As a fellow Brummie to Jeff Lynne, I can verify those sightings.
(PS - if you want to hear the Brummie accent in all its weird glory, listen to the first 10 seconds of Four Little Diamonds).
Edited by vimesey, : Is this on ? No it's not on !
Could there be any greater conceit, than for someone to believe that the universe has to be simple enough for them to be able to understand it ?