Thanks to that backstage beauty, Rachel Hewer, Robert sneaked into the local Riverside theatre to enjoy the manic fun of Roald Dahl’s ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’. That piglet was a comic genius!

To Swiss Cottage for the much anticipated plaque unveiling to ‘Doctor in the House’ and ‘Mind Your Language’ star Barry Evans. Stars of the popular 1970s situation comedy Francoise Pascal – who organised the event wonderfully – and George Camiller pulled the string. A tribute lunch to both Barry and the show’s writer, Vince Powell, followed where the guests were joined by Jenny Hanley, John Altman, Nina Baden-Semper and the legend that is Kenny Lynch.

A first draft of the new biography under his belt, it was time for Robert to meet up with his good pal, Bob Golding, for some beer-fueled antics in Buckinghamshire. Lock up your brandy!

Fun times for the new book with Ronnie and Rose Wolfe in North London. With writing credits on such comedy favourites as ‘Educating Archie’, ‘The Rag Trade’ and ‘Meet the Wife’, Ronnie’s best-loved show is undoubtedly ‘On the Buses’. Robert was delighted when Ronnie suggested the best way back to the West End was to hop on a bus. It fair made his day that did! More fun was to be had with the committee meeting for the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund lunch at BAFTA on 3rd March, while even more fun was to be had with a riotous get-together with Sarah-Jane Honeywell. Happy days.

The Slapstick festival fun continued with Graeme Garden’s fascinating, clip-laden tribute to comedian Harry Langdon. A wonderful gallop through the legacy of an unforgettable clown.

Tim was also heavily involved in the annual Slapstick Festival down in Bristol. Alas Robert couldn’t attend Sunday’s tribute to Marty Feldman hosted by Tim but the Friday evening Gala at the Colston Hall saw a host of comedy legends introduce silent comedy favourites. Barry Cryer praised Harold Lloyd before a screening of ‘Get Out’. Neil Innes championed Charlie Chaplin’s hilarious drunk act in ‘One a.m.’ Bill Oddie presented Laurel and Hardy’s 1928 classic ‘We Faw Down’, while Ian Lavender gave an eloquent tribute to his hero Buster Keaton before screening ‘Neighbours’. Other highlights including a Barry Cryer and Neil Innes sing song, Paul McGann warbling Chaplin’s theme from ‘Limelight’: ‘Eternally’ and a laid back Chris Searle on M.C. duties. Festival director Chris Daniels is to be thanked and congratulated. Keep an eye on www.slapstick.org.uk/ for 2012 dates and an exciting touring show of silent comedy planned for this spring.

The fun and hectic research for Robert’s new biography continues apace with a hilarious pub lunch with Tim Brooke-Taylor.

Another unforgettable West End experience with the penultimate performance of ‘Deathtrap’ at the Noel Coward theatre with the mercurial Simon Russell Beale as Sidney Bruhl.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s ‘The Rivals’ at the Theatre Royal Haymarket reunites Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles from the classic situation comedy ‘To the Manor Born’ and both were born to play this surprisingly saucy, robust and lively piece under the diligent eye of director Sir Peter Hall. Penny’s original malapropisms and Peter’s continued threats of “frenzy” are as impeccable as you would expect. The rest of the cast is uniformly excellent, although special mention should go to Tony Gardner who milks every laugh out of his pompous Faulkland. Eventually, there is even Eric Morecambe-like pleas and glances to the audience: a brilliant performance. Carlyss Peer as the cheeky maid Lucy is a delight, Keiron Self gives a panto-sized performance as Bob Acres while the demure Robyn Addison and Annabel Scholey bicker, console and giggle about love, lost and their silly boyfriends in 18th century Bath. The play runs until 26th February. Do not miss it.

The Yvonne Arnaud theatre, Guildford for another production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’; this time headlining the multi-talented Sarah-Jane Honeywell. She sings, she dances, she can handle a sword! Shane Lynch turned the ladies to jelly, the wonderful Royce Mills played Nurse Nellie with saucy delight and Nichola McAuliffe gave the Wicked Fairy a knowing theatricality that ranged from chav to Joyce Grenfell. The legs of Guildford School of Acting graduate Lucy Hope-Borne were an added attraction!