Socialholic

Walking the Line, originally uploaded by jamesmb.

Members of the British Transport Police walk the train lines at Exeter St David’s Station as part of a security exercise in advance of the Queen’s visit on 11 March 2010.

This morning, I heard the news that Kristian Digby, TV presenter and director, has died.

You may know Kristian as the presenter of programmes such as To Buy or Not to Buy on BBC One but he was also an accomplished director and was the youngest ever winner of a junior BAFTA in 1997.

I first met Kristian when we were at school together in Paignton. As a child, he was really great fun – bright, sociable and funny. He was always at or near the centre of attention in his year group and, if anything went wrong, he was always there to console and look after whoever needed it.

He also had a propensity to think things through more than the average 10 year old would. I vividly remember looking after his year group once when a teacher was late in. They were all sat in a circle and, lost for ideas, I asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. Kristian’s hand shot up – ‘A bank manager!’. I asked why and, without missing a beat, he said ‘Because they get better deals on their mortgages!’ He obviously had his eye on a house even then.

We lost touch shortly afterwards but I remember when I first saw him on tv and, without checking whether it was ‘that’ Kristian Digby, I knew – the same cheeky smile was still there.

I genuinely can’t quite believe he has gone. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Kind, caring, talented and funny. We need a few more like him. Bye Kristian.

Top Man Totty at #LikeMinds, originally uploaded by jamesmb.

They don’t make them like this any more…

…you can see why!

Meet the brilliant Ilicco, Daren and Mazi. They’re like a social media version of Ant and Dec.

#LikeMinds Through the Looking Glass, originally uploaded by jamesmb.

Orange Business Services’ Yann Gourvennec address Like Minds 2010 – and we see him through the viewfinder of one of the TV cameras dotted about the venue.

Follow Yann at http://twitter.com/ygourven

The Jedi Master of #LikeMinds, originally uploaded by jamesmb.

This is the Jedi Master of the Like Minds Conference. His name is Scott Gould.

You can find his website at www.scottgould.me

Ilicco surveying his #LikeMinds kingdom, originally uploaded by jamesmb.

In the world of tech and social media, there are greats, there are super-awesome gurus, there are the kings and queens and then there is Ilicco Elia.

Find him at twitter.com/ilicco and bow down before him.

Here, he is surveying his followers at the Like Minds Conference 2010.