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Saturday Kitchen's Olly Smith, who's to perform at Skin Côntact, names his musical heroes

Published:  06 April, 2016

For a second year in a row the wine trade supergroup Skin Côntact will be taking to the stage next month in an effort raise aid as part of Comic Relief.

Skin Côntact LIVE AGAIN! is taking place on Thursday 12 May 2016 at the O2 Academy, Islington. Skin Côntact LIVE! is sponsored by Côtes du Rhône wines, whose partnership has made it possible to stage this event and allow 100% of the proceeds to go to charity.

All in aid of a good cause 'The Band' including Richard Hemming - he of Jancis Robinson fame; Alex Hunt MW of Berkmann, Matt James of Bordeaux Cellar and Ben Smith of CyT will be performing along with a number of other personalities and talents from across the wine trade.

A series of guest stars will be on hand to wow spectators, one of whom is TV personality and wine expert on Satruday Kitchen, Olly Smith.

The Islington Academy stage has hosted Beck, Muse, Eminem - and now you! But who are your musical heroes?

Olly Smith: If he sang, Roger Moore. In fact he did, I have a record of him somewhere singing - well, talking really.  Check out "Where Does Love Go?" on YouTube. Where Does Love Go? It goes into Skin Côntact live.

What's the largest audience you've sung in front of?

OS: Glastonbury Festival. Sometime in the nineties in a previous life as a singing comedian.

How would you like to be introduced on stage?

OS: Wine's answer to Kung-Fu Panda.

What are you listening to a lot at the moment?

OS: My brother Will is insisting on a full reappraisal of the entire back catalogue of Phil Collins and Genesis. It's like custard setting into my brain.

And what was the most memorable live musical performance you've ever seen?

OS: The Darkness in a shipping warehouse Barcelona on their first international tour. There must have been thirty of us and the band hailed my cab on the way there. Good days.

Quickfire round!

Côte-Rôtie or Gigondas?

Côte-Rôtie.

Adele or Madonna?

Adele. As far as Bond songs goes, one of them unleashed a merciless ear assault during the Brosnan years. The other garnered an Oscar.

Viognier or Marsanne/Roussanne?

Tough one. I'm going Sadie-style and sticking them all into my face at once.

The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?

Beatles. George Harrison in particular, one of my all time favourite artists.

And finally, what's your most embarrassing musical secret?

I love Marillion. The Fish years. I'm seeing him in concert with my brother in a few short beautiful weeks and the excitement is palpable.

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