Grimmy runs out of petrol and gets stuck in Highgate
Grimmy’s week covering for Scott began with a thoroughly unglamorous journey to work. Having barely slept after his late-night show, he offered a friend a lift and then discovered too late that his car needed petrol.
The car cut out on a steep, single-lane Highgate hill with traffic building behind it. Grimmy was told recovery could take hours, so he rolled backwards into the driveway of an intimidatingly secure-looking house before rushing to Radio 1 for the programme.
Chris was sympathetic enough to enjoy every detail, especially the timing of the crisis and Grimmy’s attempt to carry on as though a morning involving no sleep, no fuel and an abandoned car was normal. Scott’s absence in Azerbaijan was repeatedly noted, with Chris wondering whether he should have gone too.
The show also followed up the previous Friday’s “Toilet Girl” phenomenon, as Amy’s school-toilet story continued to gather attention. Grimmy and Chris treated its sudden online life as evidence of both their power and their very questionable use of it.
Later, the team returned to familiar games and listener stories, while Grimmy tried to settle into Scott’s chair for the week. It was a fitting first day of cover, all low-level logistical disasters, radio in-jokes and the strange feeling that Scott was still part of the show from several countries away.
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