The death of John Inman, at the age of 71, is announced. Robert has many memories of this much-loved comic actor. He always seemed to be popping in and out of some charity function or recording studio but, along with that immortal cry of ‘I’m free!’, Robert remembers Elstree Studios: when John was desperate for the ‘little boy’s room’ but still gritted his teeth and signed autographs for waiting fans. The London Palladium: bumping in to him back stage after the final night of Jim Dale’s run in Oliver! Bournemouth Pier: when, despite being on stage with the most famous bum in British comedy Robin Askwith, John still happily mooned in an enjoyable farce. RIP John. A unique talent, greatly missed.

The start of an enjoyable weekend at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow for the Autographica convention. Robert was joined by a trio of favourites from British film and television: Liz Fraser, Brian Murphy and Linda Regan.

Robert was invited to Donald Fearney’s day of Hammer at the Cine Lumiere in South Kensington, London. The event, also attended by such Hammer luminaries as Jenny Hanley, Caroline Munro, Madeleine Smith, Ingrid Pitt, Dave Prowse, John Hough, John Cater and Edward de Sousa launched the documentary film Legend of Hammer Vampires and the book Hammer Films – the Elstree Studio Years. Here’s hoping for another bash at the inviting Bray Studios.

Richard Briers, Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan were reunited by BBC DVD branch, 2entertain, for six audio commentaries on the classic 1980s situation comedy, Ever Decreasing Circles. Robert happily moderated this exhaustive recording session which will see every episode released as a box set later this year.

Congratulations to Leslie Phillips who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for his role in Venus. Coincidentally Robert was filming with the great man for the BBC television series The Cinema Show. Interviewed at the imposing location of St. Pancras Hospital, Robert was placed on a hospital bed and chatted about the Doctor comedies, the medical Carry Ons, Britannia Hospital and other British film classics.

A Happy New Year. Robert was still recovering from fun and games in Liverpool, Christmas excess and a very busy 2006 when the New Year was rung in with his appearance in Channel 4’s documentary What the Pythons Did Next.

Sad to report the sudden death of Anthony Jackson, at the age of 62. Perhaps best-loved as Sid James’s neighbour, Trevor, in Bless this House, he was a hero for children of all ages as the recently departed Fred Mumford in Rent-a-Ghost. Robert remembers a lovely man and a telented actor who could regale friends and fans alike with joyful stories and tots of rum. Rest in Peace, Tony.

At the British Independent Film Awards, the legendary Leslie Phillips picked up a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Award for his latest film, Venus. He was particularly pleased when Damian Lewis, annoucing the winner, opened the envelope and gave a note-perfect ‘Ding Dong’ before naming Leslie. Congratulations!!

Carry On: the Ultimate Collection is released by ITVDVD today. A bumper 30 disc set featuring every classic Carry On film from Carry On Sergeant (1958) to Carry On Emmannuelle (1978) this has been a labour of love for Robert. The definitive Special Edition presentation the set includes 30 feature-length audio commentaries. Moderated by Robert, these feature Amanda Barrie, Dora Bryan, Sandra Caron, John Clive, Paul Cole, Bernard Cribbins, Jim Dale, Larry Dann, Angela Douglas, Jack Douglas, Shirley Eaton, Fenella Fielding, Liz Fraser, Sally Geeson, Carol Hawkins, David Kernan, Dilys Laye, Valerie Leon, Terence Longdon, Patrick Mower, Richard O’Callaghan, Richard O’Sullivan, Lance Percival, Leslie Phillips, Jacki Piper, Patsy Rowlands, Julie Stevens, June Whitfield, scriptwriter Dave Freeman, director of photography Alan Hume and producer Peter Rogers. Also included are original theatrical trailers, lavish stills galleries, all 13 episodes of the 1975 ATV situation comedy series, Carry On Laughing, starring Sid James, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth, Joan Sims, Jack Douglas, Bernard Bresslaw, Hattie Jacques and David Lodge. Plus there are archive interviews with Sid James, Terry Scott, Kenneth Williams and Phil Silvers, an ‘On Location’ featurette hosted by June Whitfield, the official 40^th anniversary documentary, What’s A Carry On?, featuring interviews with Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor, Anita Harris, Norman Rossington and writer Norman Hudis, textless footage from Carry On Jack and Carry On Spying, an alternative, ‘director’s cut’, presentation of Carry On England and Robert’s extensive production notes for all 30 films. Priced at £199.99 this is the last word on Carry On and finally does justice to one of British cinema’s most cherished success stories.

Robert will be hanging out, chilling and signing a few things with comedy heroes Leslie Phillips, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden at Collectormania 2, the GMex centre, Manchester. Come along and say ‘hello’ and don’t forget your copies of The Carry On Story and The Goodies Rule OK.