From London, Jaime files this report:

In the weekend magazine called 'Play' which comes with The Times as a weekend supplement, in the section called 'My Cultural Life' which features a different person every week, the actor Brian Cox (who played the first Hannibal Lecter in 'Manhunter' which was remade into 'Red Dragon' recently) talks about his loves and pet hates of British cultural life. In the section called 'Music' he writes: 'I am a product of my time and was a great Beatles fan. I used to love the Mamas and the Papas, especially the voice of Mama Cass. In late Eighties I was besotted with Carly Simon. 'You're So Vain' is a classic. Joni Mitchell's Blue is one of my favourite albums. I have always liked women writers. They come from a position of having been used by their lovers in some way and it makes them put incredible stuff on the page.'

(Contributed by Jaime Zoob)