Brian and Me: Life on - and off - The ArchersSince 1975 Charles Collingwood has also been known as Brian Aldridge - 'the JR of Ambridge' - the upper-class charmer with more than a dash of naughty wickedness. Charles' alter-ego has kept him pretty busy, from affairs and illegitimate children, to ventures into the sausage business. His long-suffering on-air wife is Jennifer, but in reality his wife is also his co-star, Shula, played by Judy Bennett, who he met over 25 years ago. Actor, wit and bonviveur, Charles Collingwood began his acting career after studying at RADA by working as an actor in rep theatre. In the mid-1970s he met Judy, who was already playing Shula in The Archers, and the rest is history. Aside from his most famous alter-ego however, Charles has also appeared in television shows, from Inspector Morse and Midsomer Murders to Roger Roger and Noel Edmunds' Telly Addicts, and has guested on several radio shows, including Just a Minute and Quote Unquote. Brian and Me is the wonderfully funny and vibrant memoir of an allround entertainer. |
Contents
THREE First Love and RADA | |
FOUR A Brief Marriage | |
FIVE Stilgoe Marlow and | |
SEVEN Half a Household Name | |
EIGHT New Beginnings | |
NINE Brought To My Knees | |
TEN The JR of Ambridge Gets His Spurs | |
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Common terms and phrases
actor actress Alan Ambridge Angela Piper Archers asked audience Bernard Birmingham Brian Aldridge called career Caroline cast CC’s character Charles Collingwood cricket darling David David Tomlinson dear Debbie didn’t door dressing room Eric Eric Morecambe father film friends front funny girl going huge I’ve Jane Jennifer Judi Dench Judy Bennett knew lady later laugh Lishy London looked lunch married Mike minutes morning mother Muswell Hill never Nigel night o’clock old boy parents performance Peter Skellern prep school programme RADA radio Rauiri rehearsals remember replied Richard Stilgoe round scene script Sherborne Sherborne School Shula Siobhan sitting sorry stage star started storyline studio talk Tamsin television tell theatre there’s thing thought told Tony Tony Shryane took turned Vanessa voice walked watch weeks West End What’s who’s wife wonderful you’re young