A journey to York to watch the world premiere of Ray Galton and John Antrobus’s long-anticipated play, Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane. Harry Dickman and Jake Nightingale brilliantly recapture the rag ‘n’ boning magic of the late Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett. A completely original play, the show runs in York until 12 November.

A true television event as Robert is invited to the studio recording of The Return of the Goodies; a two-hour theme night of clips, celebrity fans and linking comments from Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie. Set for broadcast over the Christmas fortnight, this will be an exciting reunion for any admirers of the best in British comedy.

Richmond-upon-Thames recording for several dvd featurettes for A+E’s on-going release of Benny Hill programmes saw Robert ‘chatting up’ Hill’s Angels Sue Upton, Joanna Thomas, Alison Thomas, Alison Bell and Carla de Wansey. The first of these featurettes will appear on Benny Hill Set 4, due for release in January 2006.

The death of a comic legend. So it’s a final goodnight from Fletch, Arkwright, the Magnificent Evans, Clarence and their mercurial creator, Mr Ronnie Barker. Rest in Peace.

I attended the first Best of British Comedy Lunch at BAFTA in support of The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. A star-studded turn-out included Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Paul Merton, Neil Innes, Andrew Sachs, Victor Spinetta, Burt Kwouk and Sanjeev Bhaskar, as well as sterling cabaret from Comedy Store favourites Stephen K Amos, Rhod Gilbert, Sarah Millican and Roger Monkhouse.

My latest Doctor Who play for Big Finish, ‘Pier Pressure’, completed its two day recording schedule today. Roy Hudd is the Pure Gold of Music Hall, Max Miller, while Doug Bradley plays the mysterious end of pier fortune teller, ‘Professor’ Talbot. There’s also a special guest appearance from someone very familiar to the world of Doctor Who. The play will be released on compact disc in January 2006.

A few glasses are raised to Peter Sellers who would have celebrated his 80th birthday today.

Robert chats about his new book, ‘Forgotten Heroes of Comedy’, with The British Comedy Guide. The in-depth interview can be read here: http://www.comedy.co.uk/shop/robert_ross_forgotten_heroes_book_interview/