15/11/2011 The One Show

So, I need a co-presenter for tonight. I have come to a decision.

Matt, you're through to the live Hello and welcome to The One Show.

And with us tonight, the best hugger in the business, Dermot

O'Leary! Nice to see you. Very strong arms. I love that, when I

put my head through the middle, I can see your tea and everything.

You have got no snack or anything. Now, you Dudu a lot of hugging, on

the second best show on Saturday nights. To be honest, it happens to

me more than me hugging people. do you stand in their way? I just

have that stance, you shall not pass. I bet you get it -- a lot of

things on your shirt, make-up: mascara, things like that. Yes, I

do, and fake tan, obviously. were also the last person to hug

Michael Jackson. And James Brown. Unfortunately for you two... This

may be our last show. Yes, we did a press conference with Michael

Jackson, he came out, he gave me a hug. And he died a few months later.

We will be speaking more to Dermot later. And we will be finding out

how Matt Baker has got on on his fifth day of his Rickshaw Challenge

for Children In Need. That is a man who looks like he needs a hug.

looks like a broken man. But the crowds are waiting for him in

Lincoln. It looks like a great turnout. Hopefully we will try and

talk to him at the end of the show, fingers crossed. Come on, Matt.

Completely different subject now, something serious now, the

spiralling cost of living is forcing many families to make very

hard choices, but how many people in Britain today simply cannot put

food on the table? Recently, the former Conservative minister Edwina

Currie said she did not think anyone in the UK was actually going

hungry. So we sent her to meet some of those who say she is wrong.

you ever said something that has really put the cat amongst the

pigeons? I did, three months ago. I don't think people in this country

go hungry. I don't think so. There are people out of their staffing,

you're wrong. There are people starving in this world, and they

are not in the United Kingdom. incensed that she could say a thing

like that. So, despite all the fuss, I still think there is a point to

be made, so The One Show and this food charity challenged me to put

my opinions to the test. I had to say yes. This charity collects

spare food and drink from manufacturers and supermarkets, and

in turn, it is passed on to needy families. I'm on my way to meet

Stacey, a single mum who has three children. She says she does not

know how she would manage without the free food handouts, which saved

her around �35 on her weekly budget. What do you put the money towards?

I do not get that much on benefits anyway. You have got this lovely

boxer dog, what does he cost to feet? A lot. How much? About �50 a

week. Has it occurred to you not to have a dog? Well, when I got the

dog, I was not in this situation, I was with my partner. He's part of

the family now. Stacey was forced to go on benefits when she split

from her partner 18 months ago. She is now training to become a debt

councillor. What troubles me is, good people helping you and giving

you food because you cannot feed your children. You're feeding the

dog, feeding the birds, feeding the electricity meter with a tumble

dryer, which costs the earth, and always did. You have got a

television bigger than the one I have got. You know that stuff in

there, my children's dad has to work 300 nights a year, to make

sure that they have what they want. Well, why should they have what

they want? Why can't they have the same as everyone else? Because you

can't afford it. Clearly, Stacey and her family are facing a tough

winter, like a lot of people. And the food parcels obviously make a

big difference to their budget. But I reckon with a bit of tweaking,

they could probably manage without. And they are certainly not starving,

not in any sense that we might have understood in this country, say,

100 years ago. I have come to this centre in Salford. Here, I can

accept that some people, often through no fault of their own, find

themselves struggling for things which most of us take for granted.

Sister Rita-Caritas runs the centre. I had a woman came in and she just

wanted something. She kept stuffing something into her mouth from the

table, she said, I'm sorry, but I'm so hungry. What is that? You cannot

live a good, comfortable life on benefits. Of course you can't. But

the benefits are coming from other people who are struggling to pay

their taxes, and we forget that. Edwina, come on! We are talking

about a higher, better quality of life. Tough if they have to pay,

sorry, but tough if they have to pay the taxes. We all have to do

that. What kind of the country would it be if we were to let

people struggle to such as an extent as I see them struggling

here? With their mobile phones. With their mobile phones and their

televisions. And I do not believe for one minute that you do not

believe that people are struggling in this country, very badly, and

that some of them, yes, are starving. The people I have met

here today have to make some very tough choices, choices which I'm

glad I do not have to make. Even though the questions I have put to

them and to Sister Rita-Caritas may have seemed a bit harsh, I still

think I'm basically right. Stacey has joined us - how did you feel

when Edwina came to your house and started challenging you? She made

me so mad, she just wasn't listening to me. She said when she

left the house, they are not starving. I'm not saying we're

starving, I am saying that without that centre, we would really

struggle. Obviously, I'm not starving, but they do help. I have

got three children. What would you do without that help? I would have

to go into a job that I would not want, basically. Probably working

more hours. But there are plenty of people doing jobs which they do not

want to do. It is a choice many people have had to make. Yes, but

I'm not going to be unhappy, I did it before, working so many hours a

week, and I did not see my children. They do not see their dad much, so

all they have got is me. Without the centre, I would be stuck.

suppose a lot of people would think, working is not actually a choice,

if you need to work, you should be working. What would you say? I want

to work, it is not about sitting on your backside watching telly.

Everybody wants to get out there, but everybody is struggling. And a

lot of people do think, weighing up the pros and cons, it is not worth

going out and losing time on your children, when you're not going to

make any more money than what you are getting. Since Edwina's first

appearance on Radio 5 Live, the debate has been carrying on, hasn't

it? Yes, there was another debate in Birmingham over the weekend. One

after another, people stood up to Edwina's proposition and said, we

are seeing this kind of poverty which you're saying is not out

there. There was no shortage of opposition, but Agamemnon's stuck

to her guns. What we're talking about is a winter full of touch

choices for people. Fuel bills, energy bills, food prices were down

a little today, but up by 6% on last year. All rocketing. Energy

bills, a increase of 21%. It is huge. People are talking about eat

or heat. Those are the conversations people will be having

this year. Disposable income on average is down by 8% to �163 per

week. That is an average. So, the statistics are saying that there

are tough times ahead for people. What I would say is, whether or not

you agree with Edwina, if you want to do something positive, we know

how generous people are in this country. See if there are food

charities where you can donate food, so you're being proactive. Thank

you both of you for coming in. is the fifth day of Matt's Rickshaw

Challenge for Children In Need, and so far, he has done 293 miles, and

he has raised... �515,581! More than half a million pounds, well

done, Matt. Matt is currently on the road, south of Gainsborough.

Let's hear from him. I am pushing on and pushing on, trying my very

best to get to Lincoln for The One Show. But my progress is so much

slower than I wanted it to be today. 78 miles is a lot of ground to

cover on this. I am really feeling the fatigue of the last four days.

I'm not sleeping very well, and my legs are shot, my knees have been

the biggest issue today. But I'm going to do my best. I cannot make

any promises. I can only apologise to the people in Lincoln, that I

will be laid. I will get there, I will definitely, definitely get

there. But this has been a very long day. Quite a lot of moaning,

actually, this is what happened first thing. It was a big day

yesterday. I did not think I was going to be able to get to York on

time for the show. The thought of doing 78 miles on that thing is...

But there's no time to rest, and with breakfast over, it is time to

hit the road again. The last four days has just hit me like a...

Trying to get the legs moving, but I have got sharp pain in the knees.

Just half-a-mile in, the pain is too much, and he's forced to pull

over for some physio. As rush-hour over for some physio. As rush-hour

starts, he's back in the saddle, starts, he's back in the saddle,

but the pain is intense. These muscles here have tightened up so

much, and they're forcing my kneecap into the bone. Every

revolution it is happening. As he reaches the halfway point of this

incredible challenge, the children from one school lifted his spirits.

Back on the road, he's feeling more optimistic. My knees have had a bit

of treatment, we have got them strapped up, to keep them nice and

warm, put some cream on as well, I have had some painkillers, we're

just managing that pain, and getting through today. But there is

just one thing on his mind. these people waiting out for me, to

cheer me on and keep me going. I feel so bad that I cannot get to

them when they are expecting me. is this amazing support that is

keeping Matt going. Thank you very much indeed. Matt's 90-year-old

granddad turned up to give him some encouragement. Just keep going, boy,

you will do it. I think it is absolutely wonderful. He will do it,

Absolutely fantastic. I would feel so guilty sitting in the back of

that rickshaw, surely they should be doing something to help. But not

allowed! To donate to Matt's Dermot. Let's talk about how great

Matt's grandad looks. That is their family. He looks extraordinary.

grandad could probably do the challenge. Saturday's the EU must

be busy. They are always busy. have X-factor in the evening. You

would have thought that requires some kind of rehearsal, but you

have the radio show in the afternoon. Three hours of crucial

rehearsal time. The Prix record a radio show while I am doing the X

factor. We always have to say at the start of the radio show that it

is pre-recorded. Normally, the radio show his life, but it is

physically impossible during the X Factor. You always have these great

artists, so we have compiled your favourite on to The Saturday

Sessions 2011. Lots of great artists - Adele, Jessie J. On Radio

2, it is a new music show. But that does not mean music you have never

heard of. It was Jessie J's first session on Radio 2. A bell and Amy

Winehouse did their first sessions on Radio 2 as well. So there are

artists who have either done their own staff or acoustic covers, and

we have put a CD out. It has been a pleasure to curate it. Will Young

came on and did the Kate Bush song, running up that hill. That was only

two months ago. We had nailed the songs we wanted, and then Will

Young did this. We had to put it on. There are surprises as well, stuff

people might not have heard of, but could dance with could cover songs.

There is a great band called King creosote, who is a Scottish guy. He

has done a cover of the 1980s song I've been losing you. And it is one

of those things where you go, I remember this. And Jessie J is

brilliant. You may discover loads of new bands, but now it is our

turn. Get ready for some naturally gifted musicians.

What do Beyonce, Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga and bird song all have in

common? On the face of it, not much. But here in the Wye Valley, there

is a music fanatic who seems to have discovered a surprising and

catchy, and theme. Owen Thomas spends much of his spare time

making music at his home in the Wye Valley. But last spring, he was

woken by a striking birdsong that stood out above the rest. So he set

out to record it. So there are some virtuoso performances being sung

from up there? The entire orchard was awash with birdsong. It was

amazing. But two birds absolutely stood out. After recording the

birds, he enlarged the tempo of the song with some music software, and

made quite a discovery. A amazingly, but bird was singing at One Punch

and 27 beats per minute. So every minute, there were 127 beats.

that a significant number? certainly is, because 127 is known

as disco heaven. Throughout the '70s, every disco track was

recorded at 127 beats per minute. Even today, that is the beat that

artists such as Beyonce and Lady Gaga still record at. So we are

calling this the disco bird, and it sends out the perfect tempo for

dance music. 127 is the background beat, which vocalists sing in time

with. But this man does not know enough about birds, so he want to

find out who this mystery dancing or his. That is the bird.

I thought instantly that I would know what it was. I am slightly

stumped. It is almost a cross between two birds. It is either a

blackbird or a song thrush. I am ashamed to say I am not sure. In my

defence, blackbirds do sometimes mimic song thrushes. Outbreak quick

phone a friend moment for confirmation, that was exactly what

this one was doing. Thank you for your help. So it is definitely a

blackbird, but I am desperate to hear Our birding Beyonce hit the

beat. That bird is bang on. There she is. Even to my untrained ear,

that sounds pretty good. I have been doing music for 30 plus years.

That birdie is bang on the beat. Can I confirm that you have not

manipulated the birdsong in any way? No, but the bird recording is

exactly as Mother Nature made it. What is even more amazing is that

our mimicking blackbird is not alone. He was so intrigued by this

new source of talent that he tried other birds, too. Great tits are

spot on the beat. Wood pigeons definitely are not. But song thrush

is definitely are. So he has put together a track with all three

Discoed birds. Great tit, classic. That is blackbird. Lovely. That's

song thrush. And the story of the show is that bird, the blackbird

that you identified. That bird is singing exactly in time, better

than any human artist could hope to achieve.

Not quite as good as the original Birdie Song. How can you say that?

Oh, come on. We have got to talk X Factor. You have started doing a

little dancer at the top of the show. It started off as a little

There is no point looking embarrassed. You do know you are on

the X factor, not Strictly, right? Is this going to become a full-

blown routine? I hope not. We did it once for a laugh, and the

producers said, want to do it again? One of the current affairs

keeps coming up with these moves. - - one of the choreographer's has

bullied me into it. But I have enjoyed it. This year's X-factor,

you have got the bickering, the shock exits, like every year.

almost feels that just as it is getting boring, somebody checks in

a bickering grenade. It just seems to happen. Nobody has sat there

going, I want to do this and I want to do that, especially with Simon

in America. He keeps in touch. But we do just have the knack of it

being a bit of a soap opera. Great show to work on. So much fun. When

I was away last week in New York, I got back and Frankie had left, and

we were going to vote in one of the acts who got kicked out in the

first week. I was only away for three days! X Factor might be one

of the biggest competitions to discover new stars, but it is by no

means the first. Gyles Brandreth has unearthed a nationwide talent

contest that was so long ago, even though we Wath was too young to

judge it. -- Louis Walsh was too young to judge its.

Like the Monarchs, there is no getting away from them. Yes, it

seems the airwaves have been hijacked to feed the public's

fascination with wannabes, desperate to achieve overnight fame

and fortune. But the concept of a nationwide talent competition with

celebrity judges is not, as many believe, the brainchild of one

Simon Cowell. Oh, Nell. The first was held in the early 1920s, when

they took the country by storm. 80,000 applicants wrote in. She yes,

this was the X factor of the way before today's generation. At a

time when American movies were captivating UK audiences, First

National, a top Hollywood studio of the day, launched the competition

in the popular Daily Sketch newspaper. There had never been a

prize like it. Tell me about this competition. It was a competition

to find a British film star, the grandest such competition of its

age. There had been other competitions to have a part in a

movie, but this was a chance to become the second lead in a

Hollywood feature. Gripping the country for months, the judges were

the It girls of the day, the talented sisters normal, Constance

and Natalie, wife of Buster Keaton. From 80,000, it was narrowed down

to the golden 100. Ultimately, the winner? Was a shop girl from

Brixton, Margaret Leith. Her family are still loyal fans. If you look

back at the pictures, she was pretty, but without being

outstanding. She was a run-of-the- mill every day Bermondsey girl. But

when people looked at her, they found something in her that others

did not see. That was why everyone was so pleased for her to win

something as big as that and go off and find her fortune. The newspaper

headlines had made her famous even before the director shouted Action.

National tours, shampoo ads, a crazy salary - was she would be?

Anyhow, her whole life changed out of all recognition. She met Charlie

Chaplin, hobnob with studio bosses and Hollywood's glitterati. This

girl had arrived. But there was only one problem. With the

excitement and razzmatazz of 1922's answer to Britain's Got Talent,

something had been overlooked. Margaret Leigh had no talent.

was screen tested. But sadly, she couldn't act at all. She could not

walk in front of the camera or do anything. It required multiple

takes to do the simplest action. The studio realised they had a

problem on their hands. Reluctant to lose the massive British support

and guaranteed movie audience, the sponsors decided Margaret had to

star in at least one film. It fell to Buster Keaton, who agreed to

take Margaret as his leading lady in her first and last film, the

three edges. She kept a scrapbook of her Hollywood adventure and

these wonderful headlines. But it is clear from some of the quotes

that she was conscious of her own shortcomings when she got to

Hollywood. Embarrassed by the number of retakes she had to do

once the filming started. On the day the film was launched, she

issued this, almost an apology. will see tonight my first picture.

I am very unhappy as I look around me, as I'm afraid you will think I

have not been worthy of you. Actually, the film turned out to be

a success on both sides of the Atlantic. 100 years on, the critics

are reasonably kind to Margaret. And the film itself is regarded as

one of Buster Keaton's masterpieces. Margaret may have been the first to

find instant fame from a talent competition, but human nature being

what it is, she certainly will not be the last.

The latest matt news - he is 10 miles from Lincoln. He will get

there. Here is a message from those waiting to greet him when he

arrives. We are the link ingest cheerleaders, and we are behind you.

Keep going! Come on, Matt, you can do it! You have the whole of

Lincolnshire behind you. Come on, Matt! Bakery is ready to go! -- bid

to go! Come on, Matt! Tomorrow, he will be leaving Lincoln at 6am,

cycling through Metheringham, then down through the village of

Heckington. He will then continue via Spalding and hopefully arrived

at Peterborough around 7pm. Please That is all for tonight. That you