Sad to hear that John Junkin has died at the age of 75.  Very much an unsung comic hero, he penned literally hundreds of comedy scripts for the best of post-war British comics.  Often working with Tim Brooke-Taylor, notably in Hello, Cheeky and the Marty Feldman shows, John was one of those great British faces that assured a good time whether it be on stage, on radio, on television or in films.  His movie career ranged from Norman Rossington’s side-kick in A Hard Day’s Night when he was memorably taught how to shave by George Harrison, to the glorious sexual excess of Confessions From a Holiday Camp, making life a bleeding misery for Robin Askwith and Anthony Booth.  Rest in Peace John.

Another year and another series of Last of the Summer Wine.  The first series kicked off this evening with a rather jolly episode involving the ‘lads’ chasing a message in a bottle.  Good to fully welcome June Whitfield to the squad and nice to see relative ‘new boys’ Brian Murphy and Burt Kwouk injecting some new blood in to the fun.

It was a red letter day for classic comedy lovers today as, at 7:10pm on BBC2, a complete episode of The Goodies was repeated; the first time on the BBC for 20 years, since Kitten Kong was screened to mark 50 years of the corporation in 1986.  On Saturday it was the Winter Olympics episode guest starring Peter Jones and, if the ratings dictate, this will be the first of many Goodies repeats picked to reflect a current news story or cultural trend.  Can’t wait!

In a week dominated by goodbyes to comic heroes, Robert attended the grand memorial service to Ronnie Barker at Westminister Abbey.  A who’s who of light entertainment attended, including Ronnie’s chief cohorts Ronnie Corbett and David Jason, as well as Kathy Staff, Terry Wogen, Graeme Garden, Leslie Phillips, Richard Briers, Josephine Tewson, Michael Palin, Barry Cryer, Peter Kay and Porridge co-stars Sam Kelly, Christopher Biggins and ‘Orrible Ives himself, Ken Jones.

Robert attended the joyous funeral service of Dennis Kirkland at St. James’ Church, Hampton Hill.  Den’s last performance was, suitably enough, to a packed audience.  It was standing room only at the church and the friends and family that attended were all invited to wear something pink in Den’s memory.  Jon Jon Keefe, one of Benny Hill’s beloved stooges, provided happy memories of the Thames years, while Chas ‘n’ Dave sang Den’s favourite song, Ain’t No Pleasing You.  But, it was Den’s wife, Mary, and daughter, Jo, that gave the bravest tributes.  A suitably upbeat, hilarious and moving farewell to a lovely chap.