It's not easy removing earwax when someone's taking your photo...

That's Dr Phil Hammond, GP, writer, comedian and host of Radio 4's 'The Music Group'. But for a simple twist of fate, he could now be my wife. No, seriously.

I had an e-mail yesterday from Jim Kitson of Senators fame. Unfortunately, as 'Senators fame' essentially equates to about six people in the UK knowing who you are, I should probably elaborate. The Senators were a band who were around in the late 80s and early 90s, were signed to Virgin Records, and had no hits whatsoever. I created this website about them in 2001. The website succeeded in attracting a number of fellow fans, and nine years later I married one of them. That's pretty much all you need to know. Although you could read this account too.

Jim Kitson, who was one half of the band, e-mails me from time to time from theatres across the UK, where he's scratching out a living as some kind of musical hobo. And yesterday he sent me this:

Here's a link to 'Good Morning World' being discussed recently on Radio 4 in case you're remotely interested. I'm in Colchester being a Grape of Wrath and playing the banjo in dungarees. Hope all is cool with you and yours.

Best wishes,

Jim.

'Good Morning World' is an old Senators song which sounds a bit like the Gazebo Dance from 'In the Night Garden'. And if you've forgotten how that goes, you can click here.

It turns out that last Thursday, 14th October, 'Good Morning World' was the song choice of philosopher Julian Baggini, whilst a guest on Radio 4's 'The Music Group', presented by Phil Hammond. Sadly the BBC won't let you download and keep their broadcasts. So I've made this illegal copy...


Now, it may not be immediately obvious at first listen, but virtually every word of that broadcast is about me. No, really. Julian Baggini e-mailed me in 2003 (I think) to say he had this idea for an article on bands who never quite made it, and he asked if I could put him in touch with Mick and Jim Kitson. I duly did so, he subsequently wrote the article, and seven years later, he's talking about it on Radio 4.

But more bizarre than that, is the sudden revelation that Dr Phil Hammond is a closet Senators fan. At least he claims to be. To be honest, about half the things he says are lifted word for word from my biography page, so it's hard to tell which are genuine memories, and which he just read on my site before going on air. But either way, if he'd come out of the closet and sent me a few e-mails, he could be sitting here now instead of Lisa. Although whether the relationship would have worked long-term, I'm not sure.

I still get the occasional e-mail to my Senators site, but I must admit I don't check them very often. Once I'd found myself a wife, I didn't see the point. But with the Kitsons foremost in my mind last night, I logged in to check my website e-mails for the first time since August. And found this one sent ten days ago on October 7th...

Dear Phil,

Not sure you can help. I produce a BBC Radio 4 programme called The Music Group (guests choose records and talk about them). One of my guests (Julian Baggini) has chosen a Senators track for the programme. All fine – I have the record and can use it. However, it turns out my presenter Phil Hammond is also a fan of the band and has just asked if we can finish by playing a little of 'Man No More'. I’ve tried this morning to get a copy (not live version) but have been unable to and wondered if you had an MP3 of the original that we could use?

The music would be reported in the usual way on our paperwork so band get paid etc. it’s just I can’t get the version in time.

We record on Sunday but I’ll need to prepare the clips etc tomorrow. Can you help?

Don’t worry if you can’t but thought it worth asking.

Fingers crossed,

Thanks,

Tamsin

Tamsin Hughes, Radio Producer
The Music Group, BBC Radio 4

I think I need to start checking my e-mails more often.