Up close and personal with actor, ITV weather presenter and all-round top chap, Des Coleman
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I present the weather for ITV Central which is the oldest commercial network in the UK. Anything to do with entertainment we do. I know that’s a broad-brush statement but we paint with the artistry of Picasso – can’t believe I just said that! My middle name is Fitzgerald and I was named after JFK.
HOW DO YOU GET INTO TOWN?
I drive in from Derby using the nightmare that’s known as the M42. For me though being in the car is one of the few times when I’m alone and whether the journey is a smooth 40 minutes or a couple of hours it gives me time to chillax into the new day.
HOW’S THE COMMUTE?
Less of a commute more of an easing into the day ahead. I tend to think about what theatre shows we are about to do for the coming week.
IS BRUM A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IN?
Fabulous!! ITV is about the community, telling people’s stories, giving factual informing on what’s happening and hopefully putting a giant emoji smile across the region so there’s nowhere better to be than in the heart of the West Midlands.
COFFEE BREAK?
Usually Brindleyplace with some work colleagues. They saw one of our Rat Pack theatre posters for Crescent and took the mickey out of my cheesy grin. Cheers guys!
LUNCHTIME?
A coffee and a cake rather than a sandwich. Either that or pop to the gym for 20 minutes. I’m not a sedentary person. If I’m not active I feel as though I’ll implode. I used to get told off in school for fidgeting, swinging on my chair or tapping my feet. Good job I went to drama school, we could all fling ourselves off the walls. Fab times and I learned a lot.
POWERWALKING?
If I’ve got my headphones on you’ll catch me swishing to the tunes as I walk down the street. People look at me as though I’m mad but I’m in the zone and probably imagining saving the world as well.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE CITY?
Literally anywhere, sometimes it’s the hubbub of Broad Street, at others it’s the still of the canal walk.
AFTERWORK PINT?
I tend to head home. My 13-year-old plays golf – he’s off 11 at the moment – and my daughter is in the England set-up for netball, so we’re busy dropping them all over the country for matches. It’s non-stop but great too.
WHAT’S THE RAT PACK SHOW ALL ABOUT?
The Rat Pack show is at the Crescent Theatre, Brindleyplace on 27 July. We’ve been voted No 1 tribute band for the past three years. You’ll come out the theatre flying. Loads of laughter and fun and we’ve been doing it for 15 years.