Distinct Nostalgia

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Ian Sharrock played Jackie Merrick - Emmerdale Farm's early heartthrob and poster boy. He joined the cast in 1980, eight years into the show's run.  Having some young blood in the show was something of a revolution and he quickly became popular with both fellow cast members an...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Ian Sharrock played Jackie Merrick - Emmerdale Farm's early heartthrob and poster boy. He joined the cast in 1980, eight years into the show's run.  Having some young blood in the show was something of a revolution and he quickly became popular with both fellow cast members an...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message He's one half of an enduring double act which made people laugh for decades. Here Syd Little speaks to Caroline Heywood about his partnership with the late, great Eddie Large who died from Covid-19 complications back in April. Over two parts, Syd takes their story from the early da...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message In part 2 of the second programme in our series 'Comedy Writing Legends' Jan Etherington talks candidly about her sitcoms hit Second Thoughts, Faith in the Future and Next of Kin.  She also chats to Ashley about working with Lynda Bellingham, Penelope Keith, Richard Wilson and...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message She's one of Emmerdale's longest serving stars. But she was written out in a rather lacklustre way. Deena Payne played the iconic Viv Windsor (later Viv Hope) for 18 years. Here Deena tells Ashley about how she made the character her own - and in real life made Yorkshire her h...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message In the second programme in our series 'Comedy Writing Legends' Jan Etherington talks candidly about her huge sitcom hit Second Thoughts which ran for five series on ITV in the 90s. Second Thoughts starred the late Lynda Bellingham, James Bolam, Belinda Lang, Julia Sawalha and...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message In our final 'Corrie at 60' series, we meet 3 of the very early stars of the Street. It's back to December 9th 1960 with Alan Rothwell who played David Barlow and Patricia Shakesby who played Susan Cunningham, Ken Barlow's first girlfriend. Both have great stories fr...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Dave Dutton has been appearing in Coronation Street since 1985. He's had 11 roles over that time and been involved in some of the show's most interesting storylines. Here, Dave who has just published his autobiography 'The Thirty Bob Kid', speaks candidly about his r...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message He's one half of an enduring double act which made people laugh for decades. Here Syd Little speaks to Caroline Heywood about his partnership with the late, great Eddie Large who died from Covid-19 complications back in April. Over two parts, Syd takes their story from the early da...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message We   return to our Corrie at 60 specials.  This time Ashley has been dipping into his own archives for some anecdotes from Betty Driver and Jean Alexander. He chatted to Betty in her dressing room at Granada about 11 years ago and to Jean at her home in Southport about 8 years ago. Enjo...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message We've a special treat for you now  as we showcase some new northern comedy. Written by Janice Fryett we have the pleasure in introducing you to Florrie and Dotty . Listen here to 5 sitcom shorts and become embroiled in the world of these two northern 21st Century gossips. Meet Flor...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message COMEDY WRITING LEGENDS - MARKS AND GRAN - EPISODE 1 PART TWO We kick off our Comedy Writing Legends series with two programmes celebrating the work of Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. The pair started working together from a very young age and have had decades of success penning some cl...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Distinct Drama presents... MISSING YOU by Richard Vergette Starring June Brown MBE and Sam Barnard Produced by Ashley Byrne, Iain Mackness and James Brown An MIM Production for Distinct Nostalgia - More than a Podcast! This 30 minute drama kicks off ‘Generation Games’, a new series of o...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message COMEDY WRITING LEGENDS - MARKS AND GRAN - EPISODE 1 PART ONE We kick off our Comedy Writing Legends series with two programmes celebrating the work of Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. The pair started working together from a very young age and have had decades of success penning some cl...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message This Christmas sees the start of an occasional series celebrating Britain's 'Comedy Writing Legends'. In the first programme, Ashley chats to Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran about their long career which has seen them create among other - Shine on Harvey Moon, Birds of a...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Acting legend June Brown may have given up her role as Dot in EastEnders but the 93 year old is far from retiring. This Christmas she plays the mother of a son with Down's syndrome who is separated from him because of the Pandemic. It’s June’s first role since quitting the BBC’s lo...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message He's now very much part of Emmerdale but years before he landed his role in the Yorkshire soap, Chris Bisson played Vikram in Coronation Street. He's been giving a short interview to Distinct Nostalgia  as part our chats with past cast members to mark the Street's 60th bi...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message She was in Coronation Street on and off for several decades, playing Alma who eventually married Mike Baldwin. Here national treasure Amanda Barrie remembers her days on the cobbles with some great stories about some of the grand dames of the show - Doris Speed, Pat Phoenix, Lynne Perri...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Bruce Jones played Les Battersby for just over 10 years. He and his family caused something of a revolution in the Street. They'd never seen anything like it! Les annoyed the fictional residents of Weatherfield and fans alike when he first moved in but over time Les, Janice, Leanne...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message So we've reached the big final. Test your own Corrie knowledge as Dave from Glasgow representing  Corriepedia and Michael from Southampton representing Conversation Street battle it out for the Distinct Nostalgia Mind of the Month Corrie Superfan title and the coveted Distinct Nost...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Simon May composed the EastEnders theme tune as well as Julia's Theme and Peggy's Theme which was used when Barbara Windsor's character left Albert Square. Here he pays tribute to Dame Barbara who has died at the age of 83 after a long battle with dementia.  Support the s...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Bond girl, Carry On and Hammer horror star Valerie Leon worked with Barbara Windsor on several Carry On films including Carry On Girls and Carry On Camping. Here she pays tribute to Babs who has sadly died at the age of 83 after a long battle with dementia.   Support the show

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Former EastEnders actor Andrew Lynford (who played Simon In the Late 90s) delivers a special tribute to Barbara who has sadly passed away at the age of 83 after a battle with dementia.  Support the show

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message She played Hayley Cropper for 16 years and being in Corrie changed her life in lots of different ways. Here, on Corrie's special day, Julie Hesmondhalgh reflects on what Coronation Street means to her - from watching it as a little girl in the 70s, landing a role in the world'...

Let us know what you think of the latest episode of Distinct Nostalgia by clicking here and sending us a message Tina Hobley played the new barmaid in the Rovers in 1996 - taken on by Jack behind Vera's back! The Duckworths were looking to put their stamp on the pub and Samantha was part of the new look. Here nearly 25 years on Tina reminisces with Ashley about those heady days when she found...