To the Novello theatre for a breathtaking performance from David Tennant in ‘Hamlet’. The evening is topped off by unexpectedly bumping in to Mr and Mrs Bernard Cribbins in the audience. David’s towering performance – ranging from Noel Coward mannerisms and outrageous mockery of Patrick Stewart to the depths of introspective bewilderment and despair – suitably won him the Critics Circle Award for Best Shakespearian performance of the year. The supporting cast, including Oliver Ford Davies as Polonius and John Woodvine as the Player King, were exemplary.

Another pantomime – this time Comedy Legend Bernie Clifton in ‘Cinderella’ at the Aylesbury Civic Centre – ended the yule-tide break on a high.

Pre-New Year fun at the High Wycombe pantomime with Linda Lusardi easily bagging the title of the fairest of them all…despite playing the Wicked Queen and not Snow White! Director Sam Kane also provided strong, tongue-in-cheek support to his wife while daughter, Lucy, excelled as the Forest Fairy.

Robert is awoken to the sad news that friend and comic hero Jack Douglas has passed away at the age of 81. A unique talent and a true gentleman, Robert vows to do only one radio tribute today – for his old pal Luke Deal – and sticks to his word. Jack had been poorly for a while and, although the news was not unexpected it was still a blow. Robert’s next book will be dedicated to Jack and those special memories of a long and happy friendship – alongside those gems of comedy and serious acting from Jack preserved in the archives – will remain invaluable.

The annual televisual feast of ‘Missing Belived Wiped’ at the National Film Theatre. Gems recovered and discussed this year included a vast array from the collection of Bob Monkhouse, Alastair Sim giving an intense address to camera, Kenneth Williams in full-on chat-show mode and ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Are You Being Served?’ clips newly treated to a revolutionary system that puts colour back in to their cheeks.

But, semi-recovered, Robert makes the rather less arduous journey into Central London for the Royal Film Performance of ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ at the Odeon Leicester Square. Held on behalf of the Film and Television Benevolent Fund, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip are in attendance, alongside with cast members Derek Jacobi, Samantha Bond and Imelda Staunton.

Sadly Robert is forced to pull out of the Doctor Who convention, Dimensions, in Newcastle due to a back injury. He apologises and hopes to appear at another convention for Tenth Planet sometime in the New Year.

Front row seats for Neil Labute’s hilarious and poignant play ‘Fat Pig’ at the Comedy Theatre; starring Katie Kerr, Nick Burns, Kevin Bishop…oh, and Kelly Brook in a bikini! It proved an enjoyable break before Robert threw himself in to a week’s researching at the B.B.C. Written Archive in Caversham.

To the Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead to catch Robert’s good pal, John Dorney, taking the challenging lead role in ‘Humble Boy’. An outstanding production, perfectly brought to life by six actors at the top of their game. You are urged to watch local papers for the tour coming to a venue near you.

Robert was back at the National for another platform; this time on the Lyttleton stage. Sir Roger Moore was in conversation with Emma Forbes with regards his entertaining autobiography, My Word is My Bond. The event was a happy bubble in a memorable day revolving around a post-‘Mind Your Langauge’ recording session lunch with representatives from the Australian DVD company releasing the show and the talent themselves.