Dore's Disco Diary

Facebook friend removal

2008-12-31T16:54:00.004Z

Well here we are steaming ahead into 2009 and alls fine.... Well actually, no it isnt. Over the year when I've updated one website or gallery I've had to update about 5 others. Cobblers and I've had enough. The Facebook ( arrogantly sounding ) 'fan page' will be updated along with the blog on a pretty much daily basis. This and the blog will be the only pages I'm tending to.

One feeds into the other so its all jolly hockey sticks. The old friends list on Facebook will be getting demolished though. Back to proper friends and family and no monkeys that I don't actually know. For all the updates if you can really be that bothered, please add yourself to this page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ian-Knocka-Dore/19286686012

This blog feeds into it so you've go the best of both worlds. 2009 is going to be very exciting with some great new projects in the pipeline so get yourself involved, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Have a great New Years Eve and catch you on the flipside.

Tributes for Jack Douglas

2008-12-21T23:13:00.003Z

Heres a handful of comments from Jacks website, www.carryonjack.com

Why not go and add your own or join the Facebook tribute group.
__________________________________________________________________

"I am so saddened to hear of the passing of dear Jack Douglas.

Although I never was able to meet Jack or know him personally, for many many years I admired his genius. My family and I were only talking of Jack the other day, when we were watching his fabulous performance in Carry on Dick.

With the benefit of film of course we can continue to marvel at Jack’s brilliance for many years and generations to come.

Please pass on my sincere condolences to Jack’s family.

God Bless You Jack."

Richard Adams

______________________________________________________________

"I just wanted to say how much I will miss Jack. Please send my best wishes to his family."

Paul Burton

______________________________________________________________

"To all who knew him.

Today I felt the wind flow out of my sails as I learnt of Jack's passing. He's gone and joined that ever growing lock-in with the rest of them and I'm sure he's smiling right now.

Thanks for the laughs Jack. You'll live forever.

Take care all."

Joe Halliday

(Carry On fan)

______________________________________________________________

"I'm so sorry to hear about jack's passing, but i know jack very much belived in the after life i just hope he is there safely

i had the luck of meeting jack back in october 2004 at the joan sims tribute and what a lovely friendly guy

At Pinewood Studios Back In October 2004 At The Joan Sims Tribute And He Was A Very Kind Friendly Guy After I Got His Autograph I Said If You Have Got Time Later Can I Have My Photo Done With You And He Said " Martin I'll Make Time" And I Had A Photo With Him Later On.... Very Friendly Guy Happy To Talk About The Carry Ons

RIP Jack

Thinking Of His Family @ this sad time"

Martin Duggan xxxx

______________________________________________________________

"Our thoughts and prayers are given at this time to the family, great entertainers are very hard to find these days and Jack made many people laugh."

Ambler family

Carry Ons Jack Douglas passes on

2008-12-18T17:04:00.003Z

It is with great sadness that my mate and yours, Jack Douglas has passed on. Not only was he a great person to watch on screen, but he was a great person to be around and had a heart of gold.

Often in radio land you have a few 'great showbiz mates' a la smashy and nicey. Well Jack was a very good friend and his radiance will shine forever. I feel especially for his other half Viv and of course Craig, Debbie, and step-daughter, Sarah.

Always up for a cuppa and always a giggle to be with. Its a very sad day when someone as decent and genuine as this passes on. I personally have terrific memories of him and is one of the few people in this world that could deliver the most marvellous thing possible. That of course, is the gift of Laughter. I'll miss those mid mornings of coffee and comedy forever. The pics incidentally are of his personal favourite of the Carry Ons, Carry on Dick.

If you'd like to pay a tribute or send a message to the family, please visit www.carryonjack.com or leave a comment here. He was loved by so many and sent that love straight back. Please tip you're hat because I know they'd appreciate it.

See ya mate and thanks for all the good times.... Phraaaayyyyy..

Bath FM - OFCOM yellow card

2008-12-17T11:19:00.006Z

As a professional I have remained quiet about the on going antics at Bath FM. Any comments wouldn’t help proceedings and the majority of the matters are in the hands of solicitors and therefore any idle chat would be ill advised.

However yesterday Bath FM got issued with a yellow card and the main issues pointed to November the 30th which was a Sunday. If I was in work then the Sunday morning show would have been my responsibility.

However I had been off ill all that week and wasn’t due back until Monday the 1st.

Also the programme controller of Bath FM was off for that week and the station was being run by the director of Bath FM, Paul Roberts. He and the presenters he had employed for the duration of that week were solely responsible for the output and programming of the station.

As of today I am not at liberty to comment on what had happened on that Sunday and the official company line from Paul Roberts is:

“We inherited major technical problems at Bath FM and have ordered new hardware to solve this, unfortunately our broadcast failed on one particular weekend, and even though we spent several hours there with engineers; it was unfixable until the following Monday.

However we are now stable at Bath and are looking forward to a merry Christmas and and an exciting new year.”

Festive greetings and a Ho Ho Ho.

New site coming

2008-11-04T22:51:00.003Z

Ahoy all. As you may have spotted, I've been very lazy with the blog and site recently. Lots have pics have slipped by the wayside and the written word has, well, frankly not been written. Been up to my neck at working on a new look site which should be finished soon.

Loads of stuff to wack up on it and it should be more interactive and indeed stable than this little beauty. So please bare with it and keep listening to the show.

In the meantime heres an old Army pic that 'The Padster' found. We are on Salisbury plain somewhere with our old favourite, J5. Enjoy

Emails tits up

2008-09-19T11:00:00.002Z

Apologies if I haven't replied to any emails over the last 3 days. Firstly I'm on hols but secondly somehow its all gone breasts aloft with regards to receiving any. Drop me a line if you need to via www.ilovebathfm.com

cheers,

the web eh?.... pants.

John Cleese and Chris Serle at Bristol Zoo

2008-08-04T08:03:00.005Z

Wandered over to Bristol Zoo recently for quick drink with some old friends. John Cleese was in conversation with the legend that is Chris Serle. The whole evening was a hoot and loads of dosh was raised to support the Zoo.

John is a big fan of Lemurs and actually has a species named after him. The evening consisted of two halves, the first with Chris posing some questions. To be honest though, John rambled on in a very informative and witty way. They have a great rapport together and are good old mates.

Act two consisted of John taking questions from the shop floor. This was a no holds barred grilling and he came out with some corking anecdotes. The highlight of the latter part of the show was inviting a 'bit part' actor up on stage who did ( a very bad ) impressions of the Queen. Apparently they were to star in an american hoover ad together.

Strangley ( or rightly as some may say ) she didn't get to film it. Waffling for England she continued to talk about herself and bore the crowd senseless. Always amusing watching some has been making a total tit of herself.

Cleese came out with a belter and just walked off stage. Legend.

It was the end of the show and nothing was missed. Later we enjoyed champers, a chinwag and a common love for Blue shirts. Gents I salute you.

Back on the rock

2008-07-28T22:26:00.005Z

Its been an interesting 72 hours to say the least. On Friday Dan, Luke and I went diving down at Vobster Quay in Frome ( www.vobsterquay.co.uk ). I was testing a new Cressi BCD which proved to be like diving in an armchair! Very comfy and very robust. My only gripe is that the pockets are on the smallish size. That said I shouldn't try and fill them with xtra large kebabs.

I was also testing a new SMB and reel much to the amusement of my diving buddies. The reason? On inflation of said SMB at 9 metres down, the fecking reel snapped and my over sized condom broke the surface at a rapid rate of knots. Pro-reel my sweaty cleft. Its also worth mentioning that laughing hard in a regulator requires an element of skill. God bless Mares.

Luckily I get most of my gear from Chris at www.divingdirect.co.uk and they are as good as gold when it comes to sorting issues out. Great prices too!

Saturday day and night saw me at the Gulf War reunion with my buddies from the fighting 21st. For those of you who don't know I actually served 10 years in Her Majestys finest and saw action in the first Gulf War. In my line of work I get to meet loads of celebs / actors / musicians etc but they are bugger all compared to my Brothers in Arms. It truly was a great 14 hour session and it felt like yesterday. Crazy, but nice.

On Sunday night I was on stage with my amigos from Bath FM for a charity gig with The Wurzles. Oh yes, rock and roll baby! More of that at a later date.

Opheus dive - Pathos Cyprus

2008-07-26T08:47:00.002Z

Just a quicky this. We dived in Cyprus in May of this year. The Zenobia deserves a full write up with vids and pics. However above you can see Dan at the 'Opheus' dive site.

Its sooooooo boring we both fell asleep. What was extremely amusing is that our guide had to surface, not once, not twice but thrice to work out where he was. Bringing us up after a sleep sub aquatic session 50 minutes later, he still managed to distance us 500 metres from the fecking boat.

The Berk.

New Facebook page

2008-06-09T12:38:00.002Z

I was told by Facebook that you've got more chance of getting found if you simplify the name of your page so I've boshed up a new one simply titled "Ian Knocka Dore". Does what it says on the tin. Bugger all.

Crack this little bugger into your browser and get onboard. I'll be posting daily updates, vids, pics and audio much of which is exclusive content.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ian-Knocka-Dore/19286686012

Ians Birthday

2008-05-03T11:41:00.003Z

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that turned up at the Birthday BBQ outside Station House on Friday. We had a right royal knees up and it was funny as you like. Too many burgers consumed but cheers muchly to our friends at Iceland for coming up with the scoff.

Full photos up on the facebook page and thank you very much for your cards and messages.

Birthday BBQ an invite

2008-04-30T12:47:00.003Z

Last year on my Birthday we had a little BBQ just because we could. The year we are cooking up another treat and you are invited. Its on Friday the 2nd but there's no real Birthday until Saturday for me! The mid morning presenter Alix has her Birthday on Thursday so its kind of a Birthday sandwich with us knocking out the burgers.

We are live outside Station House between 8 - 10am. Musical chairs and statues will be played so come down and join us.

The Sainsburys Shuffle

2008-04-29T21:34:00.004Z

As part of national dance day we sent Matt Splatt into town to bust a groove and show us some moves. Instead he bust his jeans and got thrown out of the local Sainsburys. Still, we laughed.

Stings Scooter from Quadrophenia

2008-04-29T21:22:00.006Z

Went to Little Dean jail in the Forest of Dean recently. There is an awesome display of historical artefacts raging from the bizarre to the bonkers. It really is something to behold. Get a feel for it by checking the pics out on the Facebook page.

Above you see me sitting atop the holy grail of scooters. This little baby is the genuine scooter ridden by Sting ( and later by Phil Daniels ) in the cult classic, Quadrophenia. You can see the full display exclusively at Little Dean Jail. Thanks to Andy and Nicola for letting me in parts that others can't reach! Have a butchers at www.littledeanjail.com

See the shots at Facebook

Gene cernan Apollo 17

2008-04-28T21:08:00.002Z

Coming up soon the latest shots from Autographica 11. It will include the first man to space walk, Apollo 9 Commander Jim McDivitt and Apoll 15 moonwalker, Dave Scott.

In the meantime here's one of my favourite pics that I think sums its all up.

Circus silly buggers

2008-04-16T15:18:00.002Z

Managed to mess around at Billy Smarts Circus earlier today. Took in the show last night and ended up doing a live broadcast from there this morning. Never really had time for such pie flinging antics but I have to say it was most refreshing.

Far from the familiar fare of clowning buffoons with confetti filled buckets, William Smart and friends have really gone to town in producing a top quality show. No dodgy cars with exploding doors, no baiting of lions with household furniture and gone are the crap illusionists. Well almost.

No, the smarts have put the effort in and you're handsomely rewarded. There really is something for everyone and my only gripe is that the 'silks' routines went on slightly too long. Hey ho, its still very impressive. And bloody hard, I tried it myself.

If its high wire trapeze trepidation you're after you can't go wrong. Antoine and his collective of airbourne loons, tantilise the crowds as if they were walking in the park. Its a night out par excellence.

My suggestion is exchange some gold for a shiny ticket and take your ringside seat. Highlights include the Chinese girl getting a ball up to the hoop ( has to be seen ) Alex with his comedy fireman routine and the ever amusing 'Chico' working the crowd.

Hello Dave

2008-04-09T07:54:00.001Z

This is a great mash up between 2001 and Papa Lazerou. Enjoy!

Fresh show, Fresh prince

2008-04-02T08:16:00.003Z

Nicholas Bailey from Eastenders and various other stage and TV productions was in Bath recently. He was on stage at the newly re-opned Ustinov Theatre.

Joining him on stage was the very excellent and amusing Miles Anderson ( pictured below right ). Now Miles and I had met before as we had both worked on ITVs 'Ultimate Force' or Ultimate Farce as it was later known. Long before Gervais had written extras I had been through the mill looking like a tool in an 'out of focus' stylee. What you see on his show, is exactly how it is.

To be honest, Ultimate Force was a scream to work on, very boys own. However it merits a full blog entry as there are stories to be told and some revelations to behold.

The next chap that was in the show is a TV legend. Joseph Marcell who played Geffrey the butler in the pant wettingly funny, 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air'.

Opposite Will Smith, one of Englands greatest actors shown and shown. The show went on to break all records and is still the best selling comedy in the world. Thats farting in the face of Friends, shafting Seinfeld and waving two fingers at the Two Ronnies.

You can hear the interviews with said actors on the Facebook page media player.

Stereo MCs

2008-03-20T14:38:00.002Z

Oooowwwww, To the left and to the right Step it up Step it up its alright..... I should bloody coco guvnor. When I first heard the Stereo MCs I was living in Germany whilst still serving with her majestys finest. Not serving at her majestys pleasure. Two of whom are on this site actually!

I had bought a cassette ( old skool ) of their track 33. It was nothing short of stonking. Favouring their novel choonage I went on to sample their wares in the form of 'Elevate my mind' and 'Lost in Music'. The latter was what really got my hooked. If you haven't heard and rocked to this 1990s classic. Burn your trainers cos you're no appreciater of Hip Hop.

'Supernatural' followed and then their hoofing album 'Connected'. By then I had. These guys and gals were gods. I'd always been into my Hip Hop, referred to know as 'old skool' these days. None of this manufactured cobblers that dosn't even come close. Schooly D, Public Enemy, KRS 1, Caveman, Run DMC, 3rd Bass all top drawer artists that cut the mustard. Now these cheeky chappies had well and truly joined the ranks. Furthermore that were Britain based.

Imagine my surprise and glee when I learned that the Stereos were DJing on the same day that I was gigging at the Bestival Festival. My set was earlier than theres ( cos I'm shite ) so I knew I could bend Robs ear. After a very fruity introduction to Zoe Ball and a good natter with Fatboy Slim I wasted the afternoon away enjoying the sounds that this September soiree has to offer.

James my mate was with me and was eager to meet the Stereos and frankly we were behaving like school kids. The sun had set and it wasll going off. The anticpation was building and the room Rob and the boys were playing in was at fever pitch. I don't get star struck but I was gonna chat with one of my icons. Dosn't get much better than that.

We met after he'd spun the wheels of steel and jabbered together for a good 15 minutes. The dopest thing of all was getting him to freestyle my favourite of their tracks, 'Lost in Music'. This was also a biggy for the boys in Block 48 in Germany. You know who you are!

I'll be puttin the audio up on the Facebook page and some of you with a keen ear may notice I may have been a bit piddly. Its worth noting here that it wasn't me that showered the bushes and tent with beer based vomit the next day.

To Rob Birch and James F, I salute you both. Chin chin.

Anthony Minghella RIP

2008-03-19T16:34:00.003Z

It is with great sadness that yesterday we heard the tragic news that Anthony Minghella has passed away. An utter legend on the Isle of Wight and one that has done so much for the communtity from which he came. He'll be greatly missed by one and all.

The news package put together by Isle of Wight Radio's Duncan Smith, was one of the finest tributes and reflections you could have wanted to hear and did justice to a man that was cruely taken before he had a chance to realise his full potential.

The world and indeed our own little Island is now a lesser place. May his memory live on and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Suck my Rik

2008-03-17T08:49:00.003Z

Greetings audio pimps. On the Facebook fan page ( sounds arrogant but it really isn't ) you can enjoy a whole bunch of pics, exclusive vids and audio. I'm lucky in my line of work in that I sometimes get to meet some of my heroes or people I respect in the biz they call show. One such chap was the japester known only as 'The Rik Mayall'.

We didn't get to chat for as long as I would have liked but nonetheless he was just how I'd expected him to be. Polite, funny and, well, Rik.... Larger than life but as you can see, very giving too.

A cheap way to get you to vote Labour! You never know how much truth may be in it eh? Ohh. Little bit of politics there. Listen to the interview in the audio player.

Right on....

Up Spinnaker Tower

2008-03-16T18:08:00.003Z

Went up the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth recently and despite this whopper being totally over budget, the outlook over the sea is amazing.

Standing a bowel trembling 170 metres high its a 'must do' if you ever visit Portsmouth. To be Frank ( or anyone else for that matter ) its one of the few reasons to visit Portsmouth!

The jewel in the towers crown is the glass floor to wit you stare death direct in the face if it was not there. They boast its Europes largest glass floor and who are we to disagree. The feeling walking over it beggers belief so you'd better go check it ou. Its a belter and indeed brown trouser time.

See all the pics in the photos area here. Check it out online at www.spinnakertower.co.uk

Test and Adjust

2008-03-14T08:15:00.002Z

Restarted the Blog so I can integrate it into the Facebook page. Hopefully it'll all work and we'll all be happy!