Robert flew off to the land of “hamburgers and raisins that can sing” as Don McLean has it. He was a man on a mission and it had a little bit to do with baseball!

The British Comedy Society are paying tribute to Kenneth Williams on 5th September. The Dead Comic Society unveiled a blue plaque to the beloved comedy actor in 1994 but the Marlborough House flat has seen been demolished and redeveloped.

The British Comedy Society, Quicksilver Theatre Company, Camden Council and British Land plc have organized a packed day.

At 12.30 actor and writer David Benson will lead a walkabout tour: ‘Footsteps Under the Pavement’. This is free but must be booked direct with Chris Mellor at Camden Council. To check availability please e-mail: walks@camden.gov.uk

David will perform his celebrated one-man show ‘Think No Evil of Us – My Life with Kenneth Williams’ from 3.30pm at the New Diorama Theatre, 15-16 Triton Street, Regents Place, off Osnaburgh Street, London NW1.

The plaque unveiling, reception and refreshments will take place in the foyer of the theatre from 5.30pm.

The ticket price for the show, unveiling and reception is £30. Paid-up Friends of the B.C.S. are entitled to a discount of £3 per ticket for themselves plus a guest. Please express your interest in attending at the Society website: www.britishcomedysociety.com.

One of Robert’s locals, the Green Man in Aylesbury, celebrated its first anniversary under new management. The occasion called for a pint or two; particularly as a plaque on the opposite wall marks Ronnie Barker’s first professional acting engagement. Then it was off to the cinema to marvel at the ridiculous, gory and scantily-clad madness that is ‘Piranha: 3D’. Kelly Brook in and out of a bikini. Christopher Lloyd going marvellously over-the-top. Richard Dreyfuss reprising his ‘Jaws’ role. Oh, you were sold at Kelly Brook weren’t you? 😉

More laughter with Leslie Phillips before Robert donned a 1940s Lance-Corporal uniform for Bob Golding’s 40th birthday bash in St. Albans. The hall, suitably associated with Eric Morecambe, was painstakingly decked out in bunting, war-time nosh of bangers and mash in billy cans was served and live music came from the 78 rpms; as well as tributes to Flanagan and Allen and the Andrews Sisters. And, yes, that was Robert dancing alongside Roger Lloyd-Pack, Francoise Pascal, Paul Cole and ‘Mr Tumble’ – Justin Fletcher, of course.

Giggles and gossip with Liz Fraser. A potential project is in the pipeline.

A fun pub crawl through Ealing with Carry On Teacher alumnus Paul Cole and David Barry and great friends Alan Coles and Henry Holland. A select few: we are looking at H and Meurig and wagging our collective finger; managed to break away from the bar long enough to visit the school location near West Ealing train station. Upon returning to the West End, a final wet of the evening was enjoyed in the Ship & Shovel where Robert bumped in to singer Tony Christie. All together now – “in the avenues and alleyways…”

Huge congratulations to show business legend Jim Dale who turns 75 today. Happy birthday, old friend. You must have a portrait in the attic!

Carry On fans are in for a treat tomorrow when members of The Whippit Inn forum gather at Brighton’s New Madeira Hotel on Marine Parade. Local boy and Carry On Abroad babe magnet Ray Brooks with be joined by the glamorous Vicki Woolf (Carry On…Up the Khyber) and Georgina Moon (Carry On Camping and Carry On Behind). Tickets cost a mere £25 and last minute questions can be asked at carryonupthewinkle@googlemail.com.

Those lovely folk at The Max Miller Appreciation Society have alerted me to the lifestyle publication, ‘The Magazine People’. They are holding a poll to ascertain “The Greatest Brightonian” from a selected list of thirty people. Just over 10% of those listed were actually born in the town, including Maxie of course, so send in your vote for ‘The Cheeky Chappie to vote@magazinepeople.co.uk, including the name MAX MILLER in the subject box. Alternatively you can send in a postal vote to: The Greatest Brightonian, The Magazine People, Head Office, Studio Six, Sussex Mews, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QJ.

Oh, and in the interest of fairness, here are the other hopefuls:  Richard Attenborough, Zoe Ball, Raymond Briggs, Julie Burchill, Charles Busby, Edward Carpenter, Winston Churchill, Sir Edward Codrington, Steve Coogan, Norman Cook, Simon Cowell, Chris Eubank, William Friese-Grene, George IV, Graham Greene, Tony Hawks, Barbara Hulanicki, Rudyard Kipling, Sir Edward Marshall Hall, Paul McCartney, Alan Melville, Laurence Olivier, John Osbourne, Steve Ovett, Fred Perry, Anita Roddick., Robert Smith, Magnus Volk, Mark Williams.

The closing date is 10th September 2010.

A delightful lunch with John and Sam Carson in the snug actor-friendly chow-house, Joe Allen. Conversation ranging from Oliver Reed to Max Wall, memories of stage nerves, the buzz of work and an interesting new commercial involving John and a robot that isn’t there filled up hours and hours. Thanks to the staff for their kindness and smiles despite our clearly out-staying our welcome 😉 Then off to the London Palladium for the musical comedy ‘Sister Act’. Still successfully packing them in after over a year at the theatre, the added bonus for three weeks only is the addition of Whoopi Goldberg. The original star of the 1980s film, Whoopi brings pure joy to the hard-nosed Mother Superior with a fine line in put-downs. The audience exploded on her first entrance and it was only by her fifth or sixth appearance that we had stopped clapping the mere fact she was on the stage. Comedy legend Ian Lavender, having appeared in the production from the beginning, brought energy and fleetness of foot to his supporting role of the Monsignor while Simon Webbe, formerly of boy band Blue, is a revelation as the Gangster boyfriend. The boy can obviously sing, but he has a knowing sense of comedy and the confidence of a Disco Pimp!