Robert is off to see Joe Brown at the Wycombe Swan this evening and, seeing as the rocker channels the spirit of Max Miller as well as the spirit of Eddie Cochran, and got down with Sid James in Three Hats for Lisa, the fact is fully justified a mention here!

Sad to report a rather large swathe of British theatrical deaths in recent days. Derek Bond, one of the true gents of British cinema, and best remembered for playing Nicholas Nickleby (1947), Oates in Scott of the Antartic (1948) and Norman Wisdom’s nemesis in Trouble in Store (1953), was 85. The stunningly attractive Sally Gray will never be forgotten thanks to a trio of tight film noirs: A Window in London (1938) with Michael Redgrave, as Robert Newton’s callous wife in Obsession (1949) and, best of all, Green for Danger (1946). She was 90. Peter Barkworth’s film career included No Love For Johnnie (1960), No, My Darling Daughter (1961) and Where Eagles Dare (1968) although it is his classic television roles in The Power Game and Telford’s Change that made his name. He died at the age of 79. And finally, Ross Davidson, whose character, Andy O’Brien, was famously knocked down and killed by a car in Eastenders. Ross also featured in Terry Gilliam’s mini-masterpiece The Crimson Permanent Insurance and played Andy Morgan in Hollyoaks. He lost his brave battle aganst cancer at the age of 57. Robert remembers with pleasure a decidedly ‘jolly’ conversation with this charming and likeable man at Pinewood Studios in 2004.

While the saga of Carry On London continues to carry on and on, another classic comedy series is set to be resurrected. The St. Trininan’s series started with 1954’s The Belles of St. Trininan’s and was last revived with the Wildcats of St. Trinian’s in 1980. Unlike the Carry Ons, and despite the superb Alastair Sim who appeared in the first two films, the series doesn’t have the hurdle of a largely-depleted, regular star cast to recreate. As usual, the girls will be the thing: and with Keira Knightley, Billie Piper and Rachel Stevens mooted to be donning the gym-slips, Robert awaits the results with huge interest! Oh and a George Cole cameo would be lovely, for old times sake. Filming is set to start at Ealing Studios…very soon!

Monty Python founders Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam joined Spamalot driving force Eric Idle at the West End Gala performance. Alas John Cleese was filming down under, although he did appear by proxy as he plays the voice of God in the musical. The show looks set to run and run and only a very strong-willed Python fan will be able to resist those Killer Rabbit Slippers!!

To mark the rather tenous 38th anniversary of the start of filming on Carry On Camping, Robert guested on BBC Gloucestershire with tales of Barbara Windsor’s flying bikini top and other happy tales of the classic film series. On Thursday Robert will be plugging his new book, The Goodies Rule OK, with favourite broadcasters Judi Spiers and Luke Deal. That’s BBC Devon from mid-day and BBC Suffolk from 12:30; if you are in those areas!

The official publication day for Robert’s latest book, The Goodies Rule OK, was spent celebrating the comic genius of Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie for various regional radio stations across the country. The book, published by Carlton Books, is priced at the Goody Goody Yum Yum sum of £16.99 and is available at all good bookshops, bad bookshops and all on-line book retailers. Fans should nip out and get a copy. Particularly if you live in Brighton; for Tim and Graeme are performing their live stage show, The Goodies Still Rule OK, this coming Wednesday and Thursday, and will be back in the town for I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue recordings on the 18th.