I’ve long been a fan of TV comedy duo French and Saunders, right from the energetic early days, through the middling output, and even when the pair got slightly tired in their last series. Their solo projects have been ones to watch, too, so I was looking forward to reading Dawn French’s autobiography, which is written as a series of letters. Letters to her beloved father, her best friend, childhood sweethearts, her (now ex) husband Lenny Henry, Madonna, and her partner in comedy crime, Jennifer Saunders (aka ‘Fatty’).

Flitting between distant memories and recent recollections, Dawn French’s stories are both heart-warming and hilariously funny, leading me to read passages aloud, sharing her comic anecdotes. Light-hearted as you’d expect from a comic actress, yes, but the 366 pages also touch on more sensitive and serious moments, and when this happens, Dawn writes with such sincerity and feeling, the emotions she was feeling at these times are entirely believable. The letters format works well, each individual ode taking the place of a chapter, enabling easy ‘pick up and drop’ reading.

From her childhood as an RAF girl and her early teaching years, through to her hugely successful career as a comic actress in The Comic Strip, The Vicar of Dibley, Murder Most Horrid and of course, French and Saunders, Dawn French writes honestly and candidly, sprinkling her wicked humour throughout. An enlightening, extremely humourous and well-written book, Dear Fatty is more than worthy on anyone’s celebrity autobiography (or for that matter, anyone’s) bookshelf.

• Dear Fatty by Dawn French, Arrow Books 2009, ISBN 978-0099519478

Eurovision has thrown up some surprisingly decent pop tunes the over the last few years. Despite cynics best efforts at deriding it, the contest has come a long way since the days of ‘Boom Bang-A-Bang’. Most entries these days are uplifting true pop songs, three minutes in length, and very commercial sounding. Take this uplifting pop/dance track from Sweden’s Jenny Silver.

A 2011 entrant in the annual Swedish final selection show Melodifestivalen, ‘Something In Your Eyes’ has hooks seemingly inspired by ABBA’s 1979 disco phase, and could easily have been written by super Swedes Benny and Björn. Jenny Silver even resembles a fresher, younger Frida. It’s not surprising she didn’t win and Eric Saade took victory, as her stage show paled in comparison, and that’s as much a part of the contest now as the songs themselves. But, you could argue her song was arguably better – a true modern Swedish pop classic.

This wasn’t part of the plan. In the space of four days, I thought about getting a car, went and saw two that were advertised locally, and ended up buying the first one. Over a month ago, I hadn’t even considered driving anything other than my 1994 Volkswagen Polo GT Coupé. But that was before the Volkswagen UK 2011 Polo GTI press car arrived, and unwittingly pointed out that even an 18 year-old car is now an antique. Lovingly referred to by certain family members as ‘the classic car’, the GT coop has covered 164,000 miles, 116,000 of those in my 12-year ownership. But, surprisingly (both to me and those that know me), it now has a new – and equally shiny silver – playmate.

As I hadn’t considered buying another, newer, car, I hadn’t really thought about what form that more modern, refined, yet cheap fun potential purchase would take. Being a lifelong fan, I guess it was always going to be a Volkswagen, although when I started looking at my £3000 limit, all sorts of machinery presented itself. From early Renaultsport Clio 172s (I’ve always liked the look of the first-generation cars) through to first-year, high-mileage Audi A2s, the search was quite an eye-opener. But as you can see from the picture above, I again plumped for a Polo, my fifth. Was it really going to be anything else?

A 2001-model Polo GTI, it has a 1.6-litre, 125bhp VVT engine, and is, on first view, seemingly a lot of car for the money. With ABS, CD player, digital air-conditioning/climate control, EDL, headlamp washers, power-steering, remote central locking, sport seats and xenon headlights, it ticks all the equipment boxes, and the fact that it looks natty with its 15-inch BBS alloys and Reflex Silver paintwork sealed the deal. It’s only covered 67,000 miles, too, and comes with an almost solely Volkswagen Retailer stamped up service book. There are some little bits and pieces that need sorting naturally (it is a 10 year-old car after all), but that’s half the fun. The interior needs a good clean, too , but it’s nothing an afternoon of elbow grease shouldn’t sort out.

I’ve got no plans for the car apart from the initial tidy up, as I’d like to keep it standard. The first parts have been bought – a set of mudflaps to protect the paintwork, and also a replacement whip aerial mast to replace the corroded chrome one that’s on the car at the moment. There were things to look out for, though. Volkswagen issued a pedal box recall around seven years ago, and this car’s been done, and it’s also had a recent cambelt change. The gearbox feels fine too – these can also cause problems.

At 38, is it my ‘mid-life crisis’ car? I don’t think so, it’s just a much more sensible option for these modern times in which we live (although not as sensible as a three-cylinder TDI might have been, of which I only saw three advertised of 2000-2002 vintage). Yes the Renaultsport Clio 172 would have been more fun in an enthusiast sense, but the flaky build and cheap-looking interior did it no favours. Have I made the right choice? I’m hoping my first foray into GTI ownership will be as much of a pleasure to own as its predecessors, and the start of another long-term car relationship. And, when Nik says it’s a good-looking car, I know I could be onto a winner.

Disco Moment from Bright Light Bright Light on Vimeo.

Reports might have exaggerated the death of pop music, but there’s been a lot of good stuff released in the last two or three years. One of my most favourite musical discoveries of the past year has been Bright Light Bright Light. Primarily a vehicle for front man Rod Thomas (he has a small band when touring), he makes bright and shimmering pop music that’s uplifting and I the sort I love.

Bright Light Bright Light’s first single, Love Part II was released in September last year and was a perfect slice of late summer pop. While on tour, Rod has released videos and even a five-track EP, the nearest there’s been to a Bright Light Bright Light full-to-the-rafters pop song-packed album. But, that album’s finally due in August, the same time as new single Disco Moment, hits digital stores.

Premiered on the Guardian’s music website yesterday, the track is typically Bright Light Bright Light, all electro pulsing synths and strong melodies. with echoes of Kylie’s All The Lovers bassline, the chorus instantly grabs you in, and while the song might have a melancholic lyrical tone, the soaring melody takes over. Disco Moment is undoubtedly worth the follow-up wait, and gives a taster of the album, which is – at last – not far away. Just the thing for a Friday…

Another month, another trip to see Kylie’s Aphrodite – Les Folies spectacle. While the tour juggernaut rumbles on non-stop around the globe (currently in Australia), the UK had a chance to relive the spellbinding blitz of colour and Kylie songs in a one-night only, 3D screening of the show on Sunday. Showing in selected cinemas as well as television channel Sky 3D, Aphrodite – Les Folies 3D really did bring something else to the Kylie event party. And I didn’t think that was possible, seeing as the night out at the O2 Arena back in April was something of a very special evening.

But yet, the film screening offered something spectacularly different, but not necessarily better, to the live night. The 3D glasses worked for a start, and right from the word go, it was easy to see what the multiple 2D and 3D cameras had captured. The titles and overlaying graphics really did seem to float into the auditorium. Working best on wide shots showing the enormous and elaborate stage, the catwalk, and the audience, the 3D elements really did make you think that the cinema screen was sunk into the wall a long way back.

Sweeping and long shots worked especially well, too, and the sumptuous costumes were brought into even more life as they brushed past the cameras. And, as you’d expect from such a screening, Kylie literally was larger than life in front of your eyes, her sparkling costumes even more colourfully radiant than they were on that evening back in April. Filmed over 11 and 12 April at the O2 Arena in London (the week after I saw it), the edit cleverly tricked you into thinking it was one night.

Showcasing a Kylie concert at its absolute best, Aphrodite – Les Folies 3D was a cinematic triumph, but one that missed the atmosphere of the live night (you were never going to get an atmosphere from around 20 viewers). No cuts ensured all the hits were there, too – the TV version had four songs chopped out to fit the broadcast slot. And the water fountain finale was as stunning as it was on the night itself. All in all, a fantastic couple of hours of spectacular escapism – one of the things a Kylie concert is supremely good at.

[Image: Kylie.com]

Did you watch it? Now that Saturday’s final has taken place and the winning song declared, the Eurovision Song Contest is all over for another year. And 2011 was the best contest for a couple of years. I bet no-one saw the winning entry coming, though. Azerbaijan romped home with the victory, with Ell/Nikki’s Running Scared (above) awarded 221 points with tallies coming in from almost every country. Second place went to rank outsider Italy with Raphael Gualazzi and Madness of Love (the country returning for the first time in 14 years), while my personal favourite, Popular by Eric Saade for Sweden took third spot on the podium.

Staged in the 24,000-capacity Esprit Arena Düsseldorf, the 56th running of the contest threw up some surprises. Ukraine took fourth spot in the winners list with Mika Newton and Angels, yet none of us in South Woodham Ferrers could recall it (bar the strange sand painting act on stage) and Moldova’s So Lucky by Zdob şi Zdub suspended belief, what with its shouty lyric delivery and pointy hat wearing, unicycling stage act. The much more conventional – but none the less anthemic – Denmark entry, New Tomorrow by A Friend In London, rounded out the top five finishers. The stage was almost a personality in itself, with very effective and enormous pulsating backdrop graphics and projections tailored to each act.

What of my favourites? We know of Eric Saade’s fate (third, but at one point, it did seem like he was going to win), and I noted the Azerbaijan entry as the last of my five to watch, so I’m pleased it did well – a worthy winner. Russia meanwhile came 16th with Alexey Vorobyov and Get You, while Hungary’s Kati Wolf’s What About My Dreams? came in a lowly 22nd out of 25. Armenia’s entry, Boom Boom by Emmy, was knocked out in semi-final number one, but two favourites in the top three isn’t bad is it? And other notable acts? Jedward’s novelty Lipstick for Ireland polled eighth and had a lot of support, while the UK entry, I Can by Blue, came in 10th with 100 points, 10 times a better score than in 2010. The German entry, Taken By A Stranger by reigning champion Lena came 10th.

It’s May, so it must be Eurovision. Once again, it’s shaping up to be a good competition, with lots of contemporary and commercial-sounding songs vying for top honours (the UK entry, I Can by Blue, is actually their new single). Either the contest seems to have really stepped up it game in recent years, or the songs now sound more contemporary due to my years away in the early 2000s. Anyway, this year, in a break from tradition, I’m going to post my five favourites on Twitter rather than on the blog itself. Starting tonight – the first semi-final show – check www.twitter.com/gooding2shoes each day until Saturday to find out which five songs from 2011’s entries tickle my fancy. (Clue: one of them is above.)

Tini was down for a few days, so yesterday we once again jumped into the car and drove the 90 miles or so to the Suffolk coast. She hadn’t been to Benacre and its estate before, and I hadn’t seen her for almost five years (she hadn’t even met Nik), so although a long day was ahead, it didn’t matter, and in any case, it would get us away from the computers. Leaving before breakfast, we made good time and arrived in time for late – but not too late – eggs and muffins, washed down with coffee and tea. Strangely, poached eggs were a new thing for Tini, but I’d have thought that at some time in her 80+ years she would have come across them. Maybe they’re just not that common in the Netherlands.

The day had dawned bright, but we weren’t quite prepared for what that brightness would become. A day of full-on heat and sunshine, we ventured out to explore the walled gardens. Tended and nurtured carefully, numerous small patches of land back onto each other, and are separated by old brick walls, reminding me of more formal gardens at a country house, something which Benacre Hall must have had at some point in its rich and varied past. Sitting in the shade of a tree on a bench chatting to mum and Bart was more of a social time than we thought; it was soon time for lunch, and once Tini had strode across the grass to join us, an impromptu picnic beckoned.

A veritable feast was laid out before us, and while two of us sat on the white sheet that masqueraded as a rug, three of the party sat on the bench, talking about history, culture and how really beautiful the day had turned out to be. Post-lunch, mum, Nik and I headed to Southwold and the brewery shop where we ooh-ed and aah-ed at all manner of expensive kitchen gadgets on display, before taking coffee in the newly-built coffee shop. A quick around the town followed, before we jumped back in the car and weaved our way up the long Bencare Estate drive, narrowly missing the sheep and their just-born lambs. Being a meat eater – but increasingly less often – the cute lambs are enough to put you off, all large ears and gangly thin legs, with the odd tiny black face making an appearance.

More tea was made and preparations for dinner were started. The pair of us ventured out for a walk around the grounds of the estate, and as the evening sun descended through the trees, we took pictures of the countryside scenes and the fog and sheep-filled fields, before going indoors to eat. We had to be back in Essex today, so bid out hosts goodbye after the evening meal and a couple of thoughtfully-played hands of cards. What with the hot weather and the abundance of lambs on the estate, it really had felt like the start of spring. Maybe the best start for a long time.

Benacre picnic: mum, Tini, Nik, me and Bart

Benacre picnic: yum!

Benacre Hall, Suffolk

Benacre Estate, Suffolk

Benacre Estate sheep, Suffolk

Benacre Estate sheep, Suffolk

Benacre Estate sheep, Suffolk

Benacre Estate sunset, Suffolk

She didn’t disappoint. But then was she ever going to? I’ve seen Kylie on tour seven different times (and therefore seven different shows) and as Aphrodite – Les Folies was billed as her biggest and most extravagant show of her career, there was a lot to look forward to. I was a little perturbed by having to go to the O2 last night at first, largely because it’s such a big venue, and our seats weren’t near the front by any means. But, there was no reason to be apprehensive – the enormous scale of the stage, catwalk, projection screens and yes, those 30ft high fountains ensured everyone could see what was going on.

Rising from a golden shell, Kylie’s entrance was, as ever, well staged and more than a little camp, but from the moment she put a diamond-encrusted high heel on the vast temple-style stage, she didn’t put a foot wrong. From riding in a chariot pulled by muscled ‘slaves’, to flying on an angel with the most enormous feathered wings, suspended by heavy cables, this show was something else, and unlike anything or any Kylie show I had seen before. Old songs, new songs, tilting stages, coloured feathers, Busby and Berkeley-styled songs, a rock-inspired version of Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (probably the lowest point of the night), it was all there.

But nothing could beat the finale. Bidding the audience the traditional pre-finale goodbye, she returned in a gold bathing cap and matching cape to synchronised swimmer projections and slowly bubbling fountains, which erupted during On A Night Like This (particularly apt, I thought) but really came to life in All The Lovers. Squirting jets high into the arena, their eruptions were actually audible, and with laid down dancers suddenly rising from the small circular pool at the end of the heart-shaped catwalks, it all added up to a most spectacular finish, and one that I’ll remember for an awfully long time.

A fan of more almost 25 years, the spectacular Aphrodite – Les Folies marks a high in the career of Minogue, and rightly so. With the show going to the US, it’s a shame the water elements may be lost due to staging issues. Like a Las Vegas revue, it deserves the full staging and its breathtaking effect, and leaves the audience gasping for more, and leaving with memories of a very, very special evening.

[Image: Jelena Rudi/Kylie: Aphrodite World Tour Facebook page]