Sitcom Hearthrob - Christopher Strauli remembers Only When I Laugh
Christopher Strauli was something of a sitcom heartthrob when he starred as the young, rather naive, Norman Binns in Yorkshire Television's hit Only When I Laugh from 1979 to 1983. The show based around three men in hospital also starred James Bolam, Peter Bowles, Derrick Branche and Richard Wilson, long before his Victor Meldrew days. Written by Eric Chappell, it was a huge success with an iconic theme tune. Christopher has been remembering the series with MIM's Ashley Byrne.
Corrie at 60: McDonald's One Day Reunited? - Nick Cochrane on playing Andy
Nick Cochrane played Andy McDonald In Coronation Street throughout the 1990s and was a popular star of the Street as Steve McDonald's rather more sensible twin brother. Here MIM's Ashley Byrne has a frank and candid chat to Nick about being thrust into fame at a young age, being part of such an iconic show, how his character was written out and whether there's scope for an Andy McDonald return to the cobbles.
Talking Heads: The Great History Boys Reunion
As Alan Bennett's Talking Heads are revived for TV, we've a special treat for fans of Alan's hit 'The History Boys'. We've assembled three of the now famous original cast of the iconic stage play and movie for a great History Boys Reunion. The show helped launched the careers of eight young actors - Samuel Barnett, Russell Tovey, Jamie Parker, James Corden, Samuel Anderson, Dominic Cooper, Sacha Dhawan and Andrew Knott. Here Sam who played Posner, Jamie who was Scripps and Sacha who played Aktar join MIM's Ashley Byrne for a trip down memory lane.
Corrie at 60: 26 Years Playing Mavis with Thelma Barlow
Thelma Barlow played Mavis in Coronation Street for 26 years. Her on screen partnerships with Rita Fairclough and Derek Wilton were legendary. In the second of a series of specials marking 60 years of Corrie, MIM’s Ashley Byrne spends a lovely hour in the company of Street Royalty.
Getting Boogie Boogie with Ashley Knight - Metal Mickey's On Screen Inventor
It's 40 years since the anarchic popular children's sitcom Metal Mickey burst onto British TV screens. It was directed by Mickey Dolenz from The Monkees with the robot itself created and voiced by musician Johnny Edward. The writer was Colin Bostock-Smith and it was filmed at London Weekend Television. Here MIM's Ashley Byrne has speaking with Ashley Knight who played Mickey's onscreen inventor Ken. Boogie Boogie!
EastEnders at 35 - Back to the 90s: Reuniting Tony and Simon
It's back to the 1990s for Distinct Nostalgia soap fans as MIM's Ashley Byrne re-unites two of EastEnders most popular characters from the decade. Mark Homer who played Tony joins Andrew Lynford who was Simon to discuss joining and leaving the square, being part of TV's first regular bisexual storyline and working with some of the show's most iconic stars. Could Tony and Simon make a return one day?
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School Favourite: How We Used To Live with Freda Kelsall
Generations of schoolchildren remember watching it. 20 minutes of historical drama brought to ITV by Yorkshire Television. How We Used To Live is a legendary show which graced our screens for over 30 years. Freda Kelsall was the main writer and helped to create the series back in 1968. On a rainy day, long before lockdown, MIM's Ashley Byrne spent an afternoon with Freda learning all about this wonderful drama series at her home in the Pennines.
Corrie at 60: We speak to early Street writer John Finch
John Finch became a prolific TV writer, creating series like ‘A Family At War’. He started his career on the world’s longest running drama serial Coronation Street. He was one of the show’s first freelance writers and stayed with the programme for 8 years. He penned scripts for characters like Ena Sharples, Doris Speed, Pat Phoenix and Jack Howarth - and he was there when Hilda and Stan Ogden and Bet Lynch first arrived. John, who was is now 95, has been telling MIM’s Ashley Byrne how he cut his teeth on Corri….
21 Years Since Queer as Folk - Catching up with Vince
Craig Kelly played the down to earth sensible one in 'Queer as Folk' - Channel 4's ground breaking drama about gay men frequenting Manchester's popular Canal Street. It's 21 years since the series first burst onto our screens with its stories around characters Stuart, Vince and Nathan. Here Craig recalls how his character Vince became popular in gay circles and beyond. He's speaking to MIM's Ashley Byrne.
Hollyoaks at 25: Original star Lisa Williamson on playing Dawn Cunningham
It's a quarter of a century this year since Hollyoaks began on Channel 4. And to mark its 25 years we're making a series of programmes remembering the very early years with some of the original line up. Here MIM's Ashley Byrne chats to Lisa Williamson who played Dawn Cunningham from 1995-1997.
The 321 Story - Danny Rogers on his dad, Dusty Bin and that hand gesture!
Yorkshire Television’s ‘321’ was one of the biggest shows of the 70s and 80s. It was essential Saturday night viewing for all the family but what was the story behind this monster success for the show and its host? Here Ted Rogers’ son Danny brings us a tale of fame, tragedy… and of course, Dusty Bin. He’s been getting all game show retro with MIM’s Ashley Byrne.
EastEnders at 35 - Colin and Barry and the first gay kiss in soap
Gary Hailes played Barry Clark - one half of 'Colin and Barry', EastEnders' first gay couple. Here as part of our series of shows to celebrate EastEnders' 35 years, Gary reveals how he landed the role which saw him beaten up in real life. He talks about how that first on-screen gay kiss in soap caused a real furore, Barry's friendship with Dot, why the couple were eventually written out and what Gary makes of Barry's 80s hair cut and dress sense now. Gary Hailes is speaking to MIM's Ashley Byrne.
The Birds of a Feather ....In Lockdown!
It's 31 years since Birds of a Feather burst on to TV screens in the UK. Three decades on - and following a stage show and tv revival, the antics of Sharon, Tracey and Dorian are still hugely popular with new generations finding the trio for the first time. Here MIM's Ashley Byrne catches up with two of them (Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson) .....in lockdown.
A Date with Eurovision Royalty: Dana Celebrates 50 Years
There might not be a Eurovision Song Contest this year due to Covid-19 but it doesn't stop us remembering one of the big moments in the show's history. It's 50 years this year since a 17 year old girl from Derry won Eurovision for Ireland. MIM's Ashley Byrne catches up with the iconic Irish singer during lockdown.
Musical Masterpiece - Mark Lester on Oliver!
In this episode of Distinct Nostalgia, we remember one of the most successful British musical films of all time.
Winner of 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture, the film version of Lionel Bart's hit musical Oliver! catapulted two young child actors to global stardom. The highly talented Jack Wild played the Artful Dodger with Mark Lester as Oliver.
Here MIM's Ashley Byrne sits down with Mark at his home in Gloucestershire for the full story behind this musical masterpiece.
Back to The Waltons - An Exclusive chat with John-Boy
The Waltons was one of the biggest TV shows of the 1970s. A massive hit within its first year, it is still popular all over the world. Here MIM's Ashley Byrne chats at length to the show's heart-throb and biggest star, Richard Thomas who played John-Boy Walton.
New picture of John by Lia Chang.
The Great Gentle Touch Reunion
40 years ago this year a new detective series with a difference began on ITV. For the first time it had a woman in the lead role. The Gentle Touch starred Jill Gascoine as Maggie Forbes with a plethora of men under her command. Here MIM’s Ashley Byrne catches up with them for a special Gentle Touch Reunion.
The Legend of Lassie
Children's favourite Lassie has been with us in one way or another for more than 60 years. It's been shown in just about every country in the world and now most people refer to a Collie dog as a 'Lassie'. Here MIM's Ashley Byrne turns the clock back to the late 50s as he meets Jon Provost who played Timmy, Lassie's friend in the CBS TV series from 1957 to 1964.
Back to Hartley: The Juliet Bravo Reunion
A bumper Distinct Nostalgia episode reuniting the two big stars of the ground breaking 1980s TV series Juliet Bravo. Stephanie Turner was Inspector Jean Darbley while Anna Carteret later replaced her as Inspector Kate Longton. It was the first procedural police TV series with a woman in the lead role and at its height was watched by 16 million viewers. Here MIM's Ashley Byrne stages a reunion of the two actors who haven't met for years.
Hong Kong Phooey - Meet Rosemary The Telephone Operator
Kathy Gori is a prolific voice over actor who has played some of the classic cartoon characters of all time but her most famous creation was Rosemary the Telephone Operator in the hit 1970s series Hong Kong Phooey. Started in 1974, it only ran for a short time but was repeated over and over again and became a staple diet for kids throughout the 70s and 80s. Produced by Hanna Barbara it centred around the a mild mannered janitor. Here Kathy tells MIM's Ashley Byrne how she found herself playing a cop in love with a dog in kimono.