TV presenter slates Swindon (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

TV presenter slates Swindon

12:36pm Monday 12th February 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Funnyman Dom Joly has become the latest in a long line of celebrities slating Swindon.

Radio DJ Mark Lamarr is from the town but doesn't like to talk about it and designer Wayne Hemingway once described parts of the town as jaw-droppingly bad.

But now a national radio station is coming to Swindon's defence after Trigger Happy TV presenter Dom Joly joined in the teasing.

He was appearing on Anita Anand's show on BBC Radio Five Live when the subject of Swindon was bought up.

He told listeners the town was so bad he had set up the sat-nav in his car to avoid it, provoking a flurry of texts and emails. Some agreed with his comments. "The best thing about Swindon is the M4 so you can make a quick getaway," said one; but others were furious.

One message said: "Tell that prat to lay off our town. We love Swindon. It's a great place."

Indeed such was the response that this Wednesday the show will be coming live from Swindon to hear exactly how Swindon folk feel about their town, and Dom Joly himself will be there.

Producer Jonathan Crawford said: "Dom turned up for the show that night and asked us not to mention Swindon.

"He didn't say why, but of course Anita being as cheeky as she is brought it up as soon as the show got on air.

"At first we didn't think much of it but then we started getting quite a number of texts and emails, some defending Swindon and others saying that the M4 was the best thing about the town, because it means you can escape the town."

Presenter, Anita, said: "We were surprised by the response his comments prompted. There's clearly lots of emotion about what people say about Swindon. I think Dom is holding deep lost love for Swindon and that's why we are going to bring him back on the day to meet Swindon people. I am looking forward to the day. I think it will provoke an interesting debate."

This is not the first time Mr Joly has provoked outrage in Swindon.

Back in 2003 he wrote in a national newspaper column that he would like to drop a trailer of dung on the steps of the UGC cinema, in Shaw Ridge leisure park. But despite this he has appeared at the town's hugely popular literature festival.

The Radio Five show will be coming live from the Lava Lounge in the town centre.