Former Crossroads star Sue Hanson who played Miss Diane will be appearing on
ITV's The Alan Titchmarsh Show on 6th November, which
coincides with the 35th anniversary and the network dvd release of the
Crossroads Archive box set.

35th, i meant the 45th anniversary of course lol

Jane Rossington appearing on Central News as part
of ITV50 celebrations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHuBQf9r240

Very sad news about John, a slightly revised (obviously that first version was
put up fast when the news came in) can be seen on the ATV Network Limited front
page:
http://www.atvnetworklimited.co.uk/

http://www.atvnewsnetwork.co.uk/today/index.php/soap-news/1432-crossroads-john-b\
entley

John Bentley Dies
Written by Mike Watkins
Friday, 14 August 2009 18:01

ATV / ITVFrom episode 86 in 1965 through to 1977 actor John Bentley became a
housewives favourite as Crossroads' Hugh Mortimer. He also helped the soap
reach its biggest-ever ratings in 1975 when he married Meg Richardson, the
matriarch of the Crossroads Motel since episode one in 1964. John also had a
successful movie, theatre and television career outside of soap, which
included his own series, African Patrol.

In Crossroads, as businessman Hugh Mortimer, he became the lead male
opposite, as Terry Lloyd - reporting for ITN on her death commented, 'The
Queen of British Soaps' Noele Gordon. Noele as Meg had won every soap award
possible in her reign as the owner of a small motel in the fictional Midland
village of Kings Oak. With her popularity, John's increased too. However,
not always to his advantage.

Speaking to the Crossroads Fan Club in 2006 he commented: "I recall one
point Hugh was very popular with the fans and a certain gentleman engaged me
for a couple of nights cabaret work in Birmingham. He didn't seem interested
whether I could actually sing or do a turn, he simply hired me because Hugh
was popular and would fill the club.It was all going well, with further
bookings. Until one day the phone rang, the promoter said he'd have to
cancel my cabaret bookings. It seems in the series Hugh had "done the dirty"
on Meg and the audience were furious with him. I persuaded the promoter that
the event was still worth doing, as people would know the difference between
Hugh Mortimer and John Bentley. Come the night of the cabaret, the greeting
to yours truly was incredible - for all the wrong reasons! I stepped out
onto the stage to be greeted with jeers and very loud booing. It was
petrifying at the time, but it does show the power of Crossroads. I won the
audience over in the end, although how I don't know."

John was also greatly proud of the 'social awareness' Crossroads brought to
its viewers. In the storylines he suffered numerous heart-attacks which won
praise from Medical bodies for the portrait of how to deal promptly and
correctly with an attack, and also how to improve lifestyle afterwards. In
1975 18 million watched the on-screen wedding of Hugh and Meg, while fans of
the show brought Birmingham city centre to a halt to watch the recording at
the city's Cathedral.

He was also a strong defender of the programme, again commenting in 2006:
"The press may have disliked us because Crossroads was not very British in
production style or values. ATV originally boasted that we were using an
American idea and format. The press, I think, didn't like that at all. But
of course the things they mocked happened in every other programme of the
era too. Every "as live" programme had the same problems and mistakes. I
don't know why we were singled out from the rest."

Outside of the soap opera world he had a long and varied career. From acting
in movies alongside Diana Dors to leading a cast in the police drama African
Patrol back in the 1950s. John first got his break by singing as he recalled
to the Crossroads Fan Club:

"Apart from the odd school play, I had very little interest in the
theatrical world until I was sixteen and that was quite by accident. I got
into the business through radio producer Martyn C. Webster. On one of his
radio broadcasts he offered listeners to come to his studio and audition.
Those who were good enough would be offered work at the station.

I actually decided that I would be quite a good singer, so armed with a 78
record to accompany my performance, I sang for Martyn. He liked what he
heard and offered me a part in a radio musical. And that is where the
singing evolved into acting. Other radio dramas soon followed thankfully."

ATV

In the 1950s he began featuring on ATV programming, including the popular
daytime live chat show, Lunch Box where he was one of the guest singers.
This show just happened to be produced by Reg Watson, who later went on to
create Crossroads and was hosted by Midland icon, Noele Gordon.

"When a few years later they were casting the part of Hugh Mortimer, Noele
Gordon suggested me for the role to Reg, and they both agreed I was the
perfect choice."

John Bentley was born in Birmingham on 2 December 1916, died 13 August 2009
in Petworth, Sussex. He had been suffering from a long illness.

I'm having problems, Mike.
 
My username is Heathbury.
 
thnx
 
DF

--- On Thu, 3/5/09, mike_gne <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


From: mike_gne <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Crossroads Fan Club Re: Crossroads Network Forum - logging in probs
To: crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 8:03 PM






I know its a bit late - I forgot to check here sooner (blush) if anyone is still
having bother getting into the Network forum, email me at:

mike @ crossroadsnetwork. co.uk

And I'll sort out the account.



















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

We had a Christmas card off her, and she was very chatty in it.

Hopefully she'll be back in full swing again soon.

I know its a bit late - I forgot to check here sooner (blush) if anyone is still
having bother getting into the Network forum, email me at:

mike @ crossroadsnetwork.co.uk

And I'll sort out the account.

http://www.crossroadsnetwork.co.uk/newsmf/index.php/topic,572.0.html

Lynette McMorrough has suffered a stroke. Her husband, Nick Wilton.
has set
up a blog to report on her recovery. www.howslynette.blogspot.com. She
is currently having physiotheraphy in hospital.

Swift thrombolysis by stroke nurses saves 'fairy godmother'
Published: 28 January 2009 10:22 Author: Steve Ford More by this
Author Last
Updated: 28 January 2009 10:31 Reader Responses

Ms McMorrough (front) with members of the Basildon stroke team including
Beth Smyth, stroke specialist nurse (far right)

An actress is recovering after being given emergency stroke treatment at
Basildon University Hospital when she collapsed during a performance of
Cinderella.
Lynette McMorrough, 53, has had roles in Crossroads and daytime soap
Doctors, but was playing the role of the Fairy Godmother at the Thameside
Theatre in Grays, when she became ill on 29 December.

Ms McMorrough was taken to Basildon University Hospital, where after an
assessment including a CT scan, she was identified as a patient who
could be
thrombolysed.

Beth Smyth, specialist nurse for stroke at the hosptial, said: 'We started
thrombolysing patients in Mid-September 2008 and since then we have
assessed
35 patients and six have been given the treatment.

'Early intervention by the nursing specialist team makes sure the
damage is
limited. Thrombolysing the patient dissolves the blood clot, helping to
prevent lasting disabilities and allows for a better recovery,' he added.

Jennifer Marshall, ward manager for Pasteur Ward, the hospital's acute
stroke unit, said: 'We are not yet able to thrombolyse patients 24/7
but we
hope this is something we can offer in the future.'

Hi

Can anyone from the 'Crossroads Forum' help me sign into the new site.
I'm really having problems.

Privately contact me, thanks.

DF

Dear Mike, I'll look forward to those!  Peter.

--- On Thu, 18/12/08, mike_gne <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

From: mike_gne <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Crossroads Fan Club Kathy Staff, R.I.P.
To: crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, 18 December, 2008, 10:37 PM






I quite like Doris, she's more 'likable' than the battle axe she plays
elsewhere.

Some good stories with Doris as yet to come on DVD.


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I quite like Doris, she's more 'likable' than the battle axe she plays
elsewhere.

Some good stories with Doris as yet to come on DVD.

What was everyone's view of Doris Luke's character?
Doubtless Paul Henry would be hot in her defence............  Peter.

--- On Sun, 14/12/08, marksplaceuk2008 <marksplaceuk@...> wrote:

From: marksplaceuk2008 <marksplaceuk@...>
Subject: Crossroads Fan Club Kathy Staff, R.I.P.
To: crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, 14 December, 2008, 12:38 PM






Summer Wine star Staff dies at 80
Source: bbc.co.uk

Actress Kathy Staff, who played Nora Batty in long-running BBC One
sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine, has died.

The 80-year-old, who was born in Dukinfield, Cheshire, also played
cleaner Doris Luke in long-running ITV soap Crossroads.

She also appeared in Emmerdale Farm, Coronation Street, and with David
Jason and Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours.

Last of the Summer Wine producer Alan Bell told BBC News the actress
had been ill for some time.

"We're distraught, but we have very fond memories of her," he said.

Battleaxe Nora Batty proved to be her most enduring character. She
appeared in 243 episodes of the Yorkshire-based comedy, beginning in
the very first episode in January 1973. She made her last appearance
in August.

Mr Bell said she often yearned for her character to be more gentle.

"She would play a scene quite gently, and I'd say, 'But Kathy, you've
got to harden up, because that's who we all love, the hard, tough Nora
Batty.'

"And she said, 'Why can't I be just soft and gentle at times?' And I
said, 'Maybe some time we will.'

"She was such a good lady, she was religious, she would never do
anyone any harm.

"But above all that, she was thoroughly professional. "


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yes Very sad news.

IF you search You Tube for 'Kathy Staff' there are quite a few
tributes including highlights from her 1984 This Is Your Life and an
interview with the BBC from 2005.

Good to have you with us, Angie......... Peter.
Now, how about a few more of the REALLY early episodes,
c. l965-66?

--- On Fri, 28/11/08, angie mctigue <jamfordel@...> wrote:

From: angie mctigue <jamfordel@...>
Subject: RE: Crossroads Fan Club Re: All Episodes Of Crossroads To Be Released
To: "peter_kinnison@..." <peter_kinnison@...>
Cc: "crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com" <crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Friday, 28 November, 2008, 8:41 AM






Hi im angie from welwyn garden city i joined a few wks ago

peter_kinnison wrote:
> Mike,
> I have to disagree - any fan of the programme
> worth his salt would love to see these, especially some of
> the really early episodes!
> For instance, one of my earliest memories is of being
> mesmerised by James Donnelly as Gerald Bailey - I found
> him a sinister and hypnotic character... . And NONE of the
> DVD episodes so far (or at least I think not!!!) have
> featured Denis Gilmore as Terry Lawton. Why, why, why?
> It was worth seeing Crossroads in the late 60s for him
> alone....... . Peter.--- In crossroadsfanclub@ yahoogroups. com , mike_gne
> <no_reply@.. .> wrote:
>>
>> I agree, I can't see demand being all that great for a lot of the
>> first sets as most have already been released on DVD.
>>
>


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good to have you with us Angie.......... Peter.
Now,

1/08, angie mctigue <jamfordel@...> wrote:

From: angie mctigue <jamfordel@...>
Subject: RE: Crossroads Fan Club Re: All Episodes Of Crossroads To Be Released
To: "peter_kinnison@..." <peter_kinnison@...>
Cc: "crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com" <crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Friday, 28 November, 2008, 8:41 AM






Hi im angie from welwyn garden city i joined a few wks ago

peter_kinnison wrote:
> Mike,
> I have to disagree - any fan of the programme
> worth his salt would love to see these, especially some of
> the really early episodes!
> For instance, one of my earliest memories is of being
> mesmerised by James Donnelly as Gerald Bailey - I found
> him a sinister and hypnotic character... . And NONE of the
> DVD episodes so far (or at least I think not!!!) have
> featured Denis Gilmore as Terry Lawton. Why, why, why?
> It was worth seeing Crossroads in the late 60s for him
> alone....... . Peter.--- In crossroadsfanclub@ yahoogroups. com , mike_gne
> <no_reply@.. .> wrote:
>>
>> I agree, I can't see demand being all that great for a lot of the
>> first sets as most have already been released on DVD.
>>
>


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

angie mctigue wrote:

> Hi im angie from welwyn garden city i joined a few wks ago.


Hello there, welwyn garden city, not that far from ATV's old studios
in Borehamwood, around 10 miles-ish I think.

I'd love to see all of the 1960s and 70s, obviously that will never
happen as so many are wiped.

I think the problem we have is 1982 the time of change which
disgruntled a lot of fans, and was found to be 'boring' by UK Gold
viewers.

I hope people stick with them to get through to 1983, when it picks up
again.

Hi im angie from welwyn garden city i joined a few wks ago

peter_kinnison wrote:
>             Mike,
> I have to disagree - any fan of the programme
> worth his salt would love to see these, especially some of
> the really early episodes!
> For instance, one of my earliest memories is of being
> mesmerised by James Donnelly as Gerald Bailey - I found
> him a sinister and hypnotic character... . And NONE of the
> DVD episodes so far (or at least I think not!!!) have
> featured Denis Gilmore as Terry Lawton.  Why, why, why?
> It was worth seeing Crossroads in the late 60s for him
> alone....... .  Peter.--- In crossroadsfanclub@ yahoogroups. com , mike_gne
> <no_reply@.. .> wrote:
>>
>> I agree, I can't see demand being all that great for a lot of the
>> first sets as most have already been released on DVD.
>>
>

Mike,
I have to disagree - any fan of the programme
worth his salt would love to see these, especially some of
the really early episodes!
For instance, one of my earliest memories is of being
mesmerised by James Donnelly as Gerald Bailey - I found
him a sinister and hypnotic character.... And NONE of the
DVD episodes so far (or at least I think not!!!) have
featured Denis Gilmore as Terry Lawton.  Why, why, why?
It was worth seeing Crossroads in the late 60s for him
alone........  Peter.--- In crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com, mike_gne
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> I agree, I can't see demand being all that great for a lot of the
> first sets as most have already been released on DVD.
>

--- In crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com, "irchbon" <irchbon@...> wrote:
>
> Would like to hear from anyone who likes Heather Chasen ,.or who has
> met her




i worked with her on radio many years ago in the navy lark,A really
lovely lady.
>

It's only just occurred to me that the elderly neighbour in Gavin & Stacey who
fancies Gavin,
is Mrs Owen, Dr Butterworth's receptionist and Kevin's aunty! Why didn't I
recognise her
before now?

--- In crossroadsfanclub@yahoogroups.com, mike_gne <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Volume Seven and Eight are now listed at Network DVD:
>
> www.networkdvd.co.uk
>
I was disappointed all the Benny & Maureen episodes were missing. Such a shame.
However,
Diane and Vera stealing the light bulbs from the boat was a scene that had stuck
in my mind
all these years. And I was only 11 at the time!

I was surprised to see Kate Hamilton just appear. What was her back story and
why was she
living with David in his cottage and 'preparing his supper'?

And just a mention of the eps from 1976, was anyone else amused that half the
staff had
gone for the Purdey cut? Even Rosemary Hunter has a fantastic wig version in
shades of
plum! Vera must have had a 'one size fits all' bowl in the salon that year.

Thanks for that, very interesting

VOLUME NINE

The 9th edition of Crossroads DVDs is now listed on Networks site.
WE're up to mid-1978 already.

Volume Seven and Eight are now listed at Network DVD:

www.networkdvd.co.uk

My awfully quick transcript of the Crossroads bit:

Elaine: Not only do we have musicals in common we also appeared and
you probably don't know this as I'm sure as many people don't we
appeared in the same soap.

Shona: Really!

E: At different times of course, yes can you imagine what it is?

S: Well it has to be Crossroads.

E: Indeed! Yes, oh yes.

S: Really! When did you do that?

E: Oh crikey, I was a child a mere child! But listen did you learn a
lot about acting and the whole process of television making I suppose
one could say through that?

S: Well I left school to do Crossroads..

E: Well I did I practically, thats how long ago it was, and how long
Crossroads has been going obviously.

S: Well I know, absolutely. It came off air in '89.

E: So you were in the new version presumably?

S: Yeah, when they called it Crossroads: Kings Oak or something like that.

E: Oh did they, oh right ok.

S: And yeah I went in for three episodes and so often does happen with
soaps if they like what you're doing [say] 'will you stay on, will you
stay on' and I ended up there for two years. So it did really become
my learning ground I suppose. And its so quick, you know what its like..

E: Yeah the turnaround..

S: They're throwing lines at you as you run down to the set to try and
keep things topical.

E: Thats right...

S: So yeah, it was a great experience, but I did miss my singing.

E: I was going to say, did you always want though, although that was a
lovely experience, did you always want to be doing musical theatre.

S: Yeah, I absolutely love musicals.

Interview copyright BBC Radio 2.

Fitting to have her on, just before the 20th of its demise.

Shona Lindsay, who played Sara in Crossroads Kings Oak will be
a guest on Elaine Paige's Radio 2 show this sunday.

1.00pm Elaine Paige on Sunday
Actress/Singer Shona Lindsay - currently touring in Aspects Of Love -
identifies her five favourite musicals. Choices includes The
Fantasticks (1960), Annie (1976), Evita (1978), The Phantom Of The
Opera (1986) and City Of Angels (1989).
She also discusses her work on stage in Grease and in the TV soap
Crossroads, both of which Elaine Paige has starred in over the years.

I don't think places like HMV seem able to cope with such large
amounts of episodes, they've never stocked the Cell Block H full
release either as far as I'm aware.

So I think they'll be just online sales, although it would be nice for
some stores to maybe pick them up for the viewers who are not on the
internet.