THEY say it’s not over until the fat lady sings.
Sadly ADELE was unavailable for private gigs so I’ll make do with a
send-off from Sky Sports News anchor JIM WHITE.
In a one-off SSN bulletin, broadcasting hero Jim exclusively revealed — “Gordon’s
gone”.
JAMIE REDKNAPP was on the blower to tell him the latest transfer gossip
from the golf course — after six years at the helm of the famous Bizarre
column I am heading off into the sunset on a free transfer to sample a very
different gig… as editor of The Scottish Sun.
I say sunset, the new HQ is in Glasgow. So I’m heading off into the grey skies
of Caledonia to rekindle my love affair with deep-fried food.
In a special edition of Transfer Deadline Day last night, Jim said: “I can
exclusively reveal exclusively that Gordon Smart has GONE.
“Not to his beloved Hibs but to The Scottish Sun.” You can read the full
transcript of what Jim had to say on the right. Thanks Jim. The man with the
whitest teeth in Scotland, whiter than SIMON COWELL’s.
I’ll never forget the few things I remember over the last six years.
It all started with a terrible byline picture, fiddling with my ring, in
November 2007. I feel incredibly lucky to have travelled the world, meeting
my heroes and making mischief on behalf of the best newspaper in the land
since then.
A week is a long time in politics, six years is a lifetime in showbiz.
TAKE THAT reformed, then ROBBIE WILLIAMS rejoined. The SPICE
GIRLS reunited, OASIS broke up, AMY WINEHOUSE sadly passed
away, bands emerged and disappeared as frequently as RUSSELL BRAND
dropped his skinny jeans.
I was kidnapped by COLDPLAY, scrapped with Robbie and did some damage
with NOEL GALLAGHER, KASABIAN, JAMES CORDEN and FREDDIE
FLINTOFF. I got to flirt with CHERYL COLE, RIHANNA, KYLIE
MINOGUE, RITA ORA, ELLIE GOULDING and SHAKIRA — but
none of them could lace Mrs Smart’s boots.
One thing was as consistent as showbiz good guys ANT & DEC — the
support of the top staff at Sun HQ.
The Bizarre team over the years, the brilliant artists, the super-talented
subs and production team.
Hopefully this is just the end of the beginning. Like Sky Sports star CHARLIE
NICHOLAS, I’m heading to Scotland after a fruitful time in London. But
hopefully, unlike Charlie, my best days aren’t behind me.
Oh let me tell you that I love you, That I think about you all the time,
Caledonia you’re calling me, And now I’m going home…
Breaking news: Gordon Smart appointed
Editor of The Scottish Sun
Gordon and…
JAMES CORDEN: “When Gordon stole a fire engine in Cologne, he
reached legend status. His thirst for all things rock ’n’ roll is something
I admire and love in him.”
NOEL GALLAGHER: “Gordon who? I have no use for this man. He
is dead to me now. Goodbye.”
KASABIAN‘s SERGIO PIZZORNO: “Gordon Bafta Smart, I will
miss you dearly but my liver will not. Good luck on your new adventures.”
ANT: “Have a great time in Scotland – the home of golf. Next time
we’re up, we’ll bring our clubs.”
FREDDIE FLINTOFF: “I look forward to a haggis dinner and a can of
Irn-Bru when I’m up your way.”
GARY BARLOW: “Thanks for all the support you’ve given me and the
guys. You’re a top man.”
CHERYL COLE: “I’m sure we’ll have words at some point but
at least you’ll be further away! Only messing. You’re one of the good guys.”
AMY WINEHOUSE‘s dad Mitch: “Good luck Gordon. You were a
great supporter when we first set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation.”
GORDON: “Some of my best nights out have been with BONO and U2.
My first job at The Sun was at a U2 launch.
“At a gig, ROMAN ABRAMOVICH gave me and NOEL an
ear-bashing. Hear about that one on my final Xfm Smart on Sunday podcast.”
JAMES BUCKLEY: “S***! Does this mean The Inbetweeners has lost
Bizarre’s support?! Ha! We’ll have a Super Tennent’s soon when I’m north of
the border.”
SUSAN BOYLE: “England’s loss is Scotland’s gain! Welcome home. You’ve
done a brilliant job on Bizarre but you will do an even better job here in
Scotland.”
ALEX JAMES: “We’ve had so many good times at gigs and music bashes over
the years. You’re a good friend and a great man.”