Just after work l did some Christmas shopping in Leeds. Then went to a pub in Leeds train station with some work colleagues. I had bought some food shopping and couple of autobiographies for my girlfriend and one for my brother. Out of the window I saw Allan. Sat on a seat next to some elderly ladles. Nothing to lose. I venture over and ask " excuse me Allen, would you please sign these books for me? They aren't yours, but it may make the gifts more special ". Then my bag burst, and my tins of mushy peas, rolled all over. Allan informed me that Vic Reeves was from Leeds, and signed both books, with a little characture drawing of himself. What a lovely man. And drew a great little picture. Who would of thought he had a tag. I was only a young lad. And was surprised as the elderly ladies asked who he was as he left. Although they were quite giddy when l told them. All part of the linear of life.

@jimmy2minutes

3 жыл бұрын

@Withnail l did. Hahaha. But its true.

@jimmy2minutes

3 жыл бұрын

@AMT bit embarrassed when the tins went rolling all over.

@jimmy2minutes

3 жыл бұрын

@AMT really nice guy. 👌

@TomTom-df9ph

2 жыл бұрын

This really made me smile. As I, sure it did the same with A B. it sounds like something he would write about.

I love him with all my heart....he has helped me through the darkest days. x

@iseeolly9959

3 жыл бұрын

@AMT Doing fine during this weird year my friend. Hope you are OK xx

I could listen to this brilliant man for the rest of my days.

@andrewemery8495

4 жыл бұрын

It will just seem so.

@TomTom-df9ph

4 жыл бұрын

Andrew Emery what exactly do you mean by that remark?

@leytonjay

4 жыл бұрын

Check out a podcast called the Secret Diaries of Alan Bennett, it's a more comical spoof of this and very well done.

I was lucky enough to meet Mr Bennett in 2019 at a reading in London. I was so overwhelmed I completely clammed up and just shook his hand. I hope we cross paths again so I can tell how much his work has meant to me. My biggest hero, hands down.

I love everything he writes. My paternal background is Yorkshire and some of Alan's phrases remind me of my father. I identify with a lot of his writing. I listen to his audio readings over and over. Thank you, Alan.

Pure gold even when I don't always agree with him - long may he live.

Fabulous to listen to and great distraction from the storms of the day

Brilliant as usual. Thank you

Thank you Alan. You and your work have been a constant for many years of my life and brought me much entertainment and also comfort. It has meant so much to me. Much love to you.

@colleendaumen136

3 жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more

I think the Burt Lancaster film was The Flame and the Arrow. I love listening to these audio diaries and I do so over and over again. Thank you for sharing them and I’m so glad your operation was a success.

A new tranche of AB's diary issued in the LRB: the best thing about New Year.

Can't say I live all year waiting for this but I kind of do so superbly observed it is. So I've been waiting for this a whole year and was not disappointed (but when did Alan ever disappoint?)As for already getting a few down votes on the first hours of being uploaded? Well it must be tough going or challenging to have to understand whole sentences and all those working class/elitist (do sort them out) references but it is sheer delight as far as I'm concerned and I am yet again very thankful Alan is still with us. And still without patience for putting up with fools and calling a spade a spade.

Wonderful to hear how he is. Wishing him good health and happiness for 2020 xx

Beautiful. Still wish I'd put AB in a chapter of his own in 'Camp in Literature.' On LRB's website, you can read AB's diary as you listen to him. Slight deviations are interesting - - "Good young medics always cheer me and offer hope" is how his January entry is written. But in delivery, AB says, "Good young medics always cheer me up and offer hope." The "up" is from the provinces which London and London's editors would drop, but it is truer to AB's authorial voice. And connotations of "cheer me up" imply a need for a pick-me-up from a disheartened low mood - - whereas "cheer me" doesn't stress any recovery: recreation rather than recuperation. Alan Bennett's diaries always cheer me up, and especially cheer me up this post-election Christmas.

This man has had such a magical angel kissed life ...

This makes my depressed and anxious disposition happy.

Thankyou so much enjoyable as usual xxx

Irreplaceable. A true original.

@sweetmarievictoria

4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful to share Alan Bennett's life like this. His 'simple' observations of life in Leeds quite takes me back a few decades, and the way he makes connections to his plays from these sometimes mundane observations, is quite the treat! Thank you so much , Mr. Bennett, from a York Road lass, now enjoying beautiful Victoria BC 🇨🇦

Thank you Mr. Bennett. I began a diary when I was about five; burnt all my 'young' diaries when I married; somehow much of that stuff is still in my head,, Now 84 =, unable to write or see my handwriting - and not trusting computers, I've given up.

I grew up close to where this great guy lived. Know exactly the areas he talks about, so many memories, sleep with him every night (liste

@pamelawillett9169

4 жыл бұрын

Every night, listening on my I pod!,

One can learn so much from listening to Mr Bennet and from watching or reading his work. I'd be interested to know why a few people didn't like this recording. My favorite quote (approximately) I you have signed up to be homosexual if I'd known it would take so long. Bless Mr Bennet

Jesus, 4 dislikes. Who is disliking this?

@robertbrighton9797

4 жыл бұрын

The ghost of peter cook

@BambooAcrobatVerte

3 жыл бұрын

Dudley and Peter. Peter and Dudley.

Love Alan

Gonna enjoy this.xx

I've got a book of his called, 'Writing Home'.... It's difficult not to read it in his voice.

How come he never went grey? And he doesn't even dye his hair. Amazing hair too.

@neilaspin008

4 жыл бұрын

Is that the only thing you can think about?

@geoffjoffy

4 жыл бұрын

@@neilaspin008 Dull reply. Sorry.

@geoffjoffy

3 жыл бұрын

@@Omnicient. True

What’s the reference to “sure he smells”?

How can anyone have a good thing to say about that martinet Bercow

Honestly, who downvotes this?

7 dislikes ?

By the way, who are you?

In China, political dissidents are being forced to listen to this against their will. Surely cruel and inhuman?

@stuartleonard4754

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, but are not forced to listen to it.

@willlovell7289

4 жыл бұрын

shut up andrew

@jamesneedham6265

4 жыл бұрын

Its worth it if all the Chinese dissidents begin speaking like Alan Bennett.

@thejoin4687

3 жыл бұрын

@@jamesneedham6265 "We will not tolereeeaate this gross interfeeeerence in Chaaaaina's interrrnal affaaaaiiirs."

lads