Well, we have clung onto the wreckage for another week so congratulations everyone. Last weekend I had the pleasure to be a guest at a special event organised at Elstree Studios by an old pal Rich Davy. It was on the same day that Strictly Come Dancing was going out live but luckily I was not mistaken for one of the professional dancers so was directed to the correct building.

This event was celebrating those great ITC television series made half a century ago at Elstree Studios and elsewhere. Fans attending watched film clips and question and answer sessions with some of the veteran actors and actresses attending.

I think these occasions are very important for two reasons. First they allow limited access to the Studio, which is after all owned by the public. Second, we can celebrate our unique heritage, which must not be forgotten. Of course it is essential the Studio concentrates on the present day and making profits, but the past is worth celebrating.

It was a great pleasure to meet up with old friend Derek Fowlds, who has enjoyed a great 60-year career on stage, screen and television. Derek is probably best remembered for three long-running television series, all of which were very different so he avoided typecasting. Older readers will remember him for partnering Basil Brush over I think eight series. Then a change of pace to that great series Yes Minister before starring in hundreds of episodes of Heartbeat, which many fondly remember. Alas, like so many of our older actors, Derek told me he is no longer offered roles by the young casting directors, some of who probably think Basil Brush is a member of the cabinet. Come to think of it... but no, let us dwell on muppets or puppets.

Years ago a well-known television actor told me he was lauded for his performance in a successful spy drama series and even featured on the front cover of the Radio Times. A few years later the phone never rang.

What is great about these events is listening to the actors recalling anecdotes about television series we all remember and their working relationships with the stars of those series. I think the jury was out on Patrick Magoohan, who came across as a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character. Gene Barry filmed The Adventurers at Elstree and shall we say had a love affair with himself. Roger Moore got nothing but praise for being a lovely guy and full of fun on set, which made The Saint a joy to appear in.

Annette Andre told us about the fun of co-starring in Randall and Hopkirk, and Anneke Wills was full of praise about starring with Anthony Quayle in Strange Report. It only ran for one series because the producers wanted to relocate it to Hollywood and neither Anneke of Tony wanted to go. You may also remember this lovely lady from being an assistant to the first two Doctor Who stars, William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton. I grew up with that era of Doctor Who and those two actors remain my favourites, but each to their own time.

I would love to produce a film featuring as many great names of yesteryear doing at least cameo roles but also starring. I would set the plot based in a film studio so we could use my beloved Elstree and I would employ veteran staff behind the scenes shadowed by film students to learn first hand how it is done. Well, we can all dream - I think Orson Welles once described film as 'a ribbon of dreams'. Finally, a member of the audience said to me 'you look the epitome of a distinguished English gentleman', which I took as a lovely compliment . I enjoy flattery either by words or buying me a drink, as at my age I make hay while the sun shines. Until next time, remember: nostalgia never dies.