The Omnivore – At Home

Did you know that Meat Loaf used to be a vegetarian? It’s true. Despite the carnivorous stage name, Meaty was a veggie for over a decade in the ‘80s, reportedly only falling off the wagon for “health reasons.”

Marvin Lee Aday passed away on Friday and whatever you might think of his musical back-catalogue, Bat Out of Hell is one of the best-selling albums of all time –( remember albums?), this was a man who lived a life less ordinary.

But notwithstanding the music and the acting and the rows with Greta Thunberg and putting on five stone to try and avoid the Vietnam draft and once suing a Meat Loaf tribute act for being an imposter, there is one other incident of Meaty’s life which I think is worth mentioning in these tempestuous and troubled times: He once tried to push Prince Andrew into a moat.

If you’re old enough to remember albums, chances are you also remember It’s a Knockout. And if you remember It’s a Knockout, you’ll probably also remember It’s a Royal Knockout.

A TV gameshow assault course created for maximum slapstick fun, The Grand Knockout Tournament of 1987 featured four teams, each one headed up by members of the British Royal Family. It also featured one wild-eyed Texan singer who was competing in Fergie, The Duchess of York’s team.

The story goes that Meaty and Prince ‘I Am Unable To Sweat’ Andrew got into a bit of a tiff.

“Fergie wasn’t exactly flirting with me,” the Texan said, “But she was paying attention to me.” This reportedly resulted in the fartist formerly known as Prince attempting to push Meat Loaf into a nearby moat. But, and fair play to him, Meaty didn’t go quietly and in retaliation, he tried to push Andy into the same moat. Speaking in 2003, Meaty claimed that the Prince said, “You can’t touch me, I’m royal.”

I think I speak for us all when I say, it’s just a pity Meaty didn’t follow through and boot him up the arse when he was at it.

RIP Marvin Lee Aday.

On with the programming!

First up this week is The Responder (Monday at 9pm on BBC1)…

Police response officer Chris (Martin Freeman) is struggling to keep a grip on his mental health and marriage when he’s offered a path to redemption in the form of a Casey, a young heroin addict.

Alternatively, The Alpinist (Monday at 9pm on Sky Documentaries)…

Documentary about elusive Canadian climber Marc-André Leclerc, who has made some of the boldest solo ascents in history, away from cameras and with no margin for error.

Or what about, The Decade the Rich Won (Tuesday at 9pm on BBC2)…

The Government and the Bank of England took drastic action to save the UK economy in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Insiders from the world of finance reveal how decisions made to solve the crisis allowed them to ‘make out like bandits’.

From bailing out the banks to pursuing a faster, deeper austerity than any other country, Britain’s policymakers shatter the status quo in a desperate bid to save the economy. This first of two programmes features first-hand accounts from key players, reliving the moments when the big decisions were taken.

Or, The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk (Wednesday at 10pm on BBC2)…

Herbert has an audition that could redefine him, but first he and his wife Bobby Kindle have to get ready for his daughter Woman Child’s birthday party. Return of the comedy, starring Spencer Jones.

And lastly, just because Meaty is bound to feature at some stage, ‘80s Greatest Pop Videos’ shows this Friday at 10pm on Channel5…

A look back at the greatest pop videos from the ‘80s, beginning in 1980, with contributions from Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, David Grant and others. Musicians from the Jam, Dexys Midnight Runners and UB40 check out their early videos, while the director of David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes, and the writer of Sheena Easton’s first big hit revel in the nostalgia.