The below video happens to be both extremely funny and quite topical, considering the weekend’s Oscar dramatics.

Alex Darke, never knowingly understated, is well-known as a man of many talents; arguably one of the region’s most fertile men (ladies beware!). On our nights out without question ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’ we’ve ever seen but last night, at the MIN Awards, he showed us something we never expected… this Cuckoo proper took flight.

So there you are it’s Friday night, you’re out doing a bit of ‘corporate’… you know what I mean & who should you bump into but none other than Elvin Priestley – “the best UK Elvis impersonator”. On a rare ‘night off’ & just days before his upcoming headlining show for Julie’s Birthday Party at the world renowned Farnworth Cricket Club; Elvin, Justine and I shared a star-studded evening at the Business for Breakfast Awards 2009. Now when I say “star-studded” I might be over gilding the lily somewhat, however if you look very closely I can be seen with Becks. Indeed judging by the way my head felt in the morning, I must’ve seen a little too much Becks that night!

Anyone who knows, in fact most anyone who’s met me will be pretty aware that I’m very biased on the subject of Paul Weller. So no apologies for mentioning him winning Best Male Solo Artist at the Brits last night. Now I’m a pretty very committed fan, particularly when you consider that this year will mark 30 years since first seeing The Jam live. This has been followed by years of relentless gig-going – last year I went to shows at seven different venues! But last night’s award was let’s face it was somewhat nailed on. So much so that some bookmakers suspended betting.

Now the fan in me would want you to believe that my hero’s award was totally deserved & maybe it was… Let’s face it that to produce an album (’22 Dreams’) last year that many consider as good as he’s ever done is arguably deserving enough.

Personally it wasn’t my favourite however  it certainly was a musically bold, adventurous & passionate piece of work that should be in part a challenge to the bright young things. But where are they?

Weller was up against Ian Brown, The Streets (both of whom have their best work behind them), Will Young (my mum likes him!) & James Morrison (who!)… that’s it. Of course Weller wins hands down but the real point is where’s our future award winners? No one else here worth following for 30 years!

I’m not sure the Modfather has an album due out this year but if he did who would he be up against for the Brits 2010? Robbie Williams, Tom Jones, Cliff?!