I don't know about you, but I switch on the radio in the morning in the hope of being cheered up. Well, at least I mean that I switch on Radio 2. If I want to start cross or morose, I will go to the Today programme on Radio 4 for Sarah Montague's horsey laugh and James Naughtie's interminable questions asked of tergervisating politicians.

There was precious little cheer to be had around 8am on Tuesday on the programme Johnnie Walker was presenting as stand-in for the holidaying Terry Wogan. First came an item on the news saying that people were being encouraged to die at home rather than in hospital (much cheaper, of course, though it was presented as a more caring approach). Then there followed a record by James Blunt (pictured) - his new single, I gather - which continued this gloomy theme. It is called Carry You Home and comes out in a couple of weeks.

I could hardly believe my ears as I heard some of the words. "And someone's little girl was taken from the world tonight. Under the stars and stripes. As strong as you were, tender you go. I'm watching you breathing, for the last time."

Now I am not one to condemn misery merchants; indeed Leonard Cohen is one of my favourite artists. But if there is a time for depressing lyrics such as these, it certainly is not so early in the day. There will be nothing to worry about when it's played in the early evening Drive Time slot, however, for the garrulous Chris Evans now talks over the lyrics of every record he plays. It is time the bounder was stopped.