Danny Dignan

[U2 @U2]

Sometimes I would wonder if Glen Hansard really existed….

Seriously, he was such an angelic presence… not otherworldly…in fact, very present this presence…
A smiling rascal if you needed him to be… this most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun… no airs, plenty of graces...

Of course, Glen was the shining star of the Christmas Eve busk… sometimes the only one reminding the rest of us that Christmas began with a refugee born in a manger, which is hardly a step from living on the street.

To be utterly yourself by being more interested in others - a clue for any of us trying out different personas. He really was who you thought he was. He could never walk by a person living rough without checking they were OK… and more than that, he worked very hard so that less people had to live on the streets in the first place.

When the crowds got bigger and for safety’s sake Glen had to agree to move the busk to a stage kindly provided outside The Gaiety Theatre, he would say 'we’ll give it our best but it’s not a busk if we’re not on the street!’ …because that’s who he was - a performer at eye level in any situation. The stage was a separation he wouldn’t recognize. Of all the grand and gigantic venues he and The Frames played, you sensed the street was his most favoured place to perform. And street people, his favourite audience.

Voice of the streets. A choir of angels in one man. The rest of us blessed to stand there beside our very own and very earthed Angel Gabriel… All of us welcome in his choir, whatever shape or form.

….and I’m telling myself this morning that if he never existed, then he can never cease to exist. For me, he will always be everywhere I see a coin spinning into an open guitar case.

May you rest in the peace you gave to so many.

Bono

[Danny Dignan @danny_dignan]

@CrowleyOnAir @BBCRadioLondon Hey GC, my suggestion: Neko Case's cover of the Sparks classic 'Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth'. Elvis moment: 'Frankfort Special'. Go Special go, blow whistle blow'..!

[Danny Dignan @danny_dignan]

@CrowleyOnAir @BBCRadioLondon Marge and Homer Simpson covering Randy Newman's 'I Love To See You Smile'..! Fave compilation: New Order - Substance 1987

[Danny Dignan @danny_dignan]

@TheShowstoppers Absolutely fantastic show at the Bristol Old Vic last night. Brilliant evening's entertainment. Congratulations to all involved..!

[Marco Foster @MarcoFoster_]

Stephen Colbert: “Today’s maniacal criminality distracts us from yesterday’s maniac crimes. Which reminds me, where are the Epstein Files? Nothing yet? Really? It’s the law! You signed it! Just checking!”

[Barto @bartonovopolis]

Tweet of the year

[Danny Dignan @danny_dignan]

@lucyportercomic Huge Congratulations..!!!

[JΛKΣ @USMCLiberal]

This needs to be seen by every American.

Download it, before it’s removed.

[The View @TheView]

'THE VIEW' SETS RECORD STRAIGHT: After former Pres. Trump made claims on Joe Rogan's podcast about a past visit to @TheView, Whoopi Goldberg and her fellow co-hosts weigh in with what really went down that day.

[Théo Quintard @TheoQuintard]

🎥 Gregg Popovich spoke at length about the American elections between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Full answer 👇

[Danny Deraney @DannyDeraney]

The time Kris Kristofferson consoled Sinead O'Connor after she was booed mercilessly for telling the truth on SNL in 1992.

It costs nothing to be a decent human being.

God speed Kris Kristofferson.

[Lindsay Kittens @poshbird555]

Please don’t tell me that #Ofsted has changed.

We were inspected late June. I cried at multiple points during the inspection.

Our report was published two weeks ago.

My headteacher resigned today, and leaves on Monday.

#gutted

[Seth Abramson @SethAbramson]

Jesus Christ watch this and share it everywhere, finally a journalist just *saying* it

[Doug Emhoff @DouglasEmhoff]

DNC 2024, as seen by temporary campaign photographers Cole and Ella Emhoff.

[Sangita Myska @SangitaMyska]

A Scottish listener to my (former) radio show has delivered this gift; a giant mug printed with my the final set of independently monitored listening figures (RAJAR) - a funny and heartwarming end to a much-needed trip. Thank you ♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[George Wallace @MrGeorgeWallace]

A fun thing about having our foot on the damn gas is shit like this will get more and more desperate. You think we forgot that you've HAD an administration, wakaflocka?! #RoeVWade #SCOTUS

[Danny Dignan @danny_dignan]

@joyoladokun ‘Gone For Good’ by Morphine

[Danny Dignan @danny_dignan]

@JamesMcCartney_ Put everything on red..!

[Danny Dignan @danny_dignan]

@clarepackham @GrubbyComedy @FloandJoan One Man Musical.

[Steve in Toffeeland. @marrtoffee]

Letter in today’s Times