LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

A very good Friday afternoon to you -

Wow. Friday already. I know I've said this before but the weeks go by faster and faster. Have they taken a day out? Did I miss some sort of Act of Parliament saying "It's official: We can't afford Wednesday anymore so let's skip it. The budget will go a bit further?" Anyway, the 'up' side is that the weekend is here.

And if you're a sucker for soppy love then fill your boots up, my friends. It's Valentine's Weekend. Yes, the schmaltz-fest is normally restricted to just the 24 hours. I suspect it's going to stretch across the full 2 days this year. Good news for florists, restaurants and jewellers. Bad news for people who think Valentine's is a load of phooey. You pays your money - and takes your choice. Or not.

Of course, our Friday programme comes complete with a look at a couple of the big movies out this weekend. (So you can always go and cry in the darkness of your local picture house if the Valentine's bit doesn't work out. And if it does, you can still take advantage of the darkness...) So, there's one film about a young lad called Percy and his Olympian chums. Have to say the trailer looks right up my street. And then there's Valentine's Day. This one - to me, at least - looks like a poor man's 'Love Actually'. Don't take my word for it though - Mr King will be here with his expert opinion.

Adding weight to the weekend theme is a sofa chat with, well, he's an old friend of the programme now. Pop sensation, Lemar, will be here. Lovely voice. Lovely man. He's got a new single to tell us about.

On the news front, we've got the latest on the blasting Eurostar suffered today, with a report on the way it handled the appalling weather we had before Christmas. Trains stuck in tunnels. Passengers left in ignorance.

There's a report on a little girl who was sent to hospital suffering from terrible burns. But that hospital was in Haiti - when the earthquake struck. Well, she's at Great Ormond Street now where her future is looking somewhat brighter.

Plus we've the latest on a woman's fight to be treated fairly (she says) when it comes to wearing a cross to work for British Airways. There're the school children who couldn't believe their lucky when Michelle Obama turned up for Assembly last year and now they really can't believe their luck - they're going to meet her again. At the White House. I think the most exciting school trip we had was to the local woods where there used to be Bronze Age settlement. I can remember the teacher now "Why are you yawning, Scotchbrook?"

One more story to tempt you with - Status Quo, receiving their honours at the Palace today. That's Status Quo B E. (Blame that one on Brendan, our news editor. It's been a long week).

Got to go. Got to go to make-up. I know. A grown man too.

See you at six.

Ben & Nina

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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Ok - REALLY short blog today, sorry. I was late in, no point trying to hide it, I had a quick hospital appointment. Nothing exciting, just a check up on my bad back...which turns out is still bad. I could have told them that and saved myself two hours. On a brighter note: This morning I had an unexpected letter from my bank. Usually that sort of thing never ends well - the last one said that the annual review of my overdraft facility has now been conducted and that the bank were 'delighted' to inform me that the service will remain in place and unchanged. The cost for the review was £25 which duly put me over my limit costing me...another £25. Genius! Anyway, today's letter was different: apparently, the year long savings account I've been paying into, but had completely forgotten about has matured and there's a whopping £500 with my name on it! Great news...I might book that weekend break. Then I picked my car up from it's annual service and MOT. An oil change here, two new tires there and a bill for £498.43. So, any ideas as to what to do with my sudden £1.57 windfall?

Anyway, tonight's programme - all the news from the capital, of course, plus a fascinating piece from Marcus Powell about how The Prince of Wales does a bit of Tai Chi. He's been seeing how non-traditional remedies are being used to help former members of our Armed Forces. Tai Chi and acupuncture are just two of the methods employed by a charity based in Fulham to that claims to aid recovery from physical and mental trauma.

Also, Daisy Gray reports on at least one London council that, staggeringly, isn't prepared to cope with yet more freezing weather, should it materialise, despite the chaos of last month. You'd have thought the lessons had been learnt...but they're still awaiting delivery of salt ordered in December. And, as the temperature plummets again, we'll attempt to warm the cockles of your hearts with an exclusive chat with the gorgeous star of Hollywood and the West End, Anna Friel. She ended a five-month run in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' last night, but rather than jetting off to a beach somewhere to relax, she made time for Glen Goodman. Well, who wouldn't?!

See you at six

Matt and Katie

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hi there...

Quick blog then with an Olympic theme...

Simon Harris has been on the Olympic trail again with news of another raid on the seemingly bottomless contingency fund.
This time up to 160-million pounds could be needed partly to balance the books between the time of the completion of the Olympic stadium to when whoever takes over the running of it after the Games. Overall though, the latest figures show the building work is actually on budget. Not sure how does that works, which is probably why I'm not allowed anywhere near the household finances. I'm confident Simon will have a his head round the figures, although he was last seen with his shoes and socks off in the corner.

Also tonight, dramatic audio from the air traffic control recording of the "Mayday" call from the cockpit of the BA jet that crash-landed at Heathrow two years ago. You'll remember it barely cleared a fence before belly-flopping onto the grass. A report today confirmed that the crash was caused by a build-up of ice on the fuel lines.

And we'll have more news on the foreign embassies in the capital who've run up a 40 million pound congestion charge bill. Blimey, I thought I was bad...

We'll also have news of a scheme to inspire inner city school children to become Olympic rowers (as in boats, not as in professional arguers). Finally, we're joined on the programme by a Bond and a Bond girl. The Bond is Pierce Brosnan who's starring as a Greek god in new film, 'Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief'. We spoke to the former 007 about the new movie, 'the newby', Daniel Craig and how he feels about wearing tights?!?

The Bond girl? Lucy Cotter, of course. She interviewed Mr. Brosnan and joins me on the sofa tonight. Does that make me the next Bond? As good as, surely? It's about time we had a 5'9" slightly graying Bond with a dodgy back, don't you think?

Shee you at shix...Matt and Looshy!
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LONDON TONIGHT

Afternoon all. Hope you had a good weekend? Personally, it was very satisfying. We have quite a Welsh contingent here on London Tonight; including today's producer, Hannah, Lewis Vaughan Jones and Lucy Cotter. They were all chippy as you like on Friday ahead of England's clash with the old enemy at Twickenham as this year's Six Nations got underway, but are all strangely quiet today? Hannah's pretending she's really busy working on tonight's programme, while Lucy's been headphones on, pretending to edit something showbizzy for the last hour. I haven't seen Lewis yet. It wasn't exactly vintage from England, but we'll take a win to get the campaign underway.

Elsewhere sporty over the weekend, John Terry. More revelations about his private life in the Sundays, but you can't knock his performances on the pitch. 'Me against the world', I guess. I even saw some Arsenal fans lauding his abilities on London Tonight yesterday. A great win for Chelsea that, by the way.

Ok - briefly, tonight's programme is comprised as follows...

First, the resolution of a case we've been following from the beginning - that of police Commander Ali Dizaei, found guilty today of threatening and falsely arresting another man in a row over money. In July 2008 Dizaei attacked Al Baghdadi and had him arrested for no reason. Dizaei even stabbed himself in the stomach and blamed it on Mr. Baghdadi to make his story seem more plausible. Marcus Powell reports on an unbelievable betrayal of public trust.

Also, more on another heartbreaking story out of Haiti that we featured on yesterday's London Tonight. Three month old Landina was left orphaned after last months earthquake. Her arm had to be amputated and she has severe head injuries. She's being looked after by a surgeon from the Chelsea and Westminster hospital, David Nott, who says she needs to be flown for life-saving treatment here in the capital as soon as possible. The authorities won't allow it because she has no official papers, but her situation is getting more critical by the day. We've spoken to some of Mr. Nott's work mates at the Chelsea at Westmister hospital about what treatment Landina would receive were she to be flown here, as well as what they think about their colleague's humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

And we report on the rise of Mephedrone, better known as 'meow meow': a plant food that's being used as a drug. Legal and cheap it's becoming more and more popular with London teenagers, but its effects could be deadly. Most worryingly, if you ask medical experts what the consequences of long term use are, they'll tell you they don't know, there's been very little research. There's plenty of anecdotal evidence on the internet, with various forums citing nosebleeds, chest pains, breathing problems and panic attacks among the side effects. So, how easy is it to get hold of Mephedrone? Worryingly, as Sally Rourke found out.

Also tonight...after a star-studdied week last week, Lucy Cotter's keen to reach the same dizzy showbiz heights this week with actors like Sacha Baron Cohen, James Mcavoy and Oscar hopeful Carey Mulligan all expected at tonight's Evening Standard film awards. I reckon she's just trying to keep out of my way, though. Sure we bet a coffee on the rugby result?!

See you at six

Matt and Katie
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all.

A very quick blog today - a busy afternoon and a packed programme. We'll be looking at great depth into the issue of out of hours doctors and the care they provide after shocking figures illustrate just how few there are. We hear from a man whose wife died of a heart attack hours after being seen by a doctor and told that she had a shoulder strain. So how is it in your area? Tune in to find out.

Also tonight, as the man who murdered a north Londoner and cut up his body is given a life sentence, his truly grizzly criminal past comes to light - and it's shocking stuff.

And we'll have more on the story dominating the papers over the weekend - the allegations about England and Chelsea captain, John Terry's off-field activities with the ex-partner of an England team mate. Debate rages as to whether he should be stripped of the England captaincy by boss Fabio Capello. After reading the pages upon pages of comment and conjecture over the last few days the key questions are whether we expect too much of our sports stars? Probably. But, do most of them seem happy enough to be put on a pedestal if it means the accumulation of vast wealth and fame through sponsorship and merchandising? Almost certainly, I would argue.

Showbiz-wise - Lucy's been busy, as ever: Colin Firth joins her on the red carpet at the premiere of his new movie - while Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon chat with her about their new film, 'Invictus' on tomorrow night's programme....but more of that later.

See you at six

Matt and Katie
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LONDON TONIGHT

Good Afternoon to you...

As I write this, there is an open box of chocolates sitting next to me. I've had three already. I know, I know, but it is Friday and it's the first chocolate I've had all week... a desperate attempt to shrug off the excess pounds that came with Christmas.

One of our producers, who's in training for the London Marathon (I would, honest, but I've got a dodgy knee), has been on rather a strict diet and has managed to lose the best part of a stone before Christmas. Cut out all sorts of fattening food - and booze. That's commitment for you. And frankly, rather dull.

So, moving on to the programme. It's Friday so we'll be looking at a couple of the big movies coming out this weekend. One's for children. One's for their parents. I'm looking forward to seeing both actually.

And sticking with the entertainment world, Ms Cotter has been to Canvey Island to find out how it changed the history of rock music. I know what you're thinking. I thought the same when I read the prospects for today's programme. We'll find out more together on the programme.

There's also a lot of 'weighty' stuff in the run-down.

You'll have done well to miss the fact that former Prime Minister Tony Blair is being grilled by the Chilcott Inquiry about what he said, thought and did in the build-up to and during the war in Iraq. Well, no one will be following what he says today more closely than Roger Bacon, whose son Major Matthew Bacon was killed in action in September 2005. He's never forgiven Mr Blair for the war and how it was conducted, even calling for him to be prosecuted. Roger has gone down to the QEII centre in Westminster to hear Mr Blair's testimony - in person - and we'll speak to him afterwards for his conclusions.

We'll also have the latest in the trial of two people accused of killing a kitchen salesman, chopping up his body and then spreading the parts round Leicestershire and Hertfordshire. And the latest is fairly dramatic. One of the defendants who had previously admitted chopping up the body but denied murder... has now pleaded guilty to the murder as well.

The story we'd like you to share your opinions on this evening is the commitment made by Community Police Officers in Bexley. They have promised to visit every home before the year. Good idea? Waste of money? Frightening prospect? Watch Lewis' report and then let us know.

And the other reports I have to tell you about is a special report from Emma Walden who is in France today. You may remember the discovery of a mass war grave in Fromelles two years ago where the bodies of thousands of 1st World War soldiers had lain unmarked for 90 years. Through painstaking research, some of those men have now been identified and Emma has been on an emotional journey with a family from a village called The Lee in Buckinghamshire. A grandson paying his respects to his grandfather who died for his country.

So - a very full, very varied programme.

See you at six,

Ben & Nina... hey, wait... don't go yet. Read on - because Mr McCallum is up next:

Good evening,
At the station this morning I was asked by a fellow commuter if I'd be able to gave a talk on meteorology at his son's school. My gut instinct is always to fight shy of such requests, not because I resent being asked (after all it's very flattering) but because I feel a bit of a fraud. I'm not a forecaster as such (that requires a meteorology degree & an aptitude for science which I lack) but merely a presenter who trained in Broadcast Meteorology in order to qualify for my current job. However as we chatted it became clear that the talk required is less about meteorology & more about weather presenting as a career & therefore I probably could cobble together a handful of useful pointers.
In addition to general advice on television presenting there are a couple of specific skills which weather presenters need to master; top of the list should be having a pithy rejoinder always to hand for remarks like "I suppose we've got you to thank for this" & "Got it wrong again didn't you?" & "Can't you do something about the weather then?" followed closely by knowing what to leave out of the forecasts as too much detail is guaranteed to lose you your audience. Ultimately what we really want to know is whether we need coat, umbrella or suncream....
With that in mind it's coat for the next couple of days. It's going to be nippy.
Hope to see you later,
Robin.
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all.

First up tonight, we'll have more on the General Medical Council's ruling today that the doctor who first published evidence linking the MMR jab and autism acted 'dishonestly and irresponsibly' while carrying out his research. Dr Andrew Wakefield's 1998 study, that has since been discredited, caused vaccination rates to plummet and cases of measles to rise, but some parents still support his research as they look to prove a link they're convinced does exist. Whether or not to get your child vaccinated is a subject that really divides opinion, not least in the afternoon meeting we've just had about tonight's show. It's certainly not our place to pass comment on that, but you can have your say via the e-mails later.

Now, anyone caught up in the unpredictability of First Capital Connect's train services over the last few months will want to tune in later as we hear from the company for the first time. We've being chasing them to come on for ages. First, to comment on the situation last year when drivers refused to work their voluntary weekend shifts, causing severe disruption. And, more recently, to speak about the snow-induced commuter chaos to their services. Disgruntled members of the public get their chance to grill company bosses later, too. There's nothing like a good rant to make you feel better!

Also tonight, beer and comedy - a classic combination! First, we meet the East End pensioners, turned brewers, whose first batch of ale was so popular in the trendy bars that stocked it, reserves have run completely dry. They grew their own hops on a patch of ground at their community housing project in Tower Hamlets, evoking memories of when they used to go hop-picking in Kent. 'Old Hopper Brew' was the result and it's proved very popular indeed. I grew up in rural Herefordshire, a 'hop-bed' of beer and cider production, where I still organise a charity food festival each summer partly so that I can sample the latest brews on offer. Phil Bayles managed a taste test of 'Old Hopper' and said it was quite 'zesty'. None left to bring back for the rest of us, apparently, although I'm sure I just heard Phil clanking his way to his locker...?

On the comedy front, Andrew Maxwell joins us on the sofa. Not only an upstanding member of the stand-up community, but a regular on panel shows like 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' and 'Have I got News for You'. He also organises the regular comedy show, 'The Fullmooners' which is timed to co-incide with...the full moon. The next one is this Friday, so we'll get Andrew to tell us what newcomers can expect.

Beer and comedy. Now, if someone could just rustle me up a curry - the weekend can start early!

See you at six

Matt and Nina
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all.

Mayor Boris Johnson is has announced he's standing down from his role as head of the Metropolitan Police Authority despite pledging in his election campaign that he would personally take charge of the fight against crime in the capital. It represents quite a turnaround but one that some will welcome. He's been heavily criticised for overly politicising the police authority by combining his role as Mayor with that of head of the MPA. But you have to question whether standing down now suggests the doubters were right all along? No comment from Boris, but we do have an interview with former mayor Ken Livingstone over which Simon Harris will cast a politically impartial eye.

Some really bad news for drivers looking to cross Waterloo Bridge any time soon because three lanes will be shut for the rest of the year. Workers are carrying out structural work to the bridge that was built during the Second World War and survived the bombings. Lewis Vaughan Jones (or Ronaldo as we've been calling him since last nights 'keepy-uppy's), had the job of canvassing motorists....can't imagine what they said about it?! Your thoughts welcome later.

And following the desperately sad news that little Imogin Appiah has lost her battle with leukaemia, Glen Goodman's been speaking to her mum about how the fight to recruit more potential bone marrow donors will continue in her memory.

In sport, we'll have more on the problems at Crystal Palace following yesterday's news that the administrators have been called and in showbiz, we're joined by the woman once voted among the top ten 'hottest' on the planet. It's an image lads-mag legend Abi Titmuss is working hard to shed and she's in promoting her new play, 'Stage Fright'. It'll be interesting to hear how her new career as an actor is going - she got good reviews for playing Lady Macbeth recently and now she's turning her hand to comedy.

'And Finally'...Ben Scotchbrook is on Oxford Street with a load of anamatronic dinosaurs...which hopefully haven't been anywhere near Waterloo Bridge, or we could have a new lead story!

See you at six.

Matt and Lucy
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello. Welcome to the weekend.

A mixed bag in store for you tonight. The award for the oddest story of the day goes to an investment group, supported by Boris Johnson, to get the Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles areas of London collectively renamed. 'Midtown' is what they've got in mind...yes, that's what I thought, too! The idea is to get local businesses to put into a purse to improve the area, which seems reasonable enough. But why the ridiculous re-branding? Do they not know that Holborn has been called for over a thousand years?! And if you have to change the name - 'Midtown'? I mean, there are obviously numerous similarities bewteen Midtown New York and Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles: For NYC - Times Square, The Empire State Building, Broadway, Grand Central Station? The London areas, well, don't they don't have those, let's be honest. Your thoughts welcome on the email and perhaps your suggestions too. What do you think would be an appropriate new name? Keep them suitable for tea-time viewing please!

In more serious news, Nick Thatcher looks into reports that British Airways are training up baggage handlers to act as cabin crew to combat possible strikes and we'll have more on the impending misery for Jubilee Line users as maintenance crews prepare to stage a series of walkouts over pay...during Monday rush hours/.

There's another exciting F.A. Cup weekend in the offing and Lewis Vaughan Jones previews the fourth round clash between Crystal Palace and Wolves and looks at whether the magic of the F.A. Cup still exists. It's 20 years since Palace got to the final at Wembley. They drew 3-3 with Manchester United and lost the replay. It was United's first major trophy under Alex Fergusson and the closest Palace have ever come to major silverware. My prediction for the Wolves game? A hard fought match...I'm not falling for that one!

James King's in to talk all things movies and we have some budding young journalists in the studio for a chat too. They've been part of a national competition to find the next generation of talented reporters. Who's silly idea was that, by the way? Better not mess it up tonight, then - what with ready-made replacements literally waiting in the wings!

See you at Six.

Matt and Nina

PS Palace to win 1-0 - I must be swept up in the magic of the Cup!

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Afternoon all. Short blog today, sorry.

Now, what price an apology? 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word', according to Elton John. It's certainly a hard word to say and really mean, but it's not a hard word to say. Most of us say it numerous times a day and don't really mean it. Am I sorry it's a short blog today? Not really, to be honest - sorry...I meant it that time! So, how hard was it for two teenagers who threatened, harassed and assaulted staff at shops in East Ham to say sorry to their victims? It depends if they meant it and only they can answer that, but they've written letters of apology as part of their punishment. We'll find out later what their victims made of the letters. And feel free to contribute your two-penneth in the usual fashion.

Talking of apologies, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said sorry for William Gallas' horror tackle in last night's 4-2 win over Bolton. That's massive news. I mean, it was an absolute shocker of a challenge that saw Mark Davies stretchered off and how Gallas wasn't shown a red card, I'll never know. I've got a lot of respect for Arsene Wenger, and well done Arsenal for going top of the table, but he does have a history of selective eyesight when it comes to this sort of thing. So, fair play to him - apology accepted Arsene. But then, I don't suppose it was directed at me, really?

Also tonight, Lucy catches up with Sir Ian McKellen and Matthew Kelly who are starring in Samuel Beckett's groundbreaker, 'Waiting for Godot' at The Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

Matt and Katie

PS - I've just watched the interview Arsene Wenger gave on Match of the Day last night and it goes as follows...

Question: "Owen Coyle (the Bolton manager) feels that William Gallas 'assaulted' his player. What do you make of that?"

Arsene Wenger: "I don't think so. If it was like that, I regret it and I'm sorry but it didn't look like that during the game."

Hmmmm. Sing it again, Elton. Not sure the message has quite got through, yet!

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all.

Plenty to get through tonight and it's all pretty serious stuff.

We start with the backlash against the Met following an Independent Police Complaints Comission report into their handling of the Warboys case. Black cab driver, John Worboys, was convicted of one rape and 11 sex assaults in March last year and jailed indefinitely. But the IPCC report has highlighted a catalogue of errors that could have prevented the attacks on dozens of women, one of whom says her initial complaint was met with derision by officers who laughed at her. 'Lessons have been learned', say the Met and five officers have been received written warnings and 'advice', which hardly seems punishment enough. The most worrying aspect though, is the 'mind-set' within the Met talked about in the report. Another investigation into how the unidentified 21 year old woman's complaint was handled has now been ordered and there are plenty of questions for us to ask Commander Simon Foy, who's head of the Met's homicide and serious crime investigations unit, when he joins us live later.

Next, the mother who killed her brain-damaged son by injecting him with heroin has been found guilty of murder and sentened to a minimum of nine years in prison. Tom Inglis suffered severe head injuries when he fell out of a moving ambulance and his mother Francis, told the jury she had "no choice" other than to end his suffering.

We'll have more on the murder of teenager Asha Muneer, whose body was discovered by a riverside footpath in Reading on Monday night. Tributes have been paid to the teenager who was stabbed to death as she walked home. A 19-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder. And we'll have more on how the tragedy in Haiti is still affecting people from London.

Finally tonight, a spot of light relief as we examine the connection between the best athletes in the world and a group of quilt-making ladies from Hertfordshire??? All will be revealed, not least to me?

See you at six. Matt and Katie.
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Please note that to ensure regulatory compliance and for the protection of our clients and business,
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Thank You.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all.

Firstly, apologies for the rather abrubt end to last night's programme. One minute we were hearing from Lucy Cotter at the O2 about the BRIT nominations, the next we were off air without so much as a 'goodbye from us'! No, we weren't all off down the bookies to place bets on Lucy's BRITs tips, but there was a minor drama with a fire alarm. Katie and I were, of course, prepared to keep broadcasting until the bitter end, but we were told to join the orderly queue marching to the assembly point outside. So, apologies for that, but I understand you were left in the capable hands of Fred Dineage and the 'Meridian Tonight' team? I also understand that Fred signed off by thanking viewers in London and urging you to stay with them as theirs is 'a much better programme anyway'. He's a real card, Fred...no really, hilarious! ;-)

So. Tonight then...

We'll have details on the murder of a woman in Reading. The 19-year-old was found on a footpath next to the river Kennet at about quarter past nine last night. Forensic teams spent this morning searching the scene and police are asking for anyone who saw anything to get in touch. Murray Dron will have the very latest for us.

The takeover at West Ham by former Birmingham City owners, David Gold and David Sullivan features heavily this evening. They've got some task on their hands with the previous Icelandic owners leaving things in a pretty sorry state at Upton Park. There was the usual press conference rhetoric earlier which ranged from Premiere League survival in the short term to world domination in the long, but they're well aware of the task ahead. Sullivan estimates the club has debts in excess of a hundred million pounds and has inheritted a squad in need of serious bolstering. On the bright side for West Ham fans, what you have got in David Sullivan is a man committed to the cause. I interviewed him several times up in the Midlands while he was at Birmingham City and he was never shy of telling anyone of his aspirations to one day own West Ham. He's been waiting over twenty years. They aren't the sort of owners who sack managers either - two in sixteen years at Birmingham - and in Karen Brady, West Ham's new Vice Chairman, the club has one of the shrewdest operators in the business. What is interesting, is Mr. Sullivan's desire to move the club into the Olympic stadium...although without the athletics track. Quite what that does to the all-important legacy that was key to London's bid, only time will tell.

We'll have the Surrey family who are twenty six million pounds richer after winning the lottery...maybe we'll put them in touch with West Ham? Also, Lucy has the lowdown on new play, 'Six Degrees of Separation' - openning at the Old Vic tonight. And Robin will be going round in circles to bring us the weather as he marks the tenth anniversary of the London Eye. He'll be broadcasting live from one of the pods...a podcast then, surely?

See you at Six

Matt and Katie. And Robin...and Robin again...oh look, there's Robin...!

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all. Plenty on the show tonight...

Boris Johnson joins us live on the show tonight as he announces plans to completely eradicate London's dependence on landfill sites to dump our rubbish by 2025. With over four hundred million tonnes generated a year at a cost of over £600m to process, London has the worst recycling ratio in the country, something Bozza says we have to change. At the moment though, there's a massive discrepancy between the performances of different London Boroughs when it comes to recycling rubbish, so how's Boris going to do it? We'll ask him.

Also tonight, the passing of one of the capital's most colourful characters has been marked with what was much more a celebration of his life than a mourning of his death. For more than thirty years Peter Moore was the London's town crier, adorning events with his eye-catching garb and ear-splitting announcements. Mr. Moore died five days before Christmas, at the age of seventy and today, family, friends and fans gathered for his funeral.

And, the remarkable story of Nicholas McCarthy from Surrey who's chasing his dream to become a concert pianist. Admirable, but not that remarkable, you might think? But Nicholas only has one arm. Now, I had piano lessons as a youngster, so I know a bit about just how good you have to be to get to that level ('Easy to Play Christmas Carols' can be pretty taxing too, though, let me tell you) and I just can' t see how that's possible? Luckily, for me, Carolyn Sim can...

Also on the show tonight, Lucy's at the O2 for the announcement of this year's BRIT Award nominations which are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. The tv ceremony was always a must-see in our house and for some classic BRITs nostalgia, check out 'The BRITs Hits 30' on ITV1on Saturday night. It'll showcase some of the best performances from the past three decades. I don't know if Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood's cringeworthy attempts to host the show or Jarvis Cocker's infamous bum-wiggling stage invasion during Michael Jackson's performance make the list...but they should do! In terms of this year's nominations, what of London's chances? Well, La Roux, Dizzy Rascal, Tinchy Stryder and JLS have all got to be in with a shout (according to Lucy...I really have no clue). Bromley's Pixie Lott performs at the launch party tonight too, so plenty for us to shout about. Nominations are annouced while we're on air, so prepare for another classic tv moment as Lucy's left with nothing to announce if things are running late...good luck!

See you at six. Matt and Katie.

LONDON TONIGHT

Good Afternoon everyone,

Hope you're all well - looking forward to the weekend, devoid of snow and ice, we hope.

Got to be a quick round-up for this evening's programme - so here goes.

We've been speaking to the cousin of a UN worker who was on duty in Haiti. She hasn't been heard of since the quake that has killed thousands. No one can imagine the anguish her family is going through.

A family in anguish is also at the heart of another story tonight - the cousin of Sukhwinder Singh is appealing for help in catching his killers. You may remember the young father died in Barking last Friday after he gave chase to muggers who'd just made off with a lady's handbag. He caught up with them. They stabbed him.

There's also the battle between some homeowners who haven't had their rubbish collected. For 7 weeks. It stinks. How fair is that? We've been speaking to the council involved. Harrow, for your information.

Speaking of what's fair and what isn't fair... West Ham have today been fined £115,000 for the violent clashes between their fans and Millwall fans at Upton Park last year. Lots of debate in the office on how much impact that will actually have on the club.

And James King will be in talking about two new movies you might want to catch this weekend.

Robin McCallum will be out talking about what he can do with a block of ice and a chisel.

And Marcus Powell will be 'under' the water...

Find out why - at six.

Ben & Nina

Good evening,

There's been much talk of the thaw over the last couple of days. In Central London there's little, if any, evidence of the recent snow & ice but you don't have to travel too far out of town to find icy pavements & untreated minor roads still deep in snow.

Ironically fresh snow (I have discovered) is much easier to drive & walk on than the mushy grey sorbet that's still about, lying stubbornly on top of a frozen crust. In my neck of the woods driving anywhere other than on A roads remains quite a challenge - the thick slush makes it almost impossible to anything other than move very slowly forwards in a straight line. Turning a corner is alarming because the moment you leave the tracks left by the other cars it becomes the vehicular equivalent of Round 1 of Dancing on Ice.

We've got wind & rain on the way, though, (HURRAH) so with any luck the temperatures will improve & the snow might be washed away. Let's just hope it doesn't lead to flooding....

Hope to see you later,

Robin.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello again.

Not sure about you, but I'm getting a bit sick of snow, ice, slush and freezing cold train platforms. Maybe it's a sign of getting old, because my children are desperate for more of the white stuff. Apparently, the snowteddy in the playground could do with a bit of a facelift?! For the grown ups though, it only makes the working week all the harder. Snow has settled in central London for the first time this winter, some roads are impassable and some rail networks are suffering severe disruption. And, with all of our airports affected, those trying to escape to warmer climes have been scuppered today too. We're taking your emails on this tonight, so get in touch with your stories of how you've spent the day battling the weather. Maybe you've glimpsed some rarely seen community spirit that's kept you moving or perhaps you've got a view on why there's more snow chaos just days after the last lot?
...the full story later.

Plus, of course, we'll bring you bang up to date with what's happening now and how the gritters are balancing trying to keep us moving with the Government's directive to conserve salt and grit rations. Our reporters and camera crews have been going against all that is sensible and battling the conditions to bring you the latest picture from right around the region.

If you are on the move this evening, Ben Scotchbrook will have the full travel picture and Chrisie will have the latest weather forecast. But, if you want my advice - lock yourselves in for the night, get a nice hot chocolate on the go (marshmallows preferable, but not essential) and let us bring you up to speed with the latest movie turned West End musical to hit the stage in the capital...

'Legally Blonde' follows the trail blazed by the likes of 'Sister Act', 'Billy Elliott' and 'Grease' and tonight it opens at the Savoy Theatre in The Strand. Sheridan Smith plays the ditsy lead role made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the film. You might know Sheridan from her telly roles in 'Benidorm' and the brilliant 'Gavin and Stacey' in which she played Smithy's' sister, Rudi - also known as...er...Smithy?! Duncan James, once of boyband, 'Blue' fame, also stars. So, 'All Rise' for Lucy Cotter who's been down to rehearsals to find out 'what's occurin'?!

See you at six

Matt and Katie.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello all.

Some real talking points on the programme tonight. The one I suspect will spark the biggest response on the emails is the call by 'Peta' (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for the use of real bear skin on the ceremonial helmets worn by soldiers on guard at Buckingham Palace to be banned. Campaigners say the use of real fur, a tradition that goes back to the battle of Waterloo, directly contributes to the declining numbers of Canadian black bears in the wild. The MoD says a suitable synthetic alternative isn't available. But what's causing the most controversy is 'Peta's' current ad campaign which shows a grizzly mock-up of a soldier wearing a bear head with blood trickling down his face. Is that an appropriate image to put on the side of London busses when troops continue to die in Afghanistan? We'll discuss later.

Next, we've reported a lot on the power of the Met police to 'stop and search' anyone anywhere, without suspicion, under anti-terrorism laws. Well, that power has now been ruled illegal by the European courts. They were looking into the case brought by a photo-journalist and a student, who were stopped near an arms fair in Docklands in September 2003 and ruled that their human rights had been violated. So, with more than a quarter of a million people stopped and searched under the power in 2008, but with Home Office figures showing that only 0.6 per cent of stops led to an arrest, is this ruling a victory for freedom and democracy or a weakening of the police's power to combat terrorism?

Also tonight - as the ice melts, the pipes burst. Thames Water, which covers London and parts of the Thames Valley, has a backlog of 400 leaks to deal with - twice the normal number for this time of year. Somewhat of a 'thaw' point, I imagine?

And Lucy Cotter has today's BAFTA nominations for the 'Rising Star' award. From our patch: Nicolas Hoult from Wokingham who played Marcus in 'About a (Berkshire?) Boy' with Hugh Grant. He also plays Tony in 'Skins'. Out of interest, previous winners include Shia LaBeouf (the slightly manic bloke out of 'Transformers') and James McAvoy (who's done some really great work...but will always be Mr. Tumnus to me!)

Plenty more later.

See you at six,

Matt and Katie

london tonight tonight

Hello all. Welcome to what is set to be another cold and icey weekend. The weather dominates once again tonight as we concentrate on the region's schools. It must be a tough call for head teachers to decide whether to close their doors or not in the bad weather. If they do, they risk creating a knock-on childcare nightmare for parents and get accused of being too soft. If they do soldier on and keep their doors open despite the snow, they risk the health and safety of staff and pupils. As ever, a common sense balance needs to be struck, but is it being? Murray Dron has spent the day looking at how many schools in our area have closed and how the Heads make the decision. What does seem strange is why some schools are shut while those just down the road stay open? Murray will have more and as ever, your thoughts welcome on the email.

We'll also take an in-depth look at how the bad weather can affect the elderly. Last winter in London more than three and a half thousand people over the age of 65 died because of cold weather. But it's not just their health that can suffer - many feel isolated and alone. Ronke Philips investigates.

The last of what's been an emotive series of features from Phil Bayles about our ASBO city tonight and Hollywood actor Colin Salmon (who's been in several Bond movies playing 'M's' sidekick) is coming in, weather permitting! He'll fill us in on his 'thrilling' new film, 'Exam'.

And then - I make an idiot of myself ice skating. There's more to the story as I meet nine-time British speed skating champion, European silver medalist and soon-to-be three-time Olympian, Sarah Lindsay. But, 'I make a prat of myself ice skating' pretty much sums things up.

See you six

Matt and Nina
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Hello there. A belated happy New Year to you all. I hope you had an enjoyable and stress free Christmas. Personally, apart from the obligatory lack of batteries on Christmas morning and only realising that I'd forgot to put the vegetarian option in the oven as I was serving up the Christmas dinner, it all went off pretty well. Food wise, it was a case of five weeks to plan and five minutes to demolish, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, there were no major dramas and it was great to spend time with family and friends. We were hosting, so I've started the New Year thoroughly exhausted, but Katie takes the award for the busiest festive period - I'm amazed she's still standing!

Favourite present? 'The Bumper Book of Cricket Trivia'. Most random gift received? Comedy musical instruments tie which, I'm sorry mum, will never make it into the studio!

So, after what seems like a month of over-indulging and under-sleeping, welcome to the first week of January. I'm not a big fan of resolutions, I never seem to stick to them, but if I was to make any they would be the usual kind of stuff: go to the gym more often (or at all), lay off the vino (I might just start with week nights) and get a grip of the finances (there's a real danger that a S.W.A.T team may be waiting for me the next time I try to use my debit card). A quick straw poll in the office sees programme editor Ken and entertainment guru Lucy both needing to go down the fitness route as the London Marathon looms large. Katie is also committed to taking more exercise, but is yet to assemble the new bike she had for Christmas which doesn't bode well. She also wants to join a choir and do some metal detecting, which could make for an interesting weekend?! Alastair Stewart, the busiest man in telly, hopes to make a bit more time for himself in 2010 - which is never going to happen in an election year!

Collectively, (corporate alert) the London Tonight team will continue to bring you the latest news from the world's best city along with in-depth features, special reports and all that's hot in the world of movies, music, entertainment and the arts in our own unique way. We've started the new term with renewed vigour and enthusiasm (I got the memo) and another belter of a programme tonight, so don't forget to tune in at six.

The weather dominates proceedings later with the Met Office warning that the severe snow that has already disrupted much of the north of England is heading our way. Remember the disruption in the capital last February when the snow fell? Everything seemed to grind to a complete halt. I got snowed in at work...which was no fun at all. So, are we any better prepared this time round? We'll ask Boris, but suffice to say, I've brought my toothbrush just in case!

Matt and Katie
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon and a very 'Happy Christmas Eve-Eve' to one and all.

Can't believe it. All the shopping's done. All the food's in. Just got a bit of wrapping to do now which I'll knock off when I get in later tonight. (And it is later tonight - the late bulletin's on at twenty five past eleven.) And all for one day. Seriously, why do we do it? Because it's fun, that's why. Whether you're with your family, round at your mate's or having a nice quiet one with the best of the year's TV... I hope you have a wonderful time.

That's all to come. There's the small matter of this evening's news programme to negotiate first.

And it starts tonight with pilots attempting to negotiate their way down onto the runway at Heathrow, in the face of the craziest of crazes that has only got worse this year. Increasingly often, pilots have been coming into land only to have a complete idiot firing a laser pen up into the cockpit from the ground. Even the low-powered laser-pens could completely disorientate the pilot, while the more powerful models could damage their eyes permanently. We've been up with the police in their helicopter, taking a look at their clever kit which can spot up exactly where the pens are being shone from.

Now, spare a thought for all those people who had plans to be elsewhere this Christmas. By elsewhere I mean somewhere significantly different to where they are now. Well, you know, people who were going to travel somewhere before the big day (don't know why I didn't say that in the first place) and can't because of the weally wintery weather we've been having. I'm still struggling to believe this but I'm told that earlier in the day the queue at St Pancras station (think Eurostar) stretched for over 2 miles. That's a big queue. Even longer if you're in it with small children.

And then the story of Eileen and Tom Allen from Hampshire whose son Martin disappeared 30 years ago. He was just 15 at the time. They were living in Kensington when he just disappeared. There was a huge police operation at the time, following a possible sighting of Martin with a man on the tube. But after all these years, they still don't know what happened to him. And they want to know. They really want to know.

We'll cover that and we'll also have a report on the crisis centres that are set up every Christmas for the capital's homeless people. We're told 8 thousand volunteers are giving their time and expertise to help people less fortunate than themselves this year. Very laudable - and we all take our hats off to them.

China figures in one of our reports tonight - the story of a man from Kentish Town, Akmal Shaikh who was caught carrying a substantial amount heroin through a Chinese airport. His punishment? The death penalty. In six days' time. The Prime Minister has joined the chorus of people appealing for clemency from the Chinese government, in light of the fact that Mr Sheikh has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder - an extreme form of depression which leaves him suffering from delusions.

We'll also have the final part of our special series looking at Londoners serving on the front line in Afghanistan.

And to play out tonight - something Christmassy...

See you at six,

Ben & Nina

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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT

Good Afternoon to you.

And if it is a good afternoon where you are, spare a thought for those who are fighting on the front line in Afghanistan, looking after those on the front line, keeping them fed and watered too. It is a massive operation and it will carry on regardless of Christmas. Well, this week, as we most of thoughts turn to decorations, fancy food and exciting presents, we're going to be shining the spotlight on all those who won't be enjoying the fruits of the festive period with their friends and family. Our reporter Ronke Phillips and one of our cameramen, Mike Field, are in Camp Bastion tonight where they're reporting on some members of the Territorial Army who normally live and work in our part of the world but this Christmas are on duty in a much more hostile part of the world. Keep your fingers crossed as we're then hoping to link one of them up with her colleagues at Brixton Prison.

We'll then have the latest on the woman who was questioned at Southwark police station last week. She organised for someone to come and look after her baby. But the police officers there then gave the little girl to, er, someone else. Someone not known to the family. A stranger in fact. Who then left the police station with her. The good news, the excellent news, is that the baby has been found and she's both safe and well. The bad news is that this happened. The Met are, unsurprisingly, looking into it.

Christmas - and the prospect of a less than jolly one - underpins another of our stories. A number of homeowners over Barnet way have lost their gas supply because of a flood. That's no central heating, not hot water, no cooker. How does a flood cut off your gas? We're trying to find out. The thing is - a lot of these people were given a little electric heater to combat the worst of the cold - but that then shorted their electricity supply too. And Christmas is just four days away now...

Someone who probably personifies the true message of Christmas is The Reverend Simon Boxall. His adopted daughter, Hosie, died when she jumped out of a window in Blackheath after two girls bullied her into it. It was a dreadful story and the two culprits were convicted of manslaughter last month. Most of us in the Reverend's position would struggle to say anything less than scathing about the pair of them but he has publicly forgiven them, because he said, someone has to break the cycle of bitterness. And he and his wife feel it should be them.

We've another story which suggests the spirit of Christmas isn't only something you read about in Dickens' novels.

You may remember we told you about some burglars who broke into a house in Islington recently and stole a TV, computer games and Christmas presents - right in front of a nine year old boy. Bailey Preston has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, so was powerless to intervene. Well, when we broadcast the story we had a lot of people getting in touch, telling us how appalled they were. And a lot of them did more than that.

Oh, and we've also got some sewer workers singing a Christmas song. In the sewers. Now that's what I call Christmas.

See you at six,

Ben & Nina

Please Note:

Any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent
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Thank You.