In This Months Newsletter....
- Sunday For Sammy & Brendan...
- Fans Celebrate 30 Years Of Series 2 in Nottinghamshire...
- Bill Paterson, Part 2 Of Our Interview...
- Tim Healy Celebrity Classic - Golf Day 2016
- Our resident writer talks all things Series 2!
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Sunday for Sammy… and Brendan
A minute’s rapturous applause and a standing ovation started proceedings at this year’s sell-out Sunday for Sammy gala with both matinee and evening audiences showing appreciation and admiration for north east legend Brendan Healy who sadly passed away earlier this year. Brendan’s character will be best known to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet fans as Andy, an avid football supporter who mistakenly assisted a drunken Oz (Jimmy Nail) onto a chartered flight back to Newcastle following a Sunderland vs Liege game in Belgium (series 1, episode 3).
“He was not only a brilliant comedian, he was the MD of the show, a fantastic pianist and a brilliant all-rounder… he was Tommy Cooper… he’d walk on the stage and you’d start laughing before he opened his mouth… he was to Newcastle what Billy Connolly was to Glasgow” Tim Healy
Brendan’s ‘best bits’ opened the second half – just as he always did – with his renowned comedy stand-up routine amalgamated with family photos and snap shots of his extensive career on television and stage. A perfect tribute to a Geordie legend and not a dry eye in sight.
A vast array of music came from talents Jill Halfpenny, Ray Stubbs, Mick Whitaker, Lorraine Crosby, Nathalie Stern and The Inspire Choir, not to mention house band fronted by Billy Mitchell featuring ‘The Sammy’ettes’, plus ‘Musical Director’ Jamie Squire and Sunday for Sammy Producer Ray Laidlaw keeping rhythm on drums.
Comedy was delivered in abundance from Angie Lonsdale, Charlie Hardwick, Denise Welch and Brendan Foster with their take on ‘The Great North Run’ plus a ‘Gogglebox’ spoof starring some very familiar faces. Jason Cook and Pete Scott were thrown into the mix offering stand-up as only they know how.
Victoria Elliott (Hebburn), Steffen Peddie, Pete Peverley (AKA Bobby Thompson / The Little Waster) joined the stage to play out a hilarious Geordie take on ‘Mock the Week’ whilst a return from Peverley alongside Glenn McCrory (Sky) and Laura Norton (Emmerdale) brought Mackem and Geordie rivals together in an unlikely but hilarious twist.
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Credit: Andy Patrick & John Millard
August 2015 saw the launch of a new competition at the ‘The Stand Comedy Club’ in Newcastle offering talented writers an opportunity to have their short sketch professionally performed at this years ‘Sunday for Sammy’. Whilst a beautifully executed ‘Metro Service’ sketch placed countless north east locations firmly on the map, it was Kevin Wilkinson of Morpeth who was announced winner of the now annual ‘Sketch for Sammy Philip Richardson Comedy Award’. Jeff Brown and Sharon Barbour’s introduction saw the return of Norton with ITV’s Pam Royal and Ian Payne bringing Kevin’s ironic Coffee Shop script ‘Clink’ to life.
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Image: Tyne Idols/Paul Irwin
As always, Le Frenais and Clement penned a two-part Auf Wiedersehen, Pet sketch entitled ‘Helen and the Geordies’ – a comedy take on ‘Helen of Troy’ – set in ancient Greece where our lads were commissioned to complete construction of a Trojan horse. Auf Pet regulars Tim Healy (Dennis), Kevin Whately (Neville), Chris Fairbank (Moxey), Julia Tobin (Brenda), Lesley Saint-John (Vicki) and Denise Welch (Jean) were joined by Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel) and Tim’s youngest son Louis bringing a hilarious script to life with energy.
Sting made a surprise on-screen appearance congratulating Sunday for Sammy beneficiary Olivia Devine along with Alice Quinn following a touching rendition of ‘Fields of Gold’ against a backdrop of Tyneside industry gone by.
Lindisfarne’s ‘Run for Home’ fronted by Ray Jackson brought the 3-hour emotional performance to a close and the audience once again to their feet.
To date, the Sunday for Sammy trust have dished out in excess of £350,000 since founders Jimmy Nail and Tim Healy formed the charity back in 2000. If you’d like to know more about the charity, check out their brand new website here http://www.sundayforsammy.org/ and follow them on twitter @sundayforsammy for the latest news and info.
Watch ‘Brendan’s Best Bits’ here and check out just some of our photos from this year’s performance from our friends at @TyneIdols following this link: aufwiedersehen.pet/sfs2016
Top Image: Evening Chronicle
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Fans Celebrate 30 Years of Series 2
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February 21st 2016 saw fans join John Strachen AKA ‘Big Baz’, Central TV Crew members Colin Russell (Rigger) and Deborah Kerby (Assistant Set Designer) plus BBC Radio Nottingham’s reporter Rebecca Brice in the heart of Nottingham to celebrate 30 years since series 2’s ‘Return of the Seven – Part 1’, first aired back in 1986.
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Super fan Sara Peters was one of many who visited several filming locations throughout the day...
"When Daniel Lancaster had the idea of inviting fans to a 30th anniversary gathering of series 2, I jumped at the chance! We set the date for 21st February. The date that the first episode from Series 2 was shown. We first met at The Star Inn..."
Both interior and exterior scenes were used for filming at the recently refurbished ‘Star Inn’ in Beeston - best known to fans as 'The Bel & Dragon'. Here, Barry (Timothy Spall) and Wayne (Gary Holton) were reunited with Dennis, Neville and Bomber (Pat Roach) in a packed pub along with hitchhikers Linda (Julie Etherington) and Pippa (Samantha Davis) on their way to Fishguard.
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Next up was Townley Crescent, home of Barry Taylor.
At the time of filming, this period Victorian property situated on Collingwood Street in Beeston was undergoing conversion into flats and used under the guise of Barry Taylor’s home. The property remains much as it did back in 1985 where fans gathered to reminisce. Special permission was granted on the day to visit the lean-to extension at the rear of the property where several scenes were shot starring Bomber, Neville, Wayne, Moxey, Hazel (Melanie Hill) and an elusive Trevor (Simon Smith) in series 2, episode 2, ‘The Return of the Seven - Part 2’.
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Other locations throughout the day included Oz’s sons school (Round Hill Primary) and Hazel's flat before fans gathered at Ally Frasers ‘Scanda Sauna’ on Alfred Street South for a unique photo opportunity with Big Baz where he shared behind the scenes stories of his time on set.
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Sara tells us more....
"We finished the day at 'Scanda Sauna' and had lots of photo opportunities with Big Baz!!
We all had the best day ever and a lot of people commented that they didn't want the day to end. It was lovely to meet so many fans and look forward to the next gathering!! Tara for a bit pets!!!..."
Check out Tim Wagstaff's latest video of the day www.aufwiedersehen.pet/fans2016, view our collection of fans photographs and listen to highlights from BBC Radio Nottingham’s breakfast show with Andy Whittaker and Sarah Julian here.
For a comprehensive list of filming locations visit our filming locations page at the Official Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Website.
Credit: Daniel Lancaster & Sara Peters
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Our last Newsletter brought you part one of our exclusive interview with Bill Paterson who played series 2 villain ‘Ally Fraser’. In part 2, Bill tells us more about his time filming Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and offers an incredible insight into life both on and off set 30 years ago!
We find out what he liked and disliked about his character, how the loss of Gary Holton affected filming, what happened on the beach in Spain with Jimmy Nail, Tim Spall and Kevin Whately, and whether Bill would consider bringing Ally Fraser back to our television screens!
Read now: www.aufwiedersehen.pet/billpaterson
The team would like take this opportunity to personally thank Bill for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions.
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Tim Healy Celebrity Classic - Golf Day 2016
Sunday 31st July 2016 sees TV and sports personalities coming together to play in a celebrity charity golf tournament at the award-winning Hotel & Golf Course, Slaley Hall deep in the heart of Northumberland. Our very own Tim Healy aims to raise funds for the ongoing care and rehabilitation of acclaimed actor and long-time friend, Dave Whitaker who suffered a devastating stoke in 2012 and needs help to pay for his ongoing therapy. The event is also dedicated to Brendan Healy.
The event will begin with breakfast at 10.00 a.m. and tee off on the world renowned Hunting Course at noon, followed by a prize giving gala dinner, live music and auction to include some incredible money-can’t-buy prizes including a VIP visit to the set of Benidorm, a day out at the Studios of Open All Hours, a round of golf with Tim – wor Den – plus celebrity palls and many more exciting experiences.
Celebrity guests scheduled to attend include our very own Tim Healy, event host Pete Graves (Sky Sports), Snooker legend Willie Thorne, Football legend Cyrille Regis, three times world champion Darts player John Lowe, Game of Thrones actor Clive Russell, Comedian Jason Cook, Actor Adam Gillen (plays Tim’s son in Benidorm) and former Newcastle United footballers Steve Watson, Rob Lee plus many other TV & Sports Personalities to be confirmed.
This promises to be a day - and night to remember! For more information, check out Tim’s official website here: http://www.officialtimhealy.com
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Laura Kinton, our resident writer.....
Series 2 is utterly brilliant!...
Nottingham resident and super fan Laura Kinton tells us what it was like living on the doorstep of many Series 2 filming locations and what Auf Wiedersehen, Pet means to her…
The 'Return of the Seven' is a wonderful introduction back into the lives of the boys, hearing where they've been and what they've been up to, things didn't go to plan for any of them after Germany showing they are exactly what Oz describes them to be, drifters on the highway of life, back together is exactly where they should be.
The actors seem more relaxed this series, they seem as if they own their characters and the show, their raw talent shines through, they're confident but natural with it and they come together to deliver their lines with impeccable timing, it's hard to explain the realism demonstrated this time round. I feel a certain attachment to series 2 knowing a lot of it was filmed in my home-town, visiting the locations makes me feel really close to the show, knowing it all came together in those places, I've retraced their steps, driven down the same roads, been in every room in 'Thornely Manor' they were experiences I'll never forget.
I often wonder what could have been, if we hadn't lost Gary Holton, where could this show have gone? To be bigger and better than this would have been hard but I know seven lads who could have done it.
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet is something I truly love, I watch it every single day, it's where I like to be, 'Back with the Boys Again...'
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We love to hear your stories and what Auf Wiedersehen, Pet means to you. Drop the team a line with your thoughts and memories via our contacts page here.
Yours, till the next point of interest,
Lee, Tim & Andy
Special thanks to Gavin Owen, Sara Peters, Daniel Lancaster and Laura Kinton for their valued contribution to this month’s newsletter.
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Who can possibly forget an emotional Oz bidding ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to his son Rod in their home City of Newcastle beneath the iconic structure of the Tyne Bridge in episode 8, ‘Marjorie Doesn't Live Here Anymore’? It’s a heartfelt scene packed with passion, sentiment and emotion......
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Buy Now
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The Barry Taylor Signature Series T-Shirt comes complete with original digitally re-mastered signature from ‘The Prince of Trivia’ as featured in the series and is available in striking ‘Hut B Blue’! Voted Barry's greatest quote of all time by fans, so we just had to put it on an a Official Tee!
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Buy Now
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The Classic Black Logo T-Shirt featuring the original Auf Wiedersehen, Pet logo. The logo as featured in Series 1 and 2 of the classic 80's drama comedy. Inspired by the original logo as seen from the very first episode. High quality 100% cotton T-Shirt. Available in sizes S-3XL!
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Buy Now
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