We drove to Blackpool for a day off. I am behind with the diary because of bad communications with hotels and the lap-top.

Again the luxury of hot food and a good hotel. It had a golf course so I went to organize a tee-off time. But as it was a bank holiday weekend, the course was fully booked.

Had an early meal with Bruce and Cliff and found a good phone line to write these notes.

Blackpool has many memories for me. I did a summer season at The Palace Theatre with Marty Wilde in 1958. And it was at The Opera House in September 1961 that I first walked on the stage with Cliff and Shadows.

The Shadows opened the ABC Theatre in the mid 60s and I returned to the Opera House a few years ago as musical consultant for 'Summer Holiday', the musical with Darren Day. During a break in rehearsals, I talked to one of the dancers and she was telling me how she was studying and working hard to becoming an actress. She had that determination that you recognize in people who know exactly where they are going. Her name was Tamsin Outhwaite.

Went for a walk on the front. It hasn’t changed much in 40 years. Over the tram lines (where I passed my driving test in 1958!) to be met by a magnificent display by the Red Arrows. Usually when you return to a place after many years, it always seems smaller than you remember but the Opera House, which is part of The Winter Gardens is as big as I remember it.

The stage doorman was the same as when I joined in '61 and the place was packed.

Phil and Susan Jarvis came to say hello and showed some great photos they had taken. John Humphreys has been to about 20 shows so far and has also let me use some of his great shots. Thanks John.