Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated 3.40pm
TODAY FM PRESENTER Matt Cooper has accompanied former basketball star Dennis Rodman to North Korea.
The journalist and broadcaster, who presents ‘The Last Word’ programme on Today FM, was caught on camera with the ex-NBA star when he gave an interview to journalists at Beijing airport overnight.
The pair are part of a delegation which has this afternoon arrived in the notoriously secretive totalitarian state to take part in a high-profile basketball game.
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power said that Cooper is writing a book about the game involving a group of former NBA stars, including Rodman, which it is sponsoring.
However, a spokesman for the bookies said this morning it has scaled-down its involvement.
“We’ve been in contact with him [Cooper] for a couple of months, since the New York press conference (where the ‘Paddy Power Dennis Rodman Invitational’ was launched in September) and he said it was a very interesting project,” the Paddy Power spokesman said.
He said that Cooper is involved “in a personal capacity” to write the book, but it’s believed the bookmaker arranged his visa and is funding the trip.
Cooper could not be reached for comment, but it is understood that it had been hoped his trip would not be disclosed until he got back to Ireland.
Today FM said that the trip is not connected to ‘The Last Word’ or the station with a statement reading: “We can confirm that Matt Cooper is travelling to North Korea. Matt has taken annual leave from Today FM and is travelling in an independent capacity on this trip.”
Since announcing the ‘Dennis Rodman Invitational’ in September, Paddy Power has scaled-back its involvement in the project following reports in December that the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un had his uncle executed.
“We’ve taken a back seat now after the goings on in North Korea. We’ve decided to take a back seat but we are honouring our contractual obligations. The show is still going on and the match is scheduled for Wednesday,” the spokesperson continued.
Rodman has robustly defended his friendship with dictator Kim Jong-un whose regime is accused of widespread human rights abuses.
The eccentric ex-Chicago Bulls player is leading a team including retired NBA All-Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker for the game which is being held in Pyongyang on Wednesday to mark Kim’s birthday.
This will be Rodman’s fourth visit to the country having previously spent time there as a guest of Kim who he counts as a “friend for life”
He told reporters in Beijing earlier: “I love him.”
Cooper interviewed Rodman for ‘The Last Word’ in October posting a picture of himself with the eccentric sportsman on his Twitter page:
First published 10.40am
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
So what happens when I need a P during the night.. I gotta get up, and if I don’t turn on the lights I miss the bowl and get the floor.. Then my wife blames our 7 year old.
turn everything off, turn the digital clock away, you should be in a blackened room with no lights, do not stimulate your brain. Put on headphones and quietly listen to Iron Maiden, as they sooth you to sleep.
Hahaha very good!
Night was black, was no use holding back
‘Cause I just had to see, was someone watching me
In the mist, dark figures move and twist
Was all this for real, or just some kind of hell?
6-6-6… the Number of the Beast!!
The Number of the Beast album was released on 22 March 1982
Reduce the Date #27
I thought it was 616 now Ben??? lol.
John the number is now ex-directory lol.
Anything in the book about screaming babies? Both the misses and my son are heading home to Poland for a week shortly, first thing on my agenda is spicy Chinese, beer, classic movies and sleep, plenty of it.
Post-coital sleeps are unbeatable to be fair.
Your one on the top image must be working nights,
Grand so. I’ll just fill the room with lit candles for a good night sleep.
What could be the harm?
she’s right on most of those tips I do them myself except for the 10 pm bedtime , I’d be wide awake by 2 am if I went to bed at that time ! oh and what’s with the choice of music ?
Fantasising about things that happened today… I think not, once I think about work I can’t sleep. Extremely stressful day at work today.
Think I’ll fantasise about something else, an actual fantasy where I can slip off into dreamy dream land without even realising it.
I find Iron Maiden, or indeed, any kind of heavy metal/rock music to be a great way to fall asleep. It plays through the night, and I’ve never had a problem. :)
spud that’s great if it works for you !
Your body can not catch up on sleep. Fact.
On the no screens point.
So if you are using a kindle or kindle app and reading a little bit before you go to sleep is that bad because It’s reading the story that usually helps to go to sleep.
have your say