The Automatic's Monster was only on for a few seconds while Jo Whiley was playing a teaser of the songs that Lily Allen might play in the 'Live Lounge' at lunchtime, and yet it was at that moment I got far enough around a sweeping bend for the Angel of the North to loom into view.

As much as I may dislike the way it looks, the fact that there's something so imposing there is kind of cool. I'm sure there's something more useful you can do with a million pounds though.

What's that coming over the hill?