Met with some great people today at the show:
Comedy actor Melvyn Hayes - best remembered for his role in the 1970s TV shows It Ain't Half Hot Mum, and The Double Deckers. With a career spanning nearly 50 years Melvyn also has numerous film, and theatre roles to his credit and famously appeared alongside Cliff Richard, Una Stubbs and the team in early 1960s classic musicals Summer Holiday and The Young Ones etc.
From the Carry On films, the lovely Liz Fraser who delighted in discussing the football and remarking upon the recent ITV documentary on Brian Clough aired earlier in the week. A real lady who seems to know her football.
I had the pleasure to chat with Amanda Barrie (the famous Cleopatra in Carry On Cleo; and more recently the long suffering wife of Mike Baldwin in the nations favourite soap Coronation Street). I remarked upon a rare photo of Amanda with her ex-beau the late and great Billy Fury. Amanda volunteered with misty eyed fondness of the two and half months they actually lived together revealing how Billy had asked for her hand in marriage. Our conversation continued and I was struck with how charming, and personal she was willing to be. A very lovely lady.
Also there in a new found flush of fame via Coronation Street was Stephanie Beacham (ex. Dynasty, The Colbys, and Hammer Horror actress) - a class act with time for a smile and a picture for what seemed like an endless stream of fans waiting in line for autographs.
An interesting shot this one with Richard Kiel a.k.a "Jaws" from the James Bond movies "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Moonraker" - the only bond enemy to appear in more than one film due to his popularity back in the eighties. A gentle giant who seemed to be enjoying himself; regailing the fans with his stories and in great demand with the local media and press throughout the day.
The "Man From Uncle" and distinguished hollywood and American TV star Robert Vaughan kindly signed an autograph and posed for a picture.
Jean Marsh co-creator and enigmatic star of the cherished 1970s TV drama "Upstairs and Downstairs" was in attendance too and in fine form.
A big attraction for many was Linda Blair - child star in the horror movie classic The Exorcist (1974).
It was a pleasure to meet England football hero Bryan Robson, a favorite of mine during my many visits to Old Trafford in the eighties whilst I was studying for my degree in Manchester. Bryan was and is an inspirational figure for club and country - I was able to thank him on behalf of the nation for his efforts in an England shirt. If we could have nurtured more like him over the years, with the same talent and commitment to the task - then surely England would have won more than the solitary 1966 triumph by now.
I was intrigued also to meet with famous boxer Jake Le Motta, upon whom the classic hollywood movie "Raging Bull" was based.
Overall there seemed to be a good energy about the place. Attendance I thought was up on the session here back in November; even with fewer exhibitors than I have seen in previous years the standard was good with I think the right balance across the Memorabilia spectrum.
A thoroughly enjoyable day.
