About me

One of QVC's longest-serving presenters, Julian has come a long way from his first job - selling Wagon Wheels and crisps from an orange tray at Old Trafford during Manchester United games.

Read Julian Ballantyne's full biography

Getting hooked on Big Brother

So, even after promising myself that I wouldn't get hooked on Celebrity Big Brother, I have found myself both watching and Sky plussing it. Add to that  Big Brother's Little Brother and again I am addicted. They seem to have a very unusual mix this year and I am not a big fan of any. Possibly I am thinking Alex may win because he's the least annoying, but I am really unsure.

On the telly front I have been trying to watch lots of stuff that I missed first time round this year. I have pretty much caught up with Gavin and Stacey and I think it's great.

Here's a bit of trivia you may or may not know. QVC was not the first shopping channel in the UK, it was actually called 'The Shopping Channel' and was based in Isleworth at the Sky headquarters about 18 years ago, and one of the other presenters was Rob Brydon from Gavin and Stacey.

The other male incidentally was Ross Davidson who sadly died a couple of years ago. He was one of the original cast of Eastenders and played a character called Andy I believe. Anyway, trivia lesson over!

Love,

Jb x

The perils of working through Christmas

This year Christmas was all about QVC. The rotas are spread evenly between the presenters but, not having any kids, I didn't mind doing the lion's share.

There is a really nice atmosphere at work at Christmas and the only downside is the fact that there seems to be chocolates on most desks, which, being a little piglet, I cannot pass (thus the fact that I am beginning to resemble a little Buddha).

Now we are back into our stride as a company and the worst of the weather seems to have passed, at least here in the southeast, I am really looking forward to 2010.

The first big do, is my mum's 70th in a couple of weeks. I am currently having a 55Max blanket made. For those of you that dont know what this is, it's a product that we sell which gives you an opportunity to put all your favourite photos on a blanket and it will make the most ideal present for mum.

I phoned all the brothers last week and they all sent some great family shots, dating back over 40 years. I can't wait to see the results. Also, I am definitley going to be more regular with my blogs as a New Year's resolution!

Love Jb x

Christmas plans

Hi all,

Despite doing most of my Christmas shopping at QVC (why wouldn't I?) I still like to have a peep in the shops to see what I'm missing. Apparently nothing this year, however I did pick up some nice Christmas cards.

My mum and one of my brothers (Floyd) came down to London last week and, because my family is all over the UK from Exeter to Blackpool and Ross-on-Wye to London, we have decided to postpone our big Christmas celebration till January when my mum will be 70. That will be a bash for sure.

Looking at the Christmas rota, I seem to be working on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and it is always fun with a lovely relaxed atmophere around the studios. I am also in on New Year's Eve 'til mid-afternoon and then off to hopefully sunnier climes for a few days.

Have a good one, speak soon.

Jb x

Christmas outing at the Wimbledon Dog track

Hi all,

I had a whole lot of fun last night when I went on an evening out with some of our internal staff; the lovely Richard Jackson, Paul and John from the DIY shows. It has become a bit of an annual Christmas drink and over the years we have tried to attatch it to some sporting event.

One year football, a couple of years the rugby, and I suppose Dog Racing is a sport (well perhaps for the dogs) so we set out to the Wimbledon dog track.

We were all having small, fun bets and every time the races had finished Richard always seemed to think a different dog had won to everyone else. After the eigth race, I just assumed he needed glasses until it came to light that Richard thought the finish line was in a completely different part of the track, bless him.

Anyway, fun was had by all and this morning I was over the moon that I took the car last night (so didn't drink) because I can at least focus on the DIY show, and what a good show it was! 

Off for Sunday lunch and the X Factor semi-finals!

Until next time,

Jb x

So Mum is down to see me

I am delighted to say that my mum has come down to visit for a few days. We went to see Westfields, the biggest shopping centre in europe, we had lunch in Hampstead and played lots of Scrabble (I don't think I have ever beaten her yet in over 30 years of playing).

It's funny, now that I am middle aged, Mum and I watch pretty much the same telly shows. Starting in the morning with Heir Hunters, taking in Homes Under the Hammer, into the afternoon with Titchmarsh and then, of course, The One Show. Add to that QVC and the X Factor and we will never have to argue over the remote control.

She is as busy as ever, spending far too much on all the grandkids and making sure everyone is catered for for Christmas. She has a real eye for a bargain and she is on top form, so much so that I quickly took a picture of us both together this morning (above left).

All is really busy at work as you can imagine at this time of the year.

Until next week,

Jb x

Seeing how the Other Half live

So I truly had a chance to see how the other half live last weekend as I went to Vegas to celebrate my mate (and agent's) 40th birthday.

We flew to LA on the Thursday and stayed at a swanky hotel. It was a whistle-stop 24 hours there having a lovely dinner and then preparing for 'The Hangover'.

Our pal is not only very rich but also very generous and provided his private jet between Santa Monica and Las Vegas. This was the first, and probably the only time, I will ever experience this in my life and it was unbelievable. The Limos (of course) were there to meet us at the other end and I thought there and then that if I had been lucky enough to win £45 million on the lottery, that this would be my mode of transport and I could say goodbye to Ryanair forever. 

We were wisked off to Planet Hollywood, where we were introduced to Robert Earl, the owner who also has a share in Everton Football club. In the evening we went to see Peepshow, which featured Holly from 'Girls of the Playboy Mansion' (left) and, because one of the gang was friendly with Matt Goss (Bros), we went to see his Vegas show, which was out of this world.

Vegas is like a Disneyland for adults and I had a great time but now I am just getting back to normality and about to present a Yankee Candles hour!

Till next week,

Jb x

The Brothers' Official Weekend

So last weekend was the 20th anniversary of my Brothers' Official Weekend. 'What's that?' you may ask. Well, one weekend a year, all the five of us go away together for a weekend without girlfriends, kids, wives etc.

Over the years we have had many fun trips including Floyd's house at the weekend in Ross-on-Wye, my place in London, Ivan's house in Exeter, Carl's house in Blackpool and various other places including  Ireland, France and Spain among others.

We all look different because my mum is white and her first two boys, my eldest brothers, have a white father and are obviously white. Mum then met my dad who was black and had my elder brother Ivan, then me so we are both mixed race. She then married a white fella and had another child, Alex, who was born with jaundice.

A little girl called Tracey, who was about eight at the time and a family friend, commented about how clever my mum was by stating 'Aunty Marge has two white boys, two black boys and a yellow one'.

The things kids say.

Jb  x

My fantastic birthday in Ibiza

So, I am another year older and to celebrate I went to Ibiza. I am so lucky with my friends and had such a wonderful time on the White Isle.

The weather was awful. So bad that, in a strange sort of way, it was perfect. At my birthday lunch, at a gorgeous location outside on the beach, there was the most incredible thunder storm, which brought all the people huddling together because of all the commotion.

All the different groups of people bonded and friendships were made that wouldn't have normally happened. Lunch went into dinner and at about half past eight, I was ready for my bed!

However, I was kept up by my mates well into the early hours and had the hangover from Hell. The thing is, when it's self inflicted, nobody gives you any sympathy. Thank God birthdays are just once a year!

jb xx

The joys of a live studio audience

So, this week has been fun. I have replaced my Big Brother viewing with X-Factor, which, incidentally, I only like when it's in its embryonic stages. My voice is terrible so I shouldn't laugh but at least I know I am bad. I do think Simon Cowell says the things we all think and I also believe that Sophie was the deserved winner of Big Brother.

On the QVC work front, Sunday was fun. For the first time we had a live audience in for DIY on Sunday.  They were a really nice bunch and we did a studio tour and sat and had tea and cakes, and shared some funny telly anecdotes that have happened over the years.

Also some of the guests donated some great products, including drills and the Exacta saw, and everyone went home with a 'goody bag'.

A great day all-round!

Jb xx

World Athletics Championships - highs and lows

So who absolutely loved the World Athletics Championships. To see Mr Bolt break two World Records was incredible but if anything has tainted the games in my opinion it's all this gender testing nonsense for the poor South African girl, which has been handled so badly.

I feel so sorry for her that after her amazing acheivement in the 800 metres she will always be known for this situation. I say just pat her on the back and say 'well done'.

Ok, rant over. On a brighter note, did anyone see the lovely Amanda Lamb on QVC with her luggage? A true professional and a joy to work with.

Til next time,

Jb x