About me

From investigating paranormal activity, to hosting debates on BBC1's The Heaven and Earth Show, Simon Biagi's TV career certainly hasn't been boring! Known for being GMTV's first weatherman, Simon's presented weather from a bathtub of milk...

Read Simon Biagi's full biography

There’s no drought in Scotland!

I was up in Scotland for the weekend for a friend's 50th birthday and I can tell you that there is no danger of drought conditions there! It seemed to rain pretty much all the time and I must admit I had forgotten just how wet the weather can be (I must have become a southern softy in the last few years!).

A great party was had though and it was really nice catching up with all the friends I haven’t seen for such a long time (some for over 20 years) but wow, I am beginning to feel old as all their kids were there and partying too - as they are all in their 20s. With my youngest being just four, it does seem I have a lot to look forward to - scared!!

It was nice to see my brother and sisters too and catch up with a bit of their news but time just goes so quickly. What with delayed flights etc I only seemed to have arrived before it was time to head home again. Still got back in time to rip out an old bathroom we are refurbishing and in the process of doing so made my hands very unsuitable for some forthcoming jewellery shows! Oh hum he said reaching for a large dollop of Alison Young’s L’Occitane hand cream. It appears that it’s not just the bathroom that needs renovating now.

See ya soon

Simon x

 

Oh what a beautiful morning!

I was driving in the other day at some ungodly hour, having been woken by a screaming fox at 4.15am, looking forward to doing the morning show with Anne, when I was mesmerized by the most gorgeous moon. A delightful slither of glowing amber, a new moon, hovering low in the sky left me in state of reverie.

I am so often left feeling privileged to have seen the sights that mother nature provides us with and that morning was very special. As I marvelled at the moon the sun began to rise and with hints of apricot and crimson it rose over a grey London in the most amazing cobalt blue sky.

Never be a doubting Thomas!

When I heard that we had a new version of the fabulous patio cleaning set that Paul Langdon and Jon Brook have brought us, I was bit worried. The previous set was great (and over 40,000 people can't be wrong!), so I was worried when I heard that the new version was better and only a pound or so more than the last one, I thought - 'if it aint broke don’t fix it!'. So when I asked to see a sample and give it try I was surprised - very pleasantly so.

The new one has all the same features (I don’t know if you remember the old one had two wire brush heads and a sturdy metal pole), although the design is an improvement. However the big thing is you now get a new brush head too, and that is the best ever! It's a standard style brush head, incorporating the normal bristles but in there are some little wire ones too, which makes it fabulous not just for standard sweeping but cleaning as you go.

I love it and I think the boys have done a great job, so I’m looking forward to telling you all about it on air on Sunday.

Simon x

How does your wisteria look?

I was in a meeting at work the other day where we were discussing the up and coming TSVs and (I think the official secrets act allows me to say this) was delighted to hear all about the forthcoming wisteria TSV that’s planned for Wednesday 14th March.

I had always been under the impression that wisteria take about seven years of growth before they start flowering. Of course then you get those beautiful long racemes (I’ll check with Richard if that’s the right term) of blue violet that really take your breath away.

Invicta man!

A little while ago, one of our buyers in the watch department asked me if I'd like to try out some watches from a great new brand - Invicta. They told me that they are chunky, sporty cool watches that are sought after by collectors, as they are only produced in limited numbers. Sounded right up my street so it didn't take much persuading for me to start wearing a load of new watches (all on loan I hasten to add!).

They are very cool and I have loved the reaction from people who have seen them. Our guests were the first to comment, with Nick Alsbury (who, like me, has a thing about watches) and Gill Gauntlet trying them on and agreeing with me that the chunky oversized look is pretty neat. There is a constantly changing massive range, with prices starting at about £35.00, and although there are some ladies specific models, the big ones are suitable for everyone.

The pictures above show some of the new models which will be on the next Invicta show at 8pm on Tuesday February 7th. I can't be with Wim Van Brul, our Invicta guest so Charlie will be at the helm, but I might call in to bother the boys about my favourites! And by the way... us fellas love watches as Valentines Day gifts (hint, hint!)

 

 Simon x

Our beloved Tyra has gone

It’s with immense sadness that I share the news, our oldest dog died at the weekend. Tyra, our Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Reetriever was our constant companion for almost 15 years, and although she wasn’t really ill, she was blind and deaf and becoming more infirm with each week that went by. She died on Friday very peacefully.

We are all very sad that she is no longer with us, but happy that she was such a fabulous dog with the whole family and glad of all the great memories we have of her. We are also glad that we have our (relatively speaking) new boy 'Jamie' to snuggle up to when we’re watching TV – the kids are especially happy he’s here at the moment.

No matter how much you prepare yourself for the inevitable, it always hits you hard and takes a long while to come to terms with. Tyra was a wonderful dog and she has a very special place in my heart.
 
Simon x

 

 

 

Let the sun shine!

I don't know if you remember, about six months ago I was wondering if I should install some solar panels. I had been thinking about it for a while and was keen to help the environment and save a bit of money on my 'leccy' bills! Well I went ahead with it and here's what it looks like (see picture left).

I think that it blends in reasonably well and isn't too intrusive. It was commissioned in December and even though December and January are the dullest months of the year, we have already generated 73kw hours of power and saved 43kg of CO2 from going into the environment. 

I must admit,  it's not exactly going to save the planet, but come the summer... things might be different!

Simon (the green) Xx

Pretty beads!

I recently did a great new show, with the delightful Betsy Kaye, called Sonoma Valley Beads. The show was a brand new concept for QVC and it was really nice to be involved. Betsy lives in the Sonoma Valley in California, and it's from here that she designs her fabulous jewellery range.

She loves to use beads, pearls and other gems (often with bright and varied colours) and the idea was floated that if we could source a reliable supplier for high quality, beautiful gemstones and pearls that were all drilled and ready for beading, it would give lots of people that chance to create their own beautiful jewellery. Betsy worked with our buyers and her suppliers and the 'Sonoma Valley Bead' range was born!

The decorations are down!

I hope you all had a great Christmas and have started the New Year well! We had a super time and I really enjoyed having my parents-in-law with us for a week – no, really, I DID enjoy having them!

Father Christmas did turn up with all the presents from Norway, although in the photo my daughter looks a little non plussed at the fact his beard had slipped a bit! It’s a shame that grandpa (Bestefar if you’re from Norway) was having a nap when Julenise came!

Yo ho ho!

As I sit at my computer, I am just finishing off before heading to the airport to get my in-laws, who will be with us for Christmas. The kids are really excited and Christmas really will begin when they arrive!

They are from Norway and the tradition there is a big meal and presents on the 24th. At 5.30pm Father Christmas knocks at the door and comes in with all the presents. It has been tricky with us being so far from Norway, but we have been lucky that he has always found us!

Unfortunately I always seem to be round at the neighbours having a glass of sherry when he comes, but this year I have a bet with my son that I will be there! I really love the kids faces when he comes in! I wonder if Grandpa will manage to be there?

Then, off course, we do the English Christmas, with turkey and all the trimmings on the 25th. I am in for a lot of cooking, but I am looking forward to doing a Heston Blumenthal recipe with the turkey and pulling lots of crackers!

Whatever you and yours are up to this festive period, I hope you have a wonderful time.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Simon.