Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

Wednesday 28 January 2026.

Tuesday 27 January 2026...7pm to 10.30pm.. RADIO TIMES COVERS PARTY at Claridges , Brook Street , Mayfair , London W1. Always nice to be at this famous five star hotel. I have been to this event a few times before , but it's my first time post Covid. Around 300 guests here in the ballroom. Always over a dozen well known folks from TV screens here. At 8pm for an hour SIR LENNY HENRY hosted the main event which celebrates the best covers of 2025. The winners get a framed copy of their Radio Times cover . TRAITORS - the winners were here to collect. DEATH IN PARADISE - Don Warrington was here to collect. EASTENDERS 40th ANNIVERSARY - Jessie Wallace , Michelle Collins , Michelle Ryan and Gillian Taylforth are here to collect....hard to believe the youthful looking Gillian Talyforth is now aged 70. CALL THE MIDWIFE - Megan Cusack was here to collect. NOT GOING OUT - Lee Mack was here to collect. MATCH OF THE DAY - Mark Chapman and Kelly Gates were here to collect. STRICTLY COME DANCING - a few of the professional dancers were here to collect. RIOT WOMEN - Tamsin Greig was here to collect. MARY BERRY at 90 - Mary Berry was here to collect. WALLACE & GROMIT - Nick Park was here to collect. LIVE AID 40th ANNIVERSARY - Roger Taylor from Queen and Michael Buerk were here to collect. There was a tribute to Alan Yentob from Armando Iannucci . ALEX HORNE & THE HORNE SECTION helped out out with musical snippets during the main event. Other guests here include Richard Arnold , Mark Gatiss , David Mitchell , Vernon Kay ,Alex Kingston, and several more I could not put names to. Complimentary sparking wines , wines, beers and canapes. Guests got a very nice big bulky goodie bag with over 20 items inside. ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Tuesday 27 January 2026. Happy Birthday to NICK MASON who is 82 today. See my Facebook page for a photo of us together. --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Monday 26 January 2026. Celebrity Mastermind BBC2 7.30pm. Football legend and punk rock lovin' STUART PEARSE is a contestant . His chosen subject was UK Punk Rock 1976 to 1979. He got 9 out of 10 punk rock questions correct. He did good in general knowledge and won it overall. Well done Stuart.