I had to laugh when I saw that Alastair Campbell’s novel is shortlisted for the Literary Review’s Bad Sex Award. Normally I would run a mile from a novel about mental health problems (yaaaawn!) but as I’m a bit of a Campbell fan, I bought it a few weeks back.

I’ve even read some of it too, and as far as a novel about mental health problems that is endorsed by the vile Stephen Fry can be any good, it is good. It is funny in parts and moving in others. I haven’t finished it (I can only take so much talk about depression) so I’ve not read many sex scenes bad or otherwise as yet.

I’m going to see Campbell do a talk at the South Bank next week. Last time I saw him speak there, some mad anti-war protestor (is there any other kind?) started ranting at him about Iraq and had to be led out. I think Ross Kemp – who I dislike and can’t work out why – was also there, as some sort of inadequate compere. I wonder what delights await us this time!