John Woodhouse: Does Moyles still mock city he started in?
Chris Moyles set off on the road to fame at Stoke-on-Trent's Signal Radio. But according to his book, the city didn't secure a place in his heart. Sentinel columnist John Woodhouse gives his view.
"SO a trip to Stoke-on-Trent awaits me later," wrote Chris Moyles on Twitter yesterday. "Haven't been there for many years and I'm actually quite excited."
I'm not sure why. The last time Moyles was here resulted in an entire chapter for his debut book, The Gospel According To Chris Moyles: The Story Of A Man And His Mouth, which somehow failed to trouble the judges for the Booker Prize.
Twelve pages go under the heading of Stoke-on-Trent: Nice When It's Finished. In it he describes the city centre as a "****hole" and mocks its residents for using the affectionate term "duck". "They don't sell fish and chips," he says. "They sell fish and cheps." When it comes to acerbic comment, Moyles is basically Clarkson-lite. Some books are good to read on the toilet, when it comes to the standard of A Man And His Mouth, it looks like it was written on one.
Moyles should of course be rewarded for his excellent use of white space. He somehow manages to drag his tome out to 282 pages of oh-so fascinating stories of minor characters in local radio. The big gaps on the pages presumably represent the bits where he was playing records.
One imagines there might have been a bidding war for the dramatisation rights for One Man And His Mouth were it not for the fact that the ha'penny has gone from the currency and the natural for the lead role, John Candy, is no longer with us.
I'm not sure quite why Moyles felt the need to reveal the tale of how slow the radio world was to recognise his genius. Still, some people must be interested because on the front it boasts of being a Sunday Times Bestseller. Then again, so was Jeffrey Archer. Something to read on the beach perhaps. A jellyfish sting might not be so bad by comparison.
Don't take it to a long-haul destination, though. You'll have finished it by the time you get off the runway.
Moyles says by the time he walked into reception at Signal 1, after a cursory drive round the area, he had a good idea of the sort of place Stoke was. Last night he was back. What he made of it I don't know. Tears of nostalgia or torrents of disdain?
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Related news about Chris Moyle's visit to Stoke-on-Trent:
DJ's sing-a-long show is huge hit with crowd (PICS)
8 Comments
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Friday, June 19 2009, 8:23PM
“How ironic that Chris Moyles thinks Stoke is a "****hole" given that Stoke is where he came through as he emerged into the world of radio! I wonder what that makes him...”
by RUSSELL DRURY, cambridge
Thursday, June 18 2009, 5:37PM
“I think there's only one winner in this debate. And it's NOT John Woodhouse. Even so, let him enjoy his 15 minutes of fame, it's all he's going to get.”
by LB, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, June 18 2009, 12:59PM
“I think you take yourself rather too seriously, and judging by last nights turn out most people agree with Chris Moyles rather than you!”
by Andy Hughes, Norton, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, June 18 2009, 12:38PM
“I love stoke and its people, but lets face it, the place is a dump and in need of much regeneration; with many parts of our city centre looking like a demolition site, with boarded up shops and buildings in abundance.
I myself live in an area labeled the worst place in stoke, and I identified with the statements Chris made about the stoke area, but yet I still found myself laughing at the stoke chapter in Chris's book.
Moyles books were both funny and entertaining, I think that if you had actually read them mr Woodhouse, you would know that.”
by Tom, Stoke
Thursday, June 18 2009, 12:02PM
“Woodhouse, why are you reviewing a book that was published about 3 years ago just to have a bite a someone who has become successful regardless of everyone's taste. Most of the comments left on this website are concerning the depressed state of this city and it might do us all some good that it has been said on one of the largest shows on national radio.”
by Mark, Kidsgrove
Thursday, June 18 2009, 8:26AM
“In my opinion Moyles was spot on about what he said about the city. It was a dump when he worked at Signal all those years ago, it's hardly much better now as it's still a laughing stock to most of the uk. The 2 books that Chris has had out aren't pretending to be something they aren't, they are just entertainment & an insight in to how he got where he has today. What's the problem Mr Woodhouse? Jealous are we by any chance?”
by Josh Andrews, Plymouth
Thursday, June 18 2009, 8:16AM
“Somebody is jealous!
I have read both books, they're no Davinci Code, but i think they are very funny...
How many best selling books have you written Mr Woodhouse... I'm guessing at none.
My point exactly :)”
by JD, Newcastle
Thursday, June 18 2009, 7:45AM
“Mr Woodhouse... Do i spot a hint of the green eyed monster in your story?? Ok, so Mr Moyles lets his mouth run away with him sometimes, but 8million listeners cant be wrong. How many people will be actually reading this piece? And lets face it, we all admit Stoke still requires some regeneration and a lot has been done since the early 90's when it was particularly run down (when Chris was here) So dont just jump on the rubbish the star thing, just because you have not made a big name for yourself!”