ANDREW Castle is the former British number one tennis player who also presented GMTV for more than a decade. Andrew gives expert analysis as lead commentator during the BBC’s coverage of the Wimbledon Championships.
You can also tune into The Great American Songbook with Andrew every Sunday from 8pm on Smooth, available across the North-East on 97-108 FM, DAB digital radio, at smoothradio.com and on the Smooth app.
For more on Andrew follow him on Twitter @AndrewCastle63
What was your first car?
My first car was a brand new VW Golf GTI 16v in black. I was 22 and had won a few tennis matches. I had taken one out from a VW dealership in Taunton, Somerset and had fallen in love with the handling. They didn't take me seriously in the shop, perhaps it was the Genesis T-shirt, so I ordered it from head office. It was stolen from a tennis tournament in Telford.
How many times did it take to pass your test?
Look, if it hadn't been first time I would have lied and said it was. The examiner smacked his clipboard down on the front dash and told me I had to know the five uses of a handbrake then said I'd passed. It was easier to pass in those days.
Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?
I would have Al Pacino in the front with Myleene Klass, Emma Crosby and Kate Garraway in the back. Oh yes, I'd put Katie Hopkins, below, in the boot! We would go to The Lamb and Flag on Blagdon Hill just outside Taunton because my mate Mark runs it and he likes Al Pacino and girls.
What is your dream car?
I'm a bit off cars at the moment because the car I am driving has extinguished my desire. It's a superb piece of kit but so boring, a BMW 520d. Groan. I exchanged a Jaguar XKR for it, it is much cheaper but I feel so middle aged. I would like a Range Rover, black, darkened windows and specced for a footballer.
How would you describe your driving style?
We all like to think we are fine drivers, full of anticipation and love for our fellow motorists but we are not. I'm not concerned with speed, handling and performance like I used to be, but I have my moments.
Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?
Driving from Taunton to Street across the Somerset Levels is a joy, when they are not underwater. I was in my TVR S (shame they no longer exist) en route, not rushing but making progress. Suddenly my mirrors were full of a big red and black motorbike being ridden well by a bloke with matching leathers. Closely behind him was a Porsche 911 Turbo and they were jousting. I hung on to them for a while but when the road straightened, they were off with a flash and a wave.
What are you listening to?
Smooth Radio of course....daft question! Also a rock station called Arrow, it's about time we had a station that plays edgier old tunes. ClassicFM for days when I need peace.
What do you drive now?
Don't remind me. Actually the Beamer is quite brilliant but I'm just annoyed because I can't work out how to reset the tripometer, or get the thing to stop telling me that the tyres are flat, or work out the sat nav. I can't even adjust the balance and fade on the radio because the computer was designed by boffins with too little experience of the real world. So there.
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