George Layton is prolific - he's done the lot - and he's still working in his early 80s. Both an actor and screenwriter, his career stretches from the early 50s and Children's Hour and working with Violet Carson (who played Ena Sharples in Coronation Street), through years as a star on shows like Doctor in the House and It Aint Half Hot Mum, via cameos on The Likely Lads and semi regular roles in Minder and more. He's also a big friend of Richard O'Sullivan, so we'll no doubt find out h...

A very special interview here with Lord Grade (Michael Grade) whose fingerprints are all over British TV - from the days when his uncle Lew ran ATV to his own stewardship of LWT, BBC, Channel 4 and Later ITV again. Michael has launched (and axed) some of Britain's most popular TV shows. Here he takes Ashley through a whistle stop potted history of his career, stopping off to reminisce about his time at each of the Britain's terrestrial channels along the way. EastEnders, Neighbours, Mind...

Karen Grassle who played Caroline celebrates 50 years since the launch in 1974 of Little House on The Prairie. The then new show from America would pull in huge audiences all around the world including in the UK where it had a prime time slot. Here Ashley talks to Karen about working with Michael Landon  (which was fraught for a time), her child co stars who grew up during the course of the 9. year series and the impact making such a huge show had on her life. Presented and produced by...

Why Don't You?! played to millions of kids in the school holidays on BBC1. It began in 1973 and lasted until 1995, meaning the show touched several generations over nearly a quarter of a century. Among the presenters Ant from Ant and Dec, among the producers - Russell T Davies but there were dozens more who cut their tv teeth on this show presented by children. Here Ashley meets one of them down at the Midland Hotel in Manchester - Phil Noble was in the Liverpool gang from 1987. Phil tells...

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...

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...

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'...

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'...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 2 - Cancel and Continue A Spinney Media Production for Distinct Nostalgia. Since you last heard from them, Lindsay has appeared on TV in The Bay and Documentary Now as well as...

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 1 - Delusion A Spinney Media 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...

Welcome to Episode Six (and the final episode in this series) of What's Wrong with You?! - A ground breaking new comedy panel show produced by Made in Manchester (MIM). What’s Wrong With You? is the first show of its kind where every member of the panel and every guest has a disability. Hosted by comedian Pete Selwood with regular panellists Laurence Clark and Don Biswas, guests across the series include British comedian of the Year Dan Tiernan, comic Harriet Dyer and Coronation Street Star...

With the news of David McCallum's death at the age of 90, we're playing out an exclusive never before heard interview with the man himself. Iain Mackness spoke to David during the pandemic a few years ago. It's a wide ranging chat in which David talks about many of his biggest roles in a long and illustrious career in Britain and the United States.  From Man from Uncle to Sapphire and Steel and NCIS, David's work is known across the generations.  Enjoy this special tribute. RIP one of the...

Welcome to Episode Five of What's Wrong with You?! - A ground breaking new comedy panel show produced by Made in Manchester (MIM). What’s Wrong With You? is the first show of its kind where every member of the panel and every guest has a disability. Hosted by comedian Pete Selwood with regular panellists Laurence Clark and Don Biswas, guests across the series include British comedian of the Year Dan Tiernan, comic Harriet Dyer and Coronation Street Star Cherylee Houston.  Guests in Episode...

Welcome to Episode Four of What's Wrong with You?! - A ground breaking new comedy panel show produced by Made in Manchester (MIM). What’s Wrong With You? is the first show of its kind where every member of the panel and every guest has a disability. Hosted by comedian Pete Selwood with regular panelists Laurence Clark and Don Biswas, guests across the series include British comedian of the Year Dan Tiernan, comic Harriet Dyer and multi gold winning Paralympian Baroness Tanni...

Welcome to Episode Three of What's Wrong with You?! - A ground breaking new comedy panel show produced by Made in Manchester (MIM). What’s Wrong With You? is the first show of its kind where every member of the panel and every guest has a disability. Hosted by comedian Pete Selwood with regular panelists Laurence Clark and Don Biswas, guests across the series include British comedian of the Year Dan Tiernan, comic Harriet Dyer and multi gold winning Paralympian Baroness Tanni...

Welcome to Episode Two of What's Wrong with You?! - A ground breaking new comedy panel show produced by Made in Manchester (MIM). What’s Wrong With You? is the first show of its kind where every member of the panel and every guest has a disability. Hosted by comedian Pete Selwood with regular panelists Laurence Clark and Don Biswas, guests across the series include Eaten by Lions film star and comic Jack Carroll, British comedian of the Year Dan Tiernan, comic Harriet Dyer and multi gold...