Go ahead punk, make that call

Remember Ian Dury, the cocky Cockney who took the punk rock world by storm with “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick”? Well, Unicef, the children’s charity of which Ian is an ambassador, has convinced him to get on the phones.

Ian gave Unicef supporters a call through telemarketing company Pell & Bales last week to publicise a polio eradication campaign.

Some 8,000 supporters will be asked to lend their support by direct debit donation. The Diary wonders how many of those contacted during Ian’s guest appearance were convinced that they had fallen victim to a crank caller.