Advertise on podcast: Distinct Nostalgia

She was the voice behind one of the most well loved kids series of the 70s. Gay Soper was the person who brought to life the world of The Flumps. Pootle, Perkin, Posie, Ma and Pa Flump and Grandpa Flump all became real characters thanks to her tremendously talented acting. But though kids of the 70s remember the Flumps fondly, there was actually only 13 episodes in total. Here Gay tells Ashley where The Flumps came from and how she came up with their voices, developed their characters and navigated a tremendously created script written by Julie Holder. Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd. A Made in Manchester Production. Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.  Support the show

A special interview and another real treat here for all fans of cult Australian drama series Prisoner Cell Block H. The show first aired twice a week down under in 1979 and quickly began pulling in huge figures. The big star from the start was the legendary Val Lehman who played the iconic Bea Smith. The character quickly became known as top dog or 'Queen Bea' for the way she ruled the roost in Wentworth Prison. In this episode of Distinct Nostalgia, Val tells Ashley how she landed the role which soon made her a household name in Australia and around the world. How much of Val is in Bea and Bea in Val? You decide.... Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd. A Made in Manchester Production. Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.   Support the show

Royston Mayoh was - and by reputation remains - one of the biggest names in British TV production. A writer and prolific director, Royston was involved with a plethora of top shows - This is Your Life, Opportunity Knocks, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Kenny Everett to name but a few. He started his career at ABC Television in Manchester and later worked or was associated with the legendary ITV Networks like Granada, Thames, Yorkshire and Tyne Tees. His new book 'Revelations of a TV Director' has just been published and this interview with Ashley at Royston's home in South Manchester is the perfect teaser. In Part Two, Royston tells Ashley about working with Tommy Cooper,  Les Dawson, Barry Cryer, Billy Connolly, Hughie Green and Kenny Everett. Royston's book is available via Scratching Shed Publishing based in Leeds Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd. A Made in Manchester Production. Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.   Support the show

Royston Mayoh was - and by reputation remains - one of the biggest names in British TV production. A writer and prolific director, Royston was involved with a plethora of top shows - This is Your Life, Opportunity Knocks, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Kenny Everett to name but a few.  He started his career at ABC Television in Manchester and later worked or was associated with the legendary ITV Networks like Granada, Thames, Yorkshire and Tyne Tees. His new book 'Revelations of a TV Director' has just been published and this interview with Ashley at Royston's home in South Manchester is the perfect teaser. In Part One, Royston tells Ashley about how he got started followed by candid tales of directing This is Your Life. Part Two covering Kenny Everett, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, The Tube and much more will be out soon. Royston's book is available via Scratching Shed Publishing based in Leeds Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd. A Made in Manchester Production. Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.    Support the show

A special interview and a real treat here for all fans of iconic Australian drama series Prisoner Cell Block H. The show first aired twice a week down under in 1979 and quickly began pulling in huge figures. One of the early stars was Collette Mann who played Doreen. Collette was in her late 20s at the time and it was the first big show she'd done. Within weeks she was  a household name and couldn't go anywhere in Australia without being recognised. In this episode of Distinct Nostalgia, Collette tells Ashley what it was like working on such a ground breaking series with a huge female cast tackling some rich, raw and gritty storylines. Ashley also chats to Collette about her time on Neighbours, writing books and her recent baptism of fire doing Panto in the UK. Presented and produced by Ashley Byrne. Research by Andrew Edwards Continuity: Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd. A Made in Manchester Production. Distinct Nostalgia costs money and time to make and we'd welcome your support through Patreon. You can donate via the link below.   Support the show

It was a legendary series and a character which Jon Pertwee made his own. Worzel Gummidge was loved by a generation of kids (and adults) in the late 70s and early 80s - and here we meet Jeremy Austin who played John - one of Worzel's little friends. John takes us back nearly half a century to the magical world he inhabited as a child for several summers with his co-star Charlotte Coleman (who played Sue) Playing brother and sister, they got to work with some of the biggest stars of TV and film. Jerry tells Ashley about Jon Pertwee's perfectionism, about the chemistry he had with Una Stubbs who played Aunt Sally - and he teaches us some Worzeleze along the way. We hear how the series only ended because Southern Television came to an end - and Jerry and Ashley give us their verdict on the BBC's recent re-incarnation of the classic character. Produced and Presented Ashley Byrne. Researched by Andrew Edwards. DN continuity - Andy Hoyle and Jonathan Kydd. The DN theme by Rebecca Applin and Chris Warner/Made in Manchester. A Made in Manchester Production. Distinct Nostalgia costs time and money to produce and we would welcome your support on Patreon. See the link below. Support the show

You Had At Me Hello! by David Payne On an evening shift in her deadly dull call centre job, Natalie connects with a caller who turns her life upside down. Cast: Natalie:  Sarah Sinnott Jane: Gerry Johnson. Sound Editor: John Fryett Producer:Janice Fryett. Written by David Payne A Spinney Media Production for Made in Manchester Productions and Distinct Nostalgia Distinct Nostalgia costs in time and money and we'd greatly welcome your support via Patreon. See link below. Support the show

He was everyone’s loveable layabout. Shelley played by Hywell Bennett was huge, pulling in massive viewing figures in the 70s and 80s.  Very much of its time, when unemployment soared in the early years of Thatcher’s government, Shelley (produced by Thames Television)  kicked back against authority and with his sardonic wit captivated millions going through the same situation.  But amazingly the series has stood the test of time and Shelley’s often intelligent monologue ramblings would probably work today.  Here Belinda Sinclair, who played Shelley’s partner Fran talks about landing the role and how it was nearly someone else playing Shelley.  Belinda talks candidly about working with Hywell Bennett and Josephine Tewson - and how the role changed her life.  She also talks about her soap role in ch5’s Family Affairs.  And there’s plenty of interviews and reunions plus new comedy and drama to come in coming months on Distinct Nostalgia. So keep checking for new shows.  DN is produced by Ashley Byrne and researched by Andrew Edwards. It’s a Made in Manchester Production.  DN costs time and money to produce and we’d welcome your support to keep things going via Patreon.  Support the show

Barry Evans was a huge star in the 60s, 70s and 80s.  One of the heart-throbs of his day, he was recognisable to millions for his roles in several big ITV sitcoms like Doctor in the House and later as the teacher Mr Brown in the London Weekend hit Mind Your Language. But Barry kept himself to himself and was a very private figure. Little has ever really been said or written about him until now Here Ashley chat's to Daniel Ward who has just published a new book about Barry's life and death Across 75 minutes, they discuss his career, fame, personal life (it's emerged Barry was actually bisexual) and the circumstances surrounding what remains his suspicious death. For anyone who remembers Barry Evans, it's an intriguing chat.  Daniel Ward's book is available price £19.99 from Fantom Publishing. www.fantompublishing.co.uk Distinct Nostalgia costs time and money to run. And we'd welcome support on Patreon. Click on the link below Support the show

A preview of some of the interviews and reunions lined up on Distinct Nostalgia for Christmas, New Year and early 2024. All this plus new comedy, new drama and the Distinct Nostalgia Mind of the Month Quiz ...all back by popular demand. Stay subscribed and you won't miss anything when it lands. You can also follow the latest news on our releases on X at @distinctbyMIM And please do drop us a line if you've an idea for an interview, reunion or special documentary. Email info@madeinmanchester.tv Distinct Nostalgia costs time and money to run. And we'd welcome support on Patreon. Support the show Support the show

Christmas Sitcom Special: 'Re-inventing Christmas'  The girls are preparing for Christmas and ponder what would happen if Jesus was born in the UK today, while side-swiping at modern inventions that they see as old hat. Lindsay Eavis as Florrie Janice Fryett as Dotty Written by Janice Fryett.  Editor: John Fryett. A Spinney Audio Production for Distinct Nostalgia. This year Lindsay has appeared on TV in The Bay and Documentary Now as well as northern stages and the current Northern Rail advert and Janice has appeared in Emmerdale and The Archers and pushed a cheese trolley while shouting about cheese in the BBC Eurovision trailer. She is also in the current Greggs advert, sniffing coffee. Coming soon, a new season of docs, interviews, reunions, comedy and drama. Keep listening. Distinct Nostalgia costs time and money to run. And we'd welcome support on Patreon. Support the show

New Series - Florrie and Dotty The girls are back, giving it large in 2023. They side-swipe at anything from cancel culture to cat-calling, dating to dancing and bungee-exercise to burlesque - and they don't hold back. Written by Janice Fryett, with Lindsay Eavis as Florrie, and Janice Fryett as Dotty Episode 3 - Buckets of Dates A Spinney Audio Production for Distinct Nostalgia. Since you last heard from them, Lindsay has appeared on TV in The Bay and Documentary Now as well as northern stages and the current Northern Rail advert and Janice has appeared in Emmerdale and The Archers and pushed a cheese trolley while shouting about cheese in the BBC Eurovision trailer. She is also in the current Greggs advert, sniffing coffee. Episode 3 in the New Series  will be released soon. Also coming soon ....Our British Greats series continues with Ashley in Conversation with Melvyn Hayes and we're chatting to Daniel Ward about his new book about sitcom star Barry Evans (Of Mind Your Language fame). Distinct Nostalgia costs time and money to run. And we'd welcome support on Patreon. Support the show