BACKGROUND BOBBY

I seem to have amassed a few followers already, so before I mention the Mr. Blobby "Gotcha" filmed on 2nd August 1994,  let me vaguely recall the 31st July 1955 when I travelled down to the STV studios in Southampton to take part in an episode of "Call Red", a series about a helicopter rescue service that was being filmed on the Southampton University campus and I had been asked to take my teenage son Chris because there was a large call for all ages.
I do not remember much about the first day other than we had to seek accommodation for one night in that area.
On the second day 1st August1995, one of our number was selected to play a security guard and was taken to be fitted with a uniform. After a few minutes the young man returned with one of the "runners" who was looking for a similar person who did not have tattoos on his arms. Chris was chosen because he fitted the size of the uniform and so became the second member of our family to be "Walk On".
Although I have retained a vivid memory of most of my days on location or in the studio, I cannot recall much of what happened on those two days 18 years ago.
Similarly on 1st August 2000 I was involved in one of the numerous episodes of "Peak Practice", but with being involved in 25 episodes between 1993 and 2001, all that I can recall are the happy days I spent on location in the Peak District and the fun we all had, as some of us had formed friendships that have continued to the present day.
Some of you readers who worked on "Peak Practise" could never forget that famous grin of 1st Assistant Director George Gerwitz who I had earlier worked under in "Boon" between 1993 and 2001. On one occasion we were filming an episode of  "Peak Practice" involving the start of a mini-marathon. I was standing near to the athletes and George remarked to one of his assistants,"Keep your eyes on that one, he has an uncanny knack of disappearing when I call "Action".
On another episode being filmed at Crich, the unit base was located at the Tram Museum car park and a mini-bus was transporting the Supporting Artistes to the location in the village which was used for the "Beeches Medical Centre". I was the last one to attempt to board the mini-bus but it was full, so I was given a lift in a separate vehicle being used to take the make-up team.
When  the filming had been completed by lunchtime the vehicles returned to the unit base for lunch but because I had not been on the original S.A's mini-bus I was left to find my own way back to the base. It was 4 miles away and uphill and I arrived about one hour later to be told that everyone had eaten and the catering wagon had closed down. I mentioned that I was not happy about the situation but received little sympathy ( Ah well, that's Show Business).
So its back to recalling Noel's House Party tomorrow then the following day will be the first mention of "Emmerdale" and how being involved with Yorkshire TV first began.