WELL DONE, ADRIAN - BUT BOOS FOR JONATHAN ROSS

BIRMINGHAM actor Adrian Lester has just been on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC1) - and done himself proud.

You'd never guess he was a day over 26, but he's actually going to hit the big 4-0 in August.

His achievements in theatre, on TV and in film (not forgetting a newly-acquired black belt after 12 years of study) mean that this happily married, father-of-two girls is the perfect role model for all inner city kids, whatever their background.

He's often told me that he'd never have made it without the MAC so it was good that he gave the Midlands Arts Centre - to give it its full name - two good plugs.

Ross even seemed quite interested, asking if it was still there.

All in all, it was good to see that Birmingham actually got a mention on a national chat show.

The reason why it often doesn't is the fact that so many people are shamefully ignorant about the city, as this show proved only too well.

When Ross asked Adrian about his Birmingham roots, he wondered if he might have come from either the Black Country or... get this, Kidderminster!

Whether he's on £18 million or not, surely Ross can afford an atlas and be able to spend a few minutes looking at it.

Since when has Kiddie - just the odd 17 miles away - been part of Brum?

PS. As I've written in the Birmingham Mail before, it would be a dream come true for Adrian to open the MAC when it opens again next Autumn after a £13 million refurb.

Let's hope the organisers, when they are not thinking about how many more lovely trees they can chop down in Cannon Hill Park, have the sense to ask him.

PS2. And wasn't Meryl Streep lovely at the end, despite having to sit through one of Ross's dullest-ever interviews after Adrian had gone off? I can't wait to see Mamma Mia! again when it opens.