Tuesday 20 December 2011

P & O Azura Dec 4th to 17th 2011

Well, it has been a wonderful five weeks working from home, being able to take my boy Sam to school most days and have my eldest son Tom working with me on the tour. I have enjoyed the tour very much and a massive thank you to all who came to support us, we went everywhere from the Grand Theatre Swansea to Theatre Colwyn Colwyn Bay to The Borough Theatre Abergaveny to The Torch Theatre in Milford Haven and everywhere in-between, I can’t even look at the fuel bills! I hope you have enjoyed the video clips on the blog, we had some real fun times!

I had a car from Executive Cars Wales with Billy driving pick me up at 5am yesterday morning to take me to Gatwick and my non stop flight of 9hrs to beautiful St. Lucia in the Caribbean where I stayed in a hotel and later joined the P&O Azura. The hotel was nice and I met some really nice people at the bar, also the Chief Officer from Azura was there, we are joining the ship together in about an hour. On the flight out here I sat next to a lovely couple Mark and Catharine, we chatted away for the last 2 hours which helped as there is nothing worse than those last 2 hours waiting to land after a long haul flight, Mark is a retired Banker and Catherine is a Yoga Teacher and they are walkers too, it was good to talk to them and it has sparked something in me as I want to get back into my running this cruise. Thanks guys it was lovely to meet you, have fun in St. Lucia.

I am now waiting for my taxi to take me to the ship so see you later.

I got onboard around 11am and what a great welcome, it’s so nice to be back with P&O and indeed Azura, I was met by the crew manager and taken to the crew office to sign ship formalities then I went along to the cruise directors office and had a fantastic welcome, my old pal Neil Oliver is cruise director and we had a good old catch up and we have made a date to have dinner one evening.


I have been given a beautiful junior suite and it has a huge balcony so that will be nice to sit out there in the sun. My show is day after tomorrow in the Playhouse Theatre so I have some time to rest up; I have a watertight door induction in 15mins so I will see you later.

Well that was induction 1. Water tight doors, splash doors, fire, health and safety.
I had a nice chat to some people from Carmarthen in the pub on the way back to my cabin, there are loads on from Wales so I am looking forward to meeting them later.
We sail in a bit for Dominica, now that’s a lovely Island, Frank Bruno’s family comes from there by the way. We have a day at sea tomorrow so that will be nice, then the next day it’s my show.



Good morning: Looks like we haven’t moved from the shores of St. Lucia? The time is 6.50am and the sun is coming up over the Pitons and it looks like its going to be a beautiful day, I have taken a few photos but my camera lens keeps steaming up with the condensation as it’s air conditioning inside and as soon as I open the balcony door the heat outside is totally the opposite, bit like opening an oven door, it’s around 22degs already, it is strange being so hot with Christmas around the corner, I don’t think I could do Christmas here or anywhere other than home really, the last time I was on a cruise ship in December was 1982 in the South Pacific on SS Oriana (have a look on my cruising page to see the old girl SS Oriana) she was my first ship.

Today is Tuesday 6th December and I shall be here on Azura until 17th December where I shall be flying home to Heathrow from Beef Island Virgin Islands via San Juan and Madrid, but until then I must try and relax, no excuse really I’m in the Caribbean, have a fab suite and I’m not working till tomorrow night, so come on Doyley get your backside into gear and go for a nice walk around the deck and find out why we didn’t leave St. Lucia. See you later.

I had a good walk/run around deck 7 as we sailed away from St. Lucia past the famous Pitons and out to sea en route to the Island of Dominica.


I enjoyed a healthy breakfast of fruit, sunflower seeds and plain yogurt with honey all washed down with a fresh orange juice…lovely!

We had some extra entertainment laid on by a school of Dolphins and flying fish of the port bow…where was my blinkin camera? The weather is ever so hot but quite overcast so I’m enjoying an old rom-com Notting Hill, it was a favorite film of Marie and I when it came out and it is making me smile!
I’m meeting some people from Carmarthen in the pub at 12noon for a chat and a pint and later meeting up with my old mate Bars Manager Michael Shamley or “Sham” as we call him, Sham is a great bloke and loves to tell jokes and he loves hearing them to, I remember once we were on Arcadia in the crew bar and we laughed so hard we nearly passed out, great times on a great ship, Arcadia will always be a firm favorite of mine, I made some great friends on there and Trevor Conley the Executive Chef or “Big Man” as we call him is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and what a chef, he used to teach me loads about cooking, KISS as he kept telling me which means “Keep It Simple Stupid” a great Chef, even Marco Pierre White rates him highly!

I had nice pint in the Broadie’s the pub onboard with my mate from Carmarthen and a lovely tapas lunch in the Glass House, which is a trendy wine bar on deck 7.
I fell asleep on the settee around 8pm and woke up at midnight, I got myself to bed and woke up this morning at 5.45am in time to enjoy Azura sailing into Dominica, have a look at the photos. I had a cooked breakfast for a change and didn’t really enjoy it, I must stick to the fruit, it’s much nicer!
I have just finished working on my show for tonight, I’m doing it much like I have been doing on Celebrity as I have only one night to do this cruise, so a mix of the two shows. My shows tonight are in the huge Playhouse Theatre 890 seats at 7pm, 8.30pm and 10.30pm so a long night ahead, I have been so tired every night since I’ve been here due to the 4 hour time difference so I hope I can stay awake tonight, I’m sure I will. I’m going to take a stroll now around the little town here in Dominica, I have been here before quite a few times so I know where to go, Dominica is a rain forest Island so I know it could pour down at any moment, but its so hot and humid its 28degs today and Christmas is 2 weeks away. I rang Marie this morning and she tells me our Sam has his cough back…I can’t believe it, he suffers so much with a cough, I do hope it goes away by Christmas.

I had a lovely walk around, have a look at these photos, it is a basic life style out here to say the least but a happy life non the less, people look after each other here, making sure their friends are ok and have everything they need, quite refreshing really, a real community spirit!



I had a phone call form the Entertainments Office and I had the shock of my life, an old mate from 1996 Oriana days is onboard Simon Jason, what a lovely surprise, he came up to see me and couldn’t believe the photos of Tom and he didn’t know about Sam, we went for lunch together and had a good catch up, what a nice man he is, we were thick as thieves in those days, we went around the world together.

I have 1hr 30mins to go now until my rehearsal, so see you later.


I had a good rehearsal, the sound man John is very good and has given me what I want in my monitors but my voice is a bit shaky, oh well once I’m on I’m sure it will all be fine, the musical director is Andy Pickering and the band are ace, Andy worked with my son Tom last year in panto with Sam Kane and Linda Lusardi so it was nice to meet him although we have worked together ages ago.
I am on in 45mins so best I go now and get ready…see you later!

Just back from 7pm show, well I won’t lie to you I found the start a tad bumpy, all my fault as the audience were fab, I just couldn’t get a rhythm going, then I went into the married couple routine and it started then to flow and everyone was up at the end, so 8.30pm next and that’s in 30mins…quick cup of tea now.

The 8.30pm show couldn’t have gone any better, loved it because it all flowed lovely, loads of ad libing and having fun, there’s loads on from Carmarthen…must be a trip!!! See you after the next show, which is in 20mins time, long night with 3 shows!

Yes the 3rd show was a good one, we even sang Silent Night, Neil Oliver the cruise director was pleased and so was I. I had a nice drink and a chat with Neil and Simon Jason in the Glass House after the show then with Bars Manager Sham in the pub afterwards. When I got to bed I was so tired I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.




Today we are in St. Vincent, the weather this trip has been awful really, it’s just overcast, dull but hot and sticky, so many on the ship are fed up with the weather as they have spent a fortune getting here and were hoping for some nice winter sun before Christmas, but it’s not to be, that’s one thing we can do nothing about…the weather!

Tonight I have been invited for drinks and nibbles with Captain Paul Brown, Executive Purser Cathy Jones and Cruise Director Neil, so I’ll be in very good company, I do hope it’s not a formal night…suit and tie etc!!!

Welcome to Barbados. The sun is finally out and it is hot hot hot! I was up at 6am and watched as we tied up alongside. I had a lovely little hour at the Executive Pursers Cabin with Captain, Neil Oliver and Simon Jason, we seem to be the old gang on here as we go way back. Well, I have already had a couple of hours in the sun and I’m now waiting for Theo and Sham to call for me as we are going up the road for a couple of beers and some lunch on the beach, it could be the Boat Yard which is a famous haunt with the ships crew and they do a mean spot of lunch too…and cold freezing beer to wash it down with. I do hope this weather is here to stay now.

Great lunch and the sea was lovely, I had to just jump in, it was so warm and the beer was ever so cold…ah the Caribbean! The last time I was at the Boat Yard it was with Marie and she was pregnant with Samuel, we sat on that same beach, Marie loves Barbados.

We are now on another cruise as we have turned around in Barbados, so another 3000 people have embarked and we are off again around the Caribbean with another cruise director Laura Bennison (or Bennie as well call her) and another Captain Keith Dowds who happens to be a good golfer too, I wonder if we play somewhere this cruise!

Good morning and what a lovely morning it is, the time is 6.30am and the sun is now coming up (nice photo)




today we are at sea and it’s Sunday so I think I’ll go to church this morning, every Sunday when we are at sea P&O have always held a church service and it’s usually the Captain or the Deputy Captain that holds the service, today it’s Deputy Captain Simon Terry who only a couple of days ago was promoted to Captain and his first ship as Master is going to be Oceana. Simon is a lovely man and he has his wife and little 2yr old on with him, so he and his family have much to look forward to…well done Sir!

This cruise we are going to Curacao and Aruba in the Dutch Antilles, Grand Turk, Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada and back to Barbados, I however will be flying home from Tortola via San Juan and Madrid.

The sun is shining out on my balcony so definitely going to sit in it today, the weather has been awful back home.

Marie sent me some photos of our Sam dressed as a star in the school Nativity Play, oh my goodness, that made me cry a bit I have to tell you, its not easy being away from your loved ones…but I never complain because I am the one doing this job, many would love to be in my shoes.

I had really nice early Sunday morning sitting in the sun on the balcony and then decided to have my breakfast on the balcony too, best cup of coffee in ages. I’m of to church in a bit then off to the pub for a pre Sunday lunch pint with Sham the Bars Manager. This afternoon is a sunbathing day without a doubt. I have read through my script of “Of Men and Mice” and I love it, I can’t wait to start rehearsals with it, it’s a long way away I know but I am going to work on it as much as I can in preparation for it. Watch this space I suppose!

I had every intention of going to see comedian Jed Fry tonight and have dinner with Sham, but once again I have stayed in and watched TV? Jed told me earlier that the comic last night had done quite a few lines that I do in my show, so I will now have to re-think my act, it’ll be fine, I’ll work something out! They have a lot of comedian’s on here so we are bound to clash now and then. Tomorrow we are in the beautiful Dutch Island of Curacao and it looks like it’s going to be another hot sunny day. Good Night!

Good Morning! Oh no, where’s the sun? Not again! We are now in Curacao and its cloudy and humid just like it was last week, oh well it might brighten up later this afternoon, to be honest it’s not for me it’s the guests I feel sorry for, it’s a long way to come in December for no sun.
I have spoke with Marie and she tells me Sam fell and had a nose bleed, he fell in the living room dancing around going crazy dancing to “Move Like Jagger” I did laugh, not for long but I did laugh!

I also spoke to my mate comedian Jeff Stevenson; he joins the Azura later this cruise so I will miss him.
I have had a great day out with my old pal Entertainment Officer Simon Jason, we went to a beach and it poured with rain for most of the time but we has a few beers and laughed over old times for the whole afternoon, Simon and I go back to 1996 on Oriana together where we sailed out of Hong Kong for the World Cruise, what a great day. We sail from Curacao in 40mins for Aruba another heaven on earth place so see you tomorrow!


Hello…still here, what’s wrong with me, I have Azura at my feet with loads going on and look at me, I’m staying in again, I have just had some room service and now watching TV, I just can’t be bothered to get all dolled up and go out. Good Night!

Today we are in Aruba, I woke up at 6.50am and watched the ship being tied up alongside and then rang Marie and she told me the news from home, my very good pal Gary Lovini was on TV last night it was a documentary about the 1986 New Faces Finalists and where they are now, I can’t wait to see it on the planner when I get home, also the news that Little Mix had won the X Factor, Sam finishes school today for the Christmas Holidays (that seems a bit early).
I have my show tonight in the Playhouse at 7pm, 8.30pm & 10.30pm so I have just finished sorting the act out, a comic has already been on and has done some similar lines so I have to be on my guard tonight!

It’s 8.30am here now and 12.30pm at home so my day is only just beginning, so a shower and some nice breakfast me thinks!

I am so bored today, I’m just hanging around waiting to go to rehearsals, I’m always a bit odd on my show day, it’s 11.20am and I’m sat in Costa Coffee on the ships deck 5 enjoying the biggest cup of coffee in the world, Mal Pope would be proud of me, have you been to see Cappuccino Girls in Swansea yet…I haven’t, I hope I get a chance to go soon!

I have 30mins to my rehearsal and sound check; I have spent the afternoon watching “The Office” Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are geniuses, I have laughed my head off yet again, its like watching “Faulty Towers” you can watch it over and over again…brilliant!

Its now 15th December….it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…well if you can call white sand beaches, reggae music blasting out from bars along the beach, blue skies, turquoise waters and a Christmas Tree!!! Today we are in Grand Turk and what a beautiful place, I haven’t been here before so I can’t wait to wonder ashore and explore!



What a beautiful place, take a look at these photos, words fail me. We were in with the Carnival Liberty so come the afternoon there were thousands of people around the place but do you know what, it didn’t matter, this is one awesome place on planet earth…Grand Turk!

I have my rehearsal and sound check in 3hrs as I am back on tonight for 3 shows then tomorrow I pack and the next day its Tortola and I fly home for Christmas!
My rehearsal is in 30mins time and as I was relaxing thinking of tonight’s show there was a loud knock on my door, it was Wayne Denton, he was clearly upset and very sunburnt, he came in and told me that he had lost his wedding ring, he had been swimming in the sea and when he came out the wedding ring was gone, he spent 3hrs on his hands and knees searching for it in the sand and trying to look for it in the sea, the poor man is devastated, he doesn’t know how to tell his wife, they got married in March this year in the Ukraine in a Catholic Church. He asked me if I had any dollars on me, I only had $20 so I gave him that and he’s going back to the spot where he lost the ring and he’s going to buy some goggles to search underwater, I tried to tell him that it would be like searching for a needle in a hay stack but he wouldn’t listen. He has “his” rehearsal in an hour as he is on tonight in Manhattan Bar doing his tribute to John Denver, poor man he’s in a bad way!
Good morning…it’s my last day on Azura and this boy is going home tomorrow, I’m outta here!
Last night my show went great, even the 7pm was great, I had a fab night but I was really tired afterwards so just a couple with Wayne Denton in the pub, his shows went great too so we were both pleased with ourselves.

Today I shall be packing and really counting down the hours to go home, one more sleep for me. Tonight Cruise Director Benne and Deputy Cruise Director Matt are treating to a meal in the Glass House so that will be really nice.
I had a pint with Graham Clarke who I go back an awful long time with, he used to be a pro racing driver; he’s here with his partner Beverly, lovely people. Well, I’m 75% packed now and can’t wait to just go home now, it’s a bit rough the sea today and the weather is windy and partly cloudy, still warm though!

I had a wonderful meal with Benne, Sham and Al the Glass House Manager, it really is a truly magnificent wine bar, its won Best Bar at Sea voted by someone or other. I had one drink in the crew bar before bed and up nice and early and the long day and night starts.

I got to Tortola airport and flew in a 9 seater plane to San Jaun, wow, what a great flight, I sat right behind the pilot, amazing, now that is what you call proper flying. I’m now sat on the plane to Madrid and this is where I will sleep tonight, well when I say sleep I mean more get irritable for 8hrs, then I have a 2 hr wait in Madrid and my final flight home to Heathrow where Executive Cars will be waiting for me www.excecutivecarswales.co.uk to take me home to my family who I have been missing so very much, Sam is very excited for Christmas and so am I.

Saturday 17 December 2011

Borough Theatre Abergavenny December 2nd 2011

We had a full house to end the tour at The Borough Theatre in Abergavenny(for 2011 anyway - starting again in February 2012). I was delighted to have in the audience, Peter Roper my company manager when I was in the musical Grease on the West End in 1994/95. I played the Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine alongside Shane Richie and Samantha Janus and had a great couple of years.

Thursday 1 December 2011

Welfare Ystradgynlais 25th November 2011

Had a great night at The Welfare, had family in and met a sweet lady Victoria Taylor and her beautiful children who have gone through a traumatic time dealing with, as a family her husbands battle against a debilitating neurological illness called IH, a little known condition. Victoria has written a book called Caitlin's wish, which I am only to happy to endorse.

Caitlin's Wish is an enchanting and moving story based on real life events; an inspiring tale of triumph over adversity.
It follows one little girl's journey as she comes to terms with her fathers life -- changing illness. Unable to accept all the changes in her life, Caitlin cries to herself "Why me? Why my family?"
She hides her true feelings from everyone around her, only confiding in the little robin who sits on her windowsill each day.
She pours her heart out to him, completely unaware of his extraordinary abilities. Rufus the robin arranges a magical trip for Caitlin; to an enchanted world where anything is possible.

Join Caitlin on this magical adventure to Fairyland where she re-discovers her happiness and learns to see life from a new perspective.
Once you've read 'Caitlin's Wish' you'll never see life in the same way again.

The author Victoria Taylor lives in Wales, UK with her husband and 2 children. She began writing as a way of helping her young daughter come to terms with her father's rare brain condition; IH. (Intracranial Hypertension or pseudo tumour cerebri)

The first book 'Caitlin's Wish' was published in 2010 in the hope that it might help other children as well.
It soon became apparent that people of all ages were reading the book; indeed whole families were using it to open the discussions into their own personal situations.
As Victoria had simplified the first book to aim it at a younger audience and now people aged 5yrs old -- 95yrs old were reading it; she made the decision to write a new book based on the original story and so the idea behind 'Caitlin's Wish - Second Edition' was born.


The 2nd book 'Caitlin's Wish - Second Edition' will be available Spring 2012.
For more information please go to http://www.caitlinswish.co.uk

The IH Research Foundation (www.ihrfoundation.org) and Crossroads Care (www.crossroads.org.uk) will benefit from a percentage of the royalties from book sales.

Friday 25 November 2011

Parc and Dare Treorchy 19th November 2011

We appeared at The Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy, most humbling experience was singing If I Could See The Rhondda, in the Rhondda. Great crowd. A huge thank you to Rhian Griffith who has supported me so wonderfully throughout the tour. A beautiful person with the voice of an angel. Also good luck to a new all girl opera crossover group Lase who came to the show. I am sure we will be hearing more of them very soon.

a clip of Rhian in action below

Saturday 19 November 2011

Theatr Colwyn November 19th 2011

Lsst night we were in North Wales at the beautifully refurbished Theatr Colwyn in Colwyn Bay, I had not played there for over eight years so was a little nervous. What a great night and thank you for the fantastic people of Colwyn Bay and surrounding areas for your support(and Jennifer who danced gracefully ~ she was wicked)

Great crowd, fab sound and lights(thanks Ade and Tom!)and the band were on top form, it does not get better than this!

Sunday 13 November 2011

Theatr Elli November 12th 2011

A great pleasure to perform in the town I went to school, Llanelli
we had a great time, highlight for me was doing the Helicopter gag ~by request!!!!

Friday 11 November 2011

Princess Royal Theatre Port Talbot 11th November 2011

Well, what a fantastic welcome from one of my favourite theatres to perform in, The crowd were up for it and were there looking to be entertained, and boy what a show it was! we had a great time and the band were on top form and the sound was tip top, looking forward to Theatr Elli on the 12th
a clip from Port Talbot

Thursday 10 November 2011

Barry Memorial Hall 10th November 2011

Had a great night at Barry Memorial Hall, an enthusiastic audience which included my publicist Katie Vokes and the singer Clare Hingott. Had a great time have a look at a clip

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Torch Theatre Milford Haven 6th & 7th November 2011

What a wonderful welcome we got from the Torch Theatre, we played there for 2 nights, the first night was great but the second was a real cracker as Adrian Bamford my sound engineer put it. We had some real good characters in the audience, I will never for the lovely couple from Stackpole and the lovely lady from Spittle on the first night, on the second night I did a routine I don't do much anymore intact there was two, the Craft Fayre and the Daniel O Donald routine, sorry Daniel I do take the mickey out of you a bit, but as I have met you before and worked with you on the telly I thought I could get away with it! My band sounded fantastic as always and Adrian on sound is just well, the best, Rhian Griffith did an amazing job opening the show, she has the amazing ability to connect with the crowd and they clearly love her. We have Barry Memo Hall next then Princess Royal Port Talbot then Theatre Elli Llanelli. Also a big thank you to my loyal fans Sarra, Lesley, Meryl and Roy. Thank you for visiting the blog.

Thursday 3 November 2011

Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan 2nd November 2011

Thank you Cardigan for a very appreciative and warm audience at Theatr Mwldan last night. A beautiful part of Wales and a great theatre, Great to catch up with some very dear friends too.

Monday 31 October 2011

Max Boyce at Swansea Grand Theatre Supported by my Brother Phil

Last night my mother, father and I went to the Max Boyce show at the Grand and my brother Phil was his compare and support act, oh my goodness Phil tore the place apart, I was and am so proud of him, what a show…well done Phil Doyle…he’s my brother!




Saturday 29 October 2011

Theatr Hafren October 28th 2011

We had a great night at Theatr Hafren in Newtown, fantastic audience who made us feel so welcome
see the clip below



Also a great chance to catch up with various elements of the Doyle Dynasty!!!



Tom Doyle, Yvonne Doyle, Mike Doyle, Janice Doyle and Penny Doyle.




Martin Doyle, Tom Doyle, Mike Doyle and Shaun Doyle.

Celebrity Eclipse October 2011


Once again I only had 48hrs at home and was soon on my way again to join a ship, this time I’m back on the beautiful Celebrity Eclipse and joining me on there is my old mate and very funny man Pete Matthews, www.crazyjuggler.com so I will have plenty of stories to tell over the coming week…stay tuned!


I joined the ship after having 3 flights to get to Palermo and I was welcomed by Pete Matthews and went out that night in Palermo for an amazing pizza, it was a great night with great company, also with us at the table was Bret Cave, I haven’t seen him since 1991, he was working at Osmington Bay Holiday Park near Weymouth which was a Pontins Park and I was there once a week as guest entertainer, it was one of the best parks to work and we all had a fantastic time, so quite a shock to see him again, he’s on the Eclipse too and has a great act I hear.

I found out that Sam Kane is joining the ship in Venice, I can’t wait to see him as I want to shake his hand for what he has done for my son Tom, every year Tom does panto for Qdos and for the past 4 years he has worked with Sam and his lovely wife Linda Lusardi and has learnt so much and Sam has been very good to Tom, so as a Dad I want to say a big thank you to him, he is with Sam and Linda again this panto season at the Grand Theatre Wolvohampton.
Today we are at sea and sailing to Venice, my show is tonight 8.45pm and 10.45pm.

Also cruising with us are two very good friends of mine Richard and Gladys who I have affectionately called for many years “The Duke and Duchess of Kent” it’s a long story but once upon a time on Oriana I jokingly called them the Duke and Duchess and a routine was born and I have had hundreds of them since, but Gladys will always remain the first, the original, never equaled and most worthy Duchess of them all. I am meeting with them in 30mins time for a coffee and a catch up.

I am so pleased to see that Adam Scott is still here, he is my favorite guitar player ever, he plays Spanish Flamenco and is world class…here’s a photo of Adam and I.



I had a great lunch this afternoon with Pete, I had a beautiful sirloin steak and a ceaser salad, the food on Celebrity is of a very high standard as it is on most top cruise lines to be honest, talking about food I do miss my mate Executive Chef Trevor Connolly from P&O Cruises Arcadia, now he is an amazing chef.
I have my rehearsal and sound check in 45mins for my show tonight so see you later.

Great band, great sound, great lights and a fantastic theatre, I can’t wait to work tonight! I haven’t seen the cruise director Dru yet, he’s a great guy and he and I work well together, he’s great to do an impression of!




I love this ship!

I had two great shows last night. Pete came to both bless him, he’s such a mate.

Today we are in Venice and just as I was having a coffee with The Duke and Duchess of Kent (Richard and Gladys from Royal Tunbridge Wells) in walked Sam Kane and his wife Linda Lusardi with their children, I couldn’t thank him enough for what he has done for my son Tom, as I said earlier my son Tom works with Sam and Linda every year in panto, so once again Sam and Linda a huge thank you to you both.

Here I am with Sam Kane and Linda Lusardi.



Here I am with the Duke & Duchess of Kent (Richard & Gladys)






I rang my son Tom and Sam Kane went on the phone first of all and Tom had a great surprise, Tom thinks the world of Sam and he feels the same about Tom…I felt so proud!
Sailing out of Venice was awesome, take a look at some of the photos I took sailing out from the ships bow.





Stunning!

These photos were taken from the Helipad on the bow of the mighty Celebrity Eclipse.

I know the sun is out but it is quite cold in Venice today.


Breathe taking!

Beautiful place, I have been lucky enough to have been coming back and for to Venice for over 15yrs.
I have been so complacent the past over where I have been and now I’m older I so very much appreciate it more and more each day.

Now I have a nice camera it’s such a pleasure to be able to take such lovely photos, I hope you like them too!


You can’t really take a bad photo here can you!

Here’s one of Linda and Me….sorry!




Yes sorry indeed…no I’m joking I have know Linda for years, we met in Blackpool in 1991, we did a Radio 2 show together on top of an open top bus going around the Prom in Blackpool.
Tonight it’s Brett Cave in the Theatre so no doubt Pete and I will be going along!

Brett did a fine job last night, he did loads of Billy Joel and Manilow stuff so I liked that allot! check out Brett Cave at www.brettcave.co.uk
Today we are in Dubrovnik Croatia, it’s a lovely sunny day with a slight chill in the breeze, and we are in with a few ships, the RCCL Voyager of the Seas and the Saga Pearl 2. I got off the ship for a walk and take some photos and when I walked over to the Saga ship and as I was standing at the foot of their gangway chatting to the security about the Saga Rose and Saga Ruby, there are still some of the Cunard boys working on the Ruby as it was the Cunard Caronia before it became the Ruby, Marie and I loved the Caronia.

Taken from the Lawn Club onboard.


Tonight we have my mate Pete Matthews in the Eclipse Theatre, he is such a good act he really is, I always feel a sense of pride when I watch Pete work as I was there at his very first summer season, we were on the Cannon & Ball Show at the North Pier Theatre Blackpool together in 1991 and then again in 1992 at the Britannia Pier Theatre Gt. Yarmouth, I always knew he would do great things in his career, well done Pete and I can’t wait for the show tonight.

We are about to sail now and have two days at sea ahead of us, I have an afternoon Q&A tomorrow afternoon at 3.30pm and it’s Sam Kane’s show in the Theatre tomorrow night, I am looking forward to that.

I have just seen Pete Matthews show…unbelievable, clever and very very funny, Pete has come on miles since we did our summer season with Cannon & Ball, what a performer and so much energy it’s unreal! Well-done Pete a top show.

I spent the day with Pete today playing golf, well putting really and enjoying the sun, he had a lot of great comments about his show last night…good for him too as he was on fire last night.

Tonight is the Sam Kane Show but before that I am going to Qsine for dinner with F&B Manager Mark Tomley.
Qsine was as always an amazing dining experience and thank you Mark for a fabulous dinner.
Next was Sam Kane in concert and what a concert it was, he sang some beautiful songs including One For My Baby, A tribute to Dean Martin which was stunning and he even did a Michael Buble song, he is a great act and a great bloke too and his lovely family Linda, Lucy and Jack, it has been a pleasure.
Today another day at sea and I have a long day ahead, my talk is at 3pm then my shows which I share the stage with the brilliant Brett Cave at 7pm and 8.45pm then I am in the Liar’s Club show at 10.45pm then I must pack to go home tomorrow!
My 3pm talk went great and I got a full house so many thanks to those who came along, it was a bit nerve wrecking to do the talk infront of my fellow turns so to speak but to be honest they supported me brilliantly…thanks guys.

Pete rehearsing!




Just an hour to go to my 7pm show and now I have my talk out the way I am looking forward to it.

Sunday 16 October 2011

Independence Of The Seas 11-16 October 2011

I only had 48hrs at home this time, poor Sam he doesn’t half put up with me and Marie too! In this short time I still managed to record another ad for TCW and enjoyed some of Marie’s fab home cooking, sausage casserole I recommend it to everybody.
I picked my son Tom up at noon today and made our way back to our house and another lovely meal from Marie, we were soon picked up by Executive Cars www.executivecarswales.com and taken to Cardiff Airport for a 5.25pm flight to Amsterdam. We are then flying to Lisbon from Amsterdam and should be there around 10.50pm. We stay in a hotel tonight and join the mighty 162,000ton RCI Independence of the Seas, it will be Toms first cruise on her and he is very excited, it will be a nice break for him as he has worked so very hard all year on his stage management course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, all this will be all very well but Tom has a sad day ahead of him in fact we all have, his Granddad passed away last week and the funeral will be when we come back from this cruise, his Granddad was a fine man and worked at Cadbury’s all his working life, whenever I have a bar of chocolate I always think of him and I always will! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Tom and I are now onboard the plane to Amsterdam, it’s only a short flight about 55mins then we have the mad dash to get to the next gate for Lisbon.

It was a mad dash we got to our next flight by the skin of our teeth, so glad we opted to take hand luggage only, it’s the way forward in travel I tell you.
We got to our hotel the beautiful Radisson Blu and were given beautiful suites one each, how posh. After a good nights sleep we got a taxi to the ship, Tom as I thought was blown away by the size of this thing, he loves the Royal Promenade with the Morgan sports car parked out side the Vintages wine bar, the pub, the theatre took his breathe away, its 1700 seats by the way, we walked around the whole ship and it seemed to take ages, its that big it took an hour, the weather is fab its 30degs today and set to stay the same for our cruise.


I’m not working for three nights so lets relax and enjoy!

Tom and I met at 6.30pm had a quick pint at the Dog & Badger Pub and then went to see the amazing hypnotist Christopher Caress what a show, I last saw him on the Celebrity Eclipse, he has an amazing show www.christophercaress.com if you ever get the chance to see this guy go see him.

Bed early tonight as we had such a long day yesterday and we feel really tired so early to bed it is then! Good night!

Tom was knocking on my door at 9.30am and we had a fab breakfast around 10am, we have been invited to the Ice Show at 3pm this afternoon by James the Cruise Director so we are very excited about that. We bumped into Christopher Caress in one of the shops and we had a great chat in one the café’s he is a very interesting man, he invented the “Thompson Gold” holidays, has been a cruise director and of course an amazing hypnotist, he gave my son Tom some very good advice too!


Lunch was spent at the awesome Johnny Rockets American Diner, Tom thought it was a really cool place, all the waiters every 20mins dance for the guests, and it really is an amazing place to go eat.


We then went to the Ice Show in Studio B and what a show, they have ice stars from all over the world, it’s hard to come to terms with the fact there is an Ice Rink onboard a cruise ship and it was packed there must have been about a thousand people in there.

Tonight Tom and I are going to the theatre to see a huge show called “Under The Big Top” and we can’t wait. Tomorrow it’s my turn.

We are in Gran Canaria today and it’s a bit cloudy unfortunately. We sail at 7pm and my first show is at that time so I do hope I get some people in. My rehearsal is at 5pm and shows at 7pm & 9pm.

Just in from the 7pm show and I couldn’t believe it, we were 80% full and we sailed at the same time 7pm…I am so pleased, thank you to everyone who came. I have the 9pm show to do now in 50mins time and I am well up for it.
Oh yes what a crowd, what a night, I loved it and I got 2 standers so well happy, thank you for being a great crowd.


We are in Tenerife today and it’s lovely weather, we sail at 6pm and tomorrow Tom and I fly home to Cardiff from Funchal via Lisbon and Amsterdam, it will be a long day, we fly ay 11am so taxi at 8am from the ship and we will be home at 9.15pm into Cardiff, back at the house around 10.30pm, but well worth it as the job went really well and Tom has had a nice holiday.

Monday 10 October 2011

Grandeur Of The Seas 6-9 October 2011

Another plane journey and another destination, I left Cardiff on the 9am flight to Amsterdam and onto Rome I should be landing around 4.55pm. I’m staying in a hotel tonight and joining the RCI Grandeur of the Seas tomorrow afternoon, it’s a lovely ship and I went very well the last time I was there which was only about a month ago.


My birthday came and went so to speak, we had a lovely day with my Mam and Dad arriving in the morning then after they went home Marie Sam and I went down Cardiff Bay and it was absolutely packed down there, we all had a go on the merry-go-round and then we had a quick drink at the Terra Nova and that was packed out the door, the weather was amazing for the time of year, it was 27degs and in Heathrow it went up to 30degs and it was October, unbelievable it was fantastic with everybody walking around as if it was the height of summer, what summer I here you say, I know, so this was a most welcome change for us all.


We Had a great night at Bar 46 Broadlands Bridgend on my Birthday, in the pic is Stuart (owner) Nicola (his partner) Marie and I.











Without going to much into it, although it was my birthday and the weather was amazing it was all clouded over by the sad news that a close family member had been taken seriously ill with a major heart attack and was rushed to a hospital in Birmingham, I had known him for 31 years, sadly he died on 3rd October. It is so very sad for all concerned, may he rest in peace.

I stayed at the Hilton Rome Hotel on the airport last night. I woke this morning to more bad news, Steve Jobs of Apple has died aged 56, it’s all over the news, what a guy he changed the world in how we communicate what with iPhone, IPad, IPod, MacBook’s and iMac’s, I have only just come over to Mac and what this man has done will be with us forever.

On to today, my car is picking me up in half an hour to take me to the Grandeur, which is docked in Civitavecchia a place I go to allot, I was there last week when joining Celebrity Silhouette and just like that ship I will be on Grandeur for only 3 nights so I might be working tonight, I hope it is tomorrow night as the guests will be ever so tired tonight because they would have been on tours to Rome all day, it’s a very exhausting day walking around Rome, so much to see and do. I will see you later on the ship!
My taxi arrived and the driver was the worse driver in ages, his driving skills were something to be desired I must say. I got to the ship and was welcomed by the Production Manager Rob and was soon settled into my beautiful suite. Once unpacked which took all of 5 minutes as I have finally learnt to down size (thank you Gary Williams) I went to lunch and had a look round as the sun is shining and the temp is a cool 27degs, I haven’t any sun cream as I couldn’t bring it with me due to size, ah I have down sized you see, I am beginning to think if this “down sizing” is a good idea at all.

I have my shows tomorrow night one at 7.15pm and the other at 9pm so an early night, so more time to play with my new Blackberry Bold 9900 and my MacBook Pro, look at me with my new toys!

Ok see you later.

Today we are in Palermo in Sicily and it is a beautiful day the sun is shining and with a high today of 25degs that’ll do for me. I had not such a good sleep last night, this bed is strange in that you start to sleep on one side of the bed and keep ending up sleeping across the bed, the mattress falls to one side after years of guest entertainers sleeping in this bed, it’s a strange thought with hotel beds as so many have slept in the same bed, it’s not good to think about it too much.

I was up at 7.30am and watched as we sailed into Palermo, we are in with some other cruise ships, check the photos, I was taking photos of the other people on the other ship taking photos of us.

OK…it’s breakfast!
…and lunch was lovely too!
My rehearsal went well, I had to tweak the sound a bit but got there in the end, I am spoilt so much on Eclipse and Silhouette as I have had the same sound guy all summer long Steffen Edwards. I love the Theatre on here it is so beautiful and when packed the atmosphere is electric.


I spoke to Marie a few times today on our brand new shiny Blackberry Bold 9900’s what a phone, it has touch screen and can do loads that an iPhone can do, you know squeeze and pinch, slide back and fro but I am still using the touch pad, but seriously this is an amazing phone, best BB have ever made.
Sam and Marie are going to see “Johnny English” in the cinema today, I wonder if Sam watches it all, he’s so used to being able to pause, stop start his telly at home, he works the sky better than Marie and I. I only have tomorrow now, then I will be back home for a while, then away again next Tuesday with Tom to Lisbon to join RCI’s enormous Independence of the Seas, it will do Tom good to get away with his Dad for a few days, the ship is going to blow him away!

We are about to sail now and my first show is at 7.15pm, which is in 1hr 55mins, I do hope it all goes well…here I go again!

I’m just in from the early show, it was about 60% full and what a great crowd of mainly Brits and two couple from Wales one from Rhiwbina Cardiff and one from Penarth but made some great noise, yes I really enjoyed it, my job just flows when they love you, it’s a different story when it’s the other way round I tell you. My next show is in 45mins time and the Captain and some of the ships officers are coming to see me, no pressure then!
I love this ship and I love this theatre, what a night and what with the Captain and what looked like half the ships officers in the audience we had a great night it was 100% packed to the rafters.


After the show the Cruise Director invited me for a drink at the champagne bar, I had a beer of course, we met some lovely people and after that we had a couple in the night club which was heaving and everyone just having a damn good time.
Good Morning, we have all woke up to a force 9 gale and the ship moving about like crazy, if the BMX show doesn’t go ahead tonight I may be asked to do another show, we’ll see!

It has been rough seas all day today, I watched Wales beat Ireland in my room and just as the last few minutes of the game were being played the phone rang, it was Rob the Production Manager and just as I thought I was asked to work tonight as it is too rough for the BMX Bike Show, so my rehearsal is in 20mins time and I am back on at 7.45pm tonight. It is my pleasure to help out tonight as Ricco the Cruise Director is a true gent and he needs help tonight, boy it’s rough seas out there!

The show went great, it was quite bumpy to work in with the sea still really rough, but I enjoyed it and so did they thank goodness!

I now have to finish my packing as I’m up early in the morning and off to the airport and fly home direct to Cardiff so I should be home by 3pm…. lovely!

This is a fab ship and I recommend it to anyone looking for a cruise especially if it’s you’re first time!
I left the ship at 9am and got to the airport by 9.20am so now the wait for the check in to start I should be first in the que as I am here so flippin early. It is a beautiful day here in Palma what a difference to yesterday, I felt so sorry for the guests as it was a really bad day in terms of weather that is, the ship handled the rough seas well and the ships officers and crew did a magnificent job taking care of us. THANK YOU!

I’m sat in a café with no drink in front of me and typing away on my laptop, I hope I don’t get in trouble for not buying anything, I mean there is only so much coffee you can drink, I am thinking of cutting the tea and coffee out all together, I tried mint tea onboard and it was quite nice, also I have been trying to drink as much water in the morning as I can, it does work and it makes you feel more alive and ready for the day ahead!
Thank you once again for visiting my site and following me on the blog, Facebook and twitter, don’t forget to book some tickets for the tour we start back up again at Theatre Harfen in Newtown on 28th October, keep an eye on my diary page for full details and on Facebook!
Thank you for your support!

Friday 30 September 2011

Celebrity Silhouette 26 - 30 September 2011

After the brilliant night at Swansea Grand it was back to recording an ad for Trade Centre Wales

Yesterday I finished up another wacky ad and was soon in bed after having a delicious lamb curry that my wife Marie made, boy it was lovely. I had a good 5 hours sleep and the alarm went off at 3am and the car www.executivecarswales.co.uk picked me up at 4am, I had a flight to Amsterdam at 6am and another from there to Rome at 10am, I am on that flight now enjoying writing away on my brand new shiny Apple MacBook Pro 13 inch piece of beauty, I have always wanted one and now here it is and it’s fantastic, so loads to explore on it while I am away on Celebrity Silhouette. See you later onboard!

I landed on time and as I am only here for 3 days I didn’t bring a suitcase with me just hand luggage so I didn’t have to go to baggage reclaim, what a joy not to bother doing all that and hoping the case will be there. I walked straight out into the arrivals hall to meet the driver who’s taking me to the ship only he wasn’t there, oh the panic, well not really, I rang my agent in Surrey and they gave me the numbers to ring in Rome, all a mishap my driver was waiting for me in T3 and I was at T1. It’s a hot day here today 30°, there are a few ships in with us today, just across from us is the huge RCCL ship Adventure of the Seas.
It was soon time for emergency drills and after that I met with my old pal and best sound man at sea Steffen Edwards I am so happy he’s here, I also met the Production Manager Justin who gave me a big welcome, they are so good at that over here on Celebrity and RCCL, means allot to someone just joining the ship.

Tonight is a variety show, isn’t wonderful that variety is alive and well out here on cruise ships, Amen to that! My shows are on 29th September I have an 8.30pm & a 10.45pm show so until then I get to relax and enjoy this awesome ship Celebrity Silhouette that is 10 weeks old today.

I very much enjoyed the Welcome Show last night, the cruise director is a great entertainer himself, he sings, he’s funny and really connects with the crowd, his name is Neil Weir. They have changed quite allot on here in terms of design compared with the Eclipse. These ships are what they call Solstice Class ships, the first being the Celebrity Solstice then came the Equinox and the Eclipse and now of course the ship I’m on now the Celebrity Silhouette, they do have another coming out soon called the Celebrity Refection. The differences on here compared with the other Solstice Class ships are subtle in places but the big changes are at the Lawn


Club where they have taken away the Hot Glass Show and put in it’s place a grill bar-b-que style area which you cook yourself, it is awesome, also there is an other change where there was open grass area they have individual summer houses and a small restaurant called The Porch, great for breakfast or lunch. They have the ilounge which is an internet café and an official Apple Store so loving that, above that is the most crazy place the Hideaway where you can chill and have a coffee, chat or sleep and there are three tree houses to escape to, this ship is just amazing. The Silhouette Theatre is the same as the one on Eclipse and is just amazing, it has 1300 seats and the sight lines are perfect.
Ok see you later.
I had a nice cold half and a lovely lunch at The Porch, what a lovely place to have lunch, the sun was shining and still is actually. I think it’s fab weather at home at the moment and about time, it has been another poor summer so some late September and October warm sunny weather will be most appreciated by us all, I cut the lawns before I came away so at least Sam can enjoy the garden.
I met with Jamie the Production manager and he tells me he only wants about 30 minutes from me tomorrow night for my show, as I am to be part of a variety show.
I’m having so much fun with my new MacBook Pro it really is the best computer I have ever had, the iPhoto application is brilliant.



I am staying in tonight and I’m going to watch some TV maybe a film on the in house hard drive from the telly, it is quite cool to be able to access films and documentary’s.
I have just watched Anthony Hopkins in an amazing film called “The Rite” a tad scary but brilliant, if you get the chance to see you really must, he is a great actor.

I have felt quite alone today, I don’t know anyone on here, it’s not like being on Eclipse where I know so many but because it’s the same style of ship it feels strange, I keep expecting to see my mate Mark Tomley walk around the corner or Dru the cruise director, I haven’t met this cruise director yet, he seems like a nice guy, I do hope so!

I hope I sleep well tonight, sometimes when I have my show the next day I can’t sleep, Its my first time on this ship and once again I am the new boy and feel I have to prove myself again.

I can’t wait to go home, it is my birthday on Saturday 1st October and I shall be 51yrs old, I started in show business in 1975 and turned professional in 1980 and I’m still doing it so to speak, just like Elton John’s song “I’m Still Standing”. Good night!
Good Morning! Yes I slept well!!! Today we are in Mykonos and the sun is shining but it is blowing a gale out there, I can’t believe we actually docked this afternoon. My shows are tonight 8.30pm and 10.45pm and we sail at 10pm so please let there be a good house for the first show, lets hope they don’t go ashore tonight instead.

Today is also a tough day as someone I know very well is in hospital having heart surgery as we speak, I don’t want to say much more as this is a family matter and I pray that he will pull through.

See you later!
Just back from my rehearsal and what a band, they are a real good punchy band with a fab musical director Ian Brock and what with my favorite sound man on ships Steffen Edwards I’m in for a real treat on stage tonight, all I need now is 2 good houses and I’m your man.

Home tomorrow, I have a flight out of Athens at 1.30pm for London Heathrow, I should be home for 6.30pm. I cannot wait to see Sam and Marie. On Saturday is my birthday and Marie has booked a table at one of my favorite restaurants “Bar 46” on Broadlands so tapas for me.
2hrs to go before my first show, ha ha I can hear my old mate Tony Wright saying “ah but what a lovely 2hrs) and he’s right so it’s feet up until it’s time to get ready!

Both shows went great last night, not many British in mainly Americans and Canadians and they loved it, but some didn’t get a few jokes like “it’s so posh in Cardiff even the Fire Brigade is ex directory” and “have I done my De Je Vo gag?” but other than that it went great.

I am now at Athens airport now at the gate getting ready to board the plane for Heathrow. My next job is Grandeur of the Seas joining in Palma and then Independence of the Seas in which I’m taking my son Tom with me, thanks for checking in and see you soon.

On the plane now and I’m getting bored so my new MacBook Pro has helped out, there are still stuff I need to add to it and download but it really is a fab computer!
Landed at T1 Heathrow and my driver has been held up in traffic so just as I thought I would be straight out with no having to wait for my luggage I’m sat at Costa Coffee waiting, oh well no harm done, home soon.

Sunday 25 September 2011

Swansea Grand Theatre 24th September 2011

I think last night was one of the best nights I have ever had and thank you to everyone who came to see us, funniest moment for me was the cow with a sore throat oh yes and the sheep with no voice. Do drop me a line on the contact page and let me know what your favourite bit was, some liked the Wyn and his helicopter ride, some liked the same dress story. My band played brilliantly didn’t they, all great musicians, Michael Morwood musical director and piano, Paul Shepherd on drums, Jon Goode on Bass and Julian Tucker on woodwind and 2nd Keyboards. Rhian Griffith did an amazing job taking care of the first half and the audience loved her, she has a real likeability and an amazing voice. My sound is provided by Neath Music www.neathmusic.com Adrian and Ian Bamford who have been looking after our front of house and monitor mix for a good 7yrs now, they are simply the best. I know this is a pat on the back here for my team but do you know what, why not, they make my show come alive.
I had another reason to be proud last night as my son Tom designed the lighting for the show and operated the lighting board too, so well done Tom it looked awesome.
Mrs Doyle was there last night to, I sang “our” song and she loved it “The Way You Look Tonight” and she looked good too!


Thanks also to the hugely talented Lyn Mackay the Swansea girl who is making a splash on the cruise ships. Good friend and a great performer. check her out at http://www.lynmackaymusic.com/

I have a script day today for Trade Centre Wales for the next ads and tomorrow we go to the studios at Real Radio and record them as the next morning I fly to Rome from Cardiff via Amsterdam so a nice 3am wake up call on Tuesday for me, I’m joining the brand new luxurious Celebrity Silhouette which is only about 2 months old, it’s the same build as the Eclipse but with a few twists, photos will follow.

I am feeling tired this morning I was downstairs at 7am, I woke with a bad headache but feeling good at the same time because of last night, thanks Sarra, Leslie, Meryl and Roy who hardly miss a show and also to my bank manager Sandy and her husband who kindly came along, I could hear Sandy laughing out loud!! And thanks to the "Duke" and "Duchess" who traveled over 200 miles to see the show from Kent, Wow!!!
A massive thanks to Ian Parsons and his lovely family for being there too, Ian takes care of my website and does so much hard work behind the scenes, I couldn’t do it without him.

Finally thank you to Nick Taggart of Nett UK for promoting the show at Swansea Grand we have come a long way since Saltdean in Brighton Nick…cheers!

Have a good day all what ever you are doing today.

Saturday 24 September 2011

Kings Church, Newport 23rd Sept 2011

Last night my band and I were at Kings Church in Newport, we were part of an amazing night called “Newport Night of Honour” awards were given out to people who had done pretty awesome things, it was quite a humbling night. Pastor Ray Bevan and his lovely wife Laila were the perfect hosts and the night went off brilliantly. I used to go to Kings quite allot many years ago and after being there last night I think I should start going back. It is an amazing church, they even have a full on rock band to sing along to, it really is a real uplifting experience. If you live nearby Kings and you are looking for a church to go to, try Kings Church Newport the place is truly alive!

Tonight I am at the Grand Theatre Swansea and the official start to out tour, although we have a few weeks off after tonight and start back up again in Theatre Harfen in Newtown on the 28th October.

I join Celebrity Silhouette in Civiteveccia near Rome on Tuesday 27th Sept only for four nights, it is almost the same as Eclipse so I know what I’m going to, and I will have the same sound man from Eclipse Steffan Edwards who is first class, so I am looking forward to that, but first its Swansea Grand which is always a joy to perform in, so many memories of panto and plays I have done with some wonderful people.

See you soon.

Saturday 17 September 2011

If I Could See The Rhondda

devastating news about the miners at the Gleision Mine my heart goes out to the families and the people of the valley, my grandfather was a miner. I dedicate this song to their memory.



Thursday 15 September 2011

Grandeur Of The Seas September 11-15 2011

Hello again. What a date to start writing my blog September 11th a date the whole world will remember, the day that changed the world as we know it. I just would like to say R.I.P.

I flew to Palma from Heathrow’s Terminal 1 via Frankfurt and arrived last night around 7pm. I stayed in a hotel which was “ok” but I did manage to find some nice places to go and have a drink and some food, I met a couple of guys in a bar they were Skippers on huge private boats and were great company, Ed and Stu I think, one from New York and the other from Sydney Australia, anyway great company.

Joined the ship with an old mate called Andy Leach he’s a very funny man with an equally funny act, you may have seen him on the telly. We got onboard around 11.30am and soon settled in to our rooms, we met for lunch. The weather by the way is ever so hot 35degs so I think it’s a bronzing afternoon for me, I may as well as the summer over at home, I know, what summer I hear you say, hasn’t it been awful this year, it seems we have our summer in April now?


We sailed at 4.30pm having done our emergency drill where we all go to our muster stations next to the life boat we would go to is the emergency signal should ever sound which is 7 short and 1 long in the ships horn.


It’s 7.30pm now and it’s a beautiful evening, have a look at the photos, we just sailed past Santa Ponca where Marie Sam and I had a holiday a couple of years ago, it is funny seeing from the ship!


My show is in the Palladium Theatre on Wednesday, I have 2 shows as is normal I have an 8.45pm and a 10.45pm to do, the guests seem to be mainly British but I have heard quite a few American and Spanish people around the ship.

Tomorrow we are in Barcelona.

Goodnight.

Barcelona (lalalalalalalalal) Barcelona (lalalalalalalal)




Sorry that was meant to be Freddie Mercury’s Barcelona, well it was in my head! Good morning and what a lovely morning it is, the sun is shining and it is already 25degs at 9.50am, the weather at home is awful, I spoke to Marie first thing and she was rushing around getting Sam ready for school and she said it was ever so wet and windy, funny isn’t it Barcelona is not really that far from the UK and yet the difference in weather is vast, I can see how so many people consider moving to Spain or the South of France, I know the grass is always greener and all that but we are just having the worst summers aren’t we. I haven’t played much golf this year at all, I haven’t played one single game with my society the wedges www.wedges.org I have missed that very much especially the crack with the boys, oh well I am very grateful to have work and that is very important, I know my job takes me all over the world but it isn’t all glamorous let me tell you, some people take two flights a year to go on holiday I am doing around eight a month as it’s not very often I get direct flights and sometimes there isn’t much time in-between fights so it can be a mad dash to get to the next gate, I have missed connecting flights loads of times and I have missed the ship once, on boy that was serious stress, it was a long time ago now and Marie and I were sailing on Cunard Caronia and we docked in Montego Bay Jamaica, we got off the ship dressed in beach wear, I was wearing a vest, shorts and flip flops and Marie had shorts on with a t shirt and yes flip flops, we had $100 on us and headed for the beach and the bar, we asked some people on the shuttle bus to the beach what time the ship is sailing and they said confidently 6 o’ clock so we thought we would have a nice morning on the beach then have lunch in the beach bar, as we were enjoying a Red Stripe beer and listening to Bob Marley music pumping out of the bar Marie said to me “have you noticed there are no people here from our ship”, we knew this because we all take the ships pool towels with us when we go ashore to the beach, I decided we should go back to the ship as I had a bad feeling about this, the people by the way who told us it was a 6 o’ clock sail were on another ship that was docked around the corner, they weren’t on our ship at all. We got to the ship terminal and we could see the funnel of our ship and then thought everything was ok but it was actually sailing, we went into the shop to get some gifts for family and when we came out the ship had gone, Marie just looked at the empty space where the ship was docked and cried like a baby bless her, I had to take charge here and we ran to find the port agent and we were met with a laid back approach like you have never seen “Ah relax man, relax yourself, every ting is every ting man, no problem” well we were beside ourselves. We were put up in a cheap and dirty hotel in Montego Bay with now $25 to our names, no passports, no medication, no change of clothes and no toiletries, what were going to do? We stayed there for 5 days until the ship came back into Ochoa Reus (if that is how you spell it) I went to the ship and what I didn’t think about was what has happened to our personal things, they had people pack all our stuff and believe me they just threw it all in sat on the cases and that was it, I had a good telling off and quite rightly so, the good news after all this I was given my money for the cruise in CASH so we were ok from there on. We flew to Miami and had an 8hr wait in a que as we were on standby, we did get back home eventually but what a story and it happened to us.

Boy I went on then didn’t I...ok on with my day and time for a run!


I didn’t go for a run I went into town with Andy Leach and we must have walked miles and we power walked, we saw the beautiful cathedral and walked through some of the back streets of this mysterious city. I forgot to take the camera but I have some photos from the last time I was here only a few months ago. Tomorrow we are in Ibiza and I have never been there so it makes a change to go somewhere different so I am looking forward to that. It’s 10pm now and I’m about to go to bed, I met some people earlier from Scotland and they are playing golf tomorrow and they kindly invited me to play with them, so you never know, let’s see how I feel in the morning.

Goodnight.

It’s Ibiza day! I had a nice extra couple of hours in bed this morning until 10.20am lovely, once upon a time I could stay in bed until noon and go and have a curry for lunch, ha those days have long gone!

It is a beautiful sunny day, the weather is just stunning here. I took a walk around the ship this morning and the pool area was ram jam packed with people watching a load of overweight guys belly flopping into the pool, check the photos out. Talking about photos as I was taking a few pics of the beautiful 1000 seat Palladium Theatre the battery icon on my camera was flashing so I took as many pics as I could before it ran out, when I got back to my room I couldn’t find the charger, I have only left it at home haven’t I, I am gutted as I haven’t been to Ibiza before and we are now sailing into the harbour and it looks stunningly beautiful! AAAAhhhhrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well onwards and upwards at least I have the belly flop pics to show you, it was so funny and a tad old fashioned but as you can see people love it, fun in the sun!

We were all tied up and docked at 2pm and I went down to the guest relations desk and met with a great guy called Davey who was organizing the golf that day, I had met him and his lovely wife a few months ago on the Celebrity Eclipse, anyway I then met the man who ever so kindly lent me his brand new Ping and Taylormade golf clubs, his name was George, unfortunately he couldn’t play as he was not feeling too good and he lent his clubs to me, what a nice man. Our four ball was Davey, Dave, Lucky Jerry and me. The golf club was a great set up and we even had buggies as it was far too hot to walk the course, we had a fantastic days golf and even better company, Davey won with a mighty 41 points, then Lucky Jerry with 36 points (you will never play with anyone as lucky as Jerry, I didn’t tell him I once played Lucky Eric in Bouncers) then Dave with 32 points and I got 30 points so what a day, thank you Davey for your kindness and one of the best days golf ever.

I had a quick night cap with my mate Andy Leach and off to bed around 11.45pm.

Good morning. It is a day at sea today as we sail for Malaga, it’s another sunny day here, Marie tells me it has been shocking weather at home so lucky me eh!

I have my show tonight in the 1000 seat Palladium Theatre check out these photos I took with the theatre empty and just before my battery died on me, isn’t it beautiful, I am so lucky to work in some of the best theatre’s in the world I really am.

OK, I have packing to do this morning, take another look at my act, sort the music out for the 9 piece band and I have my rehearsal and sound check at 4pm, show time is 9pm and 10.45pm tonight.

My rehearsal and sound check went great, I haven’t worked this theatre for nine years and it’s great to be back, the sound is not quite as good as Independence, Jewel or Eclipse but not bad at all, so I am now just waiting to go on tonight, I have 2hrs 45mins to wait and I’m almost packed and I am so looking forward to going home now, I should be back in my house around 5pm tomorrow, I can’t wait to see Marie and Sam.

I just looked out and we are now passing the South of Spain so I tried my mobile phone and got a signal so I rang home and spoke to Marie, she was in the middle of a concert by Sam in the living room, I so wish I was there to see it! I’m on stage myself in an hour so I had better get my skates on and get showered and dressed for the show, I am a little nervous as I haven’t worked this theatre for a while, but the guests are mainly British so all should be fine, I know here I go again! See you later after the show.

I have just come back from the 9pm show, what a crowd possibly the best ever on a ship, what a great time I had and they gave me a proper standing ovation and I over ran and the Cruise Director was happy...result! Let’s hope the 10.45pm goes as well!

All good and probably one of the best cruises ever!

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Mike Doyle Tour Rehearsal 2011



I had a great time rehearsing for the tour with my fabulous band, Michael Morwood, Jon Goode, Paul Shepherd and the best sound guys I have worked with, Adrian and Ian Bamford from Neath Music.
Some new songs and a new show. Hope to see you at one of the venues.


2011/12 tour details below


October 2011
28 Theatr Hafren -- Newtown 01686 625007 www.theatrhafren.co.uk
November 2011
2 Theatr Mwldan - Cardigan 01239 621200 www.mwldan.co.uk
4 - Congress Theatre - Cwmbran 01633 868239 www.congresstheatrecwmbran.co.uk
6 & 7 Torch Theatre - Milford Haven 01646 695267 www.torchtheatre.co.uk
9 Courtyard Theatre - Hereford 01432 340555 www.courtyard.org.uk
10 Memorial Hall - Barry 01446 738622 www.memorialhalltheatre.co.uk
11 Princess Royal Theatre - Port Talbot 01639 763214 www.npt.gov.uk
12 Theatr Elli - Llanelli 0845 2263510 www.carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk
18 Theatr Colwyn - Colwyn Bay 01492 577888 www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk
19 Park and Dare Theatre - Treorchy 08000 147111 www.parkdare.rct-arts.org
25 Welfare Hall - Ystradgynlais 01639 843163 www.thewelfare.co.uk

December 2011
2 Borough Theatre - Abergavenny 01873 850805 www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk

February 2012
23 Theatre Severn - Shrewsbury 01743 281281 www.theatresevern.co.uk
24 Theatr Bryncheiniog - Brecon 01874 611622 www.brycheiniog.co.uk
25 Grand Pavilion - Porthcawl 01656 815995 www.grandpavilion.co.uk