Crossroads Reunion at Birmingham NEC To Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Serial

Fans of Crossroads are in for a treat this March as Birmingham's NEC venue plays host to a Crossroads reunion and more. The event is being staged by Fantom Films and will feature Crossroads stars Jane Rossington [Jill], Tony Adams [Adam], Angus Lennie [Shughie], Edward Clayton [Stan], Janet Hargreaves [Rosemary] and series writer David Garfield.

Check-in to the Crossroads Motel once more on Sunday March 28th, 11am-4pm. Cast will sign autographs, pose for photos upon request and will take part in a Q&A session during the day.

Reg Watson Given 'Aussie MBE' Gong - OMA

Reg Watson, the man who helped establish ATV Network in the Midlands ITV region back in 1956 and producer of Crossroads for over 2100 episodes has been honoured with Australia’s equivalent of the MBE. Reg worked in at ATV between 1955 and 1973 before returning to his native Australia where he continued to devise and produce popular serials including Sons and Daughters, Prisoner Cell Block H and Neighbours.

You can rea more on Reg's award at the ATV Network Today page, here.

Alan Coleman Makes A Good Read

Alan Coleman has pioneered five nights a week fast turn around television drama around the world - the unique art form which is fondly referred to by viewers as 'soap.' In his autobiography which is entitled One Door Shuts, Alan lifts the lid on the serials which he has been associated with and also gives advice to actors wishing to break into this industry in a standalone section called Take Five which is based on the training workshops which he has run on the sets of hit shows such as Neighbours and Shortland Street.

Learn about Alan's explosive early life in Birmingham, England when he saw his home being blown sky high and of his time spent in the air force and medical arena. Read how after staring death firmly in the face he joined ATV in the Midlands and became one of the original directors on Crossroads which was the UK's first five nights a week 'soap.' Alan talks about the acclaimed children's series Escape into Night, The Jensen Code and Kids from 47A which he produced before being headhunted by Reg Grundy and taken out to Australia to help establish the Grundy Drama Department.

Alan was the driving force behind the hit Grundy series The Young Doctors and was also associated with other Grundy productions including Class of 74, Prisoner: Cell Block H, Secret Valley, Case for the Defence and many others. During his long and distinguished career he has Executive Produced serials including Neighbours in Australia, Shortland Street in New Zealand, Unter Uns in Germany and Goede Tijden - Slechte Tijden in the Netherlands. His other directing credits include Home & Away, Echo Point, Breakers, Above The Law, Going Home, The Adventures of the Bush Patrol and Family Affairs in the UK.

One Door Shuts is essential reading for all 'soap' fans and also for actors wishing to learn more about this unique art form. Alan's is an inspiring story which proves that against all odds anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it. One Door Shuts has been released during 2009 to tie-in with the 45th anniversary of Crossroads and the 35th anniversary of Grundy TV Drama.

One Door Shuts by Alan Coleman has been published by Trafford Publishing and can be ordered by visiting their website here

He was Hugh Mortimer from 1965 to 1977 and became a much-loved face of Crossroads, on August 13 John died after a long illness.

More details on the ATV Network company site here.

Noele Gordon's agent Dies

Agent Michael Summerton had died after a brave battle with Cancer. He had been a long time associate of the appreciation society, and indeed had donated many items to the archive. A very charitable man who will be much missed.

More details here.

Lynette McMorrough Suffers Stroke

We were quite shocked to discover motel mainstay Lynette McMorrough – Glenda Banks in the soap – had suffered a stroke at the age of 53. Lynette was taken ill while in panto playing the Fairy Godmother at the Thameside Theatre in Grays, on 29th December 2008.

Lynette was taken to Basildon University Hospital before being transferred to Fordwich Stroke Unit in Margate in January. The actress, who has also starred in BBC serial Doctors, has now returned to her home where she is continuing to recuperate.

McMorrough was due to star in a tour of the musical Hot Flush during the early part of 2009.

You can follow Lynette's progress in a blog which has been created by her husband Nick Wilton by clicking here (page opens in a new window).

Diane Holland Dies

Diane Holland who played Sarah Maynard in Crossroads from 1965 into the early 1970s has died aged 78. Sarah was the wife of the Kings Oak doctor and featured in many of the main storylines throughout her time in the Birmingham made soap.

Holland later reached a whole new audience when she was offered a role in BBC sitcom Hi-De-Hi where she played snooty ballroom dancing instructor Yvonne Stewart-Hargreaves. Based in the fictional Maplins holiday camp the comedy became a huge hit for the BBC and ran for several series.

Other comedy roles include parts in Grace and Favour, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em and Sykes. Serious drama roles, other than Crossroads, include parts in programmes such as Poldark, Bergerac and Tales of the Unexpected.

Diane died of bronchial pneumonia in January 2009.