Distinct Nostalgia

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An interview that should have aired some time ago but we've been waiting to use it to mark the 40th anniversary of The Bill bursting on to our screens.

It all began in 1983 but the actual full run series, later serial, began on the 16th October 1984.

Here Mark Wingett - who played DC Jim Carver for nearly a quarter of a century - discusses the show's origins and his own early years on The Bill. Lots of behind the scenes anecdotes and plenty of fun as Mark and Ashley reminisce. 

Enjoy!

Please note this was originally recorded during lockdown.


Researched by Andrew Edwards. Produced by Ashley Byrne.

A Made in Manchester Production

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Sadly we've lost another tv and film great. Kenneth Cope has died at the age of 93. And here we have an interview he did with Ashley a few years ago. Much of this has never been broadcast before.

Ken talks about being one of the early stars of Coronation Street. working with David Frost on That Was the Week That Was, his time in the Carry Ons, Randall and Hopkirk Deceased and his huge career in British film and TV.

Ashley says: 'Kenneth Cope was prolific. A huge talent. Never thought of himself as a star but he was quite simply one of the best. I loved chatting to Ken. Hope you enjoy!'

RIP Kenneth Cope 1931-1924.

Researched by Andrew Edwards. Produced by Ashley Byrne.

A Made in Manchester Production

And don't forget we need your support. Distinct Nostalgia has no budget. You can buy us a coffee by clicking this link. 

buymeacoffee.com/distinctnostalgia

Support the show

Support the show

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message

We're sad to hear the news that Brian Trueman has died at the aged of 92. Brian provided the soundtrack to so many characters of our childhoods, whether as a writer or actor. His work with Cosgrove Hall Films included Chorlton and the Wheelies, Dangermouse, Cockleshell Bay and Jamie and the Magic Torch. But he had a career before helping to bring to life these animation classics - in acting, in journalism too. Here in an interview recorded in 2016, we hear Brian being interviewed for a special radio doc by Made in Manchester (Distinct Nostalgia's producers) which was never aired. We've only found half of it and will put the second part as soon as we find it. In the meantime enjoy over an hour with one of the real greats of Television.

Distinct Nostalgia presenter Ashley Byrne says: 'Brian memorably once said to me in a Granada TV programme we made 'you should never patronise kids. Treat them like little adults and throw the smarties high.' That comes over in all of his animation work. RIP Brian. You were a genuine legend for millions of us.

Researched by Andrew Edwards. Produced by Ashley Byrne.

A Made in Manchester Production

And don't forget we need your support. Distinct Nostalgia has no budget. You can buy us a coffee by clicking this link. 

buymeacoffee.com/distinctnostalgia

Support the show

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message

A special re-issuing of Rock, by Tim Fountain in tribute to the veteran actor Bette Bourne who has died at the age of 84.

An excellent performance in this drama produced by DN producers' Made in Manchester as Bette plays Henry Wilson, Hollywood actor Rock Hudson's notorious agent.

Bette has played lots of legendary characters over the years including Quentin Crisp in Tim's other play 'Resident Alien'.

If you've not heard this before, hope you enjoy!

(Warning: contains strong language and some words and terms reflective of the time that some people mind find offensive)

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Ashley's catching up with Roy North who was the actor who became Basil Brush's sidekick in the early to mid 70s on The Basil Brush Show.  The show hosted by the wily old fox lasted from the late 60s til the early 80s and became a favourite of several generations of kids, parents and grandparents. Now Basil entertains the big kids often in theatres around the UK. Ever popular, most people love a bit of Basil. Certainly he was a favourite of Ashley as a kid.
Sit back and enjoy this trip down memory lane as Roy tells us about his Basil days and beyond....and who knows Basil himself might just pop in.....Boom Boom.

Researched by Andrew Edwards. Produced by Ashley Byrne. 

A Made in Manchester Production 

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We’ve been planning this for a while - and here they are by popular demand. Ronnie Le Drew with Zippy and George from the legendary kids tv series Rainbow. Ronnie chats to Ashley about the early years of Rainbow which started in 1972, how he became a firm fixture of the team and the enduring appeal of these wonderful characters from one of the UK’s favourite shows.  Ashley also chats to Zippy and George to find out what they’ve been up to all these years - and there’s a surprise guest. 

Enjoy! 

Researched by Andrew Edwards. Produced by Ashley Byrne. 

A Made in Manchester Production 

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Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message

George Layton is prolific - he's done the lot - and he's still working in his early 80s. Both an actor and screenwriter, his career stretches from the early 50s and Children's Hour and working with Violet Carson (who played Ena Sharples in Coronation Street), through years as a star on shows like Doctor in the House and It Aint Half Hot Mum, via  cameos on The Likely Lads and semi regular roles in Minder and more. He's also a big friend of Richard O'Sullivan, so we'll no doubt find out how he is.

This is the first of a series of interviews we're sure as there's so much more to talk about with George who was also in EastEnders, Doctors, Casualty, French and Saunders (The list goes on)....plus there's all those scripts he's written or wanted to write.

Enjoy!

Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards
Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd.

A Made in Manchester Production.

Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.

Support the Show.

Support the show

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message

A very special interview here with Lord Grade (Michael Grade) whose fingerprints are all over British TV - from the days when his uncle Lew ran ATV to his own stewardship of LWT, BBC, Channel 4 and Later ITV again. Michael has launched (and axed) some of Britain's most popular TV shows.

Here he takes Ashley through a whistle stop potted history of his career, stopping off to reminisce about his time at each of the Britain's terrestrial channels along the way.

EastEnders, Neighbours, Mind Your Language, Dr Who, Jasper Carrot, Morecambe and Wise, The Big Breakfast, Four Weddings and a Funeral are just some of the iconic programmes and films that find their way into the chat.

And Michael ends with his take on the state of British TV and broadcasting today.

Enjoy!

Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards
Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd.

A Made in Manchester Production.

Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.

Support the show

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message

Karen Grassle who played Caroline celebrates 50 years since the launch in 1974 of Little House on
The Prairie.

The then new show from America would pull in huge audiences all around the world including in the UK where it had a prime time slot.

Here Ashley talks to Karen about working with Michael Landon  (which was fraught for a time), her child co stars who grew up during the course of the 9. year series and the impact making such a huge show had on her life.

Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards
Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd.

A Made in Manchester Production.

Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below. 

Support the show

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message

Why Don't You?! played to millions of kids in the school holidays on BBC1. It began in 1973 and lasted until 1995, meaning the show touched several generations over nearly a quarter of a century.

Among the presenters Ant from Ant and Dec, among the producers - Russell T Davies but there were dozens more who cut their tv teeth on this show presented by children.

Here Ashley meets one of them down at the Midland Hotel in Manchester - Phil Noble was in the Liverpool gang from 1987.

Phil tells us how he landed the role, how the show worked behind the scenes and what it did for his life and other presenters who hosted WDY over the years.

Ashley and Phil also talk about how the show was seen by kids - this was marmite TV, you literally either loved it loathed it.

Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards
Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd.

A Made in Manchester Production.

Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.

Support the show