BLUR'S ALEX TAKES TV TOUR OF SOHO 19|06|01 Blur star Alex James is turning TV presenter by fronting a new series about his stomping ground Soho. The bass player, once renowned for his boozy lifestyle and endless partying, will host a six-part series about the vibrant area of London. The show, 24 Hours In Soho, looks through the eyes of residents and workers including strippers, chefs and drag artists. Each show - to be screened in the London Weekend Television region - will see a four-hour period condensed into a half-hour episode. James lives close to Soho and often wrote about his boozing stints around Soho in the column he used to write for Q magazine. "I wouldn't normally consider doing something like this but I've got a degree in Soho and I thought I was qualified to do it," he said. "Soho is where I spend my spare time. I like the chaos and the way it all spills out onto the street." He has been writing and producing with singer Sophie Ellis Bextor whose Groovejet single with Spiller was one of the biggest hits of last year. James began hanging out in Soho when Blur landed a record deal 12 years ago. Of his first TV presenting role he said: "I won't be giving up the day job but everyone seems happy with how its gone."