Danny baker autobiography example

This came out in 2012, and I had no real interest in reading it. I was happy with my knowledge of Danny Baker and didn’t feel the need to know more about him. I’m old enough to have been a teenage reader of his work in the NME; I didn’t see any of his telly work, but I’ve listened to him on the radio a lot, and I’ve heard him on podcasts like The Word.

But then a friend left this on the free table at work, hardback edition, and I picked it up. First of all: my eyes. Even sitting in the fairly bright (so-called) conservatory at home, I found it a struggle to read because I’m so spoiled by my backlit Kindle and its elastic font sizes.

But I managed. In two halves, actually. I read half of it before going away for Easter, and I finished it this weekend, as a way of distracting myself from hunger pangs.

It’s straightforwardly told, in Baker’s distinctive and easy style. He has the gift of the gab, and a great gift it is. He was always the funniest writer in the NME’s heyday, and his 1979 entry on the letters page under the name Samuel K Amphong is the stuff of legend.

Where is Beatles band? This band who have not been as of late clear of circumstance. Beatles Band! Can we no longer hear there medolious throng? John! Paul! All in Beatles Band come forth! What question have we to put? Now? Arguments neccessary can begin with whole results expected for any return. Ringo! Here in Thailand Beatles band experience is long loved and can be hurt away from John, Paul etc. Please give any news to Samuel K. Amphong of address similar to above. yours as in rock! 
Samuel K Amphong, Thailand

I’m still not sure if I’ll get to volumes two and three of this autobiography, but I did enjoy this, mainly because it covers the period of my own formative years, including the NME’s glory days and the lightning fast coming and going of punk rock. While Baker started his writing career at punk ‘z

Going to Sea in a Sieve: The Autobiography

December 28, 2012
I thought the Rod Stewart autobiography was pretty good, easy-going and written with a joie de vivre and chatty style that drew you closer to the person and the life being recalled. Danny Baker, however, comes along and shows Rod how it’s really done. Frankly, I could never really be bothered with Danny Baker on the TV or radio, but the good reviews of this book attracted me to it. He always struck me as some sort of wannabee Cockney wide-boy who probably in reality spent most of his youth in his bedroom absorbing Seventies trivia about pop music and football. I was unaware of his career as a journalist for the NME, or his early days in TV, and thought he’d come to fame through knowing Chris Evans (another erstwhile Southern twat whose autobiography is supposed to be excellent and is sitting on my Kindle awaiting its day.) I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, to become immediately caught up in Danny’s tales of growing up in working-class London, and a large part of the book is devoted to his years at school and giving us the background to his world view. He develops the theme of loving life from the carefree standpoint of having a secure family and community background behind him, giving the impression that as long as he has loved ones around him the world can do its worst. But the world is kind in the early days to Baker and opens doors for him in an effortless way that makes you think it really could have happened to you, thereby painting over what is probably quite a steely personal streak of work ethic, ambition and drive within the man himself. Baker wants to come over as one of the lads who just happened to love life and it loved him back - and maybe there’s a healthy dose of truth in that.
The tone of the book and the reminisces are akin to one of a kid being let loose in a sweet shop, with a kind of “Cor blimey, can you believe it?” approach to things. This could be annoying but is actually
  • This book charts Danny's showbiz

    • Going Off Alarming: The Autobiography: Vol 2

    November 26, 2014
    Having thoroughly enjoyed Going to Sea in a Sieve: The Autobiography, the first volume of Danny Baker's autobiography, I was looking forward to Going Off Alarming which is the second instalment.

    Danny Baker is a great story teller and someone with many great stories to tell. The first thing to confess is that I am very biased in favour of Mr Baker. I am frequently amazed to discover that not everyone shares my enthusiasm. What's not to love?

    Going Off Alarming is, in common with Volume 1, very similar to listening to Danny talk - quick, chatty, witty, and compelling. This volume deals with the celebrity years as variously a TV presenter, comedy writer, radio presenter and the face of Daz washing powder - as well as being a high profile pal of Chris Evans and Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne.

    The book is naturally a joy. The anecdotes come thick and fast, and are frequently at Danny's own expense. My personal favourites include getting shot in the arse in Jamaica Road, his first meeting with Kenneth Williams, the caravan tow bar injury, his non-meeting with Bob Dylan, and an extraordinary day out with Paul Gascoigne. We also get to enjoy more anecdotes from Dan's childhood, and especially about his dad Spud who appears to be an even bigger character than his son.

    It's another entertaining, funny and interesting read. I say again, what's not to love?
  • Danny Baker is a great story

    • Danny Baker

    Former BBC presenter

    For the 30 Rock character, see Danny Baker (character).

    Not to be confused with Danny Bakker or Danny Baker (politician).

    Danny Baker (born 22 June 1957) is an English comedy writer, journalist, radio DJ and screenwriter. Throughout his career he has largely presented for London's regional radio and television.

    Baker was born in Deptford to a working-class family and raised in Bermondsey. From 1977 he wrote for the punk zineSniffin' Glue, and from there was hired by the New Musical Express, where he worked as a writer, reviewer, and interviewer. Moving into television in 1980, he began presenting London Weekend Television's Twentieth Century Box and reporting for The Six O'Clock Show. In 1989 he began radio presenting for BBC Radio London and in 1990 joined the newly established BBC Radio 5. In 1997 he was dismissed from the latter, accused of inciting threatening behaviour toward a football referee. That decade, he also began writing for television.

    From 2002 to 2012 Baker presented the daily morning radio show on BBC Radio London and in 2007 also presented the channel's all-day podcast, the All Day Breakfast Show. Between 2012 and 2017 he published a three-volume autobiography, which was used as the basis for the 2015 BBC sitcomCradle to Grave.

    In 2019, the BBC dismissed Baker after he posted a tweet that featured a vintage photograph of a couple holding hands with a costumed chimpanzee. His accompanying text, "Royal baby leaves hospital," referred to the (at the time) recent announcement of the birth of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, but was interpreted by many as Baker mocking The Duchess of Sussex's racial heritage. Baker denied any racial motivation for the tweet.

    Early life

    Baker was born in Deptford in south-east London to Fred "Spud" Baker, a dockworker, and Betty, a factory worker. He grew up in Bermondsey and a

  • Danny Baker's first volume