About Tommy Boyd’s Blog & Podcast site
Hello, and thanks for finding me. I hope you’ll get a moment to say hello back and add any comments that tumble through your fine mind. I decided to join the massed ranks of the bloggers thanks to a determined push by Mark B, and the influence of Iain Dale’s highly respected site. Naturally mine will be the greatest blog ever, for reasons I’ll explain.
1) No fear. I have no fear of anything anyone has to say, as long as they mean it, and they don’t intend or invoke harm by it. Freedom of speech is a big thing, and we’ve got a way to go before we enough people trust other people to hear things they don’t like.
2) No boundaries. I am interested in everything, as everything is valuable if taken in the right amount. Some things such as Eastern philosophy offer more than, say, Astrology. Other things like Fascism are okay if confined to supporting your country in sport. There’s something in everything and no single thing that explains it all. I tell this to the Jehovah’s Witnesses who turn up at the door.
3) Arguing. My father was the hardest Geordie of them all. Newcastle Boys Boxing champion four years running, then apprentice steel worker in the Cleveland mills. I believe the three hardest peoples in the UK are Geordies, then Glaswegians followed by Londoners. Scousers , Mancs, and Brummies are disappointing. Yokels are third rate. If the Upper Classes were a tribe, they’d rank just after Londoners, as they are fit, big, and armed. I mention all this because I am one third Geordie, one third Glaswegian one third Londoner. I don’t fight, but I do argue. My dad taught me “I’ve not won every argument son, but I’ve never lost one”. I know that I cannot sing or play golf, I am not the best looking man in any room. A man should know his weaknesses. And his strengths: I am unbeatable in any type of argument.
4) Interesting. I am going to keep dross and bile off the blog, it’s boring. You do dullards a favour by calling on them to up their game; I look forward to literate, amusing, insightful and colourful contributions.
You’re comments are welcome!
( See the original post here for reader comments )
(Note from blog administrator: This site is the property of Tommy Boyd, and is also administered and ‘moderated’ by myself, Mark B. We like to keep all comments public, but if you have a private message, please post a comment with your email, ask us to drop you a line, and someone will be in touch. )
Tommy's Tweets
November 29, 2009 at 5:16 am |
Hi M8,
Been a fan of yours since i first herd you on Talk radio back in 1994..
Thanks to the I/net, back on line, just like the old days! (Im a Ex-pat in the Philippines now)..
Happy Days!
December 7, 2009 at 10:09 am |
Hi Dave, welcome nice to have you on board
December 4, 2009 at 4:19 pm |
Good to see you back Tommy. Keep cultivating this idea because it will happen. Playtalk was a glimpse of what will be and where talk shows can go. Just needs the right timing, formats and company. Maybe you should start to film the process until it happens.
December 7, 2009 at 10:15 am |
Heh, thanks but I still don’t look quite right on camera, maybe when I get a bit more lined.
December 5, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
Hey Tommy, So this is where you’ve gone??? I’ve been listening to the play talk podcasts via my phone, its kinda sad cos a great talk platform has fallen by the wayside. so what is it with talk platforms in the uk? Talk radio…gone, play talk…gone. So whats next? DAB? satellite? or would it be possible to do your show on skype? Now theres something that might be worth looking into! though i don’t know if there’s a maximum number that can tune in at one time,
We need to hear your wisdom? banter and downright daft views again, I don’t mean to butter you up (well i suppose I do) but, your the best broadcaster I,ve ever listened to. (used to be James Whale) but he’s working on that bbc like LBC station.
Get back on a nation platform again ma friend, THE UK NEEDS YOU!!!!
December 7, 2009 at 10:17 am |
Dave, great to read your views, thanks.
I don’t like re-tracing my steps if I can avoid it, I like the new and the unexplored.
Cheers.
December 6, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
Looks like another interesting adventure! Where you taking us?
December 7, 2009 at 10:14 am |
Mandy,
I’m flattered as I imagine it will be great for my already towering sense of self-importance.
I think the guy who said he wanted to shoot the royal family was using a quite common pub phrase to express general (if unimaginitive) disapproval of the monarchy, rather than that he had intentions to take a Kalashnikov to them.
December 7, 2009 at 10:18 am |
If I knew where we’re all going I wouldn’t want to go there any more…
December 7, 2009 at 5:31 pm |
What about a podcast verbal wrestling site.
One person uploads a view on whatever takes there fancy, say 30 seconds to a minute and responses are met with a similar time limit.
People can vote on the best counter argument to decide the winner or we could just listen and have a giggle. Needs a lot of pruning as an idea but could be good.
Reminds me of the Monty Python sketch a bit.
I’vecomeforanarguement.com (this obviously isn’t a real site)
December 12, 2009 at 6:43 am |
Something there Daniel.
December 20, 2009 at 2:38 am |
Hi Tommy,
had a few emails back and forward to you over the eyars from my various travels, you may remember my Scottish joke, “is that an Eclaire … ” ??
anyway keen to find you on the air again as it tickles me a little and makes life a wee bit more interesting.
peter
December 28, 2009 at 11:38 pm |
Hi Tommy
I’ve just listened to the MP3 about SAD and the travel reporter. I remember that at time. It was ‘ear gripping’ stuff.
Your show on SCR was in a class all of it’s own. Always interesting, often annoying, frequently hysterically funny and always a really good listen whatever the subject. I’m about the same age as you and having listened to loads of different radio stations over the years, I reckon that show takes the number one slot by miles.
Do you have plans to inflict yourself on any radio station in the future?
Cheers
Ross
December 29, 2009 at 9:23 am |
I thought the girl – and by the by I do know who she is and where she is now – was worth picking up. We have so many bozo types at the mike.
Thanks for your kind comments. As ever I’m on the lookout for something a bit different.
December 31, 2009 at 2:45 am
Tommy
just watching the New Year Review on day time TV here in Australia, why do Countries all try and out do each other on New Year events ?
looking forward i see a new Divorce Lawyer saying about to come out… can’t see the Woods for the Fees..
Peter
January 2, 2010 at 12:07 am |
Hi Tommy,
Happy New Year sir!
Miss your regular podcasts. Hope to hear you back on the airwaves whether it be conventional radio, internet radio or whatever.
Any New Year resolutions? I plan on climbing a few mountains (real and psychological).
Cheers,
Gordon.
January 8, 2010 at 8:12 pm |
Good luck, enjoy the air.
January 8, 2010 at 3:05 pm |
Hi Tommy
Wow! Ive just re-heard the talk sport show when the pilot rang in. I remember that call as i’d just started listening to talk radio at that time and that call got me hooked.
Why is it that when presenters get sacked the listeners are left with no explanation? Imagine if Coronation street changed its entire cast with no explanation there would be a national outcry.
My new years resolution is to moan more.
Keep it up Tommy.
January 8, 2010 at 8:15 pm |
They don’t want a discussion about it. The reason’s are usually more complicated than they’d like made public
January 17, 2010 at 8:06 am |
Again as I was asked for a valid e adress – but falied to find how!
But I can fly machines & drill teeth!
Tommy Loved you comment “our aircraft noise”
We are working on some interesting flying events (I hope!) for 2010
I had my 1st booking for France (June Blois) they particularily want a giant heart (in smoke) then into the full show in my Zlin50 (330hp in 630kgs +8 / -5G just love it. Then again I am possibly flying a RF4 (motorised glider with smoke on the wing tips = reinactment of the Unipart dispays of 1980 = still the most pleasing display( aerial ballet) I ever witnessed – all flown to Pink Floyds Dark side of the Moon
I have flown most types that a small boy could wish for (Hawk / Hunter through Spitefire then most of the aerobatic machines {high perofrmance} to the ancient biplanes) I am now completing my conversion to gliders (just imagine this – I flew P2 (second pilot) from Lasham {Basingstoke} to Oxford to Silverstone to Towester to Oxford to Malbrough back to Lasham – all from 2000′ Wow & we were in the pack of 50 in our class (150 in total at the National Champs 2010) Stewart
PS the website is under construction – some really GOOD flying about to replace my first efforts in the Zlin – all I need is the time to sit down wiht my friend (he filmed it all) at his editing consel (I will never believe a still or film again – I know where the joins are & I can’t always see them!
Just imagine wht a professional can produce for good & evil!
January 22, 2010 at 4:35 pm |
I hear you’re a racist now, Tommy. Is this the new thing? Should we….Could you explain that whole thing with Darby? Was it just about giving him enough rope and hoping that it’d take us “six weeks to get it”?
Thnks
January 25, 2010 at 3:38 pm |
Tommy,
Smashing that you haven’t given up.
It’s interesting that you and Howard Hughes (both ex Talk Sport) have found this medium as the next step. Who needs conventional radio?
I hope now you’ll be
1. much easier to track down!!
2. less local and more global in audience appeal.
Will we ever see Bob Staunton back?
Rich
February 6, 2010 at 5:45 pm |
Tommy my good friend…i do hope that out of all the millions of people you actually know i am one in that million or so…i consider you a radio friend as we have never met in the flesh so to speak, not sure if you got another message i have left somewhere on this site…until now sat 6th Feb i have resisted going on Twitter…not interested…but now your there its all changed…may i ask why or what went wrong at Playtalk…understand if you dont want to say…just glad your in the land of the living…your a great orator and i shall look forwards to reading what you have to say…were in cornwall…you have called me at home acouple of times…that made my day…have a good one..jon h
February 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm |
Play Radio’s parent company ceased in August 2009, and Play Radio closed as a result.
The strategy with Play Talk had been to develop incrementally, aiming for a high profile launch when we had the required level of programming, personnel and audience.
I think we were about 6 months from that point when the operation was closed.
February 7, 2010 at 3:32 pm |
Hi Tommy
It’s good to track you down again, I was disappointed that the Playradio experiment didn’t continue longer. That was groundbreaking and exhilirating stuff. Anyway change is good and it promotes growth of one sort or another. My mate reckons that if you can embrace change you’ve cracked it, I like that thought as so many resist it and spend time in an anxious state.
More power to you. Sometimes you need to share it to keep it. I look forward to reading your blog and listening to your podcast, not ready for twatter just yet!
Take it easy
Jamie
March 8, 2010 at 6:20 pm |
Hi Tommy,
I loved your shows and I always remember two things when I think of them. 1) listening to your human zoo bit on talksport whilst driving home from an exes house (I called in once but got scared when you said hello, so i hung up) And 2) being on my paper round, some years earlier, when you opened the show by asking “why is sleep golden?”
Anyhoo did you know that you were on 5live last Friday? They replayed a clip of you being asked about your preparations for Wednesdays Scotland game, to which you replied “just having some mates over for beers and we’re going to watch the game” Hilarious.
Hope to hear you again soon
James
March 9, 2010 at 6:55 am |
Cheers James!
March 29, 2010 at 9:45 pm |
The great Thomas Boyd!
You gave me some of my happiest Friday afternoons and Sunday nights.
Talk radio is not the same without you boss.
Red for bacon, brown for sausage!
April 5, 2010 at 10:07 pm |
Hi Tommy, have some great memories of shows you have done , but Davey is right – you cannot beat Friday afternoons! if you ever need a internet radio stream again..give us a shout ! be great to hear you again behind the mic..
Cheers!
Ryan
April 9, 2010 at 4:05 am |
Yikes. What a cracking opening post, and what a human series of replies.
I like the ethos of this blog as I liked the ethos of a Tommy Boyd broadcast.
Picking up on your third point; The love of a good(-natured) arguement is dear to me too, and the rankings (Geordie, Glaswegian, then Londoner) made me chuckle and nod. I’m just a Londoner that moved out to be with the South-West Yokels, only to find that a lot of Londoners had the same Idea.
Here’s a question though. Haven’t Jocks ‘n Geordies always amused Londoners? And do you find that this affection is not mutual?
May 27, 2010 at 2:09 pm |
Great to find you again.
Looking forward to many more stimulating hours in your company.
Love the pubcast.
Hope you find a way to make it pay the rent
Juls
June 17, 2010 at 3:26 pm |
Hi Tommy – could you let me know whether you have an agent or publicist please? Need to contact you urgently re: media enquiry!
Thanks
June 29, 2010 at 11:26 pm |
For the last couple of years I’ve been wondering where you were. Suffice to say, Wikipedia pointed me in the right direction. Any way, I think you’re the most influential radio broadcaster I’ve ever heard in my life. ‘Human Zoo’ or not. Hope to hear you back radio soon. After all, the teenagers who loved you on ‘The Zoo’ would, now theyre grown up, will still hold fond memories. What can one say? You’re a part of so many people’s lives.
July 1, 2010 at 9:32 am |
Why are your podcasts so few? Okay you’re a man about town with things to do, but there are fans who regularly do seek the Tommy Boyd analysis on the week’s usual fluff.
Just a thought. Love the podcast on drinking. Your right. What is ‘binge drinking?’ (Entertained by the idea that there people at Sky News who don’t know. God bless’em.)
July 21, 2010 at 7:12 pm |
Hey Tommy
You’re a slippery fellow aren’t you! Very happy to have found you, and what appears to be a thriving TB fan community, after losing you on my radar since Talk Radio.
Ive always wanted to thank you, most sincerely, for your show at that time. You and your callers genuinely helped me get through a tough period of unemployment back in the mid 90′s. Yes, I was indoors listening to you instead of getting out to look for work! Seriously though, it really helped keep my spirits up.
Really great to listen to the old shows. I’m re-sharpening my debating skills while listening to some of your old shows.
Cheers!
P.s. Are you a Christopher Hitchens fan?
August 7, 2010 at 4:22 am |
Hello, Tom
Just to reiterate what Murph said: yes, you are a slippery fellow. I last heard you on Play Radio (what a shame that ended). I strongly admire you commitment to free speech on serious issue, and your addressing of esoteric subjects -both of which you delivery with superb wit and touching passionate.
You are a beautiful person.
Tom, is it possible for you to simply create your own internet radio station (like that of Play Radio) instead of being bounced from station to station like a cheap whore? Why can’t you do your own thing and start your own live vehicle through which you can maintain position as one of the most respected and most reviled broadcasters in Britain, indeed I would venture the world.
It really is dispiriting to follow your work on radio for a few months, only for it then to fade away. I think you might be losing fans because of this lack of stability.
Please heed my advice and stop being so recalcitrant in your care-free attitude!
Hugs x
August 16, 2010 at 10:57 am |
Hello Tommy, we miss your show here in the west midlands no holds barred made it so exciting especially when you gave Simon Darby his own show. It was all down to earth stuff never mind this politically correct rubbish. I love people who speak their mind it makes life much easier when someone tells it how it is.
All the very best in the future Tommy,
Alan Davis.
September 27, 2010 at 11:10 am |
Hello,
I am from BBC Radio 4 and want to contact you about an interview. Please do call me on 02086249745.
Kind regards,
Rebecca Smith
October 18, 2010 at 10:03 am |
Hi Tommy one more time fingers go to keys and i’m typing one to you….been downloading the pub-cast on my phone MP3 player and have just heard the one where you are chatting about many things including how you stop the final dribble….made me laugh…personally i use a hanky changed every day…well it saves the stains dont it…hahahaha…the format of your pub-casts are nearly as good as being live…alas we aint going to get that till some more time has passed…just wanted to give you my support for the pub-casts….keep bright and dont let the bastards grind you down…i know you wont…nice one matey…
October 23, 2010 at 12:23 am |
Tommy can you please help me find an audio archive from your show in the autumn of 1995, the topic was “the royal family”, I need the call from “Harry from South London” and the next topic was “cars” I need the call from “Gul”. If you cannot help, please can you refer me to someone who can, I am searching for this on the internet from the USA. Is there anyone else reading this who can help?
October 23, 2010 at 5:46 am |
I don’t keep my stauff Oscar, and it’s a long shot. What do you need them for my love?
October 26, 2010 at 7:39 pm |
tommy i could really do with you coming back on the radio ,my podcasts have just ran out from 2009 ,i am just reading in my skin thanks to you and catherine cat
November 20, 2010 at 7:10 pm |
Hey Tommy, I thought I would share this notion with yourself and the like minded fellows on here.
Heard of The Robin Hood Tax?
Its an intriguing idea and needs as much support (not financial) to carry it forward.
I hope you don’t mind.
Regards
David Filipe Esq
March 17, 2011 at 5:40 pm |
Hi Tommy
great to hear your voice again, like many i have been a follower since Talk radio. I remember your moving comments as the Dunblane incident occurred many years ago. i loved the Wonderful hour too, and rate you and your team as the very best. My only gripe with you, was when you shared your enthusiasm with us about wrestling. at which point i used to switch off.
Last bit of praise, I once recorded your show from a Friday night, which i stumbled across the other day in VHS.
I am rambling now, this sort of feedback i never do, i know you will be curious. Me! i am male 44 and listen as i manufacture Rolls Royce aero engines.
hope to hear more from you to help ease my shift.
May 7, 2011 at 11:13 am |
Tommy,
You were there as a support when I called in during the early phase of a law degree in Scotland when a friend passed away and I doubted a great deal of things. I called in to your show on TalkSport. You opined to just go for life and do whatever I wanted to do. I said I wanted to be a lawyer and you said “Great. Go for it.”
I am now a lawyer.
Thank you.
Bill
May 8, 2011 at 6:46 am |
I’m delighted to hear that. All your own work mind, but thanks for your kind words.
May I be the umpteenth person to seek some sort of humour at the expense of a lawyer called “Bill”…
July 7, 2011 at 2:35 pm |
Tommy, good call on Absolute last night. Can you email me your mobile and landline numbers so I can call you with my catchphrase after 10 every Sunday evening.