Distinct Nostalgia

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Magpie was one of the big kids shows of the 70s. 7 million viewers on ITV twice a week, it was the more risque rival to Blue Peter on the BBC.  Over four decades since it left our screens,  Ashley's assembled three of the show's most popular presenters for a reunion. Mick Robertson, Douglas Rae and Susan Stranks (who was also famous for Paperplay alongside the puppets itsy and bitzy). Some great stories including Douglas' adventures abroad, Mick's pop star image and Susan's dislike of anything related to circuses. Memories of the legendary Thames Television and how they saw themselves compared to their big BBC rival.

Distinct Nostalgia is produced by MIM 

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Philip Franks rose to widespread fame as Charley in the original Darling Buds of May in the early 90s. Now 30 years on, ITV are bringing back The Larkins with a whole new cast. Here Philip chats about the heady days of the first incarnation and working with the legendary David Jason who played Pa Larkin.  Phillip also talks about his big role in Heartbeat and the fun he had on Countdown - all Yorkshire Television Productions! 

Distinct Nostalgia is produced by MIM 


Photo: Charlie Carter

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Tracy is one of Corrie’s most enduring characters.  Generations have watched her change from innocent little girl to troubled 20 something through to soap bad girl. She’s been played by four different actors. And the first was Christabel Finch who took on the role from being just a few days old. Here she gives an exclusive interview from her home in Perth, Australia to Ashley. 

Distinct Nostalgia is produced by MIM 

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Casualty and Heartbeat star Jonathan Kerrigan sits down for a fun chat with Ashley Byrne. The conversation ventures into his early years, his time on two of Britain's biggest drama series, being described as a heartthrob, working in the States and his musical talents. Jonathan remains one of the UK's most talented drama actors but is it time for him to try his hand at a bit of comedy?

And don't forget there's dozens of interviews on DN with stars of British TV drama and film on DistinctNostalgia.com including Jack Davenport, James Wilby, Carol Drinkwater, Stephen Tompkinson, Jason Hughes and many, many more. Scroll through the Distinct Nostalgia feed now. 

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As our ‘Casualty at 35’ celebrations continue, one of the show’s original stars has taken time out to give us an extensive and exclusive interview about her years on the world’s longest running medical drama. Ashley has been speaking to Cath Shipton who played iconic character Duffy right from the start in 1986.  

Distinct Nostalgia is an MIM Production 

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It’s the longest running medical drama in the world and here we meet the woman who spoke the very first words in Casualty.  Debbie Roza Mercier played the show’s first receptionist from 1986 to 1987 before giving up acting for a life in Canada. Here she gives a unique perspective on an iconic show to Ashley as part of our special  Casualty at 35 interviews. 

Distinct Nostalgia is produced by MIM 

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Trail music 
Music:
"Werq" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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As our series of 'Funny Women of Great British Sitcom' continues,  Andy Hoyle chats to Judy Cornwell about her long career. Judy starred as Daisy in Keeping Up Appearances alongside Geoffrey Hughes as Onslow during the 1990s. 

Also in this series - interviews with Sally Thomsett who played Jo in Man About The House and Anna Karen who played Olive in On The Buses.  

Meanwhile you can also find other interviews with 'Funny Women' in our archive - including Felicity Kendal, Wendy Craig, Lesley Joseph, Doreen Mantle and former Carry On stars Sherrie Hewson and Amanda Barrie. 

The Distinct Nostalgia Theme is composed by Rebecca Applin and Chris Warner.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/distinctnostalgia)

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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

Anna Karen played one of the most popular characters of 70s sitcom in Britain - the hilarious accident prone but sex mad 'Olive' in On the Buses. The series began in 1969 and became a favourite throughout the next decade with more than 70 episodes plus 3 feature films - On The Buses, Mutiny On the Buses and Holiday On The Buses. Here Anna remembers how she created Olive and recalls working with a cast which included Reg Varney, Doris Hare, Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis.  She also talks about playing the caustic Aunt Sal, Peggy's sister in EastEnders. 

Photo of Anna Karen - Courtesy of Caroline Webster.

Also in this series - interviews with Sally Thomsett who played Jo in Man About The House and Judy Cornwell who played Daisy in Keeping Up Appearances. 

Meanwhile you can also find other interviews with 'Funny Women' in our archive - including Felicity Kendal, Wendy Craig, Lesley Joseph and former Carry On stars Sherrie Hewson and Amanda Barrie. 

The Distinct Nostalgia Theme is composed by Rebecca Applin and Chris Warner.

Support the show

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

It's back to the 1970s  for the first in a special series of three programmes meeting some of the Queens of British Sitcom.  Here Ashley speaks to Sally Thomsett who played Jo in the runaway ITV comedy Man About The House which starred Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy. The show would go on to spawn two other big hits - George and Mildred (starring Brian and Yootha) and Robin's Nest (starring Richard).  Sally speaks candidly about her time as one of the most famous faces in Britain and what the show did for her and her co-stars lives and careers.

Also in this series - interviews with Anna Karen who played Olive in On The Buses and Judy Cornwell who played Daisy in Keeping Up Appearances. These interviews will be broadcast in future weeks.

Meanwhile you can also find other interviews with 'Funny Women' in our archive - including Felicity Kendal, Wendy Craig, Lesley Joseph and former Carry On stars Sherrie Hewson and Amanda Barrie. 

The Distinct Nostalgia Theme is composed by Rebecca Applin and Chris Warner.

Support the show