London Tonight Tonight

Hi,

You may have heard us talking about Twitter in recent weeks - we've been "tweeting" updates on the programme through the day for a little while.

For those of you who haven't come across it yet, it's a kind of micro-blogging site. Still not sure what that means? Basically it's like text messaging (but on the internet) a whole group of people some of whom you know and others who just follow you because they like what you say. Still don't get it? No, neither did we till we actually tried it, but trust us, it's rather popular and very trendy all of a sudden - and it seems today was the day of the Twitter demonstration - as G20 protesters descended on the capital.

Can we say the organisers were using Twitter? Well - they probably were - but the overwhelming number of people using it were journalists, bystanders, city workers, "everyday" protestors and people all over the world who just wanted to talk about what was going on. #g20 (a hash code allows you to search for a certain topic) became very popular, people posted their own pictures of the events, and people have started talking about the protest and the G20 summit being a turning point for Twitter (as is the headline in this Telegraph article http://bit.ly/o0Eya ).

We'll reflect all that tonight (and you can still follow - or read back on - our twitter updates at http://twitter.com/londontonight ).

But of course, more importantly, we'll also have the story of the day the "old" media way, with pictures, reporters and cameramen and women in the thick of it, bringing you all you need to know about what happened, what's happening, and what's likely to happen next.

Alastair and Katie are live on location with the programme tonight - don't miss it.

Latest G20 pictures

Don't forget live updates on http://twitter.com/londontonight and full coverage on ITV1 in London at 6pm tonight

More G20 protests

G20 latest video

Obama arrives in Downing Street

G20

Follow our updates on Twitter (@londontonight) and on ITV1 from 1330, 1800 and 2200.

London Tonight Tonight

Good afternoon.
I have to confess it is an odd day.
Most people who use Stansted airport do so for it's "cheap and cheerful" flights operated principally by Ryanair. I was once booked on one and asked, on check-in, if I might have an aisle seat. "If you can get one" came the accurate but not entirely helpful response.
It will be funny, therefore, to see the Boeing 747 which is Air Force One arrive this evening with President Obama on board. He can sit where he wants and doesn't have to queue for duty free, even though he still smokes. He arrives a bit after we finish, but Ben will capture the anticipation. Michael O'Leary, who runs Ryanair, will try and charge the President for anything and everything, but will be whisked away by the men with crew-cuts who talk to their cuff-links and who are constantly listening to the CIA HQ in Langley Virginia on their ear-pieces.

Katie is sitting listening to Oxygen by Jean Michel Jarre who is not on the programme tonight but who can only manage to come and see us today before his concert in two weeks' time. Tres busy cher Michel! So we are talking to him today. You will have to be patient and try to remember the memorable rift in the middle of Oxygen before you see and hear him in a fortnight...

Patience will also be required tomorrow in what is called Gold Command. It is the nerve centre of the Met's operations when "a big one" is in the offing. It was here that the surveillance of Jean Charles De Menezes went so tragically wrong, so let's hope there's been a shift change since then because tomorrow and Thursday they will be looking after London and our 19 "global-leader" guests [G20=Gordon Brown + 19 others!]
Obama has his own small regiment and I would advise the Boys in Blue to smile sweetly, compliment them on their hair-dressing and ask them to "move along please". They neither need nor welcome help. Piers is among those under the command of Gold Command, and KD and I talk to he who will be Gold Commander, live on the programme. We'll avoid asking him about fiscal stimuli, but will try and get one in on what chances there are of getting to the Isle of Dogs on Thursday. We'll risk asking him if he and his Thin Blue Line are likely to over-react and, assuming he doesn't over-react himself and clamp us in irons, we'll bid him farewell and ask for your thoughts.

Despite hints from Downing Street and the Treasury, we will not be diverting The People's Millions to bail out the Dunfermline Building Society or any of the other financial institutions driven into the ground by greed, incompetence, toxic assets and a fundamental lack of paying attention. No, good friends, we will give them to you. Or at least to those among you who come up with the best-argued case for a worthy recipient. Browns and Darlings need not put on wigs and false moustaches! I mean what I write...

Minnie, who doesn't work on London Tonight but works with KD and me on Lunchtime News, has just shimmied by saying "he's cool, quite fit" which neither means he's an Inuit nor a weightlifter. Faye, (pastel check, jeans and ballet pumps - and a year older but not a day less beautiful) says "Yeah, you remember him... what was it KD? That song... you know, bit like James Blunt but not..."
All this supposedly helpful background info blurred in my mind and I gave up. Lucy, who knows what she is talking about, is talking to James Morrison who is performing at the Royal Albert Hall; given what I do know about that venue, I am happy to assume he is both good and famous. You be the judges.

We also have something that isn't really important but is fun nonetheless - a couple from Greenford went to Cambridgeshire but missed Greenford. So they recreated it, Greenford that is, there and then. Well there but not then - it took years. Scale is at the heart of the tale and you won't want to miss it. Believe me.

We always believe Chrissie with her weather but I am thinking of getting the scarf out again, given what I've heard.
The papers don't lie, they just spin a bit, but we'll have them for you.
And our latest talented young Londoner who is called Kevin and is a free-runner. Nope.... I am in James Morrison territory again but I am told the opening sequence of James Bond's "Casino Royale" will help....

See you at 6.

Alastair and Katie.

London Tonight Tonight

Good afternoon.

A lovely woman is selling chocolate muffins in our office for the charity Women for Women which is not some militant, latter-day Pankhurstian group of men-haters, but a really great gang supporting Professor Winston and his fertility work. So I bought one and then treated the Oz to one. She is, as I speak, making tea to go with the aforementioned confections.
Meantime, in 1361, in St Albans, the medieval monastic equivalent of Marco Pierre White, contrived a wonderful bun, laced with cardamom, with two lines, intersecting at 90 degrees, cut into the pre-baked mixture. He didn't call it a Hot Cross Bun but an Alban Bun. Alban was an early English martyr who died, not as a result of eating too many buns, but for his faith in 304 AD at the hands of the Romans. They, I am told by Faye, (beautifully enormous now as a result of her impending motherhood rather than an excess of buns), took the original Hot Cross Buns to Greece where they flourished... so much better than a kebab late at night after too much cheap liquor, I suppose.
Anyway, tonight Ben heads for Verulamium, as was, and samples the modern day equivalent of the bun, as was. The Oz and I have asked for some, too, but we are yet to learn of our luck, so will keep the chocolate muffins under wraps incase The Big Boss decrees we have stuffed our faces, to excess, already. Gorgeous Dan is also worried: he thinks it will make a mess of "his" studio... I do, however, have a dustpan and brush and a passion for a bun. Watch this space.

Talking of "excess": 2 Jumbo Jets, a fleet of helicopters, a battalion of Ray-Ban wearing, cuff communicating crew-cut cadres, a mobile hospital, a private blood bank, a unique Cadillac which has more in common with a tank than a limo', and your own chef might be a reasonable example of that word. When Obama travels, the White House travels with him. So apart from the actual slave-built, architectural edifice on Pennsylvania Avenue, it seems we are getting the lot for the two and half days your man is here. He is a superstar with much of the world's affection and hopes resting on his elegant shoulders, but we will be hard-pressed to see him. Apart from on TV. I think it is a shame and so does Harris; so, on your behalf, he is scouting the City and the East End for possible vantage points. I've suggested a very short haircut, flash sunglasses and Bermuda shorts to help him blend in, but he gave me a very old-fashioned look. By the way, I don't think Obama likes the Cadillac, known as The Beast, as he has just made the resignation of the Chief Exec' of General Motors a condition for more Government aid! Teach him to get the interior and hub caps wrong, won't it?

Marcus is not scouting the East End of the City for vantage points but is on the heels of the Boys in Blue who are scouring Hertfordshire for body parts. Two bits have already turned up and if they can find the rest, they'll know who it is, and start the grim process of discovering why someone decided to do such a dreadful thing. It is a gruesome yet fascinating tale.

What could also be fascinating and gruesome is the new alliance of protesters over Heathrow's expansion. On the one hand, the persistent yet polite people of Sipson; on the other, son of Swampy and the types who will scale the fence and run in front of the 3.20 flight to Tenerife at the drop of a banner. Ronke goes underground and behind the lace curtains, to get the full and balanced story.

Jon is feeling crowded in his flat and so has produced a piece on "extensions". I think this is an attempt to garner favour with the planning committee, or persuade his lender of the merits of a bigger mortgage: I can do "dubious" just as well as "convinced", you see, and on this one it's a "D". Seriously, he is not alone, and Kirstie will tell us if "I'm putting in an attic conversion" is the new "I'm moving up the property ladder".

My favourite story of the day involves silent black and white films of the First World War, a lip-reader and a very busy "beeper". In my view, those young men, and some were obscenely young, were entitled to say whatever they wanted as loudly as they wanted; but, at 6pm, we have seen the better part of valour, and it is caution. It's a bit like the Heathrow alliance - there are some young soldiers, probably called Bertie, who wish their "mamas" all the best; and a few, probably called "Tommy", who tell the cameraman where he can put his lens in rather graphic and amusing detail. In Phil's hands, it will be moving, enlightening and funny.

Our Search for The Stars found some, and we will share. Wacky Rimmel is Faye's hot tip. I think it might be a cartoon car race between items of make-up but Faye's saying nothing. Again, our programme at 6 will resolve all.

Please be there or you will miss all of the above, plus Chrissie and the papers.

(Please e-mail The Big Boss in support of the bun consumption aspiration!)
That's me sacked again.

Alastair and/or, if I am sacked, Alex

What Not To Miss

Here are the official websites of the events featured in this weeks "What Not To Miss"

http://www.ladolcevitaevent.co.uk
http://www.thevitalityshow.co.uk/
http://www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk/

London Tonight Tonight

Afternoon,

Alastair's had his hair cut - I told him it looks slick - he says keeping it short is the only way to make it clear he's accepting going bald on top! Well, he looks very smart nevertheless...

We've got Torvill and Dean in the studio today. They're going to be talking to us about Ray winning Dancing on Ice of course - I had a thought about putting Al forward for the next series - but I've been advised against it. Maybe he'd be better at the dancing without the ice...I'll ask him when he gets back..I don't know why this is all about him so far - he's deserted me this afternoon again so, let's get to the other stuff..

You'll love the movies today - James is here to talk about Knowing - that's the one Nicolas Cage was promoting earlier in the week. James was in the same cinema as me - could have done with him sitting next to me as I was all on my own and it scared the bejesus out of me - will have to ask if he was a scaredy cat too. He's also seen The Damned United - we had the star of that on this week too - the very, very lovely Michael Sheen (NOT to be confused with Martin Sheen!) I haven't seen this one yet but as I moonlight in the sporting world it is on my list - and I do love Michael so think it's well worth a look...I'm sure James will have enjoyed this one..but I've been wrong before (just the once though).

This next story could make a good movie script - it's about a gang of forgers who literally printed their own money. That's one way to sort the recession out I suppose. But the best bit is they've got an average age of nearly 60 - with one of them aged 83! They met at Claridges and a working men's club in Acton to work out the finer details of their scam - I think I'd better copyright that movie idea..they're being sentenced today after being caught red-handed though.

So, from oldies to youngies and Rachel's been to meet some Women's Institute members who are all in their 20s. After spending mothering Sunday learning how to make my Mum's famous Lemon Curd I'm actually quite into this one. The girls want to carry on the W.I. traditions of jam making and cross stitching.

Then Lewis Vaughan Jones is out in a rowing boat on the Thames. It is of course the Boat Race this weekend - which to me is a great excuse to hit a pub on the river for the afternoon/evening now my rowing days are far behind me. So it's down to LVJ -hopefully in an all-in-one-lycra affair - to attempt to join a crew. I have it from the horses mouth that he's done this a few times before so I don't think he'll embarrass himself - unless he wears the lycra of course.

We've also got the latest from the Meredith Kercher trial in Italy and the emotional tributes from Jimmy Mizen's parents after the schoolboy's killer was sentenced to life in prison for his murder.

That's all at 6.

See you then.

Alex & Alastair.

Weather blog

Good evening.

I come to you fresh from a working lunch with Sian Lloyd (or tv's Sian Lloyd as she insists on being called). You might be surprised to learn that the main topic we covered was not the ropey weather & the fact that in a little over 24 hours things will become much more settled with sunshine & better temperatures heading our way, but instead we discussed her recent theatrical triumph in 'The Vagina Monologues'. Sadly, despite my former life as an actor, I'll never get the chance to emulate her success in that particular show -for obvious reasons- but it was fascinating to hear about her experiences & her new found love of treading the boards. In fact, & this should go no further, she has taking to wearing a turban & calling everybody Darling -loudly- but I suspect this is a passing phase....

Meanwhile, back at the coal face, there's a quiet, industrious hum of people pulling everything together for this evening's programme which looks like a corker. Plus the weekend is imminent & the weather's perking up; what more could you want?

See you later,

Robin.

London Tonight Tonight

Afternoon,

I'm very much looking forward to tonight - there are gorillas (avec baby gorilla) and cartoon characters. I'm easily pleased as you know - and these stories are really doing it for me today. Al's off at a meeting, he says he'll be back soon, but I fear he's deserted me...

Meanwhile, Ben's gone off the jump into the gorilla's enclosure at Chessington - I'm not going to be mean to Ben (although I'm finding it very hard not to make some sort of cheeky comment...) I'll focus on the cuteness of the bubba gorilla and the cheeky side of the story. We covered it a while back - the boy gorilla needed a girl gorilla to play with - one was supplied via a bit of matchmaking on the internet - obviously! The zoo keepers were worried they wouldn't get on - but lo and behold they more than got on - they got it on pronto, and have delivered their first little 'un. Faye was wondering how long the gestation period was for a gorilla - I googled - it's 8 and a half months. We thought it must have been less as it seems like only yesterday they were introduced. Later we'll introduce you to their baby...

Before that we've got a bit of deja vu. Remember the taxi driver John Worboys - he drugged and attacked women in the back of his black cab - but the cops didn't link the cases of more than a dozen women. They now think he may have assaulted hundreds of women before he was eventually stopped 13 years too late.

Well, another serial sex offender's finally been brought to justice, but again the cops didn't put all the clues together and Kirk Reid was allowed to get away with it for 7 years. He's been convicted of attacking more than 20 women in South London - but police have had to apologise 'cos they think he attacked more than 70, and they missed so many opportunities to arrest him. Emma Walden's got all the details for you.

Then we're looking at those G20 protests again. As the day gets closer - the cops are getting worried - they've sent divers out today... The bankers are getting worried - their bosses have told them to ditch the pin-striped suits for the day... And the protesters are getting ready to make their point, warning it could get ugly. Simon Harris is the man with the plans - he's going to fill us in on what the police, banks and protesters all have in store for the day the world's leaders come to town.

Next we've got the councils who banked on the wrong banks to make our tax bucks go further. They've been told off for investing in Iceland (the banks not the supermarket) - when we were all told that was a v v bad idea. The councils say they received the warnings too late...Phil Bayles is checking that one out.

Then, there's Gwyneth Paltrow. She's been talking to Lucy about some film she's in - Lucy says it's weird... I think they talk about more than the movie though - so I'm sure we can look forward to chat about juggling the school run, with a Hollywood career and a rock star husband... Don't worry, I won't be feeling sorry for her either!

We've also got Wallace and Grommit - well, their house and their creator anyway... They've mocked up a massive version of their home for kids to play in at the Science Museum - and Liz Wickham's the lucky girl who's gone along.

See that and the rest at 6.

Alex & Alastair.

Weather Blog

Good evening.

I feel vindicated (borderline smug) at having sounded a note of caution in the middle of last week's warm, sunny & settled weather because things have now gone downhill. It's fairly typical of the weather at this time of year as we make the transition from Winter to Spring & it can, at times, feel like a joke that's not really working. It would be comforting to think that a spell of mild weather would be followed by more of the same, getting ever milder with each passing week but the current situation proves that this is too much to ask. Our location on the planet & the fact that we're surrounded by water mean that we get it in the neck & high pressure can be replaced by low in a matter of hours.

Despite a shabby contribution to the day from the weather department, things here are looking good. The programme is in excellent shape & the only rumblings of discontent I've heard concern the number of meetings various people are required to attend. In fact Alastair disappeared almost as soon as I arrived & missed the daily programme meeting because he was needed at another meeting elsewhere in the building.
Talking of which I've got a meeting now so will have to leave you but hope to see you later.

All the best 'til then,

Robin.

London Tonight Tonight

Afternoon,

I've just had a brownie and a muffin - very naughty - but I had to do it. Faye said she'd be forced to eat them all if we didn't help. Yum - happy to be of service. Especially as she's had a bit of a stressful day - I just heard the phrase "I can't pull the news out of my a**e". I laughed but I don't think it's a laughing matter. Al's stepped in to sort it out and everyone seems happier now.

I think it all had something to do with Jade. Turns out the estate in Bermondsey where her Mum lives (Jade's not Faye's) could be renamed in honour of the late Mrs Tweed. It's currently named after a rather famous writer - one Charles Dickens. Glen's been to Bermondsey to see what the current residents think - and some of them really like the idea apparently! He's also going to be chatting to veteran commentator Rod Liddle who I'm told may well have a view which could be described as polar opposite. We'll be asking for your opinions of the whole thing.

Now, we were telling you last night about the G20 summit protests which are planned for next week - well, it turns out the businesses based at Excel (where the summit's a happenin') think they're being kept in the dark. Whilst the anti-capitalists warn they're going to bring London to a standstill and aren't against a bit of property damage - the business owners haven't been told anything more than the suggestion they shut up shop for a few days. They've been talking to Simon Harris about why they're not best pleased.

Then the Queen's out and about - Ben's there to track Her Maj as she heads down East End way just like her Mummy did before her.

I'm sounding a little cockney in my head - I think it might be because we were all transfixed by the reformed collection of the Spandau Ballet boys. They're all Londoners and all a bit geezer. Well, they've done what they said they'd never - and gone and got back together. Al reckons they must have got a tax bill. I remember the songs, but don't really remember all the court battles that ensued after they went their separate ways. Seems all hunky-dory now that they're jumping on the Take That bandwagon. Lucy's bagged us the first interview with them about their comeback tour.

I told you yesterday I went to see Nic Cage's new movie Knowing - bloomin' scary. Just watched a couple of clips back and I'm certain I'm not being a wimp. Check it out for yourself - oh, and hear from the lovely Nic himself too.

That's all at 6, of course.

See you then,

Alex & Alastair.

London Tonight Tonight

Afternoon,

I've just been to see Knowing - the new Nicholas Cage movie - and I was soooooo scared!! Sat all alone in a dark corner of the Empire in Leicester Square - I do not recommend. I do recommend the movie - just not viewing it on your own. I went to meet Nic (that's what I can call him now obviously) and you'll be able to hear from him tomorrow.

Today we've got Michael Sheen back in. He was here a couple of months ago talking about Frost/Nixon - which was bloomin' brilliant. Now he's going to tell us all about his new movie The Damned United. After Tony Blair and David Frost, he's now channelling Brian Clough. Apparently his family (Brian's not Michael's) aren't too happy with the movie. We'll have to ask Mr Sheen all about that later on.

Sticking with the showbiz theme Lucy's been to see Priscilla. Queen of the Desert opens tonight - starring none other than everyone's favourite neighbour (after Kylie!) Jason Donovan. He came in a little while back - and made me all giggly - I did have a poster of him on my wall after all. I'm sure the stage show won't disappoint - well I'm hoping it won't as I've already booked tickets for my sister's birthday next month!! Lucy will tell me if that's money well spent later. Fingers crossed.

Scooting back to the start of the show tonight - we're kicking off with some protesters who are prepared to do more than just kick off. Anarchists want to bring London to a standstill with massive protests against the start of the G20 summit. Some of them want to "Burn the Bankers". Sounds nasty - Simon is going to fill us in on what we can all expect.

After that we've the tale of a security guard who was working on one of those cash vans when robbers decided to try and nick said cash. He stood up to them and got showered with bullets for his troubles! Ronke's been to speak to him all about it.

Then we've got Bozza's plans to shed jobs and save cash in his London offices, the council's plans to stop hereditary stall holders on Oxford Street - and some breaking news from the British Museum (well, kind of).

All that (and more I'm sure) at 6.

See you then.

Alex & Ben.

London Tonight Tonight

Good afternoon.
Got a wedding coming up? Want to spruce up your home? Need help in getting that "just-right" gift for someone special? A new company called 'pleaseandthankyou.co.uk' might be just the ticket. On the other hand, you may feel a little less enthusiastic when you learn that the 'daddy' of 'Wrapit' is involved.
'Wrapit' was the company that went bust, breaking many a bridal heart when the nicely crafted wedding gift lists, which inspired acts of real generosity on the part of the best buddies of many lovely couples, came to nothing.
We have just had an interesting debate - not quite Milton Friedman's monetarists VS Maynard Keynes public spenders, but valid, nevertheless: in America people who see their businesses go "bust" are encouraged, yes encouraged, to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start all over again. It is the fuel of free enterprise, the high octane propellant of the free market. Here, we are a bit more "once bitten, twice shy" aren't we? KD and I were quite "north American" about it whilst Faye, (black patent leather "Pirates of the Caribbean" boots again: "they're comfy", she says, and elegant black cocktail dress), was slightly more "Brit" in her attitude.
Look up "caveat emptor" and I think you'll find KD and I may have the point.
Anyway, Glen, an abacus and Corn Laws man I think, will review the prospects and hear from the cautious as well as those who would throw that commodity to the wind. Then we will ask you what you think.

If only the popular Member for Harrow East had asked someone what they thought, before submitting his expenses, he might have avoided being in the eye of a parliamentary storm. Last week he was announcing the unemployment figures and, if things go any worse for Tony McNulty, he might be joining them. Like all of us, he loves his mum and dad and their home - he pops in regularly, especially when visiting them at the weekend. They live in his constituency and he occasionally "stays over" which is also a nice thing to do. But can he claim, therefore, that this is his second home? And does he really need a "second home" when, if he left Westminster, went to his own family home, then his parents - or HIS "second" - Harrow home, then back to Westminster - he'd have covered a shorter distance than from Whitehall to the coast?
It seems he didn't actually break the rules, but Tories and watchdogs alike are saying he might have, and he certainly should have thought a bit more. Harris is ranting, as I write: more about how difficult editing on your own can be, than what Mr McNulty may or may not have done. But I'll be tuned in on any account and I suggest you are too.

Harris is ranting but NOT swearing. Unlike a Londoner who went to Thailand and was stopped at Immigration where they promptly put the wrong passport number into the computer system and questioned him about his intentions. He is currently on bail facing trial and possibly jail... not for who he IS or even who he WASN'T, but for expressing, in quaint Anglo-Saxon terms, what he thought of them and their IT system. Oops! It could get nasty, "bleep" nasty...

What would be really nice, on the other hand, would be if we could help our good friends the De Gales find a donor for little Imogen, a six year old who is desperate for a bone marrow transplant but, for whom, a donor cannot be found. I am talking about Daniel's parents who, despite his sad death a few months ago, still work tirelessly to get black and other ethnic groups to pluck up courage and become donors. Time is running out for Imogen so we owe it to her and to the De Gales. Ronke will prod consciences, and have the details of how you can help.

Lucy spends time tonight with Richard Curtis, who's Notting Hill and Black Adder still make me laugh aloud, and Gemma Arterton, who I loved in Quantum of Solace and got all in a tizzy over in St. Trinians. They launch "The Boat That Rocked" tonight in Leicester Square which didn't even have a pond last time I was there so it could be fun! How embarrassing for Gemma to have her "form control" revealed to the world this week. Uncalled for, in my view. Whoever did it deserves a spank or even Spanx, come to that...

We will have Chrissie's weather and London's papers which, earlier today, were very cross about Mr McNulty. By tea-time, they may have moved on - find out with us, at 6.
We will also talk to some youngsters about Jade Goody to see what merit they think there may or may not have been in all the coverage of her illness and her death. My mind is open, as I am sure is yours. But talk about walking tightropes...

See you at 6, unless I fall off.

Alastair and Katie.

Pete Doherty

Did you miss our Pete Doherty interview on Friday?

Here are the highlights.

London Tonight Tonight

Good afternoon.

I am watching Natasha Richardson's coffin being moved from her home in New York for burial. What a sad loss. I have interviewed her mother Vanessa and her uncle Corin and admire them, deeply. I feel so sorry for them, her gifted husband Liam and their two teenage sons.

Alex can't be with us tonight because she is also attending a family funeral so I am thinking, affectionately, of her too.

Let me now lift your spirits by telling you that in her place I am lucky to be sitting with Lucy Cotter - a beautiful and gifted young woman who is more used to working with the George Clooneys of this world so how lucky am I?

Less lucky is she - she went to interview Pete Doherty. Pete's mum has been on the show and Pete, himself, has made several appearances - most, fair to say, as he walked into or out of court. But Lucy has landed a proper sit-down with the troubled young troubadour. She had to wait for him to turn up and then had to wait for lucid answers to some of her questions. But, because it is was in her hands, we have a remarkable bit of television which I think you will find very interesting.

We also have the parents who found it "very interesting" to receive a call from someone saying they had just seen their 3 year old toddler in a McDonalds. Not because they were anti fast foods but because they could have sworn he was on a school trip with his nursery. Well he was until he got left behind. It is not as funny as Home Alone because it is not funny at all and Home Alone is, to be fair, funny in parts. Ours is a horror of a tale and what the nursery "offered" to the parents to make-up for things left us with jaws dropped. I think you may react in the same way.

I have found the whole Julie Myerson/Jake Myerson saga jaw dropping. We all have run-ins with our kids but to go public about them in a newspaper column and then a book requires a certain amount of explanation. Emma is our mother-confessor. In Julie's defence, I would concede that to have a son involved with skunk, a particularly virulent so-called recreational drug which the experts say is much more a wrecker than a recreation, may get Julie off the hook - to a degree. Lucy and I will listen with open minds and ask for your comments.

I do not know what an Ait is but I do know that a Raven, or an "unkindness" of Ravens (look it up if you don't believe me!), had or have one in the Thames. What is more it has been occupied by squatters making life difficult for would-be newly weds. I have not been experimenting with skunk - Phil will wade out and explain all.

Glen has got his big cheque book out again and will be waving it in a tempting fashion tonight. It is The People's Millions time again and we are keen to give cash away to deserving causes. The cheque is as big as Glen but the amount of money is even bigger so it is worth going for. He'll peer over the top and explain.

James towers over me, physically, but meets, in Lucy, something of a match when it comes to movies. So I may sit to one side and enjoy a clash of the celluloid titans as they talk "Duplicity" and "Age of Stupid". If there's a rodent involved, I'll comment: If not, "mum" may be the word.

If she survives Pete D, Lucy will also tell you what not to miss this weekend and we will both share tonight's front pages with you.

Robin, one of life's "nesters" , has shimmied down Earls Court Way in search of his ideal dwelling only to find a whole show dedicated to his needs. He'll show you around and then tell you the weekend weather which looks seriously promising.

If it turns out nasty, I do not recommend "skunk and Doherty" but rather a good walk , perhaps to see if Raven's Ait has been liberated or if Glen has had his cheque blown out of his hands. I fear for his safety. All should take coats.

See you at 6.

(...which is probably what the toddler's parents said before it all went Johnny Rotten....)

Alastair & Lucy

Weather Blog

Good evening.

We've arrived at the vernal equinox. Today, near as dammit, night & day are of equal length & we can declare that Spring has begun. This will not make the blindest bit of difference to how the weather behaves over the next few weeks; we're as likely to be sitting in a sunny park at lunchtime as we are to be scraping frost off a windscreen in the morning, but I think it's a vital psychological lift to acknowledge the start of a new season.

The weather's been glorious this week & will remain so tomorrow but thereafter it'll start to change, becoming increasingly cloudy, unsettled & -dare I say it- colder. I'm sorry to mention the c word but it's worth remembering that the recent daytime temperatures (highs of 17C) have been well above average & we should think of the warmth as an extra gift rather than waste energy resenting the comparitive cold that's heading our way next week.

Still, it's Friday & people here are looking forward to the weekend. Alistair's done his usual & ripped off his tie & Lucy, his companion for tonight, is beavering away at her showbiz commitments in order to be able to join him on the sofa later.

See you then.

Robin.

London Tonight Tonight

Good Afternoon to you,

I'm breaking away from the rather heated debate that's brewing around the London Tonight desk this afternoon. The subject is 'pushing presents'. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, it's a gift that some fathers give to the mother of their child, as a thank you for bringing baby into the world. Anyone who finds their mouth has now flopped open in disbelief should line up to my left. Any mothers-to-be now rifling through the Tiffany website should line up to my right... I'll drop the hanky and everyone can go for it...

While that issue gets the kick around it so richly deserves, I'll give you a quick rundown of the debates we'll be bringing you on the programme tonight.

1. London. Is it kaput?'
We're taking a close look at three stories that suggest the economic misery that hovers over the entire country, is beginning to have a harshly felt impact here in the Capital. A number of colleges have begun expansion work only to be told the funds they'd been promised are no longer in the pot. The black hole in the tube's finances we've been warned about could soon mean a number of improvements will have to be shelved. Oh, and the deluxe all-singing all-dancing Motor Show that Excel fought so hard to snatch off the NEC... Has been cancelled...
We ask what impact it will all have on our great city.

2. 'My play area should get lottery money, and not your minibus for pigs!'
Yes, it's People's Millions time again, when various fantastic causes pitch for some extra cash from the National Lottery fund. We sift through the applicants, present you with an 'either/or' and then you choose. This week we're starting the whole process by reminding you of who won last year and what they did with the cash. Tonight, it's Surrey Docks Farm and they bought a bus apparently! Glen will explain.

3. Is a pig a good pet?
The RSPCA have sent us some adorable pictures of some adorable little piggies who were a surprise addition to their sanctuary... And they want YOUR help to try to find them a home. We think they may be inundated with offers once you've seen how cute they are. The Oz (as Alastair calls her) says she'll take one already, and she hasn't even seen Julie's report from Potters Bar... I foresee a fight coming.

All that, our newspaper headlines, Chrissie's weather, and Lucy on the movie that was nearly never made, about a movie that was never made.
And if you understood that, you're cleverer than me! I hope the Great Cotter will be more enlightening.

See you at six.

Ben and Alex