Steve Orme writer

23/09/2024

Terrific piece in Friday's Derby Telegraph about Storm Bodies.

06/09/2024

THE FIRST Amazon review of Storm Bodies is in – and it’s been given five stars! SH says it’s a fantastic book. It’s a “capturing read and didn’t want to put the book down! Will be purchasing Storm Deaths very soon!" Signed copies available at steveorme.co.uk or you can get the Kindle version on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Storm-Bodies-good-news-others-ebook/dp/B0D8LJYGWW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ylpVc5gHfeOpQH1ZApSQgg.1Hkw-x7mVerUJzguO5zVz6oqoHWB3nl4iNOuiSSdsog&qid=1725634853&sr=1-1

A grisly discovery by binmen on their round. A woman leaves her place of work but fails to arrive home. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Detective Inspector Miles Davies and his team need to find out. But with the Chief Constable urging Davies to come up with a way to get bored youngsters o...

04/09/2024

FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION: BACK TOGETHER AFTER THREE DECADES

Thirty-five years after splitting up, the four original members of the group Fairground Attraction are back together – and they reckon they’ve still got their unique sound which propelled them to the top of the charts.

The band had a stratospheric rise to fame in the late 1980s. Their first single Perfect became a UK number one and won best single at the 1989 Brit Awards. Their debut studio album, The First of a Million Kisses, got to number two and picked up best album at the same awards ceremony.

They don’t agree on why they went their separate ways. There were reportedly arguments before the band’s guitarist and producer Mark Nevin abandoned a recording session for their second LP.

But now Mark, singer Eddi Reader, Simon Edwards who plays guitarrón – a Mexican acoustic bass guitar – and drummer Roy Dodds are preparing to release a new album which they will be promoting on a UK tour which will stop off in Nottingham.

Eddi and Mark took time out to tell me they had no regrets about splitting up, their hopes for the band’s future and why their music is still popular.

* For the full article go to https://steveorme.co.uk/articles/fairground-attraction-back-together-after-35-years/

24/08/2024

FANCY some holiday reading? Lynn Moore has read both my novels and says: l thoroughly enjoyed both books Storm Death and Storm Bodies. l love the way Steve wrote about the characters in the book and the story lines had you trying to guess who done it, plus myself being a Derby girl could relate to most of the places in the book, but learned one thing l didn't know about Derby and that's it's basketball team it sounds exciting." Signed copies available from me, [email protected]. The books are also available via Amazon as Kindle ebooks:

A grisly discovery by binmen on their round. A woman leaves her place of work but fails to arrive home. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Detective Inspector Miles Davies and his team need to find out. But with the Chief Constable urging Davies to come up with a way to get bored youngsters o...

19/08/2024

TRIGGER HAPPY DOM JOLY IS THE CONSPIRACY TOURIST

Does Finland really exist? Did President John F Kennedy commit su***de? And is the earth flat? Those are some of the topics that will be discussed in Dom Joly’s latest show The Conspiracy Tourist.

Yes, it’s the same Dom Joly who starred in the practical joke comedy series Trigger Happy TV in which he answered a huge mobile phone and shouted “HELLO” at the top of his voice.

For the past ten years Dom has been writing travel books. He has taken his latest one, The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World, and turned it into a stage show in which he looks at the wacky world of conspiracies.

He explained the thinking behind the book and the show: “Conspiracies used to be fun – is Elvis still alive? Did we land on the moon?

“But recently they’ve become much more insidious and dangerous. So I thought I’d travel around the world and have a look at what on earth’s going on.

“Essentially I’m on stage and talking you through the weird world of conspiracies in what I hope is a very funny way but is also informative and illuminating.”

* For the full article go to https://steveorme.co.uk/articles/trigger-happy-dom-joly-is-the-conspiracy-tourist/

09/08/2024

DON'T FORGET: I'll be holding another book-signing session tomorrow (Saturday) at Foston and Scropton Community Hall, Scropton Road, Scropton DE65 5PN. from 10am until 12 noon Copies of Storm Bodies available as well as my first book Storm Deaths. Storm Bodies features a crime committed in Hilton. Former Nottinghamshire coroner Dr Nigel Chapman said it’s an “excellent read” and is “really enjoyable”, with twists and turns.

05/08/2024

JOIN ME for another book-signing session this Saturday at Foston and Scropton Community Hall, Scropton Road, Scropton DE65 5PN. from 10am until 12 noon Copies of Storm Bodies available as well as my first book Storm Deaths. Storm Bodies features a crime committed in Hilton. Former Nottinghamshire coroner Dr Nigel Chapman said it’s an “excellent read” and is “really enjoyable”, with twists and turns.

23/07/2024

RADIO DERBY’S IAN SKYE: “BEST JOB IN THE WORLD”

Few things in this rapidly changing technological world stay the same, especially in broadcasting where bosses are always trying to attract more and sometimes younger listeners.

But there’s one constant for those who listen to BBC Radio Derby: the knowledgeable yet jovial voice of Ian Skye who’s been educating, informing and entertaining listeners for the past 13 years.

After a busy mid-morning show Ian sat down with me to chat about his eventful career, how it almost went “spectacularly wrong”, what brought him to tears and the only time he’s been starstruck. Who affected him in that way? The answer may surprise you . . .

For the full story go to:

Few things in this rapidly changing technological world stay the same, especially in broadcasting where bosses are always trying to attract more and sometimes younger listeners.

18/07/2024

Notts TV kindly invited me in to their studio yesterday to talk about my latest crime novel Storm Bodies. Here's me being interviewed by Mark Dennison on Notts Today. Copies of the book are available from my website, steveorme.co.uk

15/07/2024

Hear me chatting to Kev Castle on Nottingham Hospitals Radio about my second novel, "Storm Bodies".

Novelist and playwright Steve Orme chats to Kev Castle on Nottingham Hospitals Radio about his second novel, "Storm Bodies"

12/07/2024

IT'S PUBLICATION DAY! You can now obtain a copy of my second crime novel, Storm Bodies.

Just as in my first book Storm Deaths, the story involves a detective inspector, Miles Davies, investigating a series of crimes committed in the East Midlands.

One of my friends who checked it for errors commented: "I read a lot of fictional crime stories and I have to say this book is up there with the best. Much, much better than a lot I’ve read."

I'll be signing copies tomorrow (Saturday) at TLC Foods and Bakery, 2 Main Street, Hilton from 10 until 12.30 and then at the Masons Arms, Mickleover from 1 until 3. If you can't make it and would like a copy, email me at [email protected].

10/07/2024

ONLY TWO DAYS TO GO!

09/07/2024

SECOND BOOK SIGNING arranged for Saturday (July 13th), at the Masons Arms, Mickleover - which gets a mention in Storm Bodies - from 1 until 3pm. If you can't make it and would like a copy, email me at [email protected].

08/07/2024

PUBLICATION DAY is this Friday! Book signing sessions fixed for Saturday (July 13th), the first of which is at TLC Foods and Bakery, 2 Main Street, Hilton (behind Renaissance Hair) from 10am until 12.30pm. Hope to see you there.

03/06/2024

IRITA MARRIOTT: FROM ANTIQUES EXPERT TO TELEVISION CELEBRITY

Irita Marriott relaxes in the auction house that bears her name, chatting unreservedly about how weird she finds it that in little over a decade she’s gone from having no knowledge of antiques to becoming an expert and television celebrity.

Although the building on Derby Road is officially closed, there’s a succession of visitors including a television crew getting extra shots for Irita’s new TV show.

She’s unfazed by the interruptions as she talks about how poor her family was when she was brought up in Latvia, the decisions that totally changed her life, why she wanted to become one of only a handful of women in this country who have their own auction house and the misogyny that’s embedded in the antiques business.

It’s evident that Irita has a steely determination that has helped her to be successful. But she also has a charming side to her that comes across when she reveals she still finds it “weird” that people recognise her from being on television.

Forty-year-old Irita was born in Latvia and, she explains, life wasn’t easy.

“We lived on a farm until I was six. You only ate what you could forage, what you could grow, kill or catch. It’s funny – I remember those years as the hard years but actually life after that was much harder."

For the full story go to: https://steveorme.co.uk/articles/irita-marriott-from-antiques-expert-to-television-celebrity/

15/05/2024

RUBY WAX: I’M NOT AS WELL AS I THOUGHT I WAS

You probably know Ruby Wax as a brash, forthright, no-holds-barred American comedian. You might not know she has also acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company, toured the world filming television documentaries – and has on two occasions spent time in a psychiatric clinic.

Ruby has documented her latest stay in a mental institution in her book I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was which is out in paperback.

She has also turned her experience into a stage show which she will be performing in both Nottingham and Derby. She admits she found the process difficult.

“(The stage show) can’t be similar to the book because it has to have movement and it has to stay snappy. You’re getting a theatrical version. It’s like watching any show. It’s very beautiful and it works. You take a journey with me rather than reading about it.”

For the full story go to:

You probably know Ruby Wax as a brash, forthright, no-holds-barred American comedian. You might not know she has also acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company, toured the world filming television documentaries – and has on two occasions spent time in a psychiatric clinic.

26/04/2024

Just a reminder that you have only until next Tuesday, 30th April, to sign up for my newsletter. On May 1st subscribers will receive FREE the first four chapters of my latest crime novel Storm Bodies. It would be a crime to miss out on the mysterious events happening in Hilton, Derby, Nottingham and the wider East Midlands. A friend who’s been given a preview copy to check for errors said it’s a “fabulous read” and she “didn’t want to put it down”. Please go to www.steveorme.co.uk to subscribe.

11/04/2024

BILLY IVORY: GREAT ESCAPER WHO WRITES FOR THE STARS

Imagine you’re writing a film and you’re asked who you would ideally like to play the two lead roles. That happened to Nottinghamshire-born screenwriter William Ivory on his last project and he had no hesitation: Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson.

When approached both actors astonishingly said they wanted parts in The Great Escaper which was released in 2023.

The film is based on the true story of 89-year-old British World War II Royal Navy veteran Bernard Jordan who “broke out” of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France in June 2014.

William, also known as Billy, admits he was nervous about working with the two superstars: “It was a huge physical commitment to expect them to do it. We were all set to go and the producer rang me to say Michael’s back was bad and he couldn’t walk. Everything was off.

“I was heartbroken. But then incredibly nearly a year later Michael rang up and said he’d had a back operation and was ready to go. He said ‘I want to make this film and I want to tell this story’.

For the full article go to:www.steveorme.co.uk

06/04/2024

I’m delighted to reveal the cover for my second crime novel Storm Bodies. I hope you agree it’s really impressive. And here’s the good news: anyone who signs up for my regular newsletter will receive the first four chapters absolutely free! All you need to do is go to my website www.steveorme.co.uk and fill in the short form when the box appears.

Storm Bodies, like my first novel Storm Deaths, is set in the East Midlands and locations include Derby, Mickleover, Hilton and Nottingham. One of my friends who’s been given a preview copy to check for errors said it’s a “fabulous read” and she “didn’t want to put it down”.

As well as receiving the free chapters, subscribers will be the first to know the release date of Storm Bodies.

07/03/2024

CLIVE MANTLE: NO CASUALTY AS GIANT RETURNS TO THEATRE

He’s a towering figure of the British entertainment scene – and not just because of his height. Clive Mantle who many television viewers remember as Dr Mike Barrett from the BBC TV drama series Casualty is to make his first appearance at Nottingham Playhouse in more than 30 years.

Clive, all six feet five-and-a-half inches of him, is to play a nuclear physicist in Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children, a “gripping and funny thriller” which is set in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster.

He comes over as thoughtful, happy and grateful to be employed. His advice to people in two minds about seeing it: don’t get the wrong idea.

“It shouldn’t be viewed in terms of a bleak, post-nuclear fallout dirge – it really isn’t. It’s three very intelligent, bright people discussing what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong in their lives. The things that they discuss will ring bells with an audience. It’s very pertinent."

For the full story go to:

He’s a towering figure of the British entertainment scene – and not just because of his height. Clive Mantle who many television viewers remember as Dr Mike Barrett from the BBC TV drama series Casualty is to make his first appearance at Nottingham Playhouse in more than 30 years.

08/02/2024

VENUE DIRECTOR IS PETER IRESON’S DREAM JOB

The East Midlands has been a hotbed of entertainment for decades – and Nottingham can rightly claim to be the region’s capital when it comes to attracting big names.

Although acts and tastes come and go, one asset that has remained constant is Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall.
Well over half a million people visit the venue each year to see more than 600 performances including rock musicals, ballet and everything in between.

Being responsible for putting on those shows might be a daunting prospect for some people. But Peter Ireson who has been venue director since 2019 and has worked in all areas of the performing arts reckons it’s his dream job.

“Obviously I have my nervous times as the boss. It’s a great privilege but it’s also a big responsibility. Over Covid I worried about the venue and I worried about the staff – but it’s what I chose for my career and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

For the full story go to:
https://steveorme.co.uk/articles/venue-director-is-peter-iresons-dream-job/

05/01/2024

ED BYRNE: FINDING COMEDY IN TRAGEDY

Writers going back as far as Shakespeare have recognised that comedy can be found in tragedy. And that’s what chirpy Irish comedian Ed Byrne is aiming to demonstrate in his latest show.

Tragedy Plus Time is about the death of Ed’s brother Paul. And Ed discovered that the show could work when he performed a couple of preview gigs in Derbyshire.

Ed explains that his latest offering is different from what he normally gets up to: “It was Mark Twain apparently who said humour could be defined as tragedy plus time. Something that’s not funny at the time can become funny later. I’m just seeing how far I can stretch that as a concept.”

Paul died from liver damage almost two years ago at the age of 44. He directed comedy shows and, according to Ed, was himself very funny.

“I do think he would want me to turn his death into a one-person touring comedy show and that’s what I’ve done. But it was more difficult than anything I’ve done before. I had to balance being funny with telling what’s quite a sad story."

* To read more go to:

Writers going back as far as Shakespeare have recognised that comedy can be found in tragedy. And that’s what chirpy Irish comedian Ed Byrne is aiming to demonstrate in his latest show.

18/12/2023

WAR HORSE JOHN TAMS STILL GETTING AWAY WITH IT

When your work has been seen by an audience of 60 million people, you’ve appeared on stage with some of the finest actors in the country and you’ve made more than 80 albums, you might be forgiven for blowing your own trumpet.

But not Derbyshire musician, composer and singer John Tams. Ask him what he is most proud of and he replies self-deprecatingly: “Getting away with it.”

John who counts film director Steven Spielberg and legendary composer John Williams among his colleagues has been working for more than 50 years in every branch of performing.

*Read the full story at

When your work has been seen by an audience of 60 million people, you’ve appeared on stage with some of the finest actors in the country and you’ve made more than 80 albums, you might be forgiven for blowing your own trumpet.

15/12/2023

DERBY COUNTY: GOOD TIMES RETURNING FOR THE RAMS?

Just over 50 years since the legendary Brian Clough and Peter Taylor handed in their resignations at Derby County, fans have been speculating whether the good times will ever return. The view of one Rams legend is “never say never” but a media expert isn’t so sure because these days the game is dominated by money.

For the full story go to: steveorme.co.uk/articles/derby-county-good-times-returning-for-the-rams/

01/12/2023

SHANE RICHIE: LAUGHTER AND TEARS FOR THE EASTENDERS STAR

According to Greek philosopher Plato, art imitates life. That’s clearly evident when you look at some of the storylines in today’s soap operas. EastEnders is no exception, with Shane Richie’s character Alfie Moon suffering from prostate cancer – a storyline that has left an impression on so many people.

He returned to the BBC programme in autumn 2023 when a new EastEnders’ boss decided that Walford couldn’t do without Alfie.

Shane says he was delighted to be asked to go back.

“Where the BBC and EastEnders lead the way is in telling stories that hit a nerve and raise awareness. I’ve been inundated with families, mostly mums and wives, who’ve said since watching EastEnders their dad or husband has gone to have a check (for prostate cancer) and thankfully is in the clear or they’ve caught it early. To play a part of that has been a real honour.”

* For the full story go to https://steveorme.co.uk/articles/shane-richie-laughter-and-tears-for-the-eastenders-star/

27/11/2023

What a fantastic tour it's been of my first play, What's Your Poison? Brilliant cast and backstage crew, excellent venues all over the country and really appreciative audiences. Many thanks to Karen Henson, Pavan Maru, John Goodrum and Jodie Garnish. I'll never forget your hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and support. Sad that it's now over - but overjoyed that it's been such a fabulous couple of months.

01/11/2023

Missed my chat with Susan Hanks on BBC Radio Derby yesterday about my play What's Your Poison? It's now on my website: https://steveorme.co.uk/.../whats-your-poison-tour-underway/

31/10/2023

At a loose end this afternoon? Hear me talking about the tour of What's Your Poison? on Susan Hanks' show on BBC Radio Derby just after 3pm.

20/10/2023

ICYMI: here's the ITV Central piece on What's Your Poison? which features John Goodrum, Pavan Maru, Jodie Garnish, a Rugeley historian and me. If you're coming to Derby Theatre tomorrow, hope you enjoy it. Someone who saw it last night at Runcorn said: "It was a fabulous show, full of mixed emotions of deep sadness, distress, laughter and a potential miscarriage of justice. Congratulations to all involved. I would advise anyone to go and see this."

19/10/2023

Fabulous piece about What's Your Poison? on ITV Central on Wednesday. Pavan Maru and Jodie Garnish also interviewed. Missed it? Go to https://www.itv.com/news/central/2023-04-29/itv-central-east-catch-up-on-the-latest-programme-for-the-east-midlands and it starts at 28' 17". But be quick - it'll only be on until this evening.