BLUR - JAMES BECOMES VOICE OF FARMING

JAMES BECOMES VOICE OF FARMING

BLUR rocker ALEX JAMES is to host the BBC Radio 4 show ON YOUR FARM, after becoming a landowner of his own English country farm. The bassist, who has a flock of sheep as well as cheese-making facilities on his 200 acre (80.9 hectare) estate in the Cotswolds, is to present the weekly Sunday morning program from next month (JAN07), but acknowledges the irony in his new gig. He laughs, "All these things that I abhorred and wrote songs about hating, I'm now embracing." The show's producers are already expecting some backlash from farmers hesitant at James' newfound expertise. Radio 4's STEVE PEACOCK says, "I would anticipate there are plenty of farmers who would sneer at being told about farming by a guy from Blur, but when they get to know him, they'll realise he's keen and really getting a grip on it."