The Tourist: What Happens on Tour Stays on Tour … Until Now!

by Phil Tufnell

What Goes on Tour, Stays on Tour…Until Now!

As a cricketer, broadcaster and celebrity jungle-dweller, Phil Tufnell has travelled the world far and wide. From the great cricket tours of Australia and South Africa to his equally memorable jaunts to Benidorm and Blackpool, Phil has spent much of his life living out of a suitcase, meeting a host of colourful and memorable characters along the way.

The Tourist takes you out on the road, into the dressing room and behind the scenes of the commentary box to reveal just what really happens on Tour. Did Phil once push a baby grand piano down the stairs of a plush hotel? Did he accidentally eat a rat? Was he blamed for England being bowled out for 46 against the West Indies without even being in the team?

There’s only one way to find out…

It’s time to take a hilarious trip across the world with one of our most treasured sports personalities.

Genres: Biography

311 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Richard O'Hagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years ago some enterprising chaps (one of whom was the cartoonist Nick Newman) wrote a parody of a cricketer's autobiography called 'Pod Almighty'. That, sadly, is long out of print, but you can get much the same effect by reading this book.

That's not to be unkind. Tufnell's parodying is entirely self-knowing, as anyone who has heard his extremely self-deprecating tales before will know.

There are some odd errors. He refers to there being 17 first class cricket counties (there are 18) and, even more bizarrely, to himself as a leg spinner (he was a left arm finger spinner). These suggest that the editing isn't up to the quality of the storytelling - a shame as this is otherwise an entertainingly good read.

[Paul Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the “Tuffers” we seen on different TV shows to a tee and I could see him in my minds eye telling these tales as I read the different chapters. Whilst some of his antics seem sometimes over the top they all appear to have ring of truth about them and portray an old boy just having - in most cases - harmless fun. Sadly I’m sure there are people today who in this new blame culture who will be upset by him but reality is little he did or probably still does caused anybody any real harm .
For me, at least, an entertaining and easy read which several times had me laughing out loud.

[Martin Neale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I'm a big fan of Tuffers, I think he's a brilliant summariser on TMS. I got this book for Christmas and was really looking forward to reading it.
To say I was disappointed would be putting it mildly, this book is just a random collection of stories and anecdotes from his career on and off the field.
Sorry Phil, it just didn't hit the spot.

[Malcolm Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read, but a bit silly/laddish.
Phil tells the funny things that have happened to him throughout his life, both on and off the field.
I found the cricket anecdotes by far the best, whilst other bits were a bit childish.

A wet weather book to dip into?

[Karen Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tuffers - a national treasure! Amusing account of his travels through both his sporting and entertainment career .
It gives a great insight into his projects and behind the scenes from the changing rooms to the jungle .
Really enjoyed

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny set of travel memoirs from cricket, TV shows and personal holidays delivered with a style only Tuffers can do and pull off!

[Kevin Treweeks · Rating 2 out of 5]

light weight easy reading.
slightly more interesting when relating to cricket

[Ray Smillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly amusing. I really have nothing else to add.

[Paul M Mullan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected this to be funny, but i found Tuffers was trying a bit too hard at times and i found myself putting book down for a couple of days then coming back to it - i have read worse and its light hearted take on touring