Talking Pictures TV continues its documentary series The Writing on the Wall tonight with an episode that includes nods to Roy of the Rovers and Eagle.
The series, filmed earlier in the year, highlights remarkable Blue Plaques across the country, revealing some fascinating stories. Episode Five features the Eagle, Roy of the Rovers, an interview with Eagle, Tiger and ROTR editor Barrie Tomlinson – and Pink Floyd.
Mike, Roy and Barrie go way back, of course – Mike was one of the feature writers for the 1980s Eagle, and happily took part in Barrie’s promotional stunts to promote Roy of the Rovers, too.
The TV series is based on Mike’s book, The Writing on the Wall, first published in hardback 2018, but now re-released by Renown Pictures Ltd., the company behind Talking Pictures TV, as a paperback edition. A second volume is in the works.
Perhaps best known as a DJ for Radio One and Capital Gold, and co-host of Talking Pictures The Footage Detectives, Mike Read is an award-winning broadcaster and writer and chairman of the British Plaque Trust. The book includes a foreword by Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales and the maternal uncle of William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
A blue plaque is a symbol of our national heritage; a living footprint of our history, each one serving as a permanent reminder of an important contribution to the history of the country. The plaques commemorate notable, influential and successful people from all walks of life. They are erected in the present to celebrate our past and inspire our future.
The book contains 100 such plaques, and the stories and people behind them, from across the United Kingdom, each linking, through a common denominator, to the next.
From David Bowie to William Shakespeare, the book honours kings, actors, singers, explorers, footballers, cricketers, writers, inventors, scientists, politicians, musicians, reformers, broadcasters, songwriters, comedians, pioneers, soldiers, artists, poets, athletes, dancers, activists and educators. From Lennon and McCartney to the victims of Jack The Ripper, this is an eclectic representation of British life, through our commemorative plaques, from the 1500s to the present day.
Mike Read is Chairman of the British Plaque Trust, who, back in 2017, worked with the BBC to create almost fifty plaques to musical icons for BBC Music Day. He has won ten Broadcaster of the Year Awards and as a TV presenter has fronted such top-rated shows as Top of the Pops, Pop Quiz, Saturday Superstore and six years reviewing the papers on Sky News. On radio, he joined Radio One from Radio Luxembourg, hosting the Radio One Breakfast Show for almost six years, later presenting the breakfast shows on Classic FM, Jazz FM and the Gold Network and the drive-time show for Capital Gold.
A Knight of Malta, he has written 37 books, written songs for over forty major artists, eight stage musicals and is an Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.
• Writing on the Wall Monday 7th October at 5.20pm Subtitles Available on #TalkingPicturesTV
• Talking Pictures TV is available on Virgin 445, Freesat 306, Freeview or Youview 82 or on the Sky digital satellite platform, channel 328 | Some episodes offered through the TPTV “Encore” service
• The Writing on the Wall is available direct from Renown Features here in paperback for £12
• Also available in original edition hardback from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• Follow Mike Read on X @mikereaduk
With thanks to Jeremy Briggs
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Books, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Television
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