I hit 70 this year on 13th May 2007 and remember at Mayfield a lad called Brian George was born on the same day as me. I left school and became a Tea Tasters Assistant in the City, then did my national service in Aden.

Joan Littlewood on the bomb site outside the Theatre Royal

When I returned I auditioned for Joan Littlewood at the Theatre Royal in Stratford and entered the glamorous world of show business. I stayed in the theatre for a couple of years then I got a proper job. I moved to the midlands and then, when I retired, moved to Mundesley – three minutes walk from the best beach in Norfolk. I’ve lost contact with all my Mayfield pals, including David Cracknell, Freddy Mansfield and Arthur Dicks who moved to Australia. He became big in theatre and television over there. Mr Levy, at Mayfield, started me on this theatre interest, and I still direct plays and musicals in the Norfolk area. If anyone remembers me I’d love to hear from them.