20 years of talkSPORT: Sir Alex Ferguson singing karaoke among Alan Brazil’s favourite stories from new book
talkSPORT is turning 20 and to celebrate our birthday we've written a book!
Written by former digital editor Ian Cruise, the book gives an amazing behind the scenes warts and all look at the radio station and its presenters and lifts the lid on all the mayhem and the madness that has accompanied its rise to prominence.
Packed with brilliant and hilarious tales from trips to the World Cup and European Championship finals in South Africa, Brazil, Russia and France, it features contributions from all our presenters, including Alan Brazil, Ally McCoist, Andy Goldstein, Adrian Durham, Darren Gough, Laura Woods, Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs, plus many more.
Twenty Years since launching, talkSPORT's is now the world’s biggest sports radio station, broadcasting Premier League, EFL, Champions League and UEFA Cup football, England cricket tours and huge boxing fights - as well as many other major sporting events.
Whether you are a fan of the station, are looking for a Christmas gift for that sports-loving family member or friend, or just simply love sport, this new book from talkSPORT is a fantastic read charting the memorable moments over the last 20 years. BUY IT HERE NOW
Here, talkSPORT’s award winning breakfast show host Alan Brazil recalls some of his highlights and funny stories from the book.
Sir Alex Ferguson singing karaoke
The Cheltenham Festival is my highlight of the year and just a magnificent event. Lots of old friends and my wife and family come along now. There’s great racing and, of course, great company. Earlier this year, myself and co-host Ally McCoist headed off for lunch. By the time Laura Woods – our other breakfast show presenter - met us, Ally and myself had been with Sir Alex Ferguson for half the afternoon. I'd not seen Fergie sing before and although he wasn't for joining in the karaoke, Laura sneakily asked if he did go up, what song would he do? Soon after, she marched across the floor and handed him the mic as his favourite song kicked in. He sat there and belted it out. It was a surreal but magical afternoon!
Upsetting Porky Parry
I’ve worked with Mike Parry on and off now for 20 years but the most gobsmacked I’d ever seen him was probably when we were in Seville with the Breakfast Show for the 2003 UEFA Cup final between Celtic and Porto. I was with a few Celtic fans the night before the game after Parry had gone for an early night. I’d met an old mate who’d arrived with an old boy from Glasgow, who had never left Scotland before. They were both massive Celtic fans but had no tickets or hotel. So I said, ‘right, you can have my ticket… and Parry’s as well’. When I told Parry in the morning he thought I was joking. But it got worse when I told him, ‘I've also given them our rooms!' He wouldn’t talk to me for ages after that but we ended up watching the game in a hotel and staying up all night, enjoying the craic.
And You Are?
As presenters, you often get recognised but Ashes winner and talkSPORT cricket commentator Steve Harmison struggled with a lack recognition during the First Test in Barbados this year. Harmy was to appear at a Barmy Army event but he was refused entry, with the doorman saying it was ticket only. Harmison said to him, ‘well, what’s going on tonight?' The doorman replied, ‘we’ve got a question and answer session with Steve Harmison. ‘Is that him there?‘ said Harmison, pointing to a life-size cut-out of himself beside the door. But the guy was none the wiser. Although Harmison had put on a few stone since his playing days, he was alarmed that this guy couldn’t even recognise him from a photograph of him playing for England. After standing around in the rain for 20 minutes, Harmy managed to persuade the guy to fetch a member of the Barmy Army and he was finally allowed into his own event.
The brand new ‘20 Years of talkSPORT’ book is out now and you can snap up your copy NOW!