Robert joins Anneke Wills and other writers for Tim Hirst’s Meet the Authors book signing at the Kennet Centre, Newbury. Robert signs copies of his latest book, ‘Sid James – Cockney Rebel’, as well as his back catalogue of Carry On titles.

Robert records a contribution to the Wise Buddah radio documentary on Monty Python on Record. Hosted by the Mighty Boosh and featuring interviews with the Pythons themselves, the two-hour show should be broadcast on the BBC over the Christmas fortnight. Later in the day Robert joins such luminaries of Hammer Films as Paul Cole, Vera Day, Valerie Leon, Maddy Smith and John Hough at the launch of the Idea Generation gallery exhibition. Robert will also contribute to Hammer’s Tweetensteins on Twitter. You can follow Robert @RobertWRossEsq.

Robert was delighted to celebrate the Ruby Jubilee of Monty Python at the ‘Not the Messiah He’s a Very Naughty Boy’ performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Composed and performed by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, the Python behind the smash hit musical ‘Spamalot’ was joined on stage by fellow comedy legends Michael Palin (in drag), Terry Jones as a Welsh miner, Terry Gilliam saying ‘I’m not!’, Neil Innes as a Mexican and the ever-delectable Carol Cleveland as a three-sheep shepherd. Highlights included Mike and Eric recreating the crucifixion scene, Life of Brian producer John Goldstone taking the stage and Terry Jones shaking his maracas but the roof completely came off when Michael Palin ripped off his Toga to reveal a lumberjack shirt beneath. Carol Cleveland was his girl while surprise guests were Python engineer Andre Jacquemin and King of the Britons Sanjeev Bhaskar. All enjoyed from a front row centre seat, everything from the opening burst of Sosua’s Liberty Bell to the rousing chorus of ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ and a shower of confetti Python feet made for a heart-warming salute.

Robert will be signing at the ‘Meet the Authors’ event staged by Hirst Books at the Kennet  Centre, Newbury on 31st October. He will be signing copies of ‘Sid James – Cockney Rebel’ and the 50th anniversary edition of ‘The Carry On Story’ as well as several other titles while stocks last. The event starts at 10am and should come to an end at 4pm. Why not come along and support this fun and unique gift idea for the book-lover in your family.

‘Sid James – Cockney Rebel’ is officially published today by J.R. Books, although several shops have been stocking copies for weeks. Waterstones had it as their recommendation, alongside Mike Palin’s second volume of diaries.

A week of radio interviews promoting ‘Sid James – Cockney Rebel’ ends with Robert live on ‘The Sunday Supplement’ for BBC Kent.

Robert attended ‘The Last Shout’ booze-up at the Bath House pub in Soho; home of many a book launch in the past. Celebrity attendees included Vera Day, Philip Madoc, Caroline Munro, Paul Cole, David Barry, Maddy Smith and many creative forces from ‘The Sweeney’ who paid fitting tribute to writer Troy Kennedy Martin.

In celebration of Monty Python’s 40th anniversary on Monday, Robert will be chatting to BBC York just after 9am and BBC Berkshire at 11:30am. His book, The Monty Python Encyclopedia, is available from B.T. Batsford Books.

Belated congratulations to Terry and Anna on the birth of their daughter, Siri. She comes into the world just in the nick of time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Saturday evening sees BBC2 host a Python Night which includes a radically edited version of Bill, Ben and Alan G.Parker’s documentary Monty Python – Almost the Truth. The BBC’s Lawyers Cut features an hour-long version of the definitive tribute with new interviews with John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin as well as vintage footage of Graham Chapman. The two-hour feature film version will be in cinemas across the country and the nearly six-hour American television version will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from 29th October. Robert should appear in one of those edits! 😉