having a look back at the marvellous week of the big University Tour. I have just about recovered from it all and moved in to my new flat which I'm really happy about. Oh, except for it flooding a bit and the shower breaking. I'm sure you've heard about it on the show, but the upshot of it all was that my really nice new landlord was so embarrassed by the whole thing that he bought me dinner. Incredible.

Bit of a tired mess today to be honest, going to go back and sleep for a couple of hours, then Producer Neil and I are having a summit this afternoon for a few drinks to celebrate a year of the big early show. During the summit, we will be discussing how to re-invent radio yet again and take us forward into year 2! What I mean is, we'll be coming up with more gems like 'The Wind Tunnel'. Exciting times!

More later!

Oh, just found this in my phone. Just to prove that you can bump into absolutely ANYONE at Radio 1:

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Some photos from phones...

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Greg James|06:09 UK time, Monday, 20 October 2008

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In a gravel pit at BBC Scotland's drama department. It's used for sound effects and stuff...And is not a cat litter tray.

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On the way to Glasgow on my private jet...

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My rock and roll lifestyle continues with some tomato soup on the way home to London. I look at proper mess there. This is what the week did to me!

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This is our brilliant operations producer, Toby, hard at work trying to get me on air on the first afternoon. He's a busy man with many phones.

Newsreader Idol - Autumn 2008 - And The Winner Is...?

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Greg James|17:11 UK time, Friday, 17 October 2008

...Duncan Middleton - despite his initial time penalty for swearing, he managed to beat off Anna Lee in the Newsreader Idol final today.

Congratulations Duncan! Here he is with his trophy - and with Anna looking miserable.

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Through The Student Keyhole - Day 5 - London

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Greg James|14:46 UK time, Friday, 17 October 2008

Phew. The last one of the week... and it's quite special...

Mess

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Greg James|21:40 UK time, Thursday, 16 October 2008

I'm currently on the way to the final destination of the tour...Imperial College in London. The train is slightly delayed (obviously) so I'll be a bit late on stage. Typical, scuppered on the last leg of the journey! Producer Neil treated us to dinner on the train though, I chose tomato soup. Rock and roll.

Through The Student Keyhole - Day 4 - Sheffield

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Greg James|17:52 UK time, Thursday, 16 October 2008

Last night, Hannah and Hannah invited me to have a look round their halls of residence.

When I called round earlier today, I think they might have regretted the invite.

Good evening Sheffield...

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Greg James|16:19 UK time, Thursday, 16 October 2008

Here's a couple of photos from last night - more to follow!

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On the move again...

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Greg James|22:28 UK time, Wednesday, 15 October 2008

After finishing the show at BBC Radio Ulster, we pegged it to 'George Best Airport' in Belfast to catch a flight to the next step on the University world tour - Sheffield.


Well, actually, we flew to Manchester and now in the car on the way to Sheffield which is about an hour or so away. This trip really is madness, non-stop travelling, meeting loads of lovely people, falling out with Producer Neil every other hour, living off crisps and bananas and doing some radio shows too.


So, we landed safely enough in Manchester after an aborted take-off. We were just about to lift off before the brakes were slammed on and we skidded to a halt. Apparently, there was some problem with the 'indicators' that the engineers had to come and fix. The phrase "I'd rather get it checked out now rather than there be a problem in the air" was uttered by the pilot on the intercom. Yes, I imagine that's probably a good idea, I thought.


Next stop Sheffield this evening - I'm on stage at about 1am, so another late one. Apparently it's a 2700 person venue though so I am massively looking forward to it.


P.S Thank you for your comments on the earlier blog called 'Geek'. The consensus was that it was geeky to write a blog on the move however as one person pointed out, it's only really geeky if I posted it on the move too. I did. And here's another one too! It's via Bluetooth and my mobile phone, if you must know. And I'm not even wearing an anorak.

Through The Student Keyhole - Day 3

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Greg James|18:11 UK time, Wednesday, 15 October 2008

This morning I went Through The Student Keyhole in Belfast. I was invited along to a student flat near Queen's University by some girls I'd met the night before.

I think this video should probably come with a health warning...

On to Belfast!

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Greg James|15:49 UK time, Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Here I am, sitting here at the lovely BBC Radio Ulster studios in Belfast. It was a cracking night last night at The Kremlin in the centre of town. Met some great people who were up for all sorts of musical treats. I managed to play some songs that I never thought I'd ever play. Including Bonnie Tyler and Belinda Carlisle! Ridiculous. Pictures from me doorstepping students at Queen's University below as well as me with the legend that is Hugo Duncan from BBC Radio Ulster...

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This is me with Electrovamp backstage at the gig in Belfast last night - they did a couple of songs - look out for them coming to a city near you soon - they are touring non stop!

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Geek...

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Greg James|19:20 UK time, Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Well, look at me! I'm writing this blog on the way to the airport with our brilliant tour manager, Greg, who just called a slow driver a 'f*** nut'. We have got to hurry though as the flight leaves at 8:45...Speak to you from Belfast!


Out of 10, how geeky is this? Leave your answer in the comments please...

Through The Student Keyhole - Day 2

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Greg James|17:32 UK time, Tuesday, 14 October 2008

This morning I was welcomed along to Tam's flat at the University of Strathclyde's halls of residence...

Let's take a look at the evidence...

A night out in Glasgow...

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Greg James|14:32 UK time, Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Had a brilliant time last night in Glasgow, I was deejaying at Campus in the City centre and it was a very fun night. I met a load of lovely people, played a few big songs from my handbag of hits, had a couple of frothy bevvies and collapsed in bed at about 3 this morning. I managed to lose my room key too and had to try and find someone in the hotel to let me in. Idiot.

The plan today is another busy one, it was a 10:00 alarm call, downstairs for a bowl of Bran Flakes and off to the University of Strathclyde to film the next installment of 'Through the Student Keyhole' then stopped a few people on the campus to find out how clever the students of Glasgow really are and popped in to the increible BBC Scotland canteen for lunch. Today it was roast beef. Hear all the ins and outs from the last 24 hours today from 4...

Here's a couple of pictures from the end of the night... we had a group hug...

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Through The Student Keyhole - Day 1

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Greg James|17:33 UK time, Monday, 13 October 2008

As part of the tour, I'm inviting myself along to have a nosey some halls of residence - who lives in a house like this?

Well, Tara does...

The tour begins...

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Greg James|15:08 UK time, Monday, 13 October 2008

Welcome along from BBC Scotland! I don't really know how I got here to be honest but I'm here!

It all began yesterday with Switch Live at the Hammersmith Apollo and what an amazing event that was. Have a look at the mini-site here. Below is a picture I took from the stage. Madness.

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It was then very much 'action stations' (as an old person would say) as myself and Producer Neil began the tour! First stop was my old University - The UEA in Norwich. We got there at about half 9 last night and I played a nice little set for a couple of hours. Met loads of lovely people, and snooped around my old halls of residence, which was a bit odd I must admit.

At around midnight, it was time to set off for Glasgow which is the next stop on the tour. There were many arguments in the car on the way up, including: "Why didn't you charge the laptop?" and "I deserve more legroom because I'm 4 inches taller". Also, Neil had a long running issue with some bad smells that kept appearing. I kept blaming the many fields full of cows we kept passing. I don't think he believed me. I was mainly fuelled by some chocolate brownie biscuit type things, sour sweets, bananas, and Neil had some of the most horrible snacks ever - Turkish Delight and pretzels. He's a bit strange.

Anyways, after a mammoth drive from Norwich across the UK's B-roads and dust tracks, we eventually arrived in Glasgow at 8:30 this morning. Checked in the the budget hotel and collapsed in bed a big tired mess. I tried to write a blog this morning but it just wasn't happening. Plus I didn't want to spend £30 on 10 minutes internet connection.So here I am, writing to you now from the incredible BBC Scotland studios.

It is a fantastic set up here. Brand new building, state of the art studios, lovely people and an amazing canteen. Chilli con Carne was on the menu today.> Here's a few photos from UEA's gig last night the journey to Glasgow:

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Phew! A lot of things going on eh?! The blog will be updated more than ever, from weird locations (after I've charged my laptop) so you can follow the progress of the tour whenever you like! They'll be stuff put up on here that will be mentioned on air but just for you lucky bloggers, other secret stuff too!

That's all for now!

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT...

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Greg James|14:24 UK time, Friday, 10 October 2008

I teased you all yesterday about this. I'll be announcing this from 4 today but here's it is just for you blog fans!


So, as you may or may not know, I only left university a year ago and as it's kind of "Freshers" time of year, I've been feeling a little nostalgic.


I know that at this time of year, there's lots of people who have moved to new parts of the country and have to make lots of new friends in scary unknown environments.


Therefore. I'd like to let you know, that I'm here to help.


All next week, whilst covering for Scott Mills, I'm taking the show on the road to 5 big university cities as I present to you:


Radio 1's Greg James - The Tour!


I'll be deejaying at some massive student nights around the UK all next week AND then doing the show from a local BBC station the next day.


So, please feel welcome along to come and say hello, meet some new friends and dance about a bit to some big old party records....here's the itinerary:


Sunday 12th - The Blue Bar at The University of East Anglia in Norwich
Monday 13th - Campus in Glasgow
Tuesday 14th - A massive student night at Kremlin in Belfast
Wednesday 15th - The Academy in Sheffield
Thursday 16th - Imperial College Student Union in London with my special guest Alesha Dixon!


It's going to be a busy week but will be a lot of fun. Get involved if you can!


The afternoon shows will be live on Monday and Tuesday from BBC Glasgow, Wednesday live from BBC Radio Ulster in Belfast and on Thursday live from BBC Radio Sheffield. I'll then head back to HQ on Friday in time for the Wonder Years and Floorfillers.


PHEW! 


Of course, the blog will be on tour with me and I'll be updating it more than ever! Get ready!

Day 5 of Switch Promotion...

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Greg James|13:02 UK time, Friday, 10 October 2008

... and I went behind the scenes at BBC ONE's transmission centre.

They didn't actually let me SWITCH EastEnders on for real, but I had a mess around with it anyway.

The Saturdays...

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Greg James|17:36 UK time, Thursday, 9 October 2008

The lovely Saturdays came in to have a little chat and play a few games this afternoon. We all had a good time, they got me to reveal a few private things about myself though.

Anyway, nice girls, I like them a lot and they've got good pop records too...Which helps.

Here's me divving about with them:

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Day 4 of Switch Live promotion

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Greg James|16:03 UK time, Thursday, 9 October 2008

A much more serene day today... no sewage involved, just a trip to meet some BBC technical wizards involved in the digital SWITCHover...

Day 3 of Switch Live promotion...

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Greg James|16:13 UK time, Wednesday, 8 October 2008

... and perhaps one of the most disgusting days of my life... here's why:

High School Musical 3 Premiere...

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Greg James|19:36 UK time, Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Hi there! Just rushed back from the Premiere. If you weren't listening, I did the last hour of the show from the red carpet. Listen again here.

Oi, here's a selection of photos from the evening:

From top to bottom...Jonathan Ross, The Saturdays, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron

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I'm off to bed. That's all for now.

Day 1 of Switch promotion

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Greg James|17:17 UK time, Monday, 6 October 2008

Today - I went to switch on some beer

French and Saunders!

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Greg James|17:04 UK time, Monday, 6 October 2008

I never thought I'd ever meet these two - they were lovely!

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Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit...

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Greg James|15:56 UK time, Monday, 6 October 2008

Had a busy old weekend, went to Winchester on Friday night, then Derby on Saturday to do a couple of DJ sets at their Fresher's weeks and whilst wandering around the shops, I saw this and it made me laugh. Is this funny? Let me know...

You raise me uuuuup...

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Greg James|08:09 UK time, Wednesday, 1 October 2008

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Welcome along blog fans! Hope you've enjoyed the last couple of posts - it's been a very busy time recently, enjoyable though. Since I last spoke to you I helped out of Scott's show on Monday, whizzed to Nottingham then Cheltenham to DJ at their Fresher's weeks and also moved out of my flat. I'm now homeless - for a couple of weeks.

So, the other day, I trotted off to Tower Bridge in London, one of the most impressive and beautiful sights of the city. They have an excellent exhibition which is worth a look, and some of the views from up top are incredible. You might remember that in an old series of The Apprentice, they used the function rooms at the top of the bridge to host parties. It's pretty awesome up there. I gave me a good idea for a venue for my birthday too... (17th Dec, in case you're wondering).

Have a look at some of the photos from the day here and there's a cracking video...here that is too...