One of the best media events I’ve been to recently was the appearance by Dame Ann Leslie at a Birmingham Press Club celebrity lunch.

For those who don’t know, Dame Ann is one of last of the titans of Fleet Street. She actually began her career in Manchester at the ‘Daily Express’, a paper which she described as being great in those days, but ‘crap’ now. Well, I don’t think many people would argue with that.

Anyway, Dame Ann is best known for her work as foreign correspondent on the ‘Daily Mail’, and she proceeded to enthral her Birmingham audience with tales of her experiences over the years.

She certainly has got plenty of tales – during her career she has reported from more than 70 countries, and her experiences have ranged from standing besides the prison gates when Nelson Mandela was released to being taught how to play poker by Count Basie.

The question and answer session was just as entertaining – someone asked if there was anyone who she wished she could meet and interview, and she responded by naming the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il.

Judging by the way he looks these days, she’ll have to get a move on!

Filed under: Public Relations