Take me to the leader, The Wessex Scene Talks to creator of the kindness cult "Join Me" and all around nice guy, Danny Wallace…

Having "googled" your name I came up with lots about your current book "Join Me" but I couldn't find a decent biography of you before you became a journalist. Did you go to University? (I certainly hope so or the next couple of questions will be totally defunct!) If so, where did you go and what degree did you do?

I went to Westminster University in London, and did Media Studies (specialising in Advanced Radio Production)

There are several stereotypes of University student. The sporty ones, the spotty ones (Physics and computer science-y types) the drinking ones, the "sit in my room and never go out" ones, or the alternative ones. Which would you have classed yourself as and are you still like that now?

I was pretty much the stay-out-til-four-in-the-morning, somehow-make-it-to-a-lecture, go-straight-out-again type...

What was your most embarrassing moment at University?

Having a dream during a lecture that I was a bee and suddenly waking up with the (rather loud) words 'Defend the Queen!'

Where you a member of any odd clubs or societies in University? If not which club would you have liked to set up?

I was a member of the Honourary Norwegians society.

How important do you think student media is in regards to getting into media later in life?

Hugely, I think. It's a chance to try stuff out with an organisation behind you, to get stuff printed or put on the air, and to get noticed.
Once you leave, you're already ahead of the rest of the pack. Unless you're really s**t.

The Wessex Scene online recently came second in the Guardian Student Media Awards. (www.wessexscene.co.uk) The award was won by Blunt (http://blunt.cf.ac.uk) Do you think we were robbed?!

Probably. Or probably not. Whatever you think, really. Oh, go on, then. Yes.

What was the most valuable lesson you gained from your University life?

Take full advantage of pound-a-pint nights.

Moving onto your "collective" For those reading who have no idea what "Join Me" is please could you explain it and why someone should join in less than  thirty words? (I feel like I'm setting you a competition for Blue Peter here!)

People should Join Me only if they want to. But once they do, they won't regret it. It's simply a huge group of people who agree to be nice to a stranger, at least once a week. 36 words. Sorry. 37 now. Oops.

What is the best "Good Friday" or "Happy Monday" deed you have witnessed or heard about?

Too many to choose from. I liked it when 80 of us sent an old man lots of peanuts.

How many members do you currently have (approx!) and where is the strangest place you have followers.

I've got around 4500 followers, in places as far afield as Uruguay, Ecuador, China and Rhyll.

In the beginning of Join Me you just wanted more Joinees than your Uncle Gallus. You are well over that now. When is it going to stop? Is it going to stop?

It will never stop - I hope people will still be joining me when I'm ninety.

How important are students in helping you in your quest?

Massively. I love them all.

Do you think that your story would have been so well received by the media and by the general public if you were not already known through Dave Gorman?

I think so - remember, I never actually revealed anything about myself when I started it up, other than my name was Danny and I used to work at Argos. So yes, Join Me is something literally anyone could have done.

What is next for Danny Wallace (apart from a cup of tea and a cigarette!)

I'm going to America to launch the cult over there!

Finally - quick questions which I may or may not use depending on space

Britney or Christina?

Britney. Mmmmm.

Lager or Bitter?

Lager. Mmmm.

If you could invite 5 Celebs to a dinner party (they can be dead or alive) who would they be?

Peter Cook, Eric Morecambe, Homer Simpson, Tom Lehrer, Stan Laurel.

Football or Rugby?

Football.

Tennis or Watching paint dry?

Tennis! Unless you actually want me to play, in which case watching paint dry, please.

Thanks very much Danny

for more infomration about Join Me visit the website on http://www.join-me.co.uk/

interv,media,join,danny,wallace