𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕

Broadcaster. Former @BBCLeicester presenter. Actor/Panto Dame. Podcaster @Imagine_theatre @CurveLeicester Former announcer @LeicesterTigers. My own views.

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today is the birthday of the Welsh mezzo-soprano, Katherine Kenkins OBE. She's released numerous albums of opera, pops songs, hymns etc & picked up Classic Brit Awards. She told me that singing was her passion from a very early age.
https://t.co/1NFpOCjCke

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

On this day in 1963, The Drifters recorded the Goffin & King song 'Up on the Roof'. It reached No.5 in the US & featured Rudy Lewis on lead vocals. In 1964 Johnny Moore rejoined the group & became lead singer. He told me how the Drifters were first formed. https://t.co/dpBUe8Gmqh

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

@JackRaff @hinckley_afc @LCFC Good to see the localise 5000 still in operation @JasonBourne1986

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today is the birthday of the singer, songwriter, Alison Moyet. In the 1980's at the age of 20, she was half of the duo Yazoo with Vince Clarke, before having solo success. In this excerpt she begins by talking about the overnight success with Yazoo.
https://t.co/ED7GReRAZb

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

It's six years ago today (17th June 2020) that we lost the snooker player & commentator Willie Thorne. He is remembered for his break-building & was among the first players to compile 100 century breaks. He told me how he got involved in snooker as a boy.
https://t.co/N47YRZLm6O

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

On this day in 1979, The Electric Light Orchestra started 5 weeks at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Discovery' featuring hits 'Shine A Little Love', 'Don't Bring Me Down' & 'The Diary Of Horace Wimp'. Drummer Bev Bevan told me how the band came about.
https://t.co/MnalDpQAvK

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today is the birthday of The Snow Patrol frontman, Gary Lightbody. He founded the musical supergroups the Reindeer Section & Tired Pony & made a cameo appearance in a Game of Thrones episode. We talked about the success of the song 'Chasing Cars'.
https://t.co/oGTDvFIi6X

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today is the 80th birthday of singer/musician Noddy Holder of Slade, one of the UK's most successful acts of the 1970s. He co-wrote hits "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", "Cum On Feel the Noize" & "Merry Xmas Everybody". He told me about the early days of Slade.
https://t.co/uj2pLs9GAn

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today is the birthday of Boy George. He's best known as the lead singer of Culture Club, with global hits like "Karma Chameleon", "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" & "Time (Clock of the Heart)".
He told me about his musical influences growing up.
https://t.co/tPAL8n6yFY

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today is the birthday of singer-songwriter & vocalist with the Five Star, Denise Pearson. Denise was also the most prolific composer of the group s songs including "Stay Out of My Life". She told me that the group's early success was a bit of a blur.
https://t.co/D7jKTwI9eU

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today would've been the birthday of the singer, songwriter & guitarist with Dr Hook, Dennis Locorriere.
They had over 60 gold & platinum singles & No. 1's in more than 42 countries. Dennis told me about his roots in New Jersey. https://t.co/pJTgRTTFA8

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Best of luck Leicester Tigers in tonight's mouth watering encounter against local rivals Northampton Saints at Franklins Gardens in the PREM Rugby semi final. Knockout rugby at it's very best. 🐅 #COYT

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Happy Birthday and get well soon. Today is the birthday of the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler MBE. She is recovering in a Portuguese hospital following major surgery.

In this excerpt she begins by talking about her signature husky voice.

https://t.co/3uAkjDz8oh

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

A home @premrugby semi final is up for grabs at The Rec this afternoon as @LeicesterTigers take on the old enemy from the South West, Bath Rugby. Best of luck to the coaches, captain Ollie Chessum and the players and to the many fans travelling down for the game. 🐯#COYT 🐅

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Sad to hear that legendary broadcaster Bob Harris has decided to step down from hosting his Radio 2 shows due to ill health. The co-founder of Time Out has been broadcasting for 56 years. He told me about presenting The Old Grey Whistle Test.
https://t.co/EGuIUZRjxq

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Great to see another fabulous new musical at @CurveLeicester. Congratulations to the incredible cast & creatives in this thought-provoking, funny & insightful look at our world, driven by excellent songs. Find out more in the May episode of the 'Curve In Conversation' Podcast!

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Looking forward to seeing this tonight @curvetheatre

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

On this day in 2011, we lost the American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer, Andrew Gold. Hits include "Lonely Boy" "Thank You for Being a Friend" & "Never Let Her Slip Away". He told me about his influences as a child
https://t.co/J3DMdR3X4w

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today would've been the birthday of comedian, writer. TV host & actor, Bob Monkhouse OBE.
He started as a scriptwriter for radio comedy before going on to host more than 30 quiz shows on British TV.
He told me his broadcasting career began in Leicester.
https://t.co/OpzCmz8eBu

[𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕕 @MBallardRadio]

Today is the birthday of the Australian actor & singer, Jason Donovan. He achieved fame in the soap Neighbours, playing Scott Robinson, before a career in music & Musical Theatre. He told me about his family background in showbusiness.
https://t.co/KfHbxni4Cb