One hundred years to the day since RMS Titanic sank. The fourth and final part of Julian Fellowes’ ITV1 drama is broadcast this evening. The DVD, on which Robert worked, will be released tomorrow. Suitably, Robert joined his family in a day-trip to the SeaCity Museum in Southampton. A moving and exceptionally well put together salute to the history and legacy of the Titanic. Time for a few pints of Titanic ale as well. A tankard of Captain Smiths is in reserve for the drama this evening!

An emotional evening ‘Remembering Marty Feldman’ at The Cinema Museum. Sincere thanks to Robert’s good friend Henry Holland for chairing the event – an epic three-hours of nostalgic chat, good laughs and invaluable clips featuring Marty in such rare productions as The Wednesday Play: ‘Double Bill’, ‘The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother’ and ‘Slapstick of Another Kind’. Robert was particularly proud to welcome special guests Terry Jones and Derek Griffiths who reflected on working with Marty on the television shows ‘The Frost Report’, ‘Marty’ and ‘Marty Back Together Again’. A wonderful evening.

Camp laughs a-plenty with Robert remembering Frankie Howerd, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and John Inman for a Sky Atlantic three-part documentary series celebrating sixty years of gay comedians. It is hoped that the working title, ‘God Save the Queens’, is retained when it is broadcast in the Summer!

Undoubtedly the finest theatrical production Robert has seen this year – so far – was ‘The Recruiting Officer’ at the Donmar Warehouse. Mark Gatiss was on superbly foppish form, m’dear, and the pleasure of Anneke Wills’ company gave the whole experience that extra something. In a uniformly excellent cast, it was a delight to see vibrant veteran Gawn Grainger strut his stuff. Cut along to see it immediately. It was also a delight to see that other ‘Gentlemen’, Reece Shearsmith in Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Absent Friends’ at the Harold Pinter theatre. A fantastic six-hander, Kara Tointon’s Evelyn had the perfect mix of ’70s chic and petulant disgust.

A beautiful memorial service to David Croft OBE at St. Martin-in-the-Field. The Croft family and the BBC gave the perfect tribute to this hugely influential writer, director and producer – from Su Pollard’s singing to Rick Wakeman’s choral mash-up of the theme tunes to some of Croft’s best-loved comedy shows. The true greats of British comedy were out in force; including Jimmy Perry, Clive Dunn, Ian Lavender, Bill Pertwee, Paul Shane, Jeffrey Holland, Barry Cryer, Ray Galton, Frank Thornton and, particularly moving for Robert, a reunion of ‘It ‘Ain’t ‘Alf Hot, Mum’ survivors Windsor Davies, George Layton, Stuart McGugan, Michael Knowles, Mike Kinsey and la-de-da Gunner Graham himself, John Clegg! The rest of the day was spent with Mr. and Mrs. Clive Doig. The fun included fine ale and the splendid production of ‘The Ladykillers’ at the Gielgud theatre.

Robert is delighted to be joined by Tim Brooke-Taylor in an affectionate salute to Marty Feldman. The event, part of the Aye Write! Festival at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow, will be illustrated with Marty and Tim’s work in ‘At Last the 1948 Show’ and ‘Marty’. Robert and Tim will be signing copies of the Marty Feldman biography afterwards. With thanks to Eddie Harrison for chairing the interview.

The hotly awaited autobiography of Francoise Pascal is being published by Pegasus on 26th January. It promises to be a riveting read and you can pre-order it here. Go! http://www.amazon.co.uk/As-I-Am-Francoise-Pascal/dp/1903490715/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326885865&sr=1-2

The final throw of the Christmas dice comes with Trevor Nunn’s splendid production of ‘The Lion in Winter’ at the Haymarket. James Goldman’s play always had the feel of a comic historical soap opera about it and that quality is at fever pitch here with outstanding acting across the board. Headliners were Joanna Lumley who preened and whined and schemed throughout, while the stage really belonged to the power house performance of Robert Lindsay as Henry II. It was at turns joyfully comic and coldly ruthless. It closes on 28th January. Do yourself a favour and see it.

Robert is always reluctant to let Christmas go so he grabbed the chance of going to the Wyndham’s Theatre for ‘Christmas With the Rat Pack’. Jack Daniels, cigarettes and good-natured banter were at the forefront, naturally, and the stars stood on the shoulders of giants with perfect delicacy. The show loses the Christmas songs from 9th January and runs at the Wyndham’s until embarking on a nationwide tour.

Robert’s old china, Harry Fowler, dies at the age of 85. In a sixty plus year career, Harry brought a real sense of the East End to hundreds of films and television shows. Serving his apprenticeship at Ealing Studios, he starred in their first proper comedy success ‘Hue and Cry’ and notched up notable appearances in ‘Went the Day Well?’ and ‘Champagne Charlie’. On television, he brought a new catchphrase to the last years of ‘The Army Game’. His scheming Corporal “Follow Flogger!” was one of the most energetic comedy performances of early ITV programming. His later television work ranged from avoiding Dalek attack in ‘Doctor Who’ to sparring with Warren Mitchell’s aged Alf Garnett. A lifelong film buff and devoted supporter of many charity events, Harry will be greatly missed.