Julian Stanley is Chief executive of The Cresset, in Bretton, Peterborough. He has helped to bring a host of stars to the city including the much-loved Jules Holland. Other highly successful shows include the Moscow Ballet and a week-long sell out of High School Musical last year.

Is there a film star/pop star/rock star/artist/writer you admire? And why...

I deeply admire Jools Holland – he is a terrifically talented musician and has a great band. He presents one of the few good music programmes on TV which features artists from every genre and from across the generations.

Is there a TV programme you couldn't live without?

I really love the repeats of Friends – they are brilliantly written and it is a superbly acted sitcom, and still very, very funny.

I really miss The Apprentice now it's finished.

Do you remember the first record you bought – what was it, and where did you buy it?

I bought My Boy Lollipop (which features Rod Stewart on Harmonica ) by Millie at a record store in Manchester for my first girlfriend Hilary Meggit – I was four.

Tell us about a recent discovery in music, film, etc... something you've seen or heard recently that you would recommend...

I have recently discovered the band The Fratellis, whose music I really enjoy.

Tell us about any guilty pleasures lurking in your CD or film collections – something you know is a bit naff but you can't help yourself.

There are several records and CDs in my collection that I listened to with my parents and which are really special – even though most young people will consider them to be totally uncool. One example is from the late '50s — Sammy Davis and Carmen McRae singing Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.

Favourite film...and why

Saturday's Shadow – a 10-minute short that came out last year starring Michael Maloney and my eldest son Aaron (16), which is playing at major film festivals around the world to great acclaim – he is a fine actor.

Favourite album...and why

Viva La Vida, by Cold Play – they are wonderful musicians live, make great records and write great songs.

Favourite book...and why

Two Lives by Vikram Seth. This is a deeply engaging, poignant and totally inspirational book. It brings together India, the Third Reich, the Second World War, Auschwitz, Israel, post-war Germany and '70s Britain in a totally gripping book. A superb writer.

Is there a song or individual piece of music you always come back to?

Help Me Make It Through The Night!

What are you reading at the moment?

Trust Me I'm A Junior Doctor – all about the NHS – fascinating, moving, a bit scary and very funny!

Tell me about a live music experience that sticks in your memory...

Watching my twin sons Elliot and Jonathan (aged 14) with their band (Project 151), play their debut concert to cheering a crowd of 700 people when they supported the The Subways in Cambridge recently. They hope to play in Peterborough very soon. You can hear them at www.myspace.com/project151music

And what are you up to this weekend?

Ferrying my three sons to and fro to rehearsals, friends houses and parties. With any luck, I may get to spend some romantic quality time with their mother.