In the second programme in our series 'Comedy Writing Legends' Jan Etherington talks candidly about her huge sitcom hit Second Thoughts which ran for five series on ITV in the 90s. Second Thoughts starred the late Lynda Bellingham, James Bolam, Belinda Lang, Julia Sawalha and Mark Denham. Here Jan chats to Ashley about how she created the series with her husband and fellow writer Gavin Petrie.

In our final 'Corrie at 60' series, we meet 3 of the very early stars of the Street. It's back to December 9th 1960 with Alan Rothwell who played David Barlow and Patricia Shakesby who played Susan Cunningham, Ken Barlow's first girlfriend. Both have great stories from the first days of Coronation Street. Then we're meeting Kenneth Cope who played Minnie Caldwell's lodger Sunny Jim (Jed Stone) from 1961 onwards. All these actors did other things, so expect one or two tangents along the way. Enjoy!

Dave Dutton has been appearing in Coronation Street since 1985. He's had 11 roles over that time and been involved in some of the show's most interesting storylines. Here, Dave who has just published his autobiography 'The Thirty Bob Kid', speaks candidly about his relationship with Corrie as well as his starring role in 1980s comedy 'Watching', writing for Ken Dodd and The Two Ronnies - and becoming Rik Mayall's co-star. It's a fun, entertaining interview to kick off the New Year. Enjoy!

He's one half of an enduring double act which made people laugh for decades. Here Syd Little speaks to Caroline Heywood about his partnership with the late, great Eddie Large who died from Covid-19 complications back in April. Over two parts, Syd takes their story from the early days doing the clubs through to their heady days of tv and variety stardom. Little Remembers Large begins an occasional series in which Caroline Heywood talks candidly and in depth with legendary British comedians.

Christmas continues on Distinct Nostalgia as we return to our Corrie at 60 specials. This time Ashley has been dipping into his own archives for some anecdotes from Betty Driver and Jean Alexander. He chatted to Betty in her dressing room at Granada about 11 years ago and to Jean at her home in Southport about 8 years ago. Enjoy!

We've a special Christmas treat for you now as we showcase some new northern comedy. Written by Janice Fryett we have the pleasure in introducing you to Florrie and Dotty.

Listen here to 5 sitcom shorts and become embroiled in the world of these two northern 21st Century gossips.

We kick off our Comedy Writing Legends series with two programmes celebrating the work of Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. The pair started working together from a very young age and have had decades of success penning some classic British shows including Birds of a Feather, Shine on Harvey Moon and Roll Over Beethoven.

Here in Part 2 they tell Distinct Nostalgia about working with Rik Mayall and creating 'The New Statesman' as well as their long running, often repeated time travelling comedy hit Goodnight Sweetheart.

We kick off our Comedy Writing Legends series with two programmes celebrating the work of Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. The pair started working together from a very young age and have had decades of success penning some classic British sitcoms - from Birds of a Feather to Goodnight Sweetheart via The New Statesman. In this first part of their chat with Ashley they talk about their very early years and how the hit comedy drama Shine on Harvey Moon helped to spawn their most enduring success, Birds of a Feather.

He's now very much part of Emmerdale but years before he landed his role in the Yorkshire soap, Chris Bisson played Vikram in Coronation Street. He's been giving a short interview to Distinct Nostalgia as part our chats with past cast members to mark the Street's 60th birthday month. You can also hear Chris, at length, discussing is hilarious role in the hit Brit Flick East is East by scrolling through the Distinct Nostalgia player or wherever you get your podcasts.

She was in Coronation Street on and off for several decades, playing Alma who eventually married Mike Baldwin. Here national treasure Amanda Barrie remembers her days on the cobbles with some great stories about some of the grand dames of the show - Doris Speed, Pat Phoenix, Lynne Perrie and Eileen Derbyshire. She also chats to Ashley about the Carry Ons and one or two other things as well.

Bruce Jones played Les Battersby for just over 10 years. He and his family caused something of a revolution in the Street. They'd never seen anything like it! Les annoyed the fictional residents of Weatherfield and fans alike when he first moved in but over time Les, Janice, Leanne and Toyah won the affection of Corrie viewers. Here Bruce remembers the early years and some of the contrasting funny and very serious storylines - from winding up Ken to Les's suicide attempt.

So we've reached the big final. Test your own Corrie knowledge as Dave from Glasgow representing Corriepedia and Michael from Southampton representing Conversation Street battle it out for the Distinct Nostalgia Mind of the Month Corrie Superfan title and the coveted Distinct Nostalgia Mind of the Month mug. Michael scored 32.5 points on Pat Phelan in the first round while Dave got 34 points on Ken Barlow. Now they must test their general Corrie knowledge going back 60 years. Listen Now and Enjoy!

Simon May composed the EastEnders theme tune as well as Julia's Theme and Peggy's Theme which was used when Barbara Windsor's character left Albert Square. Here he pays tribute to Dame Barbara who has died at the age of 83 after a long battle with dementia.

Bond girl, Carry On and Hammer horror star Valerie Leon worked with Barbara Windsor on several Carry On films including Carry On Girls and Carry On Camping. Here she pays tribute to Babs who has sadly died at the age of 83 after a long battle with dementia.

Former EastEnders actor Andrew Lynford (who played Simon In the Late 90s) delivers a special tribute to Barbara who has sadly passed away at the age of 83 after a battle with dementia.

She played Hayley Cropper for 16 years and being in Corrie changed her life in lots of different ways. Here, on Corrie's special day, Julie Hesmondhalgh reflects on what Coronation Street means to her - from watching it as a little girl in the 70s, landing a role in the world's longest running drama serial, playing one of the show's most iconic characters - and even finding love on the cobbles (in both fact and fiction). An extra special interview on an extra special day.

Tina Hobley played the new barmaid in the Rovers in 1996 - taken on by Jack behind Vera's back! The Duckworths were looking to put their stamp on the pub and Samantha was part of the new look. Here nearly 25 years on Tina reminisces with Ashley about those heady days when she found herself in Britain's most popular TV show. Happy Birthday Corrie!

She became the character fans of Ken and Deirdre loved to hate. Wendy 'flamin' Crozier came into Ken's life in the late 80s when he was editing the Weatherfield Recorder. Roberta Kerr brought her to life and has been telling Ashley about how the character was created and evolved - from meeting Ken when she worked at the local council to secret meetings and visits to 'the Wendy house', leaving Weatherfield and turning up like a bad penny to Deirdre's disgust many years later. Enjoy this special interview as part of Distinct Nostalgia's celebrations to mark Corrie's 60th birthday.

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We continue celebrating 21 years since the brilliant and ground breaking East is East burst into our cinemas. The classic BAFTA Award Winning Brit Flick was an hilarious movie with serious undertones - tackling both racism and domestic violence. Here Chris Bisson who now stars as Jai in Emmerdale, talks about playing Saleem Khan who had one of the funniest storylines and scenes in the film.

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We're continuing celebrating 21 years since the brilliant and ground breaking East is East burst into our cinemas. The classic BAFTA Award Winning Brit Flick was an hilarious movie with serious undertones - tackling both racism and domestic violence. Here Lesley Nicol talks about playing Auntie Annie, Ella Khan's best friend who helps to bring some great comedy to the film which is set in 1970s Salford. This interview will be followed by a third chat with Chris Bisson who played Ella's son Saleem.

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