TV
The next Vodafone TBA is on Brighton Beach. Are you excited?
"Brighton Beach has seen some amazing live music and gigs over the years, so I'm pleased TBA has landed there with me at the helm. I think the lineup's great as well. We've got N.E.R.D, who are back and firing on all cylinders. There's The Streets, who is also back. I think he's going to blow people away with his new album. Then finally there's McFly, who tick a lot of boxes for screaming young girls, which will bring a real electricity and buzz to the event. It's a nice mix and perfect location."
Have you met all the acts yet?
"Mike Skinner and myself had a nice day out as tourists in Brighton. We did the fish 'n' chips, deckchairs and pier together. Now I'm off on my way to a day go-karting with McFly!"
Whose idea was go-karting?
"It was Channel 4's idea. It was one of those cases where they just sprung it on me. I'd been strolling along the promenade with The Streets, enjoying my 99 with a flake, when someone said, 'We'll see you next Tuesday Dave, same place... You're going go-karting!' It should be fun, but I've got to remember to wear the right shoes. Last time I went go-karting, it was for a stag do, and I was in my jump suit wearing mock-croc loafers. So this time, I've gone for the white winklepinkers!"
You are more normally associated with indie. Are you a fan of McFly?
"They are good value. They have some life experience under their belts and are happy to poke fun at themselves. The other day I looked Harry in the eye and accused him of being the guy that turned Lindsay Lohan into a lesbian and he laughed along. I've also heard stories that one of them has a hot tub in the garden, and Tom apparently thought the rest of the band were naked, stripped off and joined them. I'm looking forwarding to unearthing further stories about lesbianism, nudity and Hollywood A-list stars. What more could you want?"
You worked with Peaches Geldof at the iTunes Festival. Was she as irritating as she comes across in the press?
"Do you know what? She's an absolute dream. I say that with complete surprise in my voice, because I was absolutely dreading it. I thought she would be one of those people that only talks about bands that you haven't even heard about. But she couldn't be further away from the stories you read. She's very self-effacing and laughs when I take the p*ss out of her, which is important."
Did you rate her presenting skills?
"As a presenter she got into it as the series went on. There were a few technicalities to pick out, like mic technique and autocue, but at the end of the day, she is 19. It was one of her first presenting jobs and she came on leaps and bounds. I'd like to think that by the end we had a good rapport on and off screen. Plus, because she got on the front of The Sun for allegedly having an overdose, I got the day off. I loved her for that!"
Have you spoke to her about the alleged drugs overdose?
"I texted her when I was told about the incident. She replied, 'I'm fine, it's been completely blown out of proportion. Are you going to the Batman premiere tonight?' I presume whatever happened, wasn't quite what was it was made out to be in the papers."
Would you ever consider hosting one of the major reality shows like X Factor?
"It's a difficult one. I don't think I could do the Dancing On Ice spinoff show or anything like that. But then look at what Dermot O'Leary and Russell Brand did with Big Brother's Little Brother and Big Brother's Big Mouth. I'm not a big fan of Big Brother, but I don't think Dermot was either. He simply made it his own. In the long-term, there will come a time in the not too distant future where I'm stood in front of a crowd of teenagers introducing the Kaiser Chiefs and I'll look like somebody's uncle. For now though, I'm happy doing a bit of rock 'n' roll TV."
Vodafone TBA at Brighton airs Sunday, August 10 on T4.
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