Richard Digance

[Ben Hunter]

He actually does a poem later in the week which is pure class. Very clever bloke, writes everything himself and has achieved more in his lifetime than most will in 1000 years.

Sure, i understand he's not everybodies cup of tea, but i've yet to work with a DC guest who is.

I haven't watched any this week, but my general impression of him is that his poems are generally very bad but he is occasionally funny off the cuff. It's interesting what you say about what he's achieved - I'm genuinely interested to know what because I know very little about him outside of Countdown. Was he really a celebrity to begin with?

I've seen him on Comedy Central a couple of times. He's got his fingers in lots of pies, though I only know him as a comic / poet / musician.

[Jason Larsen]

I agree with you, Jon.

[Derek Hazell]

I haven't watched any this week, but my general impression of him is that his poems are generally very bad but he is occasionally funny off the cuff. It's interesting what you say about what he's achieved - I'm genuinely interested to know what because I know very little about him outside of Countdown. Was he really a celebrity to begin with?

My dad used to listen to him on the radio when I was a growing boy . . . so I've known about him for a looong time.

I enjoy both him and Pam Ayres, because even when their poems are really bad (like this Tuesday's N and O went to a party one) they cross over into so-bad-it's-good territory (like a great b-movie).

Must be the way they tell 'em.

[John Bosley]

Clearly Damien Eadie and I have different ways of looking at things - no prob there, but I must say I was pleased to see him mentioned in Richard Whiteley's book, 'Himoff!' - must be getting on a bit!

[JimBentley]

I love a bit of Digance action and think that if anything, he isn't in DC enough. He was on for the series 50 finals and was totally excellent throughout - he's just a genuinely funny bloke, I reckon.

[Jacob Sutton]

I too think that Richard Digance is one of the better DC guests. I wasn't that fond of him when he was regularly on multiple times a series, but the long break and this week's performances have won me over. He's been quite funny and seems to have a pretty good rapport building with Jeff.

[D Eadie]

Well there you go. Some like, some don't, same for everyone who appears really.
I suppose its all down to matter of opinion. I actually think his poems are extremely clever and underrated.
John Stapleton next week.

[Derek Hazell]

I actually think his poems are extremely clever and underrated.

I loved the one on Wednesday about all the abbreviations! Maybe because I'm from the generation that came just before the text teens

John Stapleton next week.

I'm also enjoying seeing several new people appearing, as then the best ones can be filtered in and perhaps we'll get to see them again

[Derek Hazell]

Does anyone remember when Richard Digance brought a singer on at the end of a show as a surprise? Was he ever heard of again and what was his name?

[Dinos Sfyris]

Oh yeah I remember. It was after his DC segment wherehe did a poem about himself, Carol, Susie and Des O at karaoke. The last rhyming couplet was "performer" and "Nessun Dorma", and then a tubby bloke came on and serenaded Carol with said song. She looked gone out IIRC.

[Jason Larsen]

I'm surprised it wasn't Des O'Connor himself!

[Sue Sanders]

Does anyone remember when Richard Digance brought a singer on at the end of a show as a surprise? Was he ever heard of again and what was his name?

He's coming to the theatre I usher at in December so if you can wait til then....I'll ask him! Remind me nearer the time!! Really looking forward to it - He gigged there last year too, and I took my parents along. I'll be taking a bigger crowd this year as he's very entertaining. And in answer to Gavin's query a few months ago - yes, he was well know before Countdown. I knew of him when I was at school. A stand-up comedian called John Mann used to (maybe still does) try to pass off Richard's poem about a stickleback as one of his own.

[Jason Larsen]

How do you know this guy, Sue, and how do you know Richard has read that poem recently?

[Sue Sanders]

How do you know this guy, Sue, and how do you know Richard has read that poem recently?

I don't know him in the sense that he's an acquaintence of mine - but when the performers come to the theatre I'm working at for the night, I can normally get a quick chat with them. Dr Phil Hammond was there in February and I talked to him.

John Mann is a comedian I used to see regularly in the 90's and twice he performed The Stickle Back song, and it was my husband at the time, who recognised it as Richard's poem - yet the comedian prestented it as his own. I then heard Richard do it on Countdown years ago...way before your time, Jason.

[Jason Larsen]

It wasn't that long ago, Sue!

[Sue Sanders]

It wasn't that long ago, Sue!

Jason, why does this have to be such hard work? I was just saying I heard him doing Stickleback years ago just after hearing someone else trying to pass it off as his own. 10 years ago at least ; probably 15. So - really, Jason - quite long ago.


End of anecdote.

[Jason Larsen]

I can't believe it.

[Derek Hazell]

Oh yeah I remember. It was after his DC segment wherehe did a poem about himself, Carol, Susie and Des O at karaoke. The last rhyming couplet was "performer" and "Nessun Dorma", and then a tubby bloke came on and serenaded Carol with said song. She looked gone out IIRC.

Oh, was it that recent? I was thinking it was back in the RW days, so thanks for the extra info.

He's coming to the theatre I usher at in December so if you can wait til then....I'll ask him! Remind me nearer the time!!

Thanks.

Nice to hear a cheeky reference to him today from another DC guest too.

[Richard Brittain]

David Mitchell- my ideal choice

Say that again?

[Jason Larsen]

I remember when Richard Digance did the texting poem on Countdown a few months ago, and that was great!

Has texting while driving been banned in the UK?

[Lesley Hines]

Has texting while driving been banned in the UK?

Yes - it's been a driving contravention (under "using a hand-held mobile phone") since 2003, but was made illegal (by the addition of penalty points and the fine being doubled to £60) in 2007.

Quite a lot of people know that, but many wilfully ignore it. Planks.

[Jason Larsen]

Richard would not be happy about that!