May 2025

Another quiet month again although I have been approached to re-release the hardback version of my book “The Singer’s Singer: The Life and Music of Matt Monro’. I am very grateful that it has continued to sell very well over the 15 years since publication but I am constantly surprised by the people who come up to me on the ship saying they didn’t know there was a book available on one of Britain’s biggest exports.

The only reason I’m not rushing the decision to re-release the book but I’m questioning whether to update it. It’s a meaty read as it is but like all things, certain stories have come to light since going to press. I will give you an update when I have come to a decision.

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I had a lovely email from Amanda Hodges, a freelance writer who was recently commissioned to profile Matt Monro for an upcoming edition of ‘Retro’. I asked if she could ask the editor to send me a copy for my archives and it arrived a few days ago. I scoured all 82 pages of the magazine twice but could find no reference about the singer. Her original email had stated that it was only a succinct overview of dad’s life but so I scanned the magazine more carefully thinking it must be so small that I’d missed it. I was forced to email Amanda asking what page the article was on and it turned out it is in the May issue and they had sent me the April edition, lol

‘Matt’s Kind of Podcast’ was launched on dad’s birthday last year and we are putting up one edition every month. So, make sure you pop by in the next day or two to catch the newest edition. Although we have garnered several thousand listeners each month, we haven’t had much feedback and questions have been light so if you have a topic or question you would like to see covered then please email either Richard of myself and we’ll do out best to cover it.

This month we are delving into dad’s posting to Hong Kong and in June we are talking everything Eurovision to mark the show’s grand final on 17 May which is taking place in St Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland following the country’s victory at the 2024 contest with the song ‘The Code’ by Nemo. It will be the third time that Switzerland has hosted the contest, having previously done so for the inaugural contest in 1956 and the 1989 contest, held in Lugano and Lausanne, respectively.

The bookies favourites at the moment are Sweden, Austria and France. England is being represented by trio Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele who took part in the television singing competition The Voice back in 2019 and they have also performed at festivals including BST Hyde Park, Country to Country, The Long Road and Buckle and Boots.

Dad’s podcast is continuing to grow thanks to all your support and I’m really excited to announce that we are featuring our first special guest in the next few months so I’ll update you as soon as we’ve finalized our dates. It’s been hard enough trying to find a time that works for both Richard and my schedules but add a third person in the mix and we’re lucky we can fit it in this year, lol

Dad’s YouTube channel frequently features rare television performances, interviews and shorts but don’t worry if you weren’t with us from the very beginning as the channel still has all the ones you may have missed by not visiting yet. It’s all totally free and if you register, the site will send you a reminder every time something new is added. It would be amazing to hit the 200,000-subscriber mark so please tell all your friends to visit us and help us grow so that I can keep dad’s legacy of songs burning bright.

Later in the year we are putting together another audio compilation which will be available on dad’s YouTube channel in the near future. The working title at the moment is “Matt at the BBC Volume 2’ so watch this space.

Don’t forget to visit dad’s very own YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/MattMonroOfficial

Excitedly I am boarding Ambassador’s Ambience on 5 May (Treasures of the Mediterranean) and then staying on for a back-to-back working cruise which starts on 7 June (Midnight Sun Marvels). I would love to see some of you onboard and if you take the plunge do come up and say hello.

The flagship of the fleet, the name Ambience was derived from the French word for ‘surrounding’, their ambition at Ambassador is to create the optimum atmosphere onboard; one that brings out the best in each of their passengers.

With an average 1,400-guest capacity and careful configuration, she offers both a feeling of spaciousness and freedom, whilst retaining that sense of intimacy and camaraderie everyone craves; it’s whatever makes you comfortable.

Entertainment-wise, she offers a great choice I can let my hair down at the Observatory and watch some great shows in The Palladium. There are numerous bars to whet your whistle, including Raffles Bar, Botanical Lounge, SW19 and The Purple Turtle Pub, where the daily quizzes are held.

Dining options are plentiful at their Buckingham restaurant or the Borough Market, and my personal favourite the Alfresco Grill which serve the most delicious burgers. Wining and dining are more than fine at Saffron*, Sea & Grass* or their deluxe Chef’s Table*, where they offer a specialty gastronomic experience that’s not to be missed.

You can never get bored with a gym, crafting studio, a bridge and card room, a casino, library and shopping gallery. On deck there is a swimming pool, two hot tubs and a large screen for outdoor movies.

I have been on the brand’s sister ship Ambition but Ambience is my personal favourite. Now the cruise line has announced the newest edition to their fleet, Renaissance and from what I’ve gathered it will be sited in the Caribbean so it will be a first for the company in offering fly-cruises. I haven’t flown in years nor do I intend to – I couldn’t take the luggage I would want – so for now I’m sticking to Ambience and looking forward to being welcomed by her wonderful crew.

Apologies to everyone that came and asked me for one of my books on my last cruise but I was actually on holiday and only stepped in when someone went ill so I didn’t have any merchandise on me, but I promise I will take some merchandise this year.

I know you’ve all heard this before but in light of a new Argentina interview dad did which has only just landed on our desks, please, please let us know if you have any rare footage, (even if you taped it illegally, lol), jingles or photos of dad. I ranted on for years on every radio interview I did trying to trace dad’s original Camay jingle and 18 years later a fan sent it in. Asking why she had held it back for so long, she replied “I thought you would already have it”.

While I can understand that in the old days recording shows by the public was difficult, I cannot believe that there is no recording of dad’s Barbican concert from 1985, one of the last he did. There are also dozens of jingles still to be found although they are hard to find as the artist is not accredited to the product. Richard and I have spent months and months listening to product jingles that we know that dad was involved in and we, well to be honest Richard, has found several over the years so come on all you diehard fans, take a look in your attics, even if you have reel tapes we have the equipment to listen to it. Fingers crossed.

Once again, I hope you have a happy and healthy year. As I’ll be out of the country next month Richard will be touching base with you all in June.. In the meantime, stay safe and keep spreading the MM legacy.

Much love

Michele xx