Robert interviewed director and scriptwriter Michael Winner at his lavish Kensington home for a new special edition DVD release of his 1978 film The Big Sleep. Enthused chat about Robert Mitchum, Oliver Reed, James Stewart, Lew Grade and London location filming.

A very civilised 11am start for Robert who was thrilled, delighted, amazed and all-round excited about working with one of his comic heroes, Ronnie Corbett, on a new DVD release of Sorry! Three episodes from the first series got the audio commentary treatment, while a filmed interview, for the second series disc, looked at Ronnie’s long and varied television career from Sheep’s Clothing to Extras.

Back in to London, for the Park Lane Grovesnor Hotel Heritage Foundation luncheon in honour of Liz Fraser. A marvellous afternoon of entertainment and in the great company of such celebrated pros as Roy Hudd, Brian Murphy, Burt Kwouk, Hayley Mills, Rolf Harris and Valerie Leon. Naturally, the fun spilled out in to the nearest pub and rounded off an exhausting but totally enjoyable weekend.

The birthday bash of Robert’s great mate Henry Holland. A fantastic, theatrical-geared pub in Marylebone and an impressive guest list of famous friends: Sally Geeson, Caroline Munro, Julie Stevens, Martine Beswick, Tony Hoare, made for an unforgettable night.

Thanks to Alan Coles, Robert gets a comp ticket to see Robert Lindsay in The Entertainer at the Old Vic. Although he is being unfairly compared to the original Archie Rice, Laurence Oliver, Lindsay is, in actual fact, an actor more in tune with the seedy music hall tradition the play examines. A marvellous cast; although the stand-out is John Normington as Billy Rice, the only success story of the family.

Missed my early morning interview panel at the Doctor Who convention, Invasion, in Barking, but enjoys the company of such high profile Time Lords as Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Paul McGann, before departing for a whim-trip to Brighton for fish ‘n’ chips on the Palace Pier!

Giggles and real ale with the national treasure that is Terry Jones. Robert moderated the audio commentary for Terry’s 1986 film, Personal Services, which will be released by ITV DVD later in the year.

The death of John Inman, at the age of 71, is announced. Robert has many memories of this much-loved comic actor. He always seemed to be popping in and out of some charity function or recording studio but, along with that immortal cry of ‘I’m free!’, Robert remembers Elstree Studios: when John was desperate for the ‘little boy’s room’ but still gritted his teeth and signed autographs for waiting fans. The London Palladium: bumping in to him back stage after the final night of Jim Dale’s run in Oliver! Bournemouth Pier: when, despite being on stage with the most famous bum in British comedy Robin Askwith, John still happily mooned in an enjoyable farce. RIP John. A unique talent, greatly missed.

The start of an enjoyable weekend at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow for the Autographica convention. Robert was joined by a trio of favourites from British film and television: Liz Fraser, Brian Murphy and Linda Regan.

Robert was invited to Donald Fearney’s day of Hammer at the Cine Lumiere in South Kensington, London. The event, also attended by such Hammer luminaries as Jenny Hanley, Caroline Munro, Madeleine Smith, Ingrid Pitt, Dave Prowse, John Hough, John Cater and Edward de Sousa launched the documentary film Legend of Hammer Vampires and the book Hammer Films – the Elstree Studio Years. Here’s hoping for another bash at the inviting Bray Studios.