SHORT SHARP INTERVIEW: CHARLIE WILLIAMS

I recently talked cobblers to Charlie Williams, author of Stairway to Hell and the Mangel books.

PDB)You share the same name as the most popular host, mebbes,  of the 70’s quiz show, ‘The Golden Shot’.  Has that led to any moments of hilarity inducing confusion?

CW) I did an in-store book signing for Stairway to Hell at Borders in Birmingham, and a bloke was hanging around near the table for ages, looking at me funny but not stepping forward. As always happens at these things there were periods where no one seemed interested, so I went around the store, badgering people. When I got to the bloke he said he'd come especially to see me but he was a bit confused... because he could have sworn his comedy hero Charlie Williams was black, and I am not. I told him my skin tone has faded over the years and he seemed to accept that. I signed a book for him.

PDB) After The Specials wrote a song about him, Nelson Mandela was immediately released from prison, sort of. Who do you think should write a song about Royston Blake to support the Free The Mangel One campaign?

CW) Clearly The Specials.

PDB)There’s a new Dr Who, apparently. I thought the last one was a bit Frank Spencer, to be honest.  Do you think Blakey would make a good Dr Who?

CW) As I was saying to Russel T Davies, the thing about Blakey as Dr Who is that he would break the sonic screwdriver within seconds. And he would be in the sack with his assistant within hours, or she would be jumping out of the tardis in mid-space to get away from him. Plus he would be reckless with his power and make mistakes that would lead to entire civilisations being wiped out, including ours. It would be great, wouldn't it? Imagine him against the daleks, armed only with a cricket bat?

PDB)Pub grub. The work of the devil?

CW) Insofar as you sometimes need a bit of scran to mop up the pints so you can keep drinking, pub grub is alright by me. But if I want some decent food I go to a restaurant. Then a pub. 

PDB)Top Gear, Top Gun or Top Cat?

CW) A combination of all three. That woud be top drawer.

Charlie Willams has a blog too