Read our Birmingham Mail columnists' columns for interesting comment on Birmingham news, sport, lifestyle and events across the UK.

Spaghetti Junction myth is untangled Oct 13 2011

ONE of Birmingham’s most enduring urban myths has been laid to rest after nearly 40 years, Hancock can reveal.Read

It's a dog's life for Jo's pet pooch Oct 13 2011

HANCOCK applauds broadcaster Joanne Malin’s efforts to raise money for Children In Need.Read

A Krafty way of answering calls Oct 13 2011

SIGN of the times, or omen for the future? Callers to the historic Cadbury factory at Bournville are now greeted with a switchboard response of “Kraft Foods...”Read

Old war horse has no plans to retire Oct 06 2011

THERE was rejoicing in the Central TV newsroom this week when news anchor Bob Warman reached a milestone birthday.Read

Mayor hopeful Gisela shares a dark secret... Oct 06 2011

EDGBASTON MP Gisela Stuart has become the third Labour politician to say they would like to become the first directly elected mayor of Birmingham.Read

Whitby gets help with his trimming Sep 30 2011

THE usual suspects were out in force for the opening of celebrity hairdresser Adee Phelan’s new £1.5 million salon in The Cube.Read

A fine figure of a man... in his day Sep 30 2011

BIRMINGHAM councillor Peter Griffiths does not cut an athletic figure these days, but back in the 1970s he made a bit of a name for himself as an international steeplechaser.Read

Committee's steamy date Sep 23 2011

BIRMINGHAM’S elected members found themselves negotiating their way through the legal and moral maze that is the city’s sexual entertainment industry this week.Read

Meet the (sour) cat that got the cream... Sep 23 2011

‘SMILE, please. Come on, smile... oh forget it.’Read

Power failure Sep 23 2011

IT’S the moment any high-powered businessman or top civil dreads – turning up to give a talk only to find that you’ve brought the wrong Powerpoint presentation.Read

...When Tory councillors ruled the Earth Sep 23 2011

OVER at the Lib Dem conference one of Birmingham’s top Tories was out and about being all fraternal with his sandal-wearing coalition partners.Read

Hancock: Aston Villa star comes under pressure from fan Sep 16 2011

“SAY you hate Blues. Say it. Say you hate Blues!”Read

Dancing queen Rob ready for savaging on terraces Sep 09 2011

FOOTBALL fans either love him or mostly hate him, so it will be interesting to see how long Robbie Savage lasts when the public gets to vote on Strictly Come Dancing.Read

Food critic is on the menu Sep 09 2011

THE Birmingham Mail’s restaurant critic Paul Fulford is more used to commenting on menus rather than appearing on them.Read

Van's the man of very few words Sep 09 2011

VAN Morrison may be a survivor from the 60s Woodstock generation, but spiritually he appears to belong to the age of the credit crunch... at least, that’s what many in the audience may have felt following last week’s show at Symphony Hall.Read

Wake up! Sep 09 2011

HANCOCK was perplexed to pick up a bottle of eye drops to read instructions that said: “Use only during waking hours.”Read

Testing times for curry boss Sep 02 2011

NO-ONE could accuse Birmingham restaurateur Rai Singh of being star-struck when the Indian cricket team was in town for the recent Test.Read

Fine art of comic capers Sep 02 2011

THERE was excitement when Spider-man jumped out of a Ford Focus near New Street Station while Batman’s sidekick Robin was also seen making a lonely path through the streets. It emerged Batman had forgotten his boots and had gone home to get them.Read

I name this child Hercule... Sep 02 2011

TV presenter Ben Shephard would like Hancock to set the record straight about the name of his younger son.Read

I'd rather eat a bug than dance on telly! Aug 18 2011

DON’T expect to see Josie Lawrence on a reality TV show any time soon, despite her being asked to take part in both Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!Read