"What do you need if you want to be a record breaker?"
I'm willing to bet my worldly goods they'll go misty eyed, give you a knowing smile and proudly tell you that the answer is of course 'dedication'. If you're lucky they may even burst into song or a bit of air-trumpet.
The reason for this odd reaction is the classic kids' TV show, Record Breakers. Record Breakers was great. It ran from the 70s right through to 2001 and featured everything you could think of to do with world records and record holders. There were interviews with the bold, the brave and the bonkers - everything from the longest fingernails to the fastest talker - and frequent record attempts right there in the studio. It was the perfect concoction of entertainment and education, thrown together happily in a studio filled with wide-eyed children.
The show as I remember it was presented by Roy Castle, himself a world record holder and tap-dancing fanatic. It featured all kinds of others too: Cheryl Baker (a Eurovision starlet in the 80s), athletes Kriss Akabusi, Linford Christie,* and of course the legendary Norris McWhirter...
Every week, Norris would settle into his Mastermind-style chair, fold his fingers gently together and answer questions from the impeccably well behaved collection of children encircling him in the studio. He was, I suppose a bit like a Guinness Book of Records Egghead. Only he was nice about it. And do you know what, I think he knew everything - actually, everything ever asked of him.
As if the record attempt during the show was not enough (dominos, backwards talking, playing Chopin's 'Minute Waltz' in under a minute)... the highlight of every week was the closing credits, which famously featured Roy singing 'Dedication' and playing the trumpet. Gosh I did love Record Breakers!
The reason I'm mentioning it today is that I was thinking about Roy Castle on the bus. I'm not sure what brought it on - maybe the bus stop in Castle Street, or the inane conversation of the teenagers on their way to school. Either way, Roy was there inside my head, reminding me that today, a work day where it couldn't be less appropriate, 'dedication's what you need'...
The trouble is, I thought to myself, I'm not sure kids today have got that message. Dedication? They'd be channel hopping before Roy had fixed trumpet to lip, tantalising themselves with TOWIE or Hollyoaks. The point, I remind myself, was that you can achieve anything with a little inspiration and of course, hard work. Nothing is impossible, kids.
In fact, the whole premise of Record Breakers relied on children being interested in stuff - that interest hooked them in, and held them there and before the last stopwatch beeped out, they'd learned something and been inspired to 'be the best'... and they'd been inspired by someone who genuinely believed that each of us has the potential to be great...
... and I'm just not sure that happens any more. And I don't think it's because children are different, not deep down. The world has changed, but when you look around, you've got to admit that that is a great message isn't it? Shame. I just don't know whether today's Norris McWhirter in immaculate suit and tie would be as roundly respected for his statistical knowledge and gentle eloquence - or shouted at in the street by yobs who'd learned the word 'boffin' and how to combine it with filthy adjectives. Poor Norris.
I arrived at work, finally, to find the telesales team (all young girls in their early twenties) discussing Big Brother and why black people don't take the protective covering of sofas.
Roy, I am sorry.
Thank you for being a record breaker.
*We don't mention Fearne Cotton on this blog, thank you.
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