Clive Myrie – host of Mastermind and one of the brightest news talents at the BBC – started with the corporation in Bristol at the same time as me, writes Clinton Rogers.
One of us has done quite well… I think the other is just a slow starter!
I still count him as a friend, and he remains one of the nicest people you could meet.
It didn’t come as a surprise, therefore, that when I asked for a small favour, Clive stepped up.
Two charities I am proud to be connected with are the League of Friends of Musgrove Park Hospital (of which I am president) and the Wellington-based dementia charity Reminiscence Learning (of which I am an ambassador).
They are organising what promises to be a great fun evening, open air entertainment in the High Street of Taunton on Thursday, June 25 (get your tickets now!!).
Now, anyone who has been involved in organising an event like this will know that your heart sinks when you are asked to provide 'prizes' for an auction.
It’s not the same as getting gifts for a raffle (although that is hard enough these days).
Auction lots need to be special, ideally 'prizes' that money can’t buy.
So, Clive, what can you do for an old friend?
No problem.
He immediately offered a guest the chance to watch the BBC Six o’clock News go out live from the gallery in New Broadcasting House in London, followed by a meal at the Langham Restaurant just across the road, paid for by Clive.
I was so delighted; he was so generous.
He was just surprised I was surprised.
Now that is friendship!
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At the risk of name-dropping (ok, I will), Jon Kay is another former Bristol colleague who never forgets his roots.
These days he presents BBC Breakfast, and I’m convinced that in the not-too-distant future he will be appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
You heard it here first!
I’ll never forget Jon saying in my BBC leaving video that he regarded me as an influence on his career.
That’ll do as an addition to my CV.
Which brings me to reflect on some deeply sad news.
Emma Britton was a former BBC Somerset presenter who later embraced a new career as a celebrant.
She was another in that very small band of broadcast professionals who never became a 'broadcast stereotype'.
She was always "the girl from Bridgwater" who was on the radio.
Genuine, warm and real.
And a great friend.
Her death from a rare form of lung cancer was not only a shock but deeply unfair.
Emma never smoked or vaped and hardly drank.
But as my late mum once told me: "You’ll stand on the corner of the road for a long time waiting for fairness to come by."
How true.
You will be missed by many, Emma.
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