Safe and snug in the Redwood Studios of Andre Jacquemin to record the DVD audio commentary for the feature film version of ‘Father, Dear Father’ with Patrick Cargill’s lovely ‘daughters’ Natasha Pyne and Ann Holloway. A dream of a recording, the 90 + minute yak track was captured in one-take and was as funny, informative and relaxed as Robert had hoped. It will be released by Madman Entertainment in the autumn.

‘Carry On Jack’ leading lady Juliet Mills sees her tour of ‘Bedroom Farce’ reach Brighton’s mercurial Theatre Royal this week. Highly recommended. Radio 2’s Comedy Season continues with a tribute to Peter Sellers this evening; 30 years since his death. Shows devoted to Tommy Cooper and Dave Allen conclude the season on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10pm.

Pivotal Sunday evening telly: the beginning of the beginning for ‘Sherlock’ and the beginning of the end for ‘Last of the Summer Wine’. Robert is up to his eyes in newspaper cuttings, letters, photographs and theatrical playbills. His cottage isn’t always this messy, it’s all book research!

Robert took part in a quick debate with stand-up comedian Benjamin Partridge on BBC Radio Wales reflecting on Keith Chegwin’s repeating of established comedian’s jokes on twitter. In a bare five minutes Robert still managed to name-check Frankie Howerd, Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and even Milton Berle.

Another fun day in store with Leslie Phillips, culminating in an orchestral selection at St. Martins in the Field.

Radio 2’s Comedy Season continues with Sean Lock’s celebration of a comedy legend: Tommy Cooper – Just Like That, broadcast on Radio 2 from 10pm this evening. Friends and colleagues Ronnie Corbett, Barry Cryer and Michael Parkinson contribute.

The second part of the definitive radio documentary, ‘Carry On Forever!’, is broadcast on Radio 2 from 10pm this evening. A surprisingly riveting and enjoyable listen, the archive sound-bites from the likes of Jon Pertwee, Jack Douglas, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Bernard Bresslaw merge seamlessly with new memories from Valerie Leon, Jacki Piper, Julian Clary and John Antrobus. You can listen to the programmes at: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t37n4 until the start of next week.

Pinewood Studios played host to representatives from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for the presentation of a painting left to the home by Peter Rogers. The painting, featuring six Battersea dogs, was bought in auction by Peter in the 1980s and hung in pride of place in his office until his death last year. He had requested that the painting be returned to the home and it will be on permanent display from September. Peter’s niece, Leonora Dossett, was in attendance at the handover and said: “Peter was a big dog lover and always had his German Shepherd with him, so he would be delighted to see Battersea Dogs & Cats Home here at Pinewood Studios. I know he would be thrilled that the Home is going to display the painting.” It had been commissioned to mark the 125th anniversary of the home and, in this year of the 150th anniversary, Peter is still helping the home so close to his heart. Claire Horton, Battersea’s Chief Executive Officer, reflected that: “Peter spent his life in pictures and this painting is a very fitting tribute to him and his love of animals.” You can read more about the home at: www.battersea.org.uk.

It was fitting than that Radio 2 turned a delightful shade of blue from 10 to 11pm as Leslie Phillips presented the first in a series of British Comedy documentaries: Carry On Forever! An affectionate gallop through the history of the series, interviews with surviving cast members Liz Fraser, Anita Harris, Shirley Eaton and Kenneth Cope were complimented by archive material from Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques, Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey, Gerald Thomas and Peter Rogers as well as new historical interjections from Robert. Stay tuned for a further 23 hours for the second part! 

A delightful champagne-fueled afternoon in the garden of Leslie Phillips is interrupted by a telephone interview with Richard Dinnick. Researching an epic two-volume history of Big Finish Productions, the first tome is released in the autumn and includes coverage of Robert’s first ‘Doctor Who’ play: ‘Medicinal Purposes’ starring Colin Baker, Maggie Stables, David Tennant…and Leslie Phillips. Then it was off to Hampstead’s New End theatre to attend the final performance of George Layton in Wolf Mankowitz’s ‘The Bespoke Overcoat’. A classic of Jewish community and comradeship through the veil, David Graham, James Barron and Sam Hoye completed an impeccable ensemble cast. George’s gentle observations, brandy-soaked optimist pearls of wisdom, knowing monologues and gentile warmth made for an unforgettable evening.

A Goody Goody Yum Yum Happy birthday to Tim Brooke-Taylor who turns 70 tomorrow.