gibbzer
@gibbzer
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Scottish screenwriter. Elizabeth Is Missing, Dear Frankie, Mayflies, Miss Austen. Gallus. Fidget. Tea Jenny. Ne'er Do Well. Queen of the Kitchen Disco. #MDANT
Joined January 2009
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Pinned Tweet
I wrote something about Friday's memorial and Simon and hunting bears.
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I'm so sad to let you know that our beloved Simon died earlier today. He endured a great deal over the past year but he was Simon N Ricketts till the end; stubborn, funny, brave, kind and loving. He had the heart of a lion and we loved him very much.
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Thank you all so much for your lovely messages about Simon. They're helping so much. He loved this place. It was his playground and I can honestly say that in the last six months Twitter kept him going. It was a window to the outside world when his own world was shrinking.
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I wrote tonight's episode of Call The Midwife and I'm honoured to be part of this programme. In the light of this week's chat about the woeful lack of opportunity for female writers, Heidi Thomas and her team defiantly buck the trend.
#callthemidwife
#femalewriters
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Forgive me for tweeting this but I am so chuffed.
We couldn't be more delighted for
@gibbzer
who's only gone and won Best Writer for drama, Elizabeth is Missing at the
@RTSScotland
awards. What a star! 👏🏆
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During lockdown I re-sent myself every single email he'd ever sent me and, every now and then, I open one. As if it's new. The last one I opened just said 'You alright, Chick?' And I am. Well, I'm getting there. Here's one of my favourite photos of him. My beautiful man.
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In and around all this sadness, The Guardian have been amazing. They've treated Simon with such compassion and respect throughout his long illness. He died a Guardian journalist and that meant everything to him.
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As some of you know, today's the 2nd anniversary of Simon's death. I feel his loss constantly but there's something cathartic in marking anniversaries. In the ritual of it. He loved it here so it's comforting to see so many lovely messages about him today. He was a burning star.
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Forgive me if I don't answer all the messages. If Simon was here he'd do it for me! But please know that I've read them all and they're exactly what was needed.
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People have been so kind over these past sad days. I'm so grateful.
@marytwocats
just sent me a print of this photo of me and Simon at
@salihughes
wedding. We knew he was dying but look at us. Boozed up and very happy. I'll treasure it.
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We have made it to six months today without Simon N Ricketts. Six whole months. How is that even possible? The Proclaimers sang Sunshine On Leith at Glastonbury, almost in tribute, and here he is, The Chief, looking down on Leith from Arthur's seat.
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I'm marking today because it's eight months since my partner Simon died. I talk about him constantly. I talk to him constantly. One of my dearest friends wrote to me recently 'the dead are always with us'. And they are. Night Twitter.
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#goodnewsfriday
Just brought
@SimonNRicketts
home from hospital after the best part of five months. I'll sleep sound tonight.
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Today would have been
@simonnricketts
53rd birthday. This is the 3rd one without him. Things are definitely getting easier. The grief not so sharp. He'd have had a field day with all that's going on. I miss his political brain, his wit, his wisdom, his grumping and his touch.
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5 stars in Simon's paper. He'd have loved that! Thank you so much for all your lovely tweets about the film. We're thrilled and overwhelmed by the response. To witness so many share their own experiences of this horrible disease means everything.
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As so many of you know, it's the 3rd anniversary of my partner, Simon's death today. Thank you all for your lovely messages, it's so appreciated. He loved this place and the fact you still talk about him with such fondness would have delighted the bugger. 1/
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I hit a wall about three weeks ago where I couldn't write, couldn't get dressed, couldn't imagine this would ever end. I'm through it now. I've had a really good day, really good. I still miss my pals and my son and my family but on we go. It feels like we're touching it.
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@Peston
If they're being announced at 5pm why are you announcing them now? Having privileged access doesn't make you clever, it makes you look like a bit of a patsy. The whole country deserves to be told by the Prime Minister at the same time. That would be good governance.
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I have to get a new passport photo tomorrow. The last time I did that, I forgot my glasses and this happened....
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If you're denigrating Nicola Sturgeon with reference to her appearance, you have lost. Big time. The Krankie reference is boring, predictable, misogynistic shite.
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We’re reading my Elizabeth Is Missing script today. The shoot starts proper next week. I started work on this adaptation in 2013. Six years ago. And here we are. I can’t quite believe it’s really happening. I’m hugely grateful to everyone who’s supported me along the way.
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I cleaned out Mr Ricketts' spice and condiments cupboard today. He was the cook. And that was his cupboard. I interfered at my OWN RISK. There's something so personal about the contents of someone's kitchen cupboard. Simon's personality was stamped on every jar.
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Our amazing friend Lucy Gable just gave me this oil painting. (She used to be Mumma Doc on here.) Look at it. How amazing. She's captured me and Simon in such living detail. I will cherish it.
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But with their loved ones close by, holding their hands and comforting them. I don't know about anyone else but I'm getting sick of these graphs, data and the statistical modelling. There are human beings behind the numbers. People we love and will grieve for. Am so angry.
Sky News is reporting that the deaths from coronavirus aren't so bad because most of the people "would have died anyway some time this year"...
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I wrote this last year - Simon was a bright, burning star who thundered into my life, swept me off my feet and kept me in orbit for the whole of our time together. Here is one of his favourite photos of us. I look like I've been miniaturised. He had my pal Jen frame it.
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I know there's lots of happy English football fans having a lovely, peaceful, celebratory day. But the images washing over twitter of fans throwing bottles, lighting flares, chucking trees and trying, in vain, to burn the Italian flag do real fans a terrible disservice.
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.
@simonnricketts
wants to thank you for all your lovely messages. He's reading them even though he's not up to replying yet. It's really helped him-and me and his family-to know so many are thinking of him and holding him in their thoughts. He'll be back posting nonsense soon.
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had to show my vaccination certificate to get into a Lisbon restaurant. Like everyone else. Masks were worn while moving around. Did I enjoy my food and wine any less? No. If anything I was more relaxed about the whole experience. Frankly no one looked coerced or forced.
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Meanwhile in New Zealand.
“Labour won an election majority, meaning they could govern alone. But Ardern invited the Greens into a “cooperation” agreement, saying it would benefit from the expertise of the Green Party on climate change and child wellbeing.” This is what leaders do.
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The worst thing about this - apart from Fabricant's mullet - is the fact they march past the bereaved holding photos of their loved ones and do not even give them a second glance. This is who these people are. Devoid of grace and empathy and compassion. Vote them out.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun, I know that. It was great, we had our photo taken, it was absolutely super!”
@Mike_Fabricant
and other Conservative MPs arrive for tonight’s party hosted by the PM, after their group photo in Parliament.
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It’s five years today since Simon Ricketts died. He would be amazed (and chuffed) so many of you still talk about him and remember him. He was unforgettable right enough. And so very funny. He left me with the gift of confidence and self belief and I’ll be forever grateful.
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My son is coming home in a few hours so my solo lockdown is about to end. I don't have words. On we go.
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Just heard that Simon's Twitter family helped raise over £6000 for bowel cancer UK in his memory. Thank you so very much. It would mean a great deal to him. X
@simonnricketts
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I had a conversation tonight with smart, reasonable humans who voted No in the 2014 Indy Ref. All of them would now vote Yes. Just saying.
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This piece doesn't mince its words. Read it and weep. Then applaud. Needed to be said.
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On a couple of mad crazy deadlines (not complaining) but just had to call it a day as I've been hit by one of those unexpected grief waves. I'm totally fine, this is just self acknowledgement, that a wee hole has appeared in the dam wall and I'll just have to wait it out.
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My sister Sharon. A good few years ago now. We were at a fete and she wanted her face painted. My mum gave her the cash, thinking she'd get a butterfly or a wee flower. This is what she came back with.
#WorldDownSyndromeDay
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Love and thanks to everyone who travelled from near and far to say goodbye to Simon yesterday. It was a beautiful day in so many ways. He was present in every thought and deed. Though his absence was impossible to ignore.
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Another lovely thing happened today.
One of my friends sent me this from the Lake District. It's where we scattered Simon's ashes. We did this before lockdown and I haven't made it back yet. So this was very welcome.
Look how beautiful it is.
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Thank you all for your kind messages about Simon yesterday. They were so appreciated. I don't think I was very prepared for the visceral waves of grief that hit over the past few days, but I have the best of friends so I'm lucky.
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Missing Simon Ricketts' take on today's parliamentary shit show. He was totally convinced that Brexit wasn't going to happen.
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If I was Keir Starmer I'd campaign entirely for the next election on the NHS. Nothing else. Keeping it free at point of access. Proper investment, beds, equipment, staff, buildings. Linked up to social care. Big joined up strategy. Everything else will follow. Health = Wealth.
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Or the time he hung about outside an optician's in St Albans because this photo was in the window and he wanted to see folk do a double take.....
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Close your eyes and just imagine. Imagine. Bowie is not dead. There is no 2020. Just us. Here. Now.
Everything is beautiful and nothing hurts.
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Just heard that my sister - clinically vulnerable and shielding - is getting her first jag this afternoon. We're getting there, pals. As sure as eggs is eggs.
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Thank you so so much to
@stbrideschurch
for having us. Simon was very modest about who he was and what he did but today's tributes demonstrated hugely that he was a one off. Our friend
@MooseAllain
did this wonderful thing to celebrate what a beautiful human Simon was.
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A little dinghy with a browny red sail appeared on the lake below. Just like Swallow. Just perfect. And so very Simon.
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Well, today, in the midst of all this uncertainty and confusion and up in the air ness, I bought myself a flat. The opposite of risk averse, I know, I know. Night Twitter.
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Lorraine reminds me of my mum, my grannies, my aunties. 'Whit's the point of coming on here and not answering a single question? Whit's the point of that?' Respect, Lorraine. Now let her loose on every one of the political dissemblers currently taking the piss out of us.
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I am struggling to comprehend why the Tories are so high in the polls. If it's a bounce from the vaccination roll out, it's misplaced. The NHS is delivering the vaccines, the Government is still fucking everything else up with its hand outs and cronyism. I seriously can't compute
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@bbclaurak
@PippaCrerar
It clearly was a breach. Travelling with symptoms breaks the carefully stated rules that if you are symptomatic you and your family must isolate. That means staying where you are. We've had two sackings already because of these breaches. Why is his conduct excused?
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In a quirk of synchronicity today is also the 4th anniversary of my Simon’s death. He’d be so proud to see the amazing response we've got for the show. 'Mayflies' is about love and enduring friendship. Simon had both those things in abundance. 1/
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It would have been Simon's 54th birthday today. This was one of the last songs he downloaded before he died. He loved Mraz. I think this song really spoke to him. So candle lit, glass raised later to the most beautiful man I ever had the joy of loving.
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Elizabeth Is Missing has won the LBF Cameo book to screen award. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled because of the C word but we can still bask a wee bit in our socially isolated glory.
#elizabethismissing
#stv
#aislingwalsh
#sarahbrown
#glendajackson
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Has he popped in to sack Johnson?
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There isn't a day goes by when I don't wish
@simonnricketts
was here but I really miss his take on all this madness just now. We often disagreed on certain things - Scottish Indy for one - but I was always grateful for how he made me question and think.
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I'm retweeting this again just because.
So grandad was at a sportsman’s dinner and bought a 10ft X 4ft picture of the forth rail bridge. Seemingly he forgot he could just open da blinds 🤣🤣 granny not happy with him 🤦♂️😂😂
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This was certainly true of Keith and Larry, Andrew
O'Hagan's beloved friends who he honours in the book, and it was true of Simon too.
Be here now, everyone, for this is it. This is all there is. And this can be magic.
#mayflies
@SynchronicityF
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Get the booster because it's the right thing to do for you, your family, your community. Not because that steaming burst cushion told you to.
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I'm so thrilled to have been asked to adapt Andrew O'Hagan's beautiful book 'Mayflies'. It's a wonder. And the extra bonus is that I get to work with him and
@SynchronicityF
.
Synchronicity Films Develops TV Adaptation Of Andrew O’Hagan’s ‘Mayflies’
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When Simon and I were in the middle of his treatment I listened to Greg Wise talking about caring for her, on the radio. He was affirming, honest and true. I took heart from him.
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So
@SimonNRicketts
gave us a fright on Friday by getting a chest sepsis. He was back in intensive care for the weekend but is much better now though shattered. His heart was racing so much he's basically done a marathon. But he's back fighting and on the ward today. Drama Queen.X
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The 'Elizabeth Is Missing' team has news. And it's double joy. Not only the magnificent Glenda Jackson but the brilliant Irish director Aisling Walsh too.
Returning to the screen after 25 years, two-time Academy Award winner Glenda Jackson will star as the lead in
@BBCOne
’s adaptation of the best-selling novel
#ElizabethIsMissing
:
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Thanks, Twitter, you've been really kind. This grief state is complicated and complex. The significant dates only seem significant because we imbue them with it, but in truth they're no different from all the other days. I've made it to my desk now, head down and spirits up.
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I bought myself a present. It's by contemporary Scottish artist Stuart Buchanan and is called Red Sea blues. I absolutely love it. It says a lot about solitude but there's a calmness too. It's forward looking, so there's hope there too.
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1/? Today would have been
@simonnricketts
fifty second birthday. This time last year we were banging him out in Fleet Street. The year before he was in the hospital. And the year before that he and I recreated the first series of The Trip and went on an adventure Gastronomique.
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I've got Covid so in the slammer till Hogmanay. Here's wishing you all the happiest Christmas, wherever you are. In lieu of a card here's another painting. It's called The Navigator and was painted by Stuart Buchanan.
Look up, folks. You never what hope you'll find there
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If I was Sue Gray I'd resign immediately, issuing a scathing and blistering attack on both this government and the Met. Not sure what she has to lose. Public trust in both institutions is now completely shot. I don't think that's just in this Twitter bubble.
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Bit of a challenging week. Lockdown fatigue. Boiler shenanigans. Work work work. And suddenly blindsided by grief. Two years on, still coming to terms.
But life oh life. And how lucky we are.
Sleep. See you tomorrow twitter pals.
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Caring for the elderly or people living with dementia, is not a low skilled job. It takes an enormous amount of care and skill. It takes kindness and compassion. And dedication. Many people who do this essential job in the UK are immigrants.
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Our show 'Mayflies' has won an award at the prestigious Seoul International Drama Awards. It's gratifying that a show so resolutely Scottish has resonated with an international audience. The accents might be Scottish but the themes -love, loss, enduring friendship- are universal
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Thank you for all your lovely messages and good wishes yesterday. We appreciated every single one. We're thrilled to bits for Glenda Jackson. She was a joy to work with and delivered a performance we could only dream about.
@WalshAisling
@STVProductions
#sarahbrown
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Quick
@simonnricketts
update. His pancreas is still playing funny buggers so he'll be in hospital for a while yet. It's been hard, there's no getting away from that, but he's a stubborn git with a very powerful brain and that's a big big part of keeping him going. 1/ 2
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I wish this every day but I really wish it today.
I wish
@simonnricketts
was here.
He'd be having a field day. I can just see him, in front of the telly, still in his dressing gown, making insightful, clever, funny remarks on here.
Journalist to his core.
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So, we now have a transmission date for 'Elizabeth Is Missing'. Sunday. December 8th. 9pm. *Cue transmission nervo'.
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Sarah Everard's murderer wasn't pretending to be a police officer, he was a police officer. The idea that women, especially vulnerable women, could challenge any lone policeman, plain clothes or uniform is risible. Stop putting the onus on women and victims. Reform the Met.
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This
@nicholaswatt
moment would've made Simon Rickett's year. I can hear him laughing, and clapping, and laughing some more at it.
Newsnight’s
@nicholaswatt
has the TV moment of the year. Quoting a cabinet minister, asked why May is pressing ahead with a vote she knows she’ll lose: “Fuck knows. I’m past caring. It’s like the living dead in here.”
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We're overwhelmed by your responses to Episode One of Mayflies on BBC Scotland. Thank you for writing such heartening words about our show. It means so much. BBC 1 tomorrow and Thursday and then we can breathe
@SynchronicityF
@martin_compston
@TonyCurran69
#andrewohagan
et al
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Boris Johnson lies as naturally as breathing. It's what he does. It's who he is. And the people who put him there know. And the people who defend him now know. This isn't about the greater good. Or levelling up. They have no interest in anyone but themselves.
#ToriesOut
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@Kit_Yates_Maths
This is a beautiful thread about the enduring power of friendship, thank you. And here's to your best friend, Nick. I'm adapting Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan just now, which deals with so many of the things you talk about here. It's very tender and very moving too. Go well.
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The British media seem to be absolutely blootered. I'm mortified by the abject, wall to wall coverage of a fucking book. This country in the grips of an urgent social and political catastrophe. The NHS is collapsing. Get A Grip.
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This film means everything to us. It took us 4 years to make and we put our heart and soul into it. This is for everyone who lives with dementia - whether you have it or you care for someone who has it. You need proper financial and practical support.
@WalshAisling
@STVStudios
Massive congratulations to
#ElizabethIsMissing
from
@STVStudios
for winning the Best Single Drama award at the
#BroadcastAwards
2021! 🏆
To find out what all the fuss is about, you can watch the film on
@BBCiPlayer
now 👀
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Just to let you know
@SimonNRicketts
is back in ITU. He gave us a big scare on Saturday but he's stable now and slowly improving. He isn't answering messages etc so just in case you've messaged him and were wondering. He'll be back on the keys soon. Or he'll be answering to me.
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Today was the most extraordinary day. Today was Simon Rickett's day. Thank you to everyone who came to his memorial. To
@KathViner
@hugorifkind
@AdamParsons1
@SynchronicityF
and Orla Hill who spoke so beautifully. To
@StBridesChoir
who were astonishing. 1/2
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Dementia is not an inevitable by-product of ageing. It is a degenerative disease of the brain. When folk have cancer they get specialist help, folk with dementia have to sell their homes to go into care. This is a conversation that needs changing
This powerful new film from
@AlzResearchUK
and
@SamuelLJackson
will get us all thinking differently about dementia. Please watch and
#ShareTheOrange
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Sharleen Spiteri and Texas were bangin'. She's a rock goddess with great chat as well as a phenomenal voice. Shout out to Cat, their drummer as well. Two amazing women.
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Am sure my constant clamour about this crisis is driving some of you up the pole. Am also sure I've been muted by quite a lot of you. I don't blame you for it. Living with someone with a terminal illness has sharpened my understanding of the needs of the dying so I can't shut up
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I've felt him fading on occasion this past year and that makes me panic. But then he's back, louder and in sharper focus than ever. So three steps forward and only one step back. Progress for sure. 2/
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Have decided that I'm not going to be a year older on my birthday this year. As far as I'm concerned this year has been a non-year. So it's not getting counted. Message ends.
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Today would have been Simon Rickett's 55th birthday. He loved this song. He was wonderful. But, every now and again, just a wee bit of trouble. Ha ha.
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For all those who followed Simon R's cat tale tweets, just to let you know his beloved Sybil died today. After he died, I found her a really loving home on a beautiful farm where she was very happy mousing and doing her noisy caterwauling. He'd have been delighted with that.
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On a train, heading North. Knackered and a bit emotional. Earphones in, listening to my favourite music. Conjuring up happy times, giving space to sadness and allowing myself time to think and reflect. And hope. Tomorrow is a big day.
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@Peston
Did you ask why he's not enforcing closures of theatres, restaurants and clubs etc and just recommending folk don't go to them? This is going to destroy the cultural industries because if govt won't make closure compulsory they cannot claim insurance. What's his reason for this?
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