A place in the sun
From Toby Young Sir: I feel some sympathy for Sheridan Morley (Letters, 27 March). Like him, I've been sacked from numerous journalistic posts and
I've always had a very low opinion of my successors. Not only has he had to suffer the indignity of being replaced by me on The Spectator, then by Michael Portillo on the New Statesman; I gather he is shortly to be succeeded by Mariella Frostrup as the presenter of The Arts Programme on Radio Two.
Can I make a suggestion? I recently returned from a trip to Jamaica where I visited Firefly, Noel Coward's old house. As I was being shown round by the local tour guide, whose knowledge of Coward's life was fairly cursory, it occurred to me that this would be the perfect job for Mr Morley. Not only is he Coward's literary executor, but his extensive repertoire of theatrical anecdotes would enliven even the dullest of tour parties. The tolerance for these charming stories may not be what it once was on Fleet Street, but I'm sure that he could keep coachloads of American tourists entertained for hours.
The Jamaican tourist board might not be willing to let Mr Morley live in the house, which is rather grand, but there's a charming gardener's cottage in the grounds that would suit him very well. If he'd like me to write a letter of recommendation, I'd be happy to oblige.
Toby Young
London W12
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