Not so much, "Who Do You Think You Are", as "Who I would love to think I could be"... I've always harboured a suspicion that I was left in the reed beds, and my actual family is a celebrated array of inspiration.
We can but dream.
Aspirational Genetics
My parents were John Peel and Germaine Greer. I think that would be obvious to those who know me. It also gives me an interesting set of grandparents: George Orwell and Shirley Williams on one side, Fidel Castro and Joan Greenwood on the other. It explains so much.
Growing Up
I had a great childhood, taking inspiration from my siblings, Dr Dre, Tracey Emin, Stewart Lee, Caitlin Moran, Polly Harvey and Henry Rollins. That caravan in Wales was a wild place for two weeks every August.
Watching Brief
I had other guidance, from a raft of genial Aunties and Uncles such as Jon Snow, Debbie Harry, Kirsty Wark, James Burke, Keith Floyd, John Pilger, Fela Kuti, Delia Derbyshire, Ian McKellen and expecially Mr Benn. They fired my imagination, and still do.
Roots
And I still feel pride when I see how well my cousins are doing. Adlene Guedioura, Damo Suzuki and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. It's nice when it's family.
My family may be subject to change without notice.
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