Andy Kershaw

[Gordon Neill]

I can understand the interest in Andy Kershaw's position, for the reasons Howard's given. But, for what it's worth, I'm with Ted on this one. Humans are only human, stuff happens... The media coverage doesn't help anyone (except, of course, the media).

[howard male]

Well, when you put it like that, I'm with Ted too, Gordon. But my point was we, here, are not the media - we have access to this information which is of interest for reasons other than the prurient ones we all probably find distasteful, so I don't think we should beat ourselves up about it.

[Paul Sherratt]

>>>I'm much preferring the wider and less predictable mix of music currently being played on Monday nights between 11.15 and 1.00am by CG and others.


Howard,

Just a small point which may be relevant. All of AK's record collection that moved with him to the Isle of Man is still in storage.

[Charlie]

From the BBC newsboard today, Tuesday 15 January 2008

DJ Andy Kershaw has been jailed for three months for breaking a restraining order involving his ex-partner.

The 48-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offence at the High Bailiff's Court in Douglas on the Isle of Man.

The breach of the order, which bans him from seeing Juliette Banner, took place in Peel on the island in November.

Passing sentence on Tuesday, High Bailiff Michael Moyle told the Radio 3 DJ that he seemed "hell-bent" on destroying himself.

Rochdale-born Kershaw, of Shore Road, Peel, and Miss Banner have two children, a ten-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter.

The court heard that the root of the problem was a dispute over the children.

Miss Banner had described the DJ as "menacing and provocative" when he approached her and her new partner Jim Imrie, at Peel Breakwater in November.

At an earlier hearing, the court heard how Kershaw was "hyper" as he walked up to Miss Banner and Mr Imrie.

He glared at them, before circling them and walking "in front of them backwards", the court was told.

Kershaw also admitted sending text messages "of an abusing nature" aimed at the couple to his children.

Passing sentence, High Bailiff Michael Moyle said Kershaw's life was turning into a "Greek tragedy".

He added: "You seem hell-bent on destroying yourself and you do not seem to appreciate that the author of your destruction is yourself."

Mr Moyle told Kershaw that Miss Banner and Mr Imrie were "entitled to be protected from your unlawful activities".

He continued: "I regret that I feel I have no obligation other than to impose custody."

'Mr Moyle also ordered the restraining order preventing Kershaw from approaching Miss Banner and Mr Imrie to remain in place.

Nigel Cordwell, defending, had earlier told the court that Kershaw would accept a decision to imprison him "stoically".

He added: "It is devastating to Mr Kershaw that he finds himself in this humiliating situation."

Mr Cordwell said Kershaw was trying to fight a dependence on alcohol, and had been abstinent for some time.

Kershaw had been given a three-month suspended sentence in October at the same court for harassing Miss Banner.

A former BBC Radio 1 DJ, Kershaw most recently hosted a Radio 3 world music programme, which is currently off-air.

[Ali]

Time to give Charlie, who is a far superior broadcaster with much better taste in music, the Monday slot permanently.

[Adam Blake]

Yes, to all that, but I'm very sorry that AK is having such a hard time. If you'll excuse my language: poor fucker. That's a tough break. Love makes fools of us all, and so does booze. In combination - ferget it.

He gave my sometime boss Errol Linton a lot of exposure in the 90s and has always been a good egg as as far as I'm concerned.

[Alan]

Time to give Charlie, who is a far superior broadcaster with much better taste in music, the Monday slot permanently.

Couldn't agree with you more, Ali

It's a mighty fine thing to have Charlie back on the radio for more than 26 mins at a time. Even if the weekly slot isn't available permanently, two programmes each month is still an absolute listening pleasure.

Can anyone suggest a collective way we might be able to convey this message to Roger Wright and Radio 3?

You can hear Charlie on Radio 3 via this link http://tinyurl.com/3yfc96 - this week there's a couple of minutes of the previous programme to get through before Humph arrives

Alan

[Paul Sherratt]

Ali, Alan,

This is most exciting. You'll be able to finally explain one of my life's little mysteries.

This "better taste" thingy.


What is it ?

tia

Paul

[garth cartwright]

The latest Kershaw missive was in Friday's Independent where he sat and talked with a journalist friend. It makes for sad reading - at his best Kershaw brought a lot of great music forward.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/peopl ... 17948.html

[Alannah]

I wonder when the Independent will run the story from Juliette Banner's point of view...

[Papa M]

I wonder when the Independent will run the story from Juliette Banner's point of view...

I don't think they really need to.

Many of us who may have met Andy Kershaw, and who continue to wish him all the best, will mostly agree that he has acted very foolishly and unfortunately continues to do so.

I really wish someone like Peel was still around to try and get his head into a better place.

[KevBoyd]

There was a short-ish piece in yesterday’s local (Manchester) paper updating Andy's latest activities:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... es?rss=yes

[Hugh Weldon]

Just come across this - looks like good news...

Hopefully - the start of a return.
In this series John Humphrys talks to people who have been in the spotlight
and have gone through hard times.
Past appearances from very well known names include: Linford Christie,
Charles Clarke, Jonathan Aitkin and Hans Blix.

On the Ropes
On: BBC Radio Four
Date: Tuesday 28th April 2009 (starting in 9 days)
Time: 09:00 to 09:30 (30 minutes long)

John Humphrys talks to successful people who have weathered storms in their careers. Andy Kershaw talks about rebuilding his life and career after
losing his BBC radio show and spending time in prison for breaking a
restraining order. Andy has enjoyed a highly successful broadcasting career, winning a brace of Sony Radio awards and receiving critical acclaim for his reports from Rwanda, Angola, Haiti and Iraq

[Paul Sherratt]

Hugh,

Maybe the start of a start, I think.

Perhaps the BBC will one day make a programme which investigates the long-term mental health implications for all these unfortunate folk whose lives become media fodder ...

[Con Murphy]

Just come across this - looks like good news...

Hopefully - the start of a return.
In this series John Humphrys talks to people who have been in the spotlight
and have gone through hard times.
Past appearances from very well known names include: Linford Christie,
Charles Clarke, Jonathan Aitkin and Hans Blix.

On the Ropes
On: BBC Radio Four
Date: Tuesday 28th April 2009 (starting in 9 days)
Time: 09:00 to 09:30 (30 minutes long)

John Humphrys talks to successful people who have weathered storms in their careers. Andy Kershaw talks about rebuilding his life and career after
losing his BBC radio show and spending time in prison for breaking a
restraining order. Andy has enjoyed a highly successful broadcasting career, winning a brace of Sony Radio awards and receiving critical acclaim for his reports from Rwanda, Angola, Haiti and Iraq

After his last Radio Four appearance, Kershaw was likened to David Brent. I do hope this programme doesn't find him driving up and down the Thames corridor trying to sell office cleaning equipment out of the back of a Ford Focus.

Seriously, would be great to hear him back on the waves, as a music broadcasting complement to the World on 3 crew and weaving in background reportage from far-flung places like the old days.