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.

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

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 always forget to post things at the time.  Anyway having been on Signal Deck
in October where the Queen Mary Suite is, I seriously doubt Meg and Jill's scene
was actually filmed onboard.  We saw one of those suites (either QM or Queen
Elizabeth) on the dreadful BBC2 doc last Saturday and they haven't changed much
in nearly 30 years.  I didn't get to see one personally though tried but, due to
a chance encounter with a Lord he invited me to see his Q2 grade (8009) and it
is nothing like we saw on screen which was forward and not far from those two
suites.  While posh in its day, it's not that much different to modern ships but
cost the earth.  I also have photos of the corridor and again, it's not what we
saw on screen because it's simply too long and there's no corner for Jill to
come round with what looked like a window with a blind on the wall.  You went up
stairs (the lift didn't go that high)then come out halfway along the corridor
making impossible to match what ATV filmed.  Even lower decks are nothing like
that.  While I have no doubt they DID film something on the ship, since we
clearly saw Nolly on One Deck by the flagpole, I believe the rest was filmed in
a hotel.  Which brings us to the mystery of Jane's tales.  Did they try and film
but caused the sprinklers to come on as per legend so had to substitute due to
time contraints or did they just say it for a good story rather than admit
Cunard wouldn't allow them to film inside?  Either way it creates a mystery but
having seen that area for myself now, I'm beginning to seriously doubt Nolly
stayed on until Cherbourg since we never actually saw her as they sailed away,
only in port.  Plus she would be in Cunard's list of famous travellers since
they include soap stars.

If anyone wants to see the pics and various corridors on and around Signal Deck
they can go to http://www.linerlovers.com and it's under Queen Elizabeth 2
Cruise on the home page updates.

Patsy

freema agyeman interview in there she said crossroads gave her a break

That's really awful news, I hope she gets better soon. She was such a
great character in Crossroads and seemed like a really nice lady when
I interviewed her a few years back. Thanks for letting us know about
this.

--- In crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com, "marksplace09uk"
<marksplaceuk@...> wrote:
>
>
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.'
>


Poor Lynette.  She's no age and you tend to think of stroke
sufferers being over 60/70.  I wish her a speedy recovery.

Patsy

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.'

--- In crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com, "Patricia" <supermeguk@...>
wrote:
>
> Nigel Planer and Tony Adams.
>
> I saw Nigel, grey haired with a moustache, on Loose Women today and
> thought it was Tony!
>
> Patsy
>

I had the exact same though, they are so alike now it's uncanny!

Nigel Planer and Tony Adams.

I saw Nigel, grey haired with a moustache, on Loose Women today and
thought it was Tony!

Patsy

Please help, there was once a you tube of Stephanie singing in the
recording studio, 'Born with a smile on mmy face' I cant find it
anywhere, can anyone help, Im working on something exciting, and you'd
be first to know.

gabrielle will be on songs of praise tonight 5-05 bbc1

--- In crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com, "michael pike"
<mickthegroover@...> wrote:
>
> kathy staff has died
>

Very sad indeed.  RIP Kathy.  :(

Patsy

kathy staff has died

an ideal husband with kate o mara

run for your wife is touring the country starring paul henry,melwyn
hayes, and mark wingett

stan will appear next wednesday at redditch palace theatre at 2-0clock
in a show could bless them all

russ abbott 60 today he appeared in crossroads once

the guest on the show is kate o mara is on the show

the crossroads collection 40 pound out now

sue nicholls and others stars appear on pdsa calenders 4 -99 pence

From: Alex

To: crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com

Cc: crossroadsfanclub-request@...

Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 7:03 PM

Subject: Re: [crossroadsonline] New member & cast news

hi les. i would be interested in meeting  yourself and jane.please email me any time love alex.

----- Original Message -----

From: Les Hollis

To: crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 5:17 PM

Subject: [crossroadsonline] New member & cast news

Hi chaps,

I'm Les,

I grew up in Birmingham in the seventies, and Crossroads was always
on the TV, so it really was part of the wallpaper in our house, and I
remember following it right up to the end with Jill and her man
driving off into who knows where.

I have met a couple of the cast, Paul Henry, at his Birmingham pub 10
or more years ago, and Angus Lennie, at a Cult TV convention around 6
years ago. I wasn't so keen on what I saw of the revival.

I am happy to say that a friend of mine knows Jane Rossington, and
has arranged for her to come along to a convention I am organising:
TellyNation2 on 20th September. Details can be found at
www.tellynation.com, or by replying to me offlist. I can arrange a
single day ticket for any Crossroads fans who would like gto meet
Jane.

TTFN
Les

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.6/1626 - Release Date: 21/08/2008 18:54

----- Original Message -----

From: Les Hollis

To: crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 5:17 PM

Subject: [crossroadsonline] New member & cast news

Hi chaps,

I'm Les,

I grew up in Birmingham in the seventies, and Crossroads was always
on the TV, so it really was part of the wallpaper in our house, and I
remember following it right up to the end with Jill and her man
driving off into who knows where.

I have met a couple of the cast, Paul Henry, at his Birmingham pub 10
or more years ago, and Angus Lennie, at a Cult TV convention around 6
years ago. I wasn't so keen on what I saw of the revival.

I am happy to say that a friend of mine knows Jane Rossington, and
has arranged for her to come along to a convention I am organising:
TellyNation2 on 20th September. Details can be found at
www.tellynation.com, or by replying to me offlist. I can arrange a
single day ticket for any Crossroads fans who would like gto meet
Jane.

TTFN
Les

Hi chaps,

I'm Les,

I grew up in Birmingham in the seventies, and Crossroads was always
on the TV, so it really was part of the wallpaper in our house, and I
remember following it right up to the end with Jill and her man
driving off into who knows where.

I have met a couple of the cast, Paul Henry, at his Birmingham pub 10
or more years ago, and Angus Lennie, at a Cult TV convention around 6
years ago.  I wasn't so keen on what I saw of the revival.

I am happy to say that a friend of mine knows Jane Rossington, and
has arranged for her to come along to a convention I am organising:
TellyNation2 on 20th September.  Details can be found at
www.tellynation.com, or by replying to me offlist.  I can arrange a
single day ticket for any Crossroads fans who would like gto meet
Jane.


TTFN
Les

terence rigby died he was 71

terence rigby has died he was 71 he was in crossroads 2 years

--- In crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel Landsberger"
<dan@...> wrote:
>
> Not sure of the exact date but it's certainly around then. I think
we
> need to persuade the powers-that-be to let us re-create the scene
> complete with brass band. Perhaps we need to get a television crew
> involved! I would be willing to don a blond wig and sob
> uncontrollably as the ship sets sail if required ...


How prophetic the QE2 leaves Southampton forever on the same day Meg
did.  It really will be a case of, "Time to go, darling".  :(

LOL!  I'll be Meg and throw those Zodiacs overboard so I can stand by
the flagpole.  Who's going to be Tony?

Patsy

Not sure of the exact date but it's certainly around then. I think we
need to persuade the powers-that-be to let us re-create the scene
complete with brass band. Perhaps we need to get a television crew
involved! I would be willing to don a blond wig and sob
uncontrollably as the ship sets sail if required ...

--- In crossroadsonline@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel Landsberger"
<dan@...> wrote:
>
> Great video Patsy, I do envy you!


Just wish it had been the QE2 instead of rattle trap Artemis.  LOL!

Cunard are determined to stop me being Meg on the QE2.  Can't stand
where she did because of those damn Zodiac life rafts.  Don't have a
band on the quayside.  Can't have Jill sobbing because the public are
banned.  Don't have Tony on his boat to see me off.  How cruel are
they?  LOL!  I have one more chance before the ship leaves for good so
they better come up with the goods.  ;)

By the way, isn't the 11th November (the day the QE2 leaves for Dubai)
the same day Meg sailed away?

Patsy

Great video Patsy, I do envy you!