And this month, we have two beauties: Rocket and Skippy from E Taylor Recycling. Here they wax lyrical on the lives, loves and weight issues of skip drivers in Leicester
If you have seen our magazine on Have I Got News For You then these are the Skip hunks that made Paul Mertons Day!
Q: Rocket. Lovely medallion. Is it inscribed?
A: It’s a medal of St Christopher, the patron saint of travellers. It wards off the evil spirits I meet on the road.
Q: Would you like to explain your nickname?
A: They say I go like a rocket. I’m a careful driver of course but I get my work done fast and efficiently.
Q: What is the best bit about your job?
A: I love the whole kit and caboodle. I used to deliver parcels and it wasn’t nearly as much fun. The best bit is getting really stuck in and all mucky. It’s the little boy in me.
Q: What do you hate most?
A: Being clean. Skippy is always washing himself. He’s obsessed with keeping himself pristine. His tattoo on his left arm says ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’. I ask you!
Q: What is the strangest thing you have ever found in a skip?
A: It’s not so much strange as bloody handy – a brand new pair of boots that fit me beautiful. I wear them to this day. I get a lot of my clothes from skips.
Q: Who is the weirdest customer you have ever encountered?
A: Well it’s all them lonely housewives isn’t it? No stories though. My wife might read this mag!
Q: Skippy, you look like you work out. Describe your training routine.
A: I run about 10 miles before work, come home, have a ten-egg omelette but take the yolks out of 6 of them, then it’s the gym after work. I normally train for about 1½-2 hours a day, abs, then bi and triceps. I concentrate on the upper body as the running takes care of the rest. I try to work in a lot of aerobic stuff as well, aquafun, salsa fitness, that kind of thing. Diet is important too…(Quite. – ed)
Q: Does Rocket go to the gym with you?
A: No he goes to fat camp.
Q: What is it like to work for E Taylors?
A: Brilliant. I’ve been here 10 years now. I’ll never leave.
Q: You look like you enjoy your job.
A: I do. I love customer relations. It’s amazing how they respond when you are helpful.
Q: Do you have any advice for other skip drivers out there?
A: Keep smiling, and eat plenty of fibre. A good digestive system is worth millions.
