Said it elsewhere before, but the first series of The Royle Family is pitch perfect. The depictions of normal life, chatter about people in the local area, cultural references, it's just a masterpiece. Series 1 and 2 are the best. Series 3 isn't as strong, dialogue repetition creeps in.

#R4Today spent this morning warmly eulogising Ann Widdecombe. Almost none of what they said was wrong. Almost none of it was complete. Here's what they left out. 🧵

Good evening. My name's Kitty. I could've married, I've given gallons of blood and I can't stomach whelks, so that's me for you.

Yeah, I can't believe I've neglected Beryl Reid and have never taken any notice of her for all these years. I'm ashamed... she was fabulous!

Me if I was alive in 1977 when Elvis died:

Ryan from Corrie gave us this 5 years ago today. 🍑

Noele Gordon doing an interview about anti-smoking while sat in a chair getting her make-up done is peak camp.

"What about finding the French coast?" "I think I'll find it alright, thank you. I came fourth in Geography. Eighty one percent."

Ah, I've read that Anna Dawson (some may know her as Violet in Keeping Up Appearances) died on Saturday. She lived in New Zealand.

@corriepodcast.com I know it's been slightly done to death (sorry), but this may be the earliest example.

I've also got a book on Diana Dors coming soon, written by Martin Shingler who was one of my lecturers at Sunderland Uni over a decade ago. Again, was high time I put my order in!

Thought it was high time I bought the authorised biography of Joan Sims. Got the Kindle version and it looks a great read.

Lesley Manville is an excellent actress. But she was TERRIBLE in the scenes where little Nicky goes missing!

Very interesting comment someone made on Noele Gordon's interview with Russell Harty on YouTube about soap actresses viewing themselves as "small screen diva-ish film stars". They said Nolly was one, Pat Phoenix another, and Julie Goodyear maybe being the last of them.

Saddened to hear of the death of Ann Blyth. She was deliciously wicked as Veda in Mildred Pierce, the daughter from hell, and worked beautifully with Joan Crawford. Veda slapping Mildred on the stairs is SO iconic. RIP Ann. One of the last stars of the Hollywood golden age.

In researching British female camp icons, I've shamefully ignored and overlooked Beryl Reid. Need to rectify that - The Killing of Sister George is a prime example.

Starting to research universities in the north. Maybe I am actually serious about further study again?

Think I've posted this before, but I would LOVE to do some kind of study on the appreciation of British female camp icons. Would it be feasible?

Don't push me. I've been on hold for twenty-six minutes.

Putting together a spreadsheet of all the guests who appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show... he had some amazing names when you see some of them. Would love for the ITV and C4 versions to be put onto streaming, was essential viewing for me.

Thought it was time to give my icon collage an update. Added in Judith Chalmers and Pauline Collins.

Haven't stopped thinking about Tip Toe all day. It was devastating.

Have you always been a bit thick, Christine, or did you have to do an evening class?

Had a go at recreating the Granada colour production ident on... PowerPoint of all things! Turned out alright.

As Gerard Depardieu said to me that day in Deauville, what's the point in having a big nose if you can't jam a banana up it?

Want to go for another take? No. #Corrie

Bangaranga! Thank the lord for Bulgaria.

Ever since Wednesday, it’s all been a bit overwhelming. Like… anyone could’ve gone onto Shutterstock and posted them on social media. But, if I’ve helped in any way to highlight these, and to get other images on there, I’m delighted.

Things get more intriguing! Shutterstock have uploaded two more sets of telesnaps from the Dry Runs of Coronation Street in 1960. Absolutely incredible!

Very sad news, RIP Alan Rothwell. Another Coronation Street original gone.

May have just stumbled onto something extremely rare and significant. Typing Coronation Street 1960 into Shutterstock, they have telesnaps via ITV of what is called Episode 1 of Coronation Street which looks to be the first dry run/pilot episode. This is incredible to see!

This new pic of Carlos Alcaraz. I can't even... 🍑 He knows what he's doing.

After 13 years, I've finally found the opening piece of music used in the Happy Birthday Coronation Street montage from 1990. Thank you, Shazam!

I've had my share of gynaecological gyp. I still can't polka without wincing, but we're spunky in Cheadle, we totter on.

I’m planning to write something about Pat Phoenix, and I want to get some memories/impressions of her. What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Pat Phoenix?

I’m planning to write something about Pat Phoenix, and I want to get some memories/impressions of her. What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Pat Phoenix?

Antony Cotton’s acting gets no better. #corrie

I'm back! New venue. New caravan. New kidney.

Patricia Routledge in Talking Heads - A Lady of Letters by Alan Bennett (26th April 1988)

Today marks 10 years since Victoria Wood died. She was a genius, there's not a day goes by where I don't think about a line or quote from one of her shows. She was one of my heroes, and a true inspiration.

One to treasure, finally got a genuine signed photo of Pat Phoenix for the collection ❤️

To this day, I will never understand why they made an 81 year old lady (who was clearly unsteady on her feet) walk in the snow and ice. Madness!

Happy birthday to... me! 33 today 🙈

ADAM RICKITT ON TOP OF THE POPS 1999 RIGHT NOW!

I absolutely DETEST AI. The bubble will burst at some point, I'm sure of it.

Lovely cute cat on my walk today 😻

From March 2005 ANY QUESTIONS - JULIE WALTERS #JulieWalters: a comedy actress whose gargantuan talent scales Olympian heights yet who has the cuddly down-to-earth charm of the characters she's made legendary, talks snogging, playing elves and coping with hot flushes . . .

Looking forward to seeing Alison Moyet again in October. Pleased to get good seats!

Coronation Street - written by Leslie Duxbury (7th March 1984). This was Bernard Youens' final appearance as Stan Ogden. He died in August 1984, aged 69.

Greta Garbo, she had the world at her feet, but could she manage a Curly Wurly?