John K. Samson.

John K. Samson is the common denominator between my two all time favourite bands, Propagandhi and The Weakerthans. Bass player for the first two Propagandhi records, Samson traded up angry punk-rock for introspective indie-folk when forming The Weakerthans. In possession of a way with words that would likely turn Shakespeare's head, Samson's real forte is as a lyricist. Sad, funny, poetic, life-affirming. To me, his lyrics just beautifully express what it is to be human. For some of my personal favourite examples of Samson's work click here, here, here and here, then click below to read my letter to the man whose words are permanently inked onto my body.

Jeremy Paxman.

Jeremy Paxman is a bit of a legend. I hesitate to use such a cliched description, but how else do you describe a man so hard-headedly self-assured? Pompous? Maybe. Arrogant? Probably. But you cannot fail to be awed by a man who tears politician after politician to shreds with a cool indifference that suggests all the while he is simply thinking of how best to facially express his utter disdain at being forced to converse with a mere mortal such as this. If 'The Moral High Ground' were an actual place, Paxman would be its Emperor. Click here for perhaps his most famous interview, then read my letter to Jeremy by clicking below...

David Haye.

David Haye is the current WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World and a former unified Cruiserweight Champion. A big-punching, trash-talking, pantomime villain of a boxer, Haye is very much the marmite man of pugilism. The shot in the arm the heavyweight division needed, or an arrogant loudmouth who ducks the biggest fights, either way, in the 12 months since he won his heavyweight strap, Haye has got people talking. Given his appearance in this blog, it doesn't take a genius to figure out which camp I fall into. Click below to read my letter to the man they call 'The Hayemaker'.

Sir David Attenborough.

Sir David Attenborough, the wildlife documentary maker and incredibly lovable man, is a national institution. Perhaps surprisingly, he is also the first knight of the realm I have ever written to. I feel less inclined to explain why I consider Sir David a hero than I have for previous letters, as if you have seen any of his documentary series (particularly Planet Earth and Life) you will be well aware of why I love him so; and if you have not, well then you should immediately purchase both of the above series', lock your self in a room, and stay there until you have watched both in their entirety.

Nedum Onuoha.

In recent times Manchester City Football Club has had great success in promoting youngsters from the academy to the first team squad. And, tired cliche as it is, fans will always root for 'one of their own', a local lad come good, that little bit more. Nedum Onuoha is one of City's many academy graduates, and one of the only remaining players in the squad to have any real connection to the area. Having been in and around the first team for several years now, an influx of defensive talent has seen Nedum knocked down the pecking order, and this year he was sent out on loan to Sunderland. And so I thought I'd send him a letter to see how he was getting on...

Stop Believing.

Looks like I've been rumbled! Louis Theroux's reply to my most recent letter, a mere two lines long, reads... 

Ha ha! You got me.  Good luck with your website.

Doesn't look like Louis and I will be sharing a pint any time soon, but at least it appears he was amused!

Don't Stop Believing.

Despite Louis Theroux's exceptionally polite rebuttal of my documentary pitch, I have decided not to throw in the towel in my quest for the two of us to meet. And given that lovely Louis is also the first of my heroes to write back, I felt that a prompt reply was the least that I owed to him.

Louis Theroux replies.

That's right folks. I'm as shocked as you probably are. Louis Theroux read my letter and deemed it worthy of a reply! Unfortunately, he was not as excited about the documentary pitch as I had anticipated, but there's hope yet me thinks. Louis, if you're reading this, brace yourself for another letter!

Yannis Philippakis.

Foals are one of my very favourite bands. Despite them only having released two albums, what with ep's, remixes and cover versions, my iTunes informs me that I have 3.8 hours worth of their music at my fingertips. Their latest album, Total Life Forever, has been the soundtrack to my shower time nearly every morning since its release. And Yannis Philippakis is their exotically named frontman. Click here and here to listen, and then read my letter to lovely Yannis below...

Rules and Regulations.

Hello.

Two heroes down, an as yet unspecified number of heroes to go.

Stewart Lee.

Stewart Lee is a funny man. A devastatingly funny man. If you haven't seen his stand up before, then I urge you to get your hands on a DVD or two as soon as is humanly possible. For now though, you can watch him do funnies here, here and here.

Louis Theroux.

The first of my heroes to receive a letter is documentary maker and all round good egg Louis Theroux. In an attempt to cover all bases, I have sent the letter both by post, to the BBC, and by email, to Louis' agent. Fingers crossed he gets it eh?