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Whilst not strictly Unputdownable, there are some people who – like theatre, books, music and films – left a huge impression on my life. Although by no means comprehensive, this list of family members, friends, colleagues, sports stars and musicians does include names that not only shaped who I was and who I became… they shaped all our lives and the world we live in.
I’ve had three very strong women in my life: Margaret Thatcher, my remarkable wife and my mother. Understandably, I have a natural respect for strong women, but especially for women – like my mother – who were held back by society and circumstance. As a child, I never understood just how tough it was for her. My father died when I was 11, we were penniless and my mother had to take on four jobs just to pay the bills.
In later years, I tried to repay the favour. She used to love coming up to London from Weston-super-Mare, so I’d arrange a suite for her at the Savoy. After a week of seeing friends, going to restaurants and shopping, the bills would start arriving. Did I mind? Of course not! Without my mother’s love and tenacity, I wouldn’t have had a happy childhood, and I wouldn’t be here today.
Like everyone else, I couldn’t wait to hear Now and Then, the last new song that was released by the fab four. Wow – Not bad for a band who split up over 50 years ago! At the time, when I was listening to all that great music in the 60s, I assumed every generation of youngsters would have their own Beatles. But as I got older, I realised this wasn’t the case. The Beatles were a one-off; they changed everything about pop music.
I had the good fortune to meet and spend a little time with them when I booked them to appear at a charity concert in the early-60s. What were they like as people? Paul was funny and very chatty. Bright, too. He wouldn’t have been out of place at Oxford. John likewise… intense and very sharp. Ringo and George were quieter, tended to stay in the background most of the time.
They hadn’t quite conquered the universe at that point, but it was obvious that it wouldn’t take them very long. On stage, they were incredible; so much energy. The place went wild!
I was about 27 or 28, and I went over to see Presley in Las Vegas. My plan was to ask him to come over to the UK for a live performance, and immediately after his Vegas show, I was taken to meet Elvis and Colonel Parker, his manager. I’ll be honest, up until that point, I couldn’t really see why the girls went mad over Elvis, but then I met him and… just sheer charisma. Extremely, polite, too. Couldn’t have been friendlier towards me.
He said that the Colonel oversaw the business side of things and it became fairly obvious that Parker was only interested in the money. He mentioned a price and I said yes, knowing that it probably wouldn’t happen. It’s a wonderful memory, though. I often wonder what he made of me. “Who’s the weirdo from England?”
Some people are born to play cricket. Colin was born to live it.
It wasn’t just the beautiful cover drive or that still stance at the crease that made him a legend—it was the way he carried himself, on and off the field. When he captained England, there was no shouting, no theatrics—just a quiet authority that made men stand a little straighter.
But my most vivid memories of Colin aren’t of his centuries or his Test caps. They of his wonderful company and kindess.
Having said that, He once dropped me from the Lord’s Taverners XI. “Sorry, Jeffrey,” he said with that ever-apologetic grin, “but I need someone who can catch, or possibly bowl, or hold a bat”
I laughed. He was right. And yet, when the chips were down—Colin didn’t flinch. He stood by me.
A lovely man. A loyal friend. A man who could hold a room with nothing but a raised eyebrow and a tale about a dodgy lbw decision in Calcutta.
We shared a lot of time together – mostly at cricket ground—some on the pitch, most off it.
Another legend that I met in Vegas, again in the 1960s. In fact, it was so early in his career that he was still known as Cassius Clay. Ridiculously good looking – you couldn’t believe that a man so handsome boxed for a living! – and non-stop funny. I had an afternoon with him and it was like a private audience with a genius comedian. He had me in fits of laughter.
Watching him in the ring in those early years was more than just boxing. It was art. A performance… a strange kind of dance. Rarely has a man hitting another man looked so graceful.
I will never forget my brief time with him. And so in 1992, in Barcelona, I joined a long queue with my 18 year old son (James) to get him to sign an autograph for us. Although he was suffering with early Parkinsons by this time, he was still the champ. Still the golden smile and soft touch – and was only seeing people and singing autographs to promote his spiritual beliefs. Sometimes it makes no sense why such people leave us early.
I first met Margaret when I became an MP in 1969 and she was Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Science. What struck me immediately was her decisiveness. She made up her mind quickly and few people wanted to argue with her because they generally knew she was right.
Not everyone was a fan, which I completely understand – although Keir Starmer was a recent convert! – but let me ask this question. Would you rather have had Margaret as Prime Minister during Covid or any of the others?
I’m talking about Conservatives, Labour, the whole lot. Would you rather have had Margaret as Prime Minister during Brexit or any of the others?
We’ve got a situation now where politicians spend more time fighting amongst themselves than looking after the country. That didn’t happen with Margaret.
Jun Nagai was Professor of English at Tokyo University, he was also the man who edited and translated my books for the Japanese market. And he was so famous in Japan that his name was on the cover next to mine. It’s a bit like going to see a film because you like the director; people would buy a book simply because they saw his name. To this day, I owe him a huge debt because he fully believed in Kane and Abel. He did an amazing job and I sold two million copies in Japan!
We immediately became friends and I once asked him if there was something I could get him as a thank you. All he wanted was to play a round of golf at St Andrews. So, I rang the president, who I knew slightly, and he came over from Japan with three friends, had a wonderful time. The next day, he rang me and said, “Jeffrey, I will love you forever”.
8. FRANK FINLAYWhat made Frank Finlay unforgettable as an actor was that quiet, simmering intensity. Whether he was playing Iago, Casanova, or simply raising an eyebrow across a dinner table, you knew you were in the presence of a master.
I was fortunate enough to see Frank perform many times, but none more special for me than when he starred in my play Beyond Reasonable Doubt. A courtroom thriller, yes—but in Frank’s hands, it became something more. He didn’t recite lines—he peeled them back, layer by layer, until you weren’t watching a performance, you were witnessing a man fight for his life. And the audience held its breath.
But what I remember even more fondly was the man offstage. Modest, mischievous, and generous to a fault. One evening after curtain, as I was congratulating him on another bravo performance, Frank leaned in and said, “Jeffrey, I think you ought to join the Garrick.”
I laughed. “But I can’t act.”
Frank grinned, that devilish twinkle in his eye. “Don’t worry, dear boy. That’s never been a bar to entry.” He was joking of course, and I loved the tie that he always wore so proudly.
It was vintage Finlay—charm wrapped in wit, with a glint of subversion. Anytime with him was wonderful – just two men who loved the theatre, stories, and a good laugh.
Frank Finlay was more than an actor. He was a craftsman, a gentleman, and a friend. I miss his voice, his counsel—and most of all, the way he could make you feel like you were the most important person in the room depsite everyone in the room wanting to talk to him.
Not many people can do that. But then, there was only ever one Frank.
I became very close to Diana through the work we did with various charities. If her name was attached to an event, everyone knew we were going to raise some serious money. She rang me three days before she died and we had a long conversation, the subject of which I have never revealed to anyone. I am regularly asked about it by journalists, but her brother came to see me at the time and said, “Jeffrey, I know what you talked about because she talked to me and her sister about the same thing. As a favour, would you please keep it a secret”.
Journalists also regularly ask if I’ve been watching the recent series of The Crown that featured Diana. No… not interested. I knew the lady very well and I don’t need anyone else to tell me her story.
I am always amazed when I hear stories about people who don’t have a relationship with their grandchildren. You’re mad! I have five and adore them all. Spending time with them is a fantastic way of putting the world in perspective. Doesn’t matter how much worry and stress is flying around your head, the arrival of grandchildren is an immediate reminder of life’s simple pleasures… playing games, running around the garden and food. Plus, I’ve got a ready-made audience to impress with my cricketing skills!
Over a long lifetime, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy international success as a writer, I’ve met some amazing people and I’ve served with one the greatest Prime Ministers this country has ever had. But my greatest joy will always be my family.
For more articles, please visit the Unputdownable Article page, or the Unputdownable Podcast.
Or please read or listen to Chapter 1 of An Eye For An Eye for free.