Congratulations, Stevie. You really are at the height of your writing powers! Well, don't mention it (no really, DON'T MENTION IT).

And thanks to all who inspired me: Julie Burchill, Mary Kenny, Carol Shields, Michel Houllebecq, JD Salinger, Billy Collins, Wallace Stevens, St Paul, Ethan Canin – humans who've proved that writing matters profoundly.

Plus all my years as a newspaper columnist and colour-writer, and all the diamond hacks I worked with.

"This award, guys, it really belongs to ALL OF YOU!" ...

..... Nurse, can I speak to you for a minute?

Aye, well never mind all that, we've gorra poetry book coming out ... the Bards of New Brighton, that is ...

http://steveregan.merseyblogs.co.uk/archives/2013/06/burning-bridges.html