Runaround Dunc

I had one of those days yesterday which I haven't experienced since the early days of my business. One of the 15 hour bad boys.

It was tough, but it pales into insignificance compared with that of the indefatigable crusader and all-round business guy, Duncan Bannatyne. He was up bright and early in Scotland 'doing his bit', so he was.

TV personality and ex-smoker Duncan Bannatyne has thrown his support behind a stop smoking campaign in Viewpark.

The No Smoking Day ambassador said: “As an ex-smoker myself, I know how hard it can be to give up but I promise it’s worth the effort.

“You’re four times more likely to success if you get help from your local stop smoking service, which is why I wholeheartedly support NHS Lanarkshire’s north east health improvement teams efforts to let people in North Lanarkshire know what help and support is available.”

Then he was in Hounslow.

No Smoking Day ambassador and Dragon’s Den star, Duncan Bannatyne, said: “As an ex-smoker myself, I know how hard it can be go give up but I promise it’s worth the effort. You’re four times more likely to succeed if you get help from your local stop smoking service, which is why I wholeheartedly support Hounslow’s efforts to let local people know what help and support is available.”

And then the Isle of Wight.

No Smoking Day ambassador and Dragon’s Den star, Duncan Bannatyne, said: "As an ex-smoker myself I know how hard it can be to give up but I promise it’s worth the effort. You're four times more likely to succeed if you get help from your local stop smoking service, which is why I wholeheartedly support NHS Isle of Wight’s efforts to let Islanders know what help and support is available.

The amazing thing is that the Scotland piece was timed at 6:15am, and the Isle of Wight one at 7:00am. Plus he stopped off in Middlesex on the way? That's one hell of a private jet he has there!

Or he could have been on the set of Dragon's Den all day, not even bothering to mention NSD on his Twitter feed.

It looks, then, like this must be one of those modern 'news' stories that isn't. Most likely press released out by some state-funded anti-smoking quango with [insert your locality/PCT here] dropped in here and there.

Another fine example of state propaganda being produced at your expense. Marvellous.