HE died in 1984.
But I still have Eric Morecambe’s telephone number in my reporter’s contacts book.
Placed there in shaky handwriting in the late 1970s when I was a young cub reporter on the Luton News.
Asked by my news editor to call Eric to talk about a local charity event the comedy legend was involved with.
“WE have experience, you and I.
“We are what that house requires.”
Two women of advancing years sitting together on a park bench.
Providing one of the most poignant TV moments of 2010.
IT was the Friday before last Christmas that David Suchet finished filming Murder On The Orient Express.
Twelve months on it’s ITV1’s big Christmas Day film at 9pm.
I met up with David earlier this year to discuss his role in this iconic Poirot story.
Along with the documentary he filmed about his own journey on the real train, screened on the same channel last Sunday.
“AT first we thought that was a bit of a bore, quite frankly.
“As it happens, I think they’ve laid out the ground very nicely for us.”
Dame Eileen Atkins speaking at the British Film Institute in London last night about Downton Abbey.
Taking part in a panel Q&A following a screening of the first episode of BBC1’s revival of Upstairs Downstairs.
“HALF way out of the dark…”
The BFI Southbank in London tonight for a preview screening of the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special – A Christmas Carol.
Followed by a Q&A – chaired by journalist Caitlin Moran – with Matt Smith, who plays the 11th Doctor, Katherine Jenkins, who guest stars as Abigail Pettigrew, plus lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat.
Which was later thrown open to the audience, including a fishy question from Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) in the stalls.
A round table interview at BBC TV Centre in west London with the stars of new BBC4 film Dirk Gently.
My feature on Stephen Mangan, who plays Dirk, is in today’s Manchester Evening News – and below.
I’ve also posted some extra quotes and links under the interview for those who want to read more.
DEDICATED Coronation Street fans will know that this week’s tram crash was first suggested six years ago.
My exclusive story was published in the Manchester Evening News on November 25 2004.
It revealed that a story proposal for 2005 – yet to be finalised – had been put forward to crash a tram into the Rovers Return from a viaduct at that end of the street.
A special edition of The Weathefield Gazette – Coronation Street’s very own newspaper – was published yesterday.
The 32-page tram crash issue was printed in the Manchester Evening News, with the full support of ITV, to mark Corrie’s 50th anniversary today – Thursday Dec 9 2010.
And I was lucky enough to land a staff job…for one week only.
I wrote three features for the Gazette, including interviews with producer Phil Collinson, executive producer Kieran Roberts and cast members Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor) and Antony Cotton (Sean Tully).
Tony Warren, the man who started it all in 1960, also gave up his time to speak to me.
THE train from London to Stockport on a wet morning in September for a real television treat.
A day on location with new BBC2 drama Eric & Ernie, plus interviews with cast and production team.
Sitting in the stalls of the Stockport Plaza, we were transported back to 1939 as Ted Robbins, playing impresario and agent Jack Hylton, appeared through the curtains to introduce a young Ernie Wise (Harry MacEntire).
Watching several rows back from the stage is schoolboy Eric Morecambe (Jonah Lees) and his mum Sadie (Victoria Wood).
“I’m not doing it,” is Eric’s line as he’s called to audition on stage.
“THERE’S been an explosion. It’s Coronation Street…Weatherfield, yes. There’s flames everywhere. I think there’s people still in there.”
Deirdre Barlow dials 999 next week…
A tram carriage dusted with snow was still hanging from the viaduct when I visited the Corrie cobbles yesterday.
Ready and waiting for the hour-long live ITV1 episode next Thursday.
I was among a small group of journalists invited to Manchester to be the first “outsiders” to see the two episodes which will be screened on Monday.
Plus a teaser trail of events later in the week leading up to that live episode on the night of Corrie’s 50th anniversary.
Life of Wylie 