More novelty songs about former TV meteorologists, that's what this blog needs!
A Tribe Of Toffs - John Kettley Is A Weatherman mp3
Ten interesting facts about this song and its protaganists:
1) It was recorded by Sunderland's self-proclaimed top band of the time, A Tribe of Toffs. That's them in the picture below.
2) It was the only single to peak at #21 in the UK singles chart during Christmas 1988 that namechecked Johnny Marr and Bill Giles.
3) Despite officially retiring in 2004, Michael Fish, who (in)famously failed to predict the Great Storm of 1987 during a BBC1 forecast a few hours beforehand ("Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!".), still occasionally does the weather forecasts on BBC South East Today, as holiday cover for the regular forecasters.
4) Big egos are, apparently, rampant among TV weatherpersons. In 1999 the Met Office launched a seven-month investigation following complaints that the then Head of BBC TV Weather Centre, Bill Giles, had bullied and intimidated colleagues.
5) Mark Burano and Eric Lane... Who they?
6) OK, so #5 was more of a question than a fact. But who were they, seriously?
7) Andy Crane does, in fact, have a brain.
8) Umm...
9) Wincey Willis now runs her own TV weatherperson sanctuary in the Mendips.
10) #9 may not be strictly true. (Come to think of it, I have my doubts about #7 as well.)
