This England: Never mind the knock-offs
This column – which, though named after a line in Shakespeare’s “Richard II”, refers to the whole of Britain –…
ByLife stories
I am a man who orders combs when drunk
For £14, I’ve bought something that will remain ornamental – unless I turn it into a kazoo, which will not…
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Walking into the past
Exploring London’s ragged borderland offers new perspectives on love, loss and the ephemeral nature of life.
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We have a new album out and are determined that ageing won’t stop us seizing the day
Forwards we go, embracing the new. Although, I’m a bit worried my doctor is soon going to tell me I…
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JB Priestley’s rules for life
Stay away from the crowd, the mob and the mass.
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My adventure in burlesque
A combination of masochism and narcissism sent me onstage.
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Among my life’s highlights is the time I made Martin Amis slap his thigh with laughter
Ever since then, when I have been feeling down, or stupid, or generally undervalued, I have consoled myself with this…
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When did a decent life become out of reach of the unambitious?
Ambition used to be a dirty word, but now no one can afford not to be relentless about their career.
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Thanks to a shoulder in agony I meet Dr H—, possessed of a lively mind and deep humanity
I tend to get on with the medical profession, but her demeanour suggested an even broader hinterland than usual.
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First we canonised Emma Raducanu – then we hounded her off the tennis court
Since her US Open victory, the 20-year-old has been pursued by a hurricane of hype not remotely of her own…
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A breakage means I might soon be drinking wine from a jam jar, like an effing hipster
My long, unfortunate history with wine glasses continues.
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The brutality of ballet
Alice Robb’s Don’t Think Dear reveals how the elite world of dance exerts a terrible physical and mental toll.
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A fancy dinner at the home of cricket is the stuff of dreams – and nightmares
When a guest arrived in black tie I thought, “Oh dear, someone has overdressed for the occasion.” Then the truth…
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