Off to the Apollo Piccadilly for the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund preview screening of ‘The King’s Speech’. An Oscar-tipped performance from Colin Firth and superb performances from Geoffrey Rush, Sir Derek Jacobi and Helena Bonham-Carter make this a classy, enthralling and enriching two-hours. And if there’s any justice Guy Pearce as King Edward will pick up a Best Supporting Actor award or two. Thanks to Johanna Crotty and the C.T.B.F. gang.

‘The Secret Life of Bob Monkhouse’ on BBC4 is one of the best television documentaries on television that you will ever see: bursting with love and affection for Bob himself and the shows and films he made and collected. Within the 90 minutes there were ultra-rare snippets of everyone from Sid James and Graeme Garden to Vincent Price and Reece Shearsmith. A masterpiece.

Shockingly the first pantomime of the season and the year is almost over: Wendy Craig vs. a particularly impressive Abi Titmuss in ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at the Basingstoke Anvil. ‘Balamory’s Andrew Agnew kept the fun going while Nick Wilton, clearly channeling Peter Butterworth, made for an hilarious Nurse Nellie.

It’s the final repeat in the current run of ‘The Goodies’ and they have been the ‘surprise’ ratings success of the season with an average figure of 600, 000. More are, hopefully, expected in 2011 and don’t forget the 54th series of ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’ kick starts on Radio 4 in the New Year.

A few T.V. comedy highlights for the Christmas period. The wonderful Two Ronnies and Eric and Ern theme nights, of course. ‘Come Fly with Me’ from Matt Lucas and David Walliams, a new batch of ‘Unforgettable…’ documentaries including Harry Secombe and Danny la Rue, and a new Christmas episode of ‘The Royale Family’. Typically, the only telly Robert will be watching on Christmas Day is the Queen and ‘Doctor Who’. Happy Christmas!

The start of the eight-strong BBC2 repeat series of ‘The Goodies’. Please do watch them all!

Jolly japes at the Savile on Brook Street with friend and writer James Hogg. Several fiendish plans are being hatched for 2011…and Melvyn Bragg was there.

A productive and enjoyable jaunt into London saw lunch with the ever-lovely Liz Fraser, a catch-up with Robert’s favourite publisher, Marcus Hearn and the Calders bookshop launch of Sheila Steafel’s autobiography ‘When Harry Met Sheila’. It’s a fascinating read and is available from her official website: www.sheilasteafel.co.uk

Robert finally saw the first installment of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. Although the first film still remains his favourite this is the best so far. The ‘Deathly Hallows’ animation is breath-taking, the three juvenile leads can really carry a film now and Toby Jones will make you weep. Always lovely to see David Ryall, as well.

A fun day broadcasting from the BBC’s Western House and pushing the Christmas comedy releases from AudioGO; including ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’, ‘Round the Horne’, ‘The Goon Show’ and a lovely set of six ‘Remembering…’ collections showcasing Kenny Everett, Spike Milligan, Bob Monkhouse, Willie Rushton, Peter Sellers and Kenneth Williams. Liquid refreshments with Paul Cole, Alan Coles and Bob Golding followed. And Robert may well have a title for his new biography!