Good Morning

Nick was at the Savoy Hotel in London where the presentation of the Bernardo's Champion Children's Awards were to be made. The show went over to the Savoy and there was Nick surrounded by a group of children and Neil. Nick explained that the Honorary President of Bernardo's, Princess Diana, couldn't be there this morning because of the speculation about her marriage (which had just broken on the news). However instead they were pleased to welcome Neil Diamond who had come along to support the children.
	Neil said he was pleased to be with the children as they were all champions as far as he was concerned. Neil introduced the first boy, Darrel, who had saved his mother and brother in a house fire. He then said the little curly haired boy had been climbing mountains since he was three to raise money for diabetes research.
	Then he leant forward to the little girl on crutches at the front and said, "This little beauty is my girlfriend. She just came along!"
	Nick asked if Neil would be staying to hear all the stories and Neil replied that he would be staying as long as they liked because he thought the kids were just great.

	Neil was then interviewed. As they were there in connection with children, Neil was asked about his own. He said he had four. When Nick asked if they were grown up, Neil replied that some of them were and some were just little. Nick said that he felt sure Neil would be able to identify with the children they had been speaking to. Neil agreed with that and again remarked on how wonderful they were.
He said that he was sure they didn't know who he was but they all came running up for autographs. Nick asked what kind of reception he gets when he comes over to this country. Neil replied that it was always great, people were fabulous. He had been coming for twenty five years so he has a few fans out there. He has a fanclub that has lots of devoted members. It's great - it's like a second home. Nick asked if he ever got fed up of touring. Neil replied that sometimes it got long but he tried to keep the tours as short as possible. He didn't like to be away from his family too much and they didn't want to be away from him. He tried to balance it and so far it had worked. His wife had stayed with him and they were happy.
Nick went on to ask him about his home. Neil replied that it was a Mediterranean type house. It was built in 1930 and was in a section of L.A. called Bel Air. It was beautiful and very comfortable - very different from where he had grown up. This was Brooklyn, on top of a butcher's store. He had a lot of MICE for friends up there. This present home has a backyard and he has a couple of dogs. His kids love it. Nick asked if his kids appreciated it and Neil replied that they did. They knew that they were very lucky and tried to earn it. They worked hard and were good kids of whom he was very proud.
	The next question was about his plans whilst he was in the country. He answered that he was talking about the new album and single that were due out, He wanted to show that he was still around and was not going away anywhere for a few years. He was asked where he thought he was at musically, had his music developed over the years, had his tastes changed? He replied that basically he still loved beautiful melodies and words that could touch people. He still loved to sing. He had been singing since he was nine or ten and his tastes had not really changed all that much.
	He was asked what kind of music he liked and listened to. The answer to that was "Mostly Neil Diamond!" He said he was usually working - making an album sometimes took about a year. You're listening to it and when you had finished you didn't really like to hear any music for a while. He listened to the music that was around and that was about it.

	Later in the show some of the children joined Neil and Nick. Nick spoke to them as Neil sat and listened.
One girl spoke of overcoming orthopaedic problems to become a successful artist. Despite her problems she had gone on to help introduce a blind lady to art. The little boy with diabetes told how he had climbed over a hundred and seventy peaks to raise money for diabetes research.
The third girl Michelle (the one Neil had said was his girlfriend at the beginning of the show!) told how she had raised over Ł100,000 for charity by putting on shows. When Nick asked her what it was like to meet Neil Diamond, she was a bit stuck for words. Neil helped her out by saying "Not too bad."
	Neil said he had been speaking to the children and thought what wonderful, courageous vibes they gave off. They all had their own problems but were going out there helping others. They were an inspiration to him - he would have to write a song about them! Nick said that Neil was helping in another way. Neil replied that he was donating the shirt he was wearing to be auctioned off for the Children In Need Charity.
	As this part of the show came to an end, Neil was told that there had been a call in from a long time fan whose son was very sick at the moment. Neil looked into the camera to say hello and promised to send him some CDs or something.