There are plans afoot to erect a statue to Keith Harris and, undoubtedly, Orville the Duck too, in his beloved Blackpool. Please take a moment to read about the campaign, support it, and spread the word. Let’s make this beautiful project fly! Thank you. www.change.org/p/blackpool-council-grand-theatre-blackpool-acknowledge-the-life-achievements-of-keith-harris-in-the-form-of-a-statue-in-blackpool

Lovely to see the ‘Carry On Forever’ documentary getting its first outing on ITV1 over three consecutive Monday evenings. Nice viewing figures too. Part one was followed by a screening of ‘Carry On Cowboy’, while tonight’s episode was coupled with ‘Carry On Cruising’. The third and final part airs on 8th June from 10.40pm. ‘Carry On Screaming!’ follows.

A wonderful afternoon at the Museum of Comedy with the legend that is Bernard Cribbins. Following a very rare and hugely appreciated screening of his 1969 sketch show ‘Cribbins’, Bernie joined me on stage for over an hour of outrageous and hilarious tales. Covering everything from Peter Sellers and the Carry Ons, to ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Right Said Fred’ (both the song and the group!), there was even time for a Wombles masterclass: an impromptu moment where that wicked old Great Uncle Bulgaria tried to get Orinoco drunk!

That alone rather made my year! The podcast will be available for download shortly. It’s a ‘keeper’!

The Press Night for ‘Just Jim Dale’, with the legend of pop stardom, Carry On, National Theatre and Broadway making a triumphant return to the West End. A glittering gallop through ancient stand-up routines, Oscar-nominated material, classic musical numbers, and even a slice of Harry Potter audio book recording; this was an extraordinary performance which attracted an extraordinary audience. Famous faces in attendance included Sir Derek Jacobi, Ronald Pickup, Charles Kay, Anita Harris, Ian Lavender, Mark Gatiss, Jessica Martin, Robert Lindsay, Anthony Andrews, Roy Hudd, and Bonnie Langford.

It was also inevitable that before curtain up, Jim would don a white coat and join Barbara Windsor in re-creating that now classic moment from ‘Carry On Again Doctor’ 46 years on. Wonderful stuff.

Jim is in residency at the Vaudeville theatre until 20th June. You can book tickets at www.nimaxtheatres.com or by ‘phoning: 0844 4829673.

Sadly, due to filming commitments, that delightful gentleman Mark Gatiss has to pull-out of my ‘Robert Ross Requests the Pleasure…’ show at the Museum of Comedy on Sunday, the 31st May. Mark has vowed to appear at a later show. However, my suber-sub. for the 31st May is super indeed. None other than that National Treasure Bernard Cribbins, who will be chatting with me about everything from ‘Fawlty Towers’ to fighting Daleks! You can secure tickets by ‘phoning the Museum Box Office on: 020 7534 1744.

I’m very sad to hear that variety favourite Keith Harris has died at the age of 67. With his beloved puppets Orville the Duck, Cuddles the Monkey, and, yes, even that Punk Skunk, he was a vital weave in the fabric of my youth. Whether it be his own show, several appearances on the Royal Command Performance, or as the host of ‘Disney Time’, Keith Harris was brilliant at what he did and, by all accounts, a thoroughly decent chap. Speechless.

I’ve got a couple of fun shows coming up this weekend. First up, tomorrow from 3pm, I’m celebrating the knockabout legacy of Norman Wisdom at the Concert Artistes’ Association, Bedford Street. With clips, familiar and rare, as well as memories of working with the great man himself, this affectionate salute marks his centenary earlier this year.

On Sunday, the 26th April from 4pm, I’m at the Museum of Comedy, Bloomsbury Way, requesting the pleasure of one of Norman’s film co-stars, Sally Geeson. In a special tribute to my comedy hero Sid James, exactly 39 years since his death, a screening of a ‘Bless This House’ episode will be followed by Sally sharing her memories of the series. She’ll also recall other acting cohorts, from Vincent Price to Kenneth Williams!

Tickets for both shows will be available on the door.

I’m still getting lots of lovely feedback after ITV3’s ‘Carry On Forever’ weekend screening over the Easter holidays. Our fantastic producer, Ali Lynch, tells me the viewing figures were very pleasing. She always is so modest! In fact, Friday evening’s showing of part one attracted a record audience of 520,000, well over double the usual ITV3 high. Part two, on Saturday evening, was the third most watched digital channel programme of the day, with 481,000, while the concluding part on Sunday evening held its audience at 466,000, against stiff competition from the James Bond film ‘Skyfall’ on ITV2, and ‘Poldark’ on BBC1. Blimus!

Over the weekend, my dear chum Jim Dale brought his celebrated one-man, autobiographical show, ‘Just Jim Dale’, to his home country. Indeed, it was in his home county of Northamptonshire that the preview performances wowed the audience at  the Corby Cube. ‘Just Jim Dale’ takes the West End by storm at the Vaudeville theatre from the 26th May to the 20th June. Beg for a ticket, it’s going to be quite a performance!

A fun afternoon chat with Paul Ross who (as he kept saying): “is no relation, sadly!” on BBC Radio Berkshire. We had done it before, and I’ve no doubt we’ll do it again, for the chat was all about the Carry On films, and in particular their location connection with the county. I was followed on the show by the delectable Anita Harris. That too is always a pleasant experience!