Ryan Tubridy's London Diary: Supervet Noel thanked me as he held a scalpel in his bloodied glove

It’s been a real pleasure interviewing the variety of guests who have appeared so far on The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy podcast.

It continues apace this week as Professor Noel ‘Supervet’ Fitzpatrick took the hot seat to discuss three books from his shelf (the ones that made him cry, changed his life and influenced his childhood).

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I’ve known Noel for a few years ever since I started interviewing him on radio and television. He’s a joy to talk to as he always has something interesting to say about his own life or the animal kingdom or a glorious combination of the two.

Pic: Nick Edwards

For the podcast, Noel chose three very different and exceptionally interesting books, namely De Profundis by Oscar Wilde (childhood!), The Choice by Edith Eger (made him cry) and Surrender by Bono (changed his life).

You can listen back to the show to find out more but I received the most thoughtful and distinctly Noel-esque thank-you video message from Noel during the week.

Pic: Rex

In it, Noel can be seen in full surgical scrubs mid-operation on a dog’s leg. He delivered the message in between cutting, sewing and whatever it is a genius vet does.

With bloodstained (gloved) hands and brandishing a scalpel, he bid me farewell and subsequently invited me to his surgery to witness a procedure.

Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Jenny Goodall

It made me smile, gasp and sit back in awe of a man so in charge of his surgery, but also an honest guy who feels the weight of his shortcomings (as he sees them).

His honest and often profound reflections on those three books garnered a huge and positive reaction from listeners who seemed impressed by a quality conversation with a giving subject.

Pic: Nick Edwards

As a major fan of The Muppets, I was very excited to watch a documentary all about the man who brought them to life. Jim Henson, Idea Man is available to stream on Disney+ and was directed by Ron Howard so I was immediately off to a good start.

As it turns out, the man behind such characters as Ernie and Bert, Cookie Monster, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Kermit the frog was a very quiet, almost shy guy, who came alive when he was operating one of his cloth creations. He wasn’t someone I’d book to appear on a chat show and yet, as soon as he had Kermit on his arm, everything changed.

Disney + is attaching content warnings to 18 episodes of The Muppet Show

Kermit was fun, witty, colourful, charismatic and offbeat so while I mightn’t book Henson, I’d take the frog in a heartbeat and yet, no Henson = no frog!

It’s all a bit bonkers but it was fascinating to see this low-key introvert operate these sassy, crazy creations that brought so much joy to my childhood and indeed to the man-child I was to become.

Pic: Nick Edwards

Thankfully, the story continued after Henson died and The Muppet Christmas Carol is a beautiful staple in our house every year.

Equally, the more recent Muppet movies are all well worth a look as that lovely adult/ child-friendly humour lives on in the hands (literally) of the next generation of Hensons.

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