Wolverhampton gets unflattering 'Nando's' name-check on Claudia Winkleman Show ahead of Jeff Goldblum visit
Wolverhampton got a name-check on presenter Claudia Winkleman's new chat show from one of its own - though it wasn't the most convincing advert for the city.
On the first episode of The Claudia Winkleman Show Wolverhampton was discussed by Winkleman and guest actor/musician Jeff Goldblum, whose band the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are beginning their first UK tour in Wolverhampton later this year.
On the new chat show's debut episode, aired on the BBC last night (March 13), Goldblum admitted "I haven't even Wikipediad" the city, explaining "this was all arranged for us".
Winkleman asked: "Would you like to know more about Wolverhampton? Maybe the eateries you should go to, if there's a statue, a small aquarium?"
She then introduced audience member Cory, who said he was from Wolverhampton and agreed to help.
"Jeff's there for a couple of days, let's give him a full schedule," said Winkleman. "Where should he go?"
Cory's answer was blunt: "Jeff, what you should do is you should get off the train in Wolverhampton, immediately get back on and leave Wolverhampton."
That prompted loud protests from Winkleman and laughs from the other audience members.
Undeterred, Winkleman asked Cory: "Is there somewhere delicious he should go?"
Cory seemingly gave it his best shot, replying: "Wolverhampton is absolutely great. We have a Nando's!"
"A what?" Goldblum asked as the audience laughed. Fellow guest Jennifer Saunders stepped in to defend the UK's lesser-known destinations, saying: "Being on tour there's always something to do. I love going round Britain on tour. There's always a little museum; there's a pencil museum, a moss museum."
From there Goldblum launched into an anecdote about stealing pencils from his schoolmates as a boy.
Winkleman was onto something when she mentioned statues: Wolverhampton is home to plenty of interesting ones, including the likeness of Prince Albert on a horse that has stood in Queen Square for 160 years.
The statue of Lady Wulfrun at St Peter's Church is certainly worth a visit too, and Molineux is home to statues of famous Wolves figures Billy Wright, Stan Cullis and Sir Jack Hayward.
Plus the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, less than half an hour's drive from the city centre, is a unique West Midlands attraction that helps tell the story of a region to be proud of.
With Goldblum and his band set to perform at The Halls on May 28, there's still plenty of time to convince him Wolverhampton has more to offer than a Nando's.
What else is worth shouting about in Wolverhampton? Let us know in the comments below, or email rob.smith@mnamedia.co.uk.
