Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘No one likes virtue signalling, but are we starting to see vice signalling?’

11/03/2025 | Reform

I can’t imagine anyone likes the idea of ‘virtue signalling’. Whether you’re the accuser or the accused, you’re likely either fed up of spotting self-righteousness, or fed up that your virtuous intent isn’t being taken seriously.

I see both sides. … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘The messages could have been medical, monetary or, er, marital.’

29/01/2025 | Reform

Paul Kerensa learns from a technology fail of excruciating proportions

Enjoy, at my expense, my most embarrassing moment of recent times.

I was booked to perform a comedy show in a church – surely a scene ripe for embarrassment. Due … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘It’s language and ingredients are shrunk and packaged in a bit of cardboard’

27/11/2024 | Reform

Seven years ago I wrote a festive history book, Hark! The biography of Christmas. But festive celebrations have moved on in seven years. What traditions have evolved since? Here are 12 (the Christmassiest number) surprisingly modern customs that feel rather … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘At a Not Going Out recording, Miranda asked if I’d write for her radio sitcom’

25/10/2024 | Reform

Paul Kerensa on writing Miranda

Watching Sarah Hadland on Strictly Come Dancing lately has brought back what-I-call ‘such fun’ memories of working on Miranda.

The BBC sitcom was part of my life for a decade, from its Radio 2 origins … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘We’re trying to take a step back from smartphones – and say hello to dumbphones.’

02/10/2024 | Reform

Be smart, get dumb, says Paul Kerensa

The new academic year has meant an ‘autumn-clean’ of our family’s digital life. Somehow our two children – surely toddlers a minute ago – are now in secondary school. With that jump comes … Read More

Do stay for tea and coffee: ‘I’d forgotten that there on my bookshelf are countless words of inspiration’

06/09/2024 | Reform

Lately I’ve spent more money on hospital car parks than I’d like. Yes, we’re in one of those seasons. First came my own kidney issues, then came an ailing parent – entirely unrelated, but such is life. On some days … Read More