It seems only right to end things by listing some of my highlights of 2025. This includes books I’ve read, records I’ve listened to, TV I’ve watched and stories I’ve written. So here we are:
Favourite Shows
- Mythic Quest (Apple TV) – Sadly, season four was the final season of this comedy, but it developed the story and characters really well. The show remained genuinely funny througout.
- Prime Target (Apple TV) – I was sceptical about the concept of a maths-based thriller, but it worked. I hope they bring it back for a second season.
- Blue Lights (BBC) – I’m slightly cheating on this one. While season three came out in 2025, I only started season one this year. Irrespective of that, this Northern Ireland-based police procedural is one of the best dramas the BBC has put on in years.
- The Celebrity Traitors (BBC): I didn’t think it would work, but in the end it exceeded all expectations. The civilian version in January was fantastic. The celeb version was, quite simply, the show of the year.
- The Paper (Sky/NOW/Peacock): A 30-minute comedy set in a local newspaper. It was basically made for me. It’s a spinoff from The Office, and it shows. In a good way.
Favourite Albums
- Killswitch Engage – This Consequence: Perhaps not quite up there with their classic albums, but it is really enjoyable and, in I Believe, contains a new favourite track.
- Caliban – Back From Hell: Punchy, powerful metal you can scream and dance along to
- Richard Ashcroft – Lovin’ You: The former Verve frontman is back to his best with this really enjoyable album.
- Florence and the Machine – Everybody Scream: Florence’s voice remains totally and utterly absorbing and you can swept into her world.
Favourite Gigs
- Hundred Reasons at the Royal Albert Hall – This was their final gig. For part of it, the group were accompanied by a string section. An uplifting and emotional night to end 25-years together.
- Oasis at Wembley Stadium – Not just a gig of the year, but one of the best gigs of my lifetime. A religious experience.
- Trivium at Bloodstock – I’ve seen them many times and they are always great, but this was their best performance and the best set of the weekend.
- Caliban at Tufnell Park – A band I didn’t really know in a tiny venue. Just glorious fun.
- Killswitch Engage at Wembley Stadium – An epic set by the headliners, with an amazing supporting cast.
- Pantera at Wembley Stadium – A devastating showing by the Cowboys from Hell. Played all the hits. They’ve still got it.
Favourite Books
- The Safekeep – Yael van der Wouden: Came out in 2024, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2025. This novel tells the story of a lonely woman preserving her family home, and the secrets revealed when her boyfriend’s new beau comes to stay.
- Tuga Trilogy – Francesca Segal: Welcome to Glorious Tuga and Island Calling have provided some much-needed escapism in miserable times. Fabulous character development and lovely scene setting. I can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy.
- Absolute Batman: Quite simply, the comic of the year. It gives a new twist on the Dark Knight’s origin story
Favourite Stories
- Women’s sports are hot. Media: don’t miss your shot – For Digital Content Next
- EXCLUSIVE: BBC Insiders Hit Out at Gary Lineker Over Gaza Documentary Comments
- BBC Wall of Shame
- The Under-Discussed Strength of Channel 5
- I’m Not a Foreign Correspondent
- Women’s cup draw fury grows as GK Barry dubbed ’embarrassing’ and WSL silence slammed – For Daily Star
Favourite Sporting Moment
- Spurs Win Europa League: I mean… obviously. I’d waited a long time for this one, and it was magical. The parade later the same week was also a highlight