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Debbie Leigh: A scream with my idol
REGULAR readers might remember how mortified I was at finding out a column in which I waxed lyrical about my guilty crush – British rapper turned soul singer Plan B – had been forwarded to the man himself.
Over the past few weeks I've wasted many a minute deciding how to respond in the unlikely event he gave me a shout-out from the stage when he came to Leeds – with scenarios ranging from rom-com schmaltz to dark, self-esteem-stripping nightmares.
But no embarrassment – not even being forced to wear a sign round my neck stating "I love Plan B" (don't worry, I didn't) – could have kept me away from his gig at The Cockpit in Leeds last week.
We made a "fashionably late" arrival, skipping the support act, totally focused on the main attraction – then underwent that horribly tense two minutes that feels like 10, while the doorman holds your night in his hands as he struggles to find your name on the guest list.
Then with a huge sigh of relief – thoroughly uncool – we stepped into that unmistakable gig-fog of beer, sweat and stale smoke for an absolutely awesome performance.
If you want proof, take the evidence from the universal barometer for measuring gig quality, the voice test.
Hoarse = unforgettable, after screaming with excitement and screeching along enthusiastically to all my favourite songs.
And for more objective proof, his incredible, can't-stop-playing-it album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, has gone to number one this week
For all we're desperate to have an arena in Leeds, you can't beat an intimate venue like the Cockpit for getting up close and personal to your musical idols.
Even from the back of the crowd I was near enough to be able to stare at him like a love struck teen and kid myself he was looking at me occasionally (and yes, I know that's what everyone likes to think).
Last time he played in Leeds I got completely star-struck and, as he walked through the crowd at the end, I spluttered, "Can I give you a kiss?" and planted a smacker on his cheek.
This time we dashed off straight after the extended encore – a jaw-droppingly wonderful selection of tracks from his first album, in what I like to affectionately term a "megamix" (no doubt showing my age).
So, sadly, I didn't get to repeat my ridiculous actions – although I had already come to terms with the tragic fact I would probably do the same again.
Still, it's only two months until Glastonbury, where I'll get to see him perform again, and with a VIP ticket in my paws no doubt there will countless opportunities to embarrass myself in front of him there.
The super-cool flop
LIFE is filled with little disappointments, like watching the numbers creep up a little too high on the scales, or failing to make it to Friday without raiding the work vending machine.
But worse than both of those is seeing one of your favourite actors interviewed and realising they are really quite dull, or even worse, a complete doofus in real life.
I'm not one of those obsessive fans who can't separate the actor from the character they play; it's just that when you admire a character or, dare I say, adore him, it's heartbreaking to see him give one of the most cringe-tastic interviews ever.
Charms
Surely no one who watched The Wire could be immune to the charms of super cool Stringer Bell, the drug dealer kingpin who aspired to become a high powered businessman. He oozed charisma, authority, power and sex appeal.
Sadly, when actor Idris Elba was interviewed on Jonathan Ross on Friday night, all he was oozing was cheese.
As for his dismal attempt at an impromptu rap, wince inducing doesn't come close to describing it.
He made football star John Barnes look like Eminem.
I suppose if you want to look on the bright side, the one scrap of comfort fans can take from his embarrassing episode is that while our illusions may be well and truly shattered, I guess it does prove he really is a great actor.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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