LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Dear One, Dear All -

Hope you had a lovely weekend - and that you all remembered to put your clocks forward. (Sorry if that's had you slapping your forehead as you realise "that's why I've been an hour late to everything...")

I'm going to start today with my appendix. I haven't got it anymore - had it whipped out when I was ten. Obviously, a lot of years have slipped by since then - a lot of years - but amazingly I can remember quite a lot about it. I certainly remember that my parents were away at the time. I certainly remember, even at that age, that the gown didn't cover my bottom (sorry, I hope you're not eating). Oh, and I certainly remember coming round after the operation and being mighty surprised that I only had one scar, as I was convinced that appendix, like kidneys, come in pairs.

Anyway, young Isabelle is very unlikely to remember a thing about her appendectomy, as she's only four weeks old. That makes her a record-breaker (cue music) and we'll be hearing her story tonight. She's fine. It's a story with a happy ending.

Sadly, we've a number of stories that don't have happy endings - we'll be speaking to the family of a 17 year old who was stabbed to death at the weekend. Godwin Lawson left Hackney behind for a football traineeship in Oxford. Back visiting this weekend, we was attacked early on Saturday morning.

Derek Sauter's story also ends in tragedy. He died in hospital recently - the Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup - after a nurse on duty didn't monitor his condition closely enough. He wanted wanted water. She wouldn't get it. Neither did she check his oxygen intake properly. That nurse has now been sacked. Where does that leave Derek's desperate widow?

After after yet another dismal weekend, West Ham fans - and football fans (sorry, the programme editor is a Hammers' fan) - should tune in to hear an offer of support from one of our biggest name actors.

We'll also tell you how to clear up space-junk (very big vacuum) and, and... oh, and we've got some chap called Craig David in the studio, chatting about his new album.

You can sing-a-long if you like, at six.

Ben & Katie
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon to you -

So, as I sat down at the desk this afternoon, there's a bit of a buzz about the place and amidst the murmuring I can hear the same words being said over and again... "Lewis Hamilton", "Australia" and "doughnut". We'll come back to that.

You may have noticed it's Friday. Which, for the team on duty here, means chocolates. Nina's sitting to my left today. The box of chocs are over to my right. Now, I'm too much of a gentleman to say how many she's put away but let's just say she's getting plenty of exercise...

Let's take a look at the programme rundown, in no particular order for now.

I'm going to start with the only story they'll be talking about in the village of Sipson tonight. 'Victory' (their word, not mine) after the High Court ruled that the Government had been wrong to give the go-ahead to a third runway at Heathrow. The runway would have gone pretty much exactly where Sipson is now. Now, this doesn't mean it's all off altogether but if the Government want to go ahead with it (that's if they get back in after the Election) then they've got to start the consultation process all over again. Sipson-ites - and many others - say that's great news. Lots of business people are saying it's a disaster.

We're also reporting on progress at the main Olympic stadium. Our man Mr Harris said that when you walk in to it now it feels like an Olympic venue. We'll show you the pictures - and the exclusive interview with one of West Ham's owners, David Gold. He appears to have changed his mind about whether there being a running-track at the stadium would count the Hammers out of buying the place after the Olympics are through.

That's not our only exclusive tonight actually. We've an interview with Sir Paul McCartney no less about his new 'Up & Coming Tour' which will end in Hyde Park this summer.

The most shocking of our stories tonight is the murder of a man in the midst of London's evening rush-hour. Police are questioning 20 people after a man was stabbed to death at Victoria tube station yesterday. There are reports that a gang of teenagers have been running riot there for weeks. Could this be the appalling culmination of the powers-that-be failing to act sooner? We'll hear from a man who was there at the time.

Okay - change gear - back to Lewis Hamilton. He says he's sorry. He had to, really. The police were involved, after all. I'm telling you this is the story they'll be talking about down the pub tonight.

See you at six and we'll tell you why.

Ben & Nina
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello to you -

One of those afternoons that seems to have slipped by all too fast today. We had a briefing at lunchtime on the do's and don'ts of election coverage at lunchtime. The mighty machine of a British General Election in the very near future and there are some pretty strict rules on what we can and can't do. Makes sense just to remind ourselves, don't you think?

So - a very quick run through of what we have for you in the more immediate future.

A company - British HQ in High Wycombe - has had to recall a make of baby sling here in Britain following the death of three babies over in the States.

We'll have the latest on a Croydon nursery nurse accused of most appalling abuse of young babies - accusations she denies.

Remember the Afghanistan policeman - who was being trained by British soldiers - who then turned on them with a gun, shooting five dead. For the first time tonight, we'll hear the reactions of their brothers in arms.

Changing gear completely, we'll take you inside London's very own rain forest. Really.

Oh. And Westlife will be in the studio.

It may be a quick run-through, but it's a packed one.

See you at six,

Ben & Nina
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all. Good weekend I trust?

Let's start with some Olympic news. From today, would-be spectators can register online to join the race for tickets. But just how fair is the booking system to Londoners who, let's face it, are taking the brunt of the cost of the Games full in their tax-paying faces?

Eight million tickets are available for the Olympics with two million for the Paralympics. But not only do we not get any preferential booking perks, we don't yet know how much we'll have to pay, oh..and you're not guaranteed a ticket anyway!? I feel an in-depth Simon Harris report coming on.

We'll have the latest on the B.A. strikes - how glad am I that I booked a city-break to Rome at the end of this week with the flag-carrying airline? Best I coment no further, I think!

More info on the People's Millions and a frightening report that says the air quality in parts of the capital is the worst in Europe.

Finally, you may remember the story we brought you a few weeks ago - a teenager's touching musical tribute to her mum who died of cancer. 16 year old Sarah Phillips, recorded a version of Paolo Nutini's "Autumn" on her mobile phone. It became an internet sensation when it was posted online with home video footage of Sarah's mum. The family have decided to release the song as a single to raise money for a cancer charity and it'll be available to download. What do you reckon? Anyone fancy having a hand in making her number one?

See you at six.

Matt and Katie
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon to you.

So, it's Friday and what better excuse is there for opening a box of chocolates? Although I won't be partaking, thank you - I've given chocolate up for Lent. I had to eat the profiteroles I had at my mother-in-law's the other night. It would have been rude not to. And I don't do rude. Well, I try not to. Too often.

Anyway, the chocolates are open but they came with a riddle: Complete the following well known lyric:

"The minute you walked in the joint, I could see you were a man of ******** "
Is it:
a) "poor health"
b) "distinction"
c) "the cloth"

I can't offer chocolates for the right answer, but you could treat yourself to a Malteser (*or any other well known item of confectionery) if you know the right answer.

Now - the programme:

BA strike looks like it's going ahead after talks break down... mystery surrounds a man found a man floating in the Shadwell Basin... a gang is found guilty of pinching an ATM... Fulham are on top of the world after biffing Juventus out of the Europa League... and a stolen pigeon has flown home from Romania. Probably.

Right - back to the chocolates. I love Fuse bars - just in case you're interested.

See you at six,

Ben & Lucy

PS. Anyone know any JLS fans out there? Tell them to watch our programme tonight...
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello - again.

Spot the deliberate error..Robert Pattinson suddenly became Robin Pattinson, his less-goodlooking twin.

So, as I should have said...

Busy one again - Boris Johnson and Robert Pattinson on the same programme. I hope they wear name badges. I'm easily confused.

Boris will be the one talking Latin as he campaigns for more state schools to teach it. Currently only four per cent of state primary schools teach Latin, compared with 40 per cent of private schools. Some teachers argue that teaching Latin gives students a foundation for studying a modern languages and writing English. I don't want to sound like an educational heathen, but I'm not convinced. I can only speak as a parent on this one, really. I'm happy for my two to be given the opportunity to learn different things - life's rich tapestry and all that - but if they started learning Latin at the expense of say music or history or IT or sport, I wouldn't be overly impressed.

Now as dedicated blog readers - by definition you must all be at home with the internet....but apparently for a growing number of young Londoners spending time in front of a computer screen has ceased to become fun.
Now the Capital is to get it's first dedicated therapy programme for youngsters "addicted" to the Internet and Computer Games. Children as young as 12 are expected to be enrolled to the new residential unit to wean them off games, and the net.

But is it a real problem? Do you know any young people for whom sitting in front of a computer screen has begun to take over their lives? Maybe they suffer mood swings, sleeping problems, withdrawal symptoms, problems around eating, and social isolation?? We're looking for case studies, so get in touch if you'd like to be involved.

Also on the programme tonight - Lucy is on the red carpet with London's very own heart-throb Robin Pattinson (pause for sharp intake of breath). He's left his vampiric alter-ego, Edward, in his coffin for the time being and is starring in new film, 'Remember Me'. But forget about 'R-Pattz', we've got our very own 'R-Macz', Robin McCallum, with the weather!

See you later

Matt and Katie
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello.

Busy one again - Boris Johnson and Robin Pattinson on the same programme. I hope they wear name badges. I'm easily confused.

Boris will be the one talking Latin as he campaigns for more state schools to teach it. Currently only four per cent of state primary schools teach Latin, compared with 40 per cent of private schools. Some teachers argue that teaching Latin gives students a foundation for studying a modern languages and writing English. I don't want to sound like an educational heathen, but I'm not convinced. I can only speak as a parent on this one, really. I'm happy for my two to be given the opportunity to learn different things - life's rich tapestry and all that - but if they started learning Latin at the expense of say music or history or IT or sport, I wouldn't be overly impressed.

Now as dedicated blog readers - by definition you must all be at home with the internet....but apparently for a growing number of young Londoners spending time in front of a computer screen has ceased to become fun.
Now the Capital is to get it's first dedicated therapy programme for youngsters "addicted" to the Internet and Computer Games. Children as young as 12 are expected to be enrolled to the new residential unit to wean them off games, and the net.

But is it a real problem? Do you know any young people for whom sitting in front of a computer screen has begun to take over their lives? Maybe they suffer mood swings, sleeping problems, withdrawal symptoms, problems around eating, and social isolation?? We're looking for case studies, so get in touch if you'd like to be involved.

Also on the programme tonight - Lucy is on the red carpet with London's very own heart-throb Robin Pattinson (pause for sharp intake of breath). He's left his vampiric alter-ego, Edward, in his coffin for the time being and is starring in new film, 'Remember Me'. But forget about 'R-Pattz', we've got our very own 'R-Macz', Robin McCallum, with the weather!

See you later

Matt and Katie

__________

Good evening,

My walk to work takes in a number of London's most popular attractions & I'm often stopped by tourists wanting me to take photos of them. This is something I try to avoid at all costs as I am to photography what Katie Price is to the Carmelite nuns.

Regardless of the care I take my pictures are invariably very poor & in this age of digital cameras, where evidence of my ineptitude is instantly available, it is a demoralising experience. I can understand a look of disappointment tinged with pity in any language

This morning I adopted my trusty evasion tactic of talking on the phone which spares me the agony. Naturally my call, as is often the case, was a pretend one. I've yet to be caught out by my phone actually ringing when I'm mid fake chat (one of the advantages of unpopularity) but I fear my luck won't last & that one day soon my cover will be blown, providing me with a new form of humiliation to deal with.

As for the weather, it's on the turn with rain on the cards for the end of the week so perhaps an umbrella can be my new shield from future photography disaster.

Hope to see you later,

Robin.
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon to you...

It's got to be a quick sum-up of our run-down today as we're getting ready to interview Darth Vader. No, really.

So - we start with a Met policeman who, in a bid to fuel his cocaine habit, did undercover work - for his drug dealer. He (and his wife, in fact) would log onto to police computers and tell Mr Big exactly what detectives were up to.

The latest a strike by BA cabin crew is not good news. They've set dates and, we've just heard, that bosses have this afternoon withdrawn a new offer which was going to be put to the unions in a ballot.

We've also been filming with a family in Enfield who haven't had heating since the middle of December. We've just had the coldest winter for years and years and this family have had to make do with little heaters and blankets because those people who should have fixed the problem have not fixed the problem.

Prepare yourself for a lump in your throat when you watch the story of six year old Daisy who has a rare disease that leaves her unable to digest almost all food. The condition is so rare that more research into the condition is desperately needed.

Next - a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to see a tunnel built by Brunel under the Thames. It's been opened for 'show-and-tell' for just two days. All the tickets have been sold, I'm afraid. So, if you want a look, you'll have to watch tonight.

We can also offer Mr King's review of two big movies opening across London this weekend.

Oh, and Darth Vader... aka James Earl Jones... or Mustafa... or Big Daddy. Lots to talk about then, when he joins us in the studio.

See you at six,

Ben & Nina

______

Good evening,

Matt started something with his favourite sandwich filling project yesterday.

While we were on air I remembered that a fishfinger sandwich was a student favourite & one which I haven't had for years. It was real comfort food. Crisp, golden, freshly fried (not grilled or baked) fishfingers in thickly sliced white Mother's Pride, with mayonnaise. This of course can be varied with ketchup or brown suace or even a simple dash of vinegar, but the result is the same; happiness.

It's the perfect antidote for grey, cold weather but having said that this weekend's not looking too bad. Sunny spells, scattered showers & better temperatures. I'll still treat myself to a student sandwich, though.

Hope to see you later,

Robin.
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

There are days, I've got to be honest, when I'm not entirely sure what to blog about. I'm happy to tell you about the stories on London Tonight later, that's the whole point of the blog, to promote the show. But sometimes a subject, completely unrelated to the programme comes up that cannot be ignored.

Hannah, the assistant progamme editor, was happily munching away on a sarnie earlier and, in the ever more complicated bread-based culinary world of rocket, cranberry, brie and crayfish, I was surprised to discover she'd gone for a good ol' cheese and pickle on white. No fuss, no frills. Classic. So, my question is this: What is the best sandwich filling? A quick straw poll required so I've emailed 'all staff', which may be deemed a frivolous use of the internet and a disciplinary offense? Never mind...it's worth it.

Some of the responses read as follows...

'Bacon', short and to the point, says Tom

Clare reckons 'pastrami and pickles with mustard and mayo' is underrated. Not sure it is, actually, Clare?

Robin McCallum, in beautifully prosaic terms, suggests a 'salty mature cheddar with a hint of sweet chutney and a touch of lettuce on a 'butch' granary'. Cheese and pickle then?!

Faye (who's the boss, so I guess it can't be a disciplinary offense after all) wants to throw 'tuna mayo' into the mix, because 'it's 'not messy'? Surely that depends on its construction and the amount of mayo used?

Smoked salmon and cream cheese with avocado has been offered up by Geoff while Paul simply says roast beef.

Katie Derham hovered over cheese and pickle briefly too, before settling on hot pork and apple sauce. Can a sandwich be hot? 'Spose it can. Feels a bit cheaty though. Anyway, she's disqualified for coming back with a salad at lunchtime.

Oh, and a late change from Robin who's throwing plain tomato out there, providing the tomatoes are as tasty as the one's grown in Grandad's greenhouse (not sure how he knows my grandad?!) on crusty white bread. Like it, but I'd need a sprinkling of salt on mine.

For what it's worth I'm going to go with Hannah and cheese and pickle on crusty white, but I might add some ham if I'm feeling lavish!

The point to these ramblings? None whatsoever, but I'm off for some carbs!

Back in time for six. Matt and Katie

PS: Plans for a high speed rail link between London and the Midlands, stamps with animals on and Jennifer Aniston on the programme later, who no doubt would want the pickle on the side of her cheese sandwich, being American, which is just plain wrong.

________

Good Evening,

I was extremely grateful for grey skies & a cold NE wind this morning. Not because I'm a fan of dull weather but because it meant the end of my train journey into Waterloo which had not been a pleasant experience, with an unfortunate series of events conspiring to make it very stressful.

Although my train departed punctually it had 8 rather than 12 carriages, bad enough in itself but the cancellation of an earlier train made the overcrowding truly appalling. There then turned out to be signalling problems between Clapham Junction & Waterloo which resulted in the journey becoming slower & slower, ultimately providing the guard with 19 extra minutes in which to offer repeated -& therefore increasingly irritating- apologies for the lateness & overcrowding. She also regularly reminded us of her whereabouts on the train should any passengers have needed assistance, although bearing in mind that any movement would only have been possible with the aid of KY Jelly & a cattle prod I'm fairly certain she was left in peace.

I pray the journey won't be so miserable tomorrow because the weather will be; rain's on the way....

Hope to see you later,

Robin.
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Afternoon.

Very quick blog today...lost track of time a bit.

A heady mix of the top stories coming out of the capital today, but let's talk Wombles! I defy anyone of a certain age not to be able to hum the theme tune to this classic 70's childrens' tv show. The man behind it is called Mike Batt who also went on to have several hits performing as 'The Wombles' in the 70's. I'm not sure he'd thank us for listing 'Remember You're a Womble' among his greatest musical achievements because Mike Batt also has an amazing talent for spotting future stars - Katie Melua among them. So, if Mike Batt says Florence Rawlings has been one to watch since he first auditioned her as a 13 year old eight years ago, who are we to argue? You can judge for yourself later.

Anyway, back to the Wombles. How revolutionary were they? Going round Wimbledon Common, 'making good use of the things that we find.' They were recycling visionaries! We've just had our daily programme meeting and producer Ken asked us to name them all. Charlene - who'll be helping me steer you through the show later - says she's too young to remember them. I could easily have taken offence at that, particulalry as it came just after I'd reeled off the named of five or six of them, but I'll let her off...this time. So, how many can you name? (Answer at the bottom of the page).

Oh - also tonight, details of how you can nominate your community projects for this year's 'People's Millions' so have a pen and paper to hand...

We'll be Wombling free at six!

Matt and Charlene

Answer: Orinoco, Tobermory, Great Uncle Bulgaria, Wellington, Bungo, Madame Cholet and my favourite, Tomsk! More were added in subsequent series, but let's stick to the originals. Bonus points for singing along with me to the theme song. I'll start you off...
"Underground, overground, wombling free.The Wombles of Wimbledon Common are we.Making good use of the things that we find.Things that the everyday folks leave behind.
(Bridge - not really sure of the tune to this bit?!)
Uncle Bulgaria...He can remember the days when he wasn't behind the times,with his map of the world...Pick up the papers and take 'em to Tobermory.
(Bet you don't know the second verse though, do you?)
Wombles are organised, work as a team, Wombles are tidy and Wombles are clean, Underground, overground, wombling free, The Wombles of Wimbledon Common are we.
(I feel better for that, thank you!)

__________

Good evening,

It's very easy to complain about the current weather. In fairness an unchanging weatherscape of cloud would demoralise even the jolliest of souls, especailly when temperatures are so disappointing.

In Spain, however, they've really been getting it in the neck. A friend of mine was there last weekend & returned saying it had been cold, wet & windy & since then conditions have deteriorated even further, with some parts of Spain experiencing the worst snow since 1985. Schools are closed, roads are impassable & people are trapped in their homes. Granted that was exactly the situation here back in December & January, but it's probably worth remembering that by comparison today's weather really is nothing to complain about.

That said, it's horrible out there; cold & overcast with not much sign of change....

Hope to see you later,

Robin.
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good afternoon.

Busy show tonight: We'll have the latest on the hunt for a killer who's escaped from a hospital and an in-depth report on new Government proposals to combat dangerous dogs.

Also, after the death of another cyclist on our roads this morning, we'll have news of a new advertising campaign about cycle safety. All very worthy, of course, but at a cost of £200,000 to the taxpayers and using the analogy of a bank robbery gone wrong to make the point, could a better way of highlighting the problem have been found?

A bit of a show theme tonight too as Ben Scotchbrook takes us behind the scenes of the premiere of the follow up to 'Phantom of the Opera'. The sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical mammoth is 'Love Never Dies' and is on at the Adelphi, which is where Ben is waiting in the wings.

Finally, we'll also have more on the story of the evil super-plant taking over the capital's gardens and the super-insect being shipped in from Asia to fight it off. Talking of super heroes, I'll be sporting some rather natty Superman cuff links on the programme tonight. They were a birthday present from my children and I promised I'd wear them. I've been telling them I'm Superman for ages. My 8 year old is is skeptical at best, but my 4 year old is fairly convinced (sorry, I know you shouldn't tell fibs). He's worried that the cuff links might give the game away, but I said no one will be able to see them unless they look really closely. So, if you see me scratch my ear, or fiddle with my cuffs, I'll be trying show the kids I'm wearing them without giving away my secret identity!

See you at six. Matt and Katie.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good afternoon, all. Tonight, the bad, the good and the downright weird...

First up, the frightening ordeal suffered by Linda Buchanan after she asked a man to stop smoking on a railway platform in Kent. He responded by shoving her onto the tracks, dangerously close to a live line. Liz Wickham has more for us.

Elsewhere, a London doctor is organising an airlift of medical supplies to Afghanistan, where she's setting up a clinic in a women's prison. Karen Woo quit her job to work in the war-torn country and her efforts are making a real difference.

Also tonight, we're live at Wembley ahead of England's friendly against Egypt. The question everyone's asking, isn't how England's World Cup preparations are going, it's about what sort of reception John Terry will get from the fans. I don't mean from the opposition fans...from his own supporters. I've never quite understood the logic of booing your own players, to be honest. I guess if they're playing really badly or not giving their all, then letting them know what you think of the effort-to-wage ratio is perhaps fair enough. But for non-footballing reasons? I think John Terry will be given a rough ride by the fans over his alleged indiscretions later, just as other players have been in the past. There was a time when all you had to do to get booed by England fans was to play for Manchester United, but that fad seems to have passed, thankfully. Maybe I'm doing the fans a disservice? Jonathan - who sorts out all the travel at ITN Towers - has been to every England game, home and away, since June 2002 and he says he couldn't care less what a player does off the pitch as long as he performs on it. I have to say, as a sports fan, I agree with him.

One sport I don't know much about is Polo. I'm guessing I'm not alone in that? It's being introduced to a group of youngsters from inner city London thanks to an initiative by Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Lewis Vaughan Jones - who I don't think would look out of place playing Polo, but apparently we have footage to the contrary - will tell all later.

We'll 'throw-in' (that's a polo term...I looked it up!) at six.

Matt and Katie

Oh - did I mention the killer chickens? Tune in later, seriously...you don't want to miss this one!
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon -

Do you ever feel like you didn't really have a weekend - that Saturday and Sunday flew passed so terribly quickly, packed with this and that which had to get done... So that's how I'm feeling today. That's not necessarily a bad thing, obviously, as it means we're back in the swing of things with lots of workdays straight ahead - he said quickly, in case anyone further up the pay-scale read the weekend comment in a negative light.

And to start the week: well, it's the sort of story that to those affected is hugely, hugely, important. Today is 'National Offers Day'. Blank looks from some of you... It's the day which sees thousands of parents sent news of which school their sons and daughters will be going to. Will it be there first choice? Will it be their second choice? Will they want to appeal? How do they appeal?

We'll be speaking to the Advisory Centre for Education for the latest on what parents should be doing.

We'll also be speaking to a couple from King's Cross whose house is falling down. They claim the chap next door was doing some building work which undermined their home, which is now splitting apart. He says it's nothing to do with him.

Problems with neighbours features in another of our stories - a chap whose front garden in a beautiful Surrey village is not so beautiful really as it's full of stuff that most of us would throw away. His neighbours aren't happy about it but the European Court of Human Rights is on his side.

There's also a doctor who used to work for BUPA who chucked in her presumably well-paid job to help a hospital at a women's prison Afghanistan where health insurance isn't really an issue.

We'll meet a teenager from Eltham who has just won the top Prince's Trust award. His life story will make you realise how very lucky most of us are.

And with all that, you'd forgive us all for going a bit Gaga - which is exactly what we'll do. The Lady herself is in town and she's been telling how happy she is to be here. Oh yes.

As are we, obviously.

See you at six -

Ben & Katie

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