Peter Corrigan: Swing low, below the belt
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jonathan Davies was deservedly fêted at a tribute dinner held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Wednesday to mark the 20th anniversary of his Welsh international debut, but he managed to avoid a fate that would have made it difficult for him ever to return home to Wales.
Jonathan Davies was deservedly fêted at a tribute dinner held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Wednesday to mark the 20th anniversary of his Welsh international debut, but he managed to avoid a fate that would have made it difficult for him ever to return home to Wales.
Around 750 diners, including a strong contingent of his Independent on Sunday colleagues, gathered to see video flashes of his greatest tries in rugby union and league while the platform creaked under the weight of sporting dignitaries such as Martin Johnson, Ian Botham, Sir Steven Redgrave, Sean Fitzpatrick, Scott Gibbs and Martin Offiah.
John Inverdale was the master of ceremonies, and while he was holding a charity auction of sporting memorabilia, someone, an uppity Englishman I presume, bid £1,500 to hear Jonathan sing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".
Jonathan gulped. The audience was packed with relatives and countrymen who had travelled up for the event, and who would not have taken kindly to hearing his rendition of English rugby's battle-song. Who won the Grand Slam, anyhow?
Thankfully, a Welsh voice bellowed an offer of £1,600 for him not to sing it. The bidding went on until the English bidder dropped out at £2,200, so Jonathan was saved the indignity.
He went on to sing "Delilah" at the after-dinner karaoke, following which it was agreed that the successful bidder must have been a music lover as well as a Welshman. Jonathan confessed afterwards that he did sing the Chariot song at a dinner held a month or so after England won the World Cup, but only because someone bid £15,000 for him to it.
"It was for charity, what could I do?" he said. "Thankfully, there weren't many Welshmen there. But there are plenty here tonight, so I was very grateful to the winning bidder."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments