Behind the Scenes with Chris Tarrant

Finish the sentence: ‘To me, literature is…’         

To me literature is my great go to in good times, bad times and in between times. Wherever I am I always have a book somewhere that I am halfway through.

What’s your go-to writing soundtrack – or do you prefer silence?       

I thought I preferred silence, then I realised I’d written almost all “For The Love Of Bears” to a background of Status Quo and Led Zepplin

What’s the last book that made you miss your stop / bedtime / reality?

“Open” the autobiography of Andri Agassi.  I expected it be a nice gentle rags to riches walk through his successes and it is the most painful emotional book I have read for years.

If you could co-write with any author (living or dead), who would it be?

If I could co-write with any author, it would be Thomas Hardy.  I absolutely love everything he has ever written. I don’t think I would contribute much. I would just love to watch his brain at work.

What would your 12-year-old self think of your current job?  

My 12 year old self would say  “Daddy, why have you retired?   Surely you could go on for a few more years you silly old fool.”

What’s a word you overuse (and secretly love)?              

However.  The word however can get you in and out of almost any situation.

What book do you wish everyone would read – at least once?               

Not a book, a play. Almost any of the great tragedies by Shakespeare. It’s amazing how current his thinking is after hundreds of year.

What’s the most surprising thing a fan has ever said to you? 

“My granny loves you Chris, but my grandpa and my dad absolutely hate you.”

What’s the best part of taking part in a live event and why do you think events like this are important?

I love anything live. I hate being recorded. I was always live every morning on the radio for 20 years and most of the best television I have ever done was live as well.

What are you looking forward to about coming to Harrogate?

I’ve only been here once before, years ago, and I absolutely loved the place, and the trip was all too short. So hopefully this time my wife and I will take a lot more time to enjoy the place. We are really looking forward to it.