Judging a book by its cover (or not)

From time to time when hopping around the newspaper websites of this great nation I come across items which I either enjoy and/or I feel readers of the Rust might benefit from having an opportunity to read (if they have not already done so off their own bat).

Today is an example. I am not personally a great follower of any particular media outlet – having given up on Radio One in about 1971, Radio Two in about 1980, and never done more than dip occasionally into Radio Three, Radio Four, Classic FM, Capital Radio, LBC and Talksport – nor am I a general follower of gossip, reality TV, movies or indeed box sets of television series.

In this context I can admit to have followed in passing the media furore over women, gender and pay equality that erupted as a direct result of the BBC being forced against its will – but in the guise of greater transparency being applied to the use of taxpayers’ money including the BBC’s licence fee – to reveal (in broad salary bands) which of its programme-making presenters and personalities earned what money.

Further, I have heard – and am generally aware of the existence – of the radio presenter and personality Vanessa Feltz. Most recently she came across my radar because of a report in the media revealed that in a memo not intended for general circulation (but which was leaked) one of her BBC bosses had been disparaging about her abilities as a radio presenter.

I hold no brief on Vanessa Feltz’s behalf whatsoever and have her marked down in my private book – in a compartmentalised sort of a manner, without ever having listened to her more than fleetingly – as a motor-mouthed, bold, brassy, bottle-blonde middle-aged lady with an opinion on almost everything you can imagine, who took up a while ago (to some media comment) with a a significantly-younger-than-her black gentleman.

That said, I can add that a lady of my acquaintance is a committed fan and regularly listens to her show on BBC Radio London.

Which brings me to an interview with La Feltz that I think deserves as wide an readership as possible. It was conducted by Simon Hatterstone and in it she comes across as a decidedly entertaining, witty, engaging –  and certainly a much deeper – individual than I had previously given her credit for. It appears today upon the website of – THE GUARDIAN