Rick Blackman

My annual birthday heads up for Sam Kydd who was #BOTD 1915. Check his IMDb, it's staggering, be quicker to list what he hadn't appeared in! I love the little gag in his reply to the Lord Taverners.

A not very convincing Peter Wyngarde tribute act!

I just had to check you hadn't pinched my copy of that music sheet! Let you off, it's still here!

Patricia Haines #BOTD 1932 d.1977. One of my fav autographs. She was in loads of cult tv shows I love, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), The Champions, The Baron, Dept S, The Avengers, Adam Adamant lives, The Saint, Public Eye etc. Once married to Michael Caine. Not a lot of people know that!

Remembering the late Actor, Michael Sharvell-Martin (2 February 1944 – 28 October 2010)

The Late Michael Sharvell-Martin was #BOTD 1944. Well known comedy actor who worked with the likes of Benny Hill and Dave Allen. He and Dad did many Panto's together at Windsor and had a great partnership particularly as Ugly sisters. I actually knew Michael before Dad met him!

The Late Michael Sharvell-Martin was #BOTD 1944. Well known comedy actor who worked with the likes of Benny Hill and Dave Allen. He and Dad did many Panto's together at Windsor and had a great partnership particularly as Ugly sisters. I actually knew Michael before Dad met him!

Have had nice banter and response to this post on X/Twitter. Wish Bluesky would pull in more!

Happy birthday to Carol Hawkins, #BOTD! Lucky old Dad got to work with her in the 1970's!

That's good. I have just a faint biro line on the maze in the centre pages. I can live wit that!

I bought that in a collectors emporium for 2 quid last year!

Quality! Harry gave me his stage brothel creepers. I think those actual ones!

Remembering actor Christopher Beeny, who left us 6 Years Ago Today! Seen here in Upstairs Downstairs!

I'll have a tot-up of the jar I throw the coppers in.

I love my brick.

Keith Floyd would have been 82 today! We have his signed photo hanging in our kitchen for inspiration. Just making bubble n squeak with the Christmas leftovers. Mashed spuds, roast spuds, carrot, parsnip, swede, sprouts, kale, chestnuts. Yes, of course I have a large glass of red on the go! 🍷🍷

Piercings, a rite of passage.

Dan Leno #BOTD 1860. Massive star of music hall in his day. The panto 'Mother Goose' was written for him! @musichallsociety.bsky.social

In the mince pie zone. Cleaning lady up to usual high standard. Dollop of Crème Fraiche on the side, job done! A lot goes into these. The mincemeat for next years batches will be made tomorrow. Merry Christmas! Can you believe there are no mince pie emojis!

YouTube video by Count Arthur Strong Count Arthur Strong's Christmas Message

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7no...

This isn't because I can't be bothered doing a new one. Before you say anything

Actress Liz Smith was #BOTD 1921. She didn't really get started as an actress until around the age of 50 and considering that appeared in a huge amount of TV and films, including 'In Loving Memory' Christmas ep 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'. Still shows Dad on far right.

I've not shared this flyer before! Dad in panto in Canterbury with Gerald Flood, Donald Hewlett and Michael Knowles in 'Babes in the Wood'. 1981-82 season. Seats from £2.20-£3.50! #Pantomime #ItsBehindYou #OhYesItIs!

The great Mel Smith was #BOTD in 1952. A huge talent taken far too soon. 'Colin's Sandwich' is one of the best sitcoms of the 1980's in my opinion.

Happy birthday to the brilliant actor Mark Benton who is 60 today! (5 and a bit weeks younger than me)

I'm going through the small claims courtship as I type.

What a pair of jokers!

My neck of the woods!

Last night in Brighton I saw Count Arthur Strong in Charles Dance's 'A Christmas Carol'. As Usual the elusive Count buggered off after the show so once again was fobbed off with his PR bloke Steve Delaney. I feel a bit Chrismassy now which frankly I'm not happy about. @countarthurstrong.bsky.social

The story behind the bloomers. Max famously had the white & blue book of gags. No-one knew the bloomers were behind the plaque curtain. Ken pulls curtain away, hello bloomers. Ken now has to pull the bloomers down to reveal plaque. It worked well and got laughs and applause. 😌

The late great Ken Dodd was #BOTD 98 years ago! The Max Miller society (of which I was a founder member) got Ken who was our patron to unveil a plaque on one of Max's houses in 2000. I still have those signed blue & white bloomers! #TattyBye! @musichallsociety.bsky.social @youngalison.bsky.social