Category Archives: The Guardian

The itch to get involved

No stranger to civic duty, Simon Fanshawe often steps in to chair his local groups of activists. Here, he explains why, despite bouts of doubt and eczema, he just just can’t leave things to those in charge There are moments … Continue reading

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‘I was part of it. I killed your father’

Twenty years after the Brighton bomb, the IRA man responsible and the daughter of one of the victims came together in an extraordinary meeting. Simon Fanshawe took the chair Simon Fanshawe: Jo, what compelled you to explore this path of … Continue reading

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Posted in Politics, Reconciliation, Society, The Guardian | Leave a comment

You don’t have to play it straight

Football has always been the preserve of red-blooded, heterosexual men, right? Think again. As the new season kicks off, Simon Fanshawe investigates how the beautiful game is being embraced by the gay community both on and off the pitch, bringing … Continue reading

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Bigotry in the bloodstream

The TV adaptation of Angels in America shows how far gay men have come in the 20 years since Aids emerged, says Simon Fansh The terror comes rushing back. Watching a preview of the television film of Tony Kushner’s Angels … Continue reading

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Cooking the books

For Austen, meals were a framework for society. For Dickens, they were a sign of love. Simon Fanshawe chews over food in a few classic books – and offers some literary recipes For Austen, meals were a framework for society. … Continue reading

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‘How frightening is this?’

Dawn French has confidence to spare – but a solo West End show still scares her, she tells Simon Fanshawe “Hey, pretty boy, you want fuckee-fuckee?” The window has just rolled down on a passing Jag and a cherub with … Continue reading

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‘Her death has made us stronger’

In their first major interview, Francis and Berthe Climbié tell how they are coping with the loss of their daughter – and trying to forgive her killers Augustin, in his pyjamas and ready for bed, squeals in delight as he … Continue reading

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The power of forgiveness

Stephen Oake’s father prays for his son’s killer. Can the rest of us show such charity? A policeman murdered. A family grieving. And then the shock of the remarkable as his father spoke. A former policeman, an ex-chief constable, he … Continue reading

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You are what you own

Abigail’s Party was more than a celebration of naffness, says Simon Fanshawe. It was a warning about Thatcherism Three years ago I interviewed the original cast of Abigail’s Party on the stage of the National Theatre for one of their … Continue reading

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Pretty witty

No one would have accused Rob Lowe of being a fine dramatic actor in his Brat Pack days, but he did have an aura. Then came the hotel room, the girls, the scandal. Now, playing a White House aide in … Continue reading

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