THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DERMOT O'LEARY: DERMOT O'LEARY

WHOMP! THERE IT IS!

mcgeorgeous: @radioleary #true :)

radioleary: @mcgeorgeous Woop! I normally get 'The person below is **** etc etc. #result x

LEISURELY IMPROVEMENT OF SPEECH

radioleary: Can't get @LeisureSociety new album off my various audio devices. It's like a polite bunch of talented pirates have invaded my mind.

annagraytweets: @radioleary @LeisureSociety what is up with all the posh lingo? "various audio devices" no dermot......

radioleary: @annagraytweets @LeisureSociety That's @LeisureSociety speak!

annagraytweets: @radioleary @LeisureSociety well im drinking a warmed beverage all the while watching a spot of daily news and looking on the twitter :)

radioleary: @annagraytweets @LeisureSociety There you go.

LeisureSociety: RT @radioleary: Can't get @LeisureSociety new album off my various audio devices. It's like a polite bunch of talented pirates have invaded my mind.

PODCAST HELP

HiImDarcy: @radioleary I go to Colchester Sixth Form and I'm doing a podcast for Storm Radio about your life at the college, Could you help me please?

radioleary: @HiImDarcy Sure. Mail jonny at John Noel and he can help. See profile.

SUITABLE

SimonTurner83: Bought a new suit from @_mrstart. Aim is to out do @radioleary collection. I'm on two. I look dangerous in mid-grey 3 piece. #boardwalkparty

radioleary: @SimonTurner83 @_mrstart Nice choice.

DISH

miss_sparkler: @radioleary What dish would you recommend at Fishy Fishy? #brighton

radioleary: @miss_sparkler Ohh hard.... Spicy Crab I'd say... Messy though. Enjoy. X

FROM ONE CRAZY TO THE NEXT

radioleary: Right had a bit of @CelebJuice (Dyer stealing the show) and now onto @bbcquestiontime spot who's the nutter on the panel tonight?

harrietoliver: @radioleary seems to be a sprinkle of crazy all around

radioleary: @harrietoliver Was thinking the very same.

CHEESE - A NATURAL APHRODISIAC

mouthwaite: You know what they say about cheese before bed? Don't care... Bavarian smoked cheese... You rock my world!
Dermot O'Leary

radioleary: @mouthwaite Love... It's the rockstar of the cheese board... Does its own thing, doesn't need pickle, grapes, or apple. Lone rider. X

mouthwaite: @radioleary so right! that's exactly how I had it...solo. The smoked cheese I mean!

radioleary: @mouthwaite #scoureshischeesebox... Curses. X

HBO PICKED IT UP

vickipepperdine: Yes so 'Getting On' commissioned by HBO for a series...
Dermot O'Leary

radioleary: @vickipepperdine Congrats. Well deserved. #streetpartyimmediately x

vickipepperdine: @radioleary thanks Dermot deffo street party will have to be in the snow...x

THE LATE DERMOT

radioleary: HQ. If you missed Dermot being late on Drivetime yesterday you can listen again here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r771q @bbcradio2 @simonmayo

A BIT OF TOM'S FAMILY HISTORY - IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT DERMOT YOU KNOW!
Captain George Phillips White was one of my ancestors who came to Australia from Sussex England in the 1870s and settled in Newcastle NSW. He came from a long line of sailing and maritime families. His brothers were Royal Naval officers, coastguards and lifeboat officers stationed around the shores of the UK. His parents were from distinguished sea-going families. His father James White was a coastguard who was born at Milford on Sea near Hurst Castle (opposite the Isle of White) and his mother was Elizabeth Phillips whose father Griffith Phillips was from a famous sea-going family of New Quay, Wales. The Phillips family were responsible for the development of the town and port at New Quay and there are many historical references to this family.
Captain George Phillips White trained and worked on the HMS Warrior

stationed nowadays in Portsmouth England

and as an officer he trained sailors on the HMS Trincomalee

nowadays stationed in Hartlepool England.

George Phillips White was married 1882 in Newcastle NSW Australia, and not surprisingly listed his then tug the SS Leo as his residence. He was "married to the sea" by all accounts and rarely ventured on-land. Although he did manage enough visits to produce a family of 9 children with his wife Charlotte (nee Ahern).

Above: George and Charlotte White and 8 of their 9 children - one son was absent with chickenpox.

Below: George's retirement watch which was presented to him at age 50. George never really took retirement seriously and was on secondment to the Port of Newcastle when he died at age 54.

In 1902, one of the first Australian-built tugboats ST Burunda, was sent to Newcastle and my ancestor George was its captain for a few years prior to his untimely death at age 54. George died from pneumonia while on active service in 1909. After his passing, the tug Burunda was re-named ST Waratah.

The Waratah worked in Newcastle up to the Second World War then sat derelict for a while before being lovingly restored by public donation by the Sydney Maritime Fleet on the foreshore of Darling Harbour. Nowadays George's old tug is a tourist attraction in Sydney and takes part in daily excursion around the harbour.

The Burunda, launched on 21st May, 1902 is 108ft long, 20ft wide and weighs 165 tons. It is the oldest working steam tugboat in Australia. Below are some YouTube videos of her engines in action - I know a few steam enthusiasts who are drooling as we speak!