Page 27 - The Portugal News - Online Edition

Book Section The Portugal News 21 Nov 2020 27
Jeremy Vine gets steamy

The TV and radio presenter talks about the reaction to the steamy sex scene in his

debut novel, and why he doesn’t feel tabloid TV is beneath him.

hat’s this? Jeremy referring to the scene in which the
Vine, genial BBC main female character seduces a
Radio 2 presenter, waiter in his bedroom, all in earshot
WChannel 5 host, dad of a sleeping male colleague.
dancer extraordinaire and all-round “Sara Cox said, ‘Ooh er!’, Yasmin
good egg, writing a steamy sex scene Alibhai-Brown said, ‘Blimey Jeremy,
in his debut novel? I didn’t expect that of you!’ She was
It’s not quite Fifty Shades Of Grey, actually blushing. I’m too scared to get
but page 209 of The Diver And The back to Fiona Bruce. I’m just worried
Lover is likely to raise eyebrows someone’s going to put it on the staff
among his broadcasting peers, as well intranet!
as loyal listeners and viewers who “But I wanted to have one sex scene
have followed him from his hard which is explosive and comes out of
news Panorama days. nowhere,” he continues. “I took off
“I’m waiting to hear back from Fiona the belt and the braces for that one.
Bruce about page 209,” the 55-year- I can’t remember if I had half a lager
old broadcaster says with a chuckle, before, but you have to light scented
candles and maybe have a dry sherry.”
Aside from THAT scene, the novel is
based in part on real events sur-
rounding one of Salvador Dali’s most
famous paintings, Christ of Saint ing mental health, a subject not un- scious that you need a cushioning, to you suddenly start arguing. One of
John of the Cross, painted in 1951 familiar to Vine, who has previously take a bit of time for yourself and not the small things about Covid is that
in Catalonia. Today, the painting still admitted he suffered stress related live a five-screen lifestyle and try to I’ve seen a bit more of my daughters
hangs in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art burnout in his younger years. While pause when you are in a happy mo- than I would have done if we weren’t
Gallery and Museum, Vine’s place today he is reluctant to throw the ment. Don’t be constantly thinking locked down,” says Vine.
of escape while filming more than spotlight on his own mental health, about something else.” “I love to spend time with them. They
60 editions of Eggheads over a two- he wrote about his personal turmoil He tries to balance his huge work have such a wicked sense of humour
week period. three years ago in his book, What schedule with family life with wife, and I am the butt of every joke at
The story, set in 1951, sees sisters I Learnt, What My Listeners Say journalist Rachel Schofield – who home. It doesn’t matter how famous
Ginny and Meredith travel to Spain And Why We Should Take Notice, recently co-presented his TV show you think you are, when you walk
where they discover Dali is staying an autobiographical montage of his for a week – and daughters, Martha, through your front door, you’re just
nearby. Meredith, fascinated by mod- life and career. 16, and Anna, 13. an idiot.”
ern art, longs to meet the famous Today, he is in a different place. “I “I try to stay off social media at The Diver And The Lover by Jere-
surrealist. feel great, I love my life, I’m in great weekends. It’s like walking into a pub my Vine is published by Coronet.
It explores a variety of issues includ- shape,” he says. “We are all just con- when you hear every conversation and PA/TPN
The review

The Furthest Points: Motorcycle Travels Through The Couscous Chronicles: A Peace Corps Memoir-
Spain and Portugal- Andy Hewitt Richard Wallace

This year has been dif- some difficult weather and adventure. His stories of the The core of ‘The Couscous with his female roommate,
ficult for people who love hair-raising moments on region are sure to fire up your Chronicles’ is about the au- co-workers and other visitors.
to travel. As a result, many the bike. imagination. thors Peace Corps experience These interactions prove to be
of us have had to follow Along the way they visit Even if you are not a Harley in Morocco in 1977. amusing and educational.
the adventures that others castles, cathedrals, beaches rider, I think this book still Richard Wallace had just Wallace visited many small
have undertaken and writ- and more. If you are familiar has enough charm for you to graduated from college. Armed towns which allowed him to
ten about. with the region you may enjoy. I found this book very with his film production understand his new home
The book revolves recognise some of the places enjoyable and informative. degree. He decided he wanted better. The sights and flavours
around an English couple they visit. If you are not, he to travel. He joined the Peace of Morocco jump off the page
Andy and his wife Kim. includes information about corps as a volunteer and joined as we follow Wallace along his
They set out on their Har- the area and you may end the annual deployment of adventures.
ley Davidson to discover up looking up the places he trainees to Rabat (Morocco’s He kept a diary from that
the furthest points of mentions and planning your capital city). He learned period and personal papers
Spain and Portugal. Their own visit to them. French, some Arabic and which has allowed him to
three-week trip starts from The book also allows a about the Islamic culture. remember in detail his expe-
their home in the Algarve. glimpse into the relationship His job was in the media riences. He also includes the
They envision a care- between the author and his team for the Ministry of Ag- thoughts from other volunteers read and his stories kept me
free trip full of beautiful wife. Hewitt has a great sense riculture, producing training as well. This adds an interest- entertained. I would recom-
scenery, great food and of humour. I laughed out loud films and printed materials for ing layer to this book. mend this book to those who
amazing weather. quite a few times. He seems farmers. This is the first book I have love to travel and also if you are
As with any adventure to be genuinely interested Part of his job was to grasp read where you get to under- interested in the peace corps.
that is not necessarily in history, culture and the the Moroccan way of life. stand what happens behind
what happens during the people he meets which means Along the way we get to read the scenes as a volunteer. N Sandra Pereira
trip. They also experience you can’t help but enjoy his about relationships he forms I found this book easy to