John Cole has died

[Guest]

Former BBC Chief Political Correspondent John Cole has died.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24867047

My abiding memory, aside from his lovely accent and his lop-sided smile is of Cole's discussing who, if anyone, might replace Mrs Thatcher as leader of the Tory party. He related a story of an outstanding performance by Kenneth Baker, possibly pre-National Curriculum and certainly pre-Poll Tax, and he said with a twinkle in his voice

"I've seen the future - and it smirks"

Many thanks for years and years of sorting the political wheat from the chaff, John.

[Padraig]

Yes, amateur, an honest Ulsterman if ever there was one. His accent certainly got the attention of all you accent conscious Sassenachs. Heseltine says it "didn't do him any harm"; and Spitting Image nearly got the Belfast accent half right.
We're not averse to poking fun at our own accents - don't like you doing it though - and yesterday in my Gaelige class the subject came up with respect to differing accents in Donegal Irish. To illustrate a point our teacher picked a phrase which typifies the Belfast accent - "Pots and pans".Yer Belfast man will say "Pats and pons". Try it out loud!

[amateur51]

Yes, amateur, an honest Ulsterman if ever there was one. His accent certainly got the attention of all you accent conscious Sassenachs. Heseltine says it "didn't do him any harm"; and Spitting Image nearly got the Belfast accent half right.
We're not averse to poking fun at our own accents - don't like you doing it though - and yesterday in my Gaelige class the subject came up with respect to differing accents in Donegal Irish. To illustrate a point our teacher picked a phrase which typifies the Belfast accent - "Pots and pans".Yer Belfast man will say "Pats and pons". Try it out loud!

As a Welshman, I don't know what you're raving about Padraig!

Whenever an Englishman attempts a Welsh accent, I enquire when part of the Punjab he's supposed to be from

[BBMmk2]

A great reporter for television. He knew exactly what to0 say and when and how to sayb it! Margeret thantcher singled him out of the bombing at The Grand that time!! RIP John Cole

[Padraig]

As a Welshman, I don't know what you're raving about Padraig!

There, there, amateur! No harm in being Welsh! Some of my best...... come to think of it NONE of my.....

[amateur51]

There, there, amateur! No harm in being Welsh! Some of my best...... come to think of it NONE of my.....

Welsh and no Sassenach was my point