Condolences

[Roger Kettle]

I've pretty much moved past the shock/horror of it all and am concentrating on the laughter and the beer. My wife and I are going to the funeral in Bristol next week. There is to be some sort of "wake" afterwards where happy tales are to be told. I think I'll leave all that to the actor types who'll be there....

[Malc]

One aspect of being an actor (and a successful one) is that there will be editors queuing up to put together a fitting film tribute. Expect an all-bells-and-whistles musical and visual tribute that will knock your socks off, with Colin's earliest screen appearances slo-mo, and loads of tearjerk moments.


Followed by "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" and a pissup to remember.

[Joan]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Roger. Very hard to get over the shock of something like this. Big hugs. xxx

[Roger Kettle]

Just to put closure on this, my wife and I attended Colin's funeral in Bristol yesterday and it was a remarkable day. His son, Juma, at 24 years old, produced the funniest, most moving, most composed eulogy I have ever heard---all this in front of an attendance of hundreds, including countless actors and actresses. It was an emotional, yet uplifting experience.
I will miss picking up the phone and hearing the words "Rog, it's Col" in a Derbyshire accent. This was always followed by a half hour discussion about football, books we'd been reading and politics (he was a proud and passionate socialist). Ah, bugger.
Okay, that's it.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

 

[Bilthehut]

 

[Diane CBPFC]

Ah, bugger. 

[Malc]

How did the two of you meet?

[Roger Kettle]

The Daily Star used to have annual award bashes in London where members of the public were recognised for acts of bravery etc. Andrew and I were always invited down to them and, as is common with this sort of thing, they are awash with celebrities. I just so happened to be seated next to Colin at one such do 20 years ago and we struck up an immediate friendship. Margaret Thatcher was the guest of honour that day and we...um... shared a similar opinion of her qualities. After that, we just kept in touch. Colin came to stay with my family on numerous occasions and I would meet up with him in London when I was there on business or pop down to see him in a play somewhere.
Fond memories.

[Diamond Lil]

If we're sharing memories, I have one of my own.  Thanks to Colin, I was featured on Page 3 of The Sun many years ago...fully-clothed, I have to add.  Colin and Juma stayed with me when I was running a hotel in Killin and he asked that a large amount of money be kept in the safe.  It was a computerised one which hadn't worked since I had taken over but as there were so few staff around, I never gave it another thought.  Unfortunately, someone removed it and the police were called.  As Colin was starring in "The Bill" at that time, the press got hold of it (how?) and a reporter phoned me as he thought it amusing that "Inspector Munro" would himself have been robbed.  I had a total loss of sense of humour, upset as I was that it had happened to our friend.  The interview didn't go well and at some point I uttered the immortal words, "no wonder you're known as gutter press."  I well remember the appalled silence from my brother when I repeated this to Roger...eventually he managed to gasp, "you actually said that?"  Next morning a prominent article appeared on Page 3 under the heading "Bungling hotel manager leads to loss of money for The Bill's Inspector Munro."

Fond memories indeed of a great man.

[Malc]

Did Colin have to claim on the hotel's insurance? Yes, the story was interesting and funny but I'm a great one for the nitty gritty.

[Diamond Lil]

I paid Colin at once with my own money and then waited (and waited) for the owners to make the claim and reimburse me.

[Malc]

So you've got a few bob, then? I think you're very attractive.

[The Peepmaster]

So you've got a few bob, then? I think you're very attractive.

This really isn't the sort of thread to pull birds on... 

[Roger Kettle]