Tom caps Hollywood humorist

Oct 11 2009 by Philippa Tomson

ONE minute I was interviewing media whore David Gest, hours later I was hosting a glittering testimonial dinner dedicated to rugby star and ex-Newcastle Falcons player Tom May.

It was a bizarre afternoon, to say the least.

I was still preparing for Tom’s special night and briefing myself on all things rugby-related – the dinner was set to be male-dominated – when my producer suggested I interview Mr Gest.

So I legged it over to the hotel, took the lift to the top floor and almost fell over a bunch of fake nuns and dwarves as I stepped out. Yes, David’s entourage was certainly colourful, and we were summoned to the back of the room for our interview to ensure laughter in the right places.

David Gest is what you would expect. Bizarre but good value and media savvy.

He, allegedly, speaks to Michael Jackson’s mother twice a week, his niece ran in the Great North Run and his favourite thing about Liza Minnelli is her nose because it points in all directions.

I left his hotel having listened to everything but believing nothing.

With Tom, it was a different story. I believed everything this athlete said during a fascinating session with him and some of our North East sporting stars. They included basketball star Fab Flournoy, Durham head of cricket Geoff Cook and North East boxing champion Billy Hardy. (I think I was still traumatised by the Gest interview, though, because I poured custard into my after-dinner coffee rather than cream).

Tom is such a brilliant ambassador for English rugby and such a modest man.

And he is one of the best athletes this country has produced. He’s dedicated to his sport and "trains like a nutter". Now playing for high-flying French side Toulon, he’s settling down to life in the south of France. Let’s hope we see him pick up another England cap. He deserves it.