For the second time, I found myself at the impressive BBC Glasgow office.  This time I had been invited to talk to Becky Want for Radio Manchester.

We discussed blagging and the book and I gave another reading of the Hovis poem. I wonder how many loafs of bread have been sold thanks to my book promotion campaign?

The interview was good fun although I was described as a Silly Billy and accused of being mean!  I was even asked if I ever paid for my round at the pub.  I explained that I did indeed buy a round, although I conceded that it only happened at gunpoint!

It was all in good fun, and I enjoyed talking to the good people of Manchester.

Listen again for 7 days via the BBC iPlayer.

Never let it be said that I’m not a man of my word (see previous post).  This morning I was invited on to the Jamie and Louise Show on BBC Radio Wales.  As with last week’s Irish radio interviews, I recorded my part in a BBC recording studio in Edinburgh.  This was one of the longest interviews I have done - it even took a break half way through to play some music!  This gave me time to break out some dance moves, although sadly the listeners were unable to see them.

Probably for the best.

As this was a BBC interview, I was asked to avoid mentioning company names as much as possible.  Listening back, you might spot how tricky I found this, given that the book is all about writing to companies!  I pretty much managed to avoid mentioning too many brand names, although I had no choice about mentioning Hovis and Starbucks as I was asked directly about them.

This was a fun interview and I’m thrilled that I can add Wales to list of countries I have broadcast to!  Listen to the interview on the BBC iPlayer (my interview is about 38 minutes in).

As a direct result of the Daily Mirror article, I received a call from the Chris Evans Show on Radio 2, asking me to go on and talk about the whole Silly Beggar project.

My contribution to the show was a live phone-in, in which I spoke to none other than Rebecca Pike (aka The Fox)!  She asked me what made me start this project and about the type of funny messages I had sent to companies.  It feels weird knowing that I used the phrase “A deranged giraffe ate my t-shirt” on national radio.

I had been asked to read an email out, which I duly did, but in retrospect I possibly could have edited it down a bit.  Oh well.  They did ask!

The interview is up now on the BBC iPlayer.

I made a guest appearance on the Macaulay and Co show on BBC Radio Scotland this morning.  The good people at the Beeb were excited about the concept of Silly Beggar and invited me in for a chat with legendary funny man Fred Macaulay.  Never having been on radio before, this was a slightly nervewracking experience for me, but I had a lot of fun once my initial inner-terror had died down.  I must confess I did ‘um’ and ‘erm’ throughout the interview. In fairness though, I do speak like that normally.

…after a few beers.

In addition to my own interview, throughout the show, there was a call-in feature where listeners were asked to get in touch to share the best items that they had received as freebies.  There were many incredible examples and it was reassuring to note how many people out there love to get their hands on a good give-away!

The highlights of the interview were when Fred threw me a Macaulay and Co tee shirt (sweet - another freebie successfully blagged), which I thanked them for and then cheekily asked what the eBay value of it was. I was also thrilled when Fred read a brief extract from the book, selecting one my own favourites.

Missed out on the fun?  Fear not!  The BBC iPlayer allows you to ‘listen again’ (for seven days), Go on - treat your ears to the Macaulay and Co show.  The Silly Beggar bit takes place in the last ten minutes of the show.  Enjoy!