Isle of Wight cancer units to benefit from new book

Peter White said his new book  I’m Glad I Did – The Hazy, Crazy Life of a Journalist. covers many years in newspapers, writing about sport, Isle of Wight people and much more.

And the decision to support two local cancer units stems from personal experience of them.

He said: “The prime aim of the book is to raise money for local units who deal directly with breast cancer at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

Peter White with Brummie comedian Jsper Carrott, one of the people he interviewed (Image: Peter White)

"My wife, Trish, died in 2011, aged just 53, following a long battle with the disease, and I have never forgotten the kindness and compassion shown by the nurses and staff in the chemotherapy unit and in the Breast Care Nurses Trust.

"A donation from every book sold will be made to the two units.”

Peter has interviewed numerous famous people since moving to the Island in 1999 – having previously lived and worked in Birmingham.

They include film stars, actors, TV personalities, comedians, pop icons and even a couple of ex-Government ministers.

Although Peter covered top flight football for 39 seasons, both in the Midlands and on the south coast, he points out there is far more to the book than just sports tales.

He said: “I have tried to make the book not about me, but give an insight into the wonderful, and not so wonderful people I have met and interviewed.

"There are tales about former Premier League football managers - including one who invited me into his office at 10am one Monday morning, to help him drink a bottle of whisky after he had been sacked. Then there’s the well-known British athlete who threatened to punch me on the nose at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, if I dared to ask him a question.

"I reveal why the Princess Royal was tested at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, and tell why a jockey mate told me not to have a bet on his Grand National ‘no-hoper’. There’s also the story of an Island man who was a prisoner of war in the Far East.

"There’s also a very emotional interview with a former estate agent, who came to the Isle of Wight to seek sanctuary, after being horrifically kidnapped.

"Hopefully, some stories will make you smile, and others might result in wiping away a tear.”

After working in Banbury, Leamington Spa and Coventry, Peter became chief writer of the Birmingham-based Saturday evening football paper, the Sports Argus.

Following a spell on national papers, he went freelance.

Peter is also a former editor of Isle of Wight magazines, The Beacon and Island Life.

Last year, Peter co-wrote former Aston Villa manager, Brian Little's book.

He added: “The book’s title came about because early in my life I had a few setbacks. After those, I vowed to make the most of every opportunity, so now I can look back and say: “I’m glad I did, rather than I wish I had.”

You can buy a copy of the book HERE