Room 101: Tom Catterick – Newcastle fly-half

1. People who say ‘what?’
It gets on my nerves when people say ‘what?’ to every comment you make even though, in reality, they’ve probably heard you in the first place. I think this phenomenon is either a force of habit or as a result of people being distracted more easily because they’re always on some form of mobile device. My girlfriend does it to me on purpose just to wind me up. The former Newcastle hooker Matt Thompson did it quite a bit too when he was at the Falcons, but I think that was because he loved a good laugh and hated missing out on anything if someone was telling a funny story.
TRP verdict: Pardon the pun but you’re in.
2. Talentless ‘celebrities’
Too many bad acts get through on X-Factor purely because the crowd gets behind the person(s) on stage either for comedy value or because they feel sorry for them. How many winners of X-Factor have gone on to enjoy a long and successful career? Not many. I know Rylan has turned into a pretty decent TV presenter but he couldn’t sing for his life. Britain’s Got Talent is just as bad. How can a dog doing a few tricks be better than a really cool magician?
TRP verdict: Well done, you’ve pulled another rabbit out of the hat.
3. Loud eaters
I used to have a flat mate – until I moved out –who put me right off my food when we ate in the same room because of the noises he used to make. I did tell him to stop smacking his lips together but he politely told me where to go. Thankfully we’re still best mates now – just not living together.
TRP verdict: After chewing over this one for some time we’ve decided to let you have the hat-trick.