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I didn’t do any podcasts today! I had planned on doing Twitch of Fun but I was just a bit too unwell. But I think I need a couple of days off and illness is my body’s usual way of enforcing that.
But I was cheered by the news that the people of Great Yarmouth have chosen to name their new bridge (the one that Hitler tried to destroy almost 80 years after his own death)
after ME.
Thanks people of Norfolk, this is an amazing honour, especially given that all I can remember ever doing in your town is buying a Dominos Pizza (and in fact I just stayed in the car while Catie did it, so maybe the bridge is named after her). Graham Plant doesn’t know much about it though, saying “I’m delighted the winning name is one which reflects the fantastic history of Great Yarmouth” - it reflects a life-time of creating laughter, mate.
Herring won by some distance, though I thought it might be more. Someone had set up a bot to vote Herring every minute for a month, and that is not reflected in the final score, but it’s still a clear win for Herring over the Queen and maybe an indication that the wrong person is in Buckingham Palace right now. The King came in last place.
Good to know that whatever else happens, my name will live on in Great Yarmouth, presumably for millennia to come. Some people might think it’s for the fish, but we all know the truth.
There were the rumblings of controversy though - a lot of local people thought the name was a rubbish one and that they should call it the new bridge, but if they cared so much they should have voted for that. Chris Goreham of BBC Norfolk was the first to make the suggestion that the result might have something to do with me.
At time of writing of this blog
the stirrings of discontent have grown a little, though a bridge spokesperson (afraid to be named) said "Herring Bridge was the strongest name on the shortlist in terms of its historical relevance to the town and was the local favourite through votes placed in person across the borough as well as online.”
Jimmy Hill also voted for it mate.
I felt a bit guilty for possibly having have skewed the result and wonder if I can show my face in Great Yarmouth Dominos again (though I should reiterate I have never been in there). It might turn the people of Great Yarmouth against me. It’s not that they’ve ever been particularly for me in the past, because they haven’t heard of me. But that will just make them angrier now. I might not be safe to go down to the opening ceremony and take my applause.
But the vote is in, democracy has spoken and it doesn’t matter if there was outside influence on the result - the vote must stand. Even if it makes things worse for everyone.
And I have a bridge named after me! You lost, get over it.
Catherine Bohart joins Mark Gatiss on next Monday’s RHLSTP.
Still plenty of tickets. Again I am bamboozled by you guys. It’s so much fun in the theatre!
