On the top floor of the National Gallery is a long room with picture windows. In one direction you see the tower of the Coliseum and beyond that, theatreland — Covent Garden, Soho, the world of orchestra pits and stage doors. In the other direction stand Nelson’s Column, the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben. Between these two views sits Jools Holland, pianist, bandleader, boogie-woogie man, presenter of Later … with Jools Holland and MC of the BBC’s annual New Year’s Eve hootenanny, keeping the nation awake until Big Ben bongs.
Usually, his subject is music. Today, it’s art and there’s no stopping him. He apologises three times for “banging on” but no one ever asks him about art so he’s determined not to miss
