Do you remember when you were 11

People have said to me in the past you should write it all down. Not many people get to stand on top of the royal albert hall. Or race down the mall in golf buggies. Or dress Bono up as a steward, and stand at a gate and check tickets. Sit and have lunch in the BBC Canteen with Arther Lowe,  Or stand on the deck of one of the largest aircraft carriers in the world. Meet countless celebrities and stars of film and rock and roll. But sad to say I have. Now this isn't about bragging about what I've done and who I've Met. Its about getting it on paper before I cant see anymore, its about my past life or what my fuddled brain remembers. Its an account of a different time BHS if you like before health and safety. Before I was diagnosed with MS. There are so many stories where do you start. I guess it would have to be a visit to the old BBC TV Centre in wood lane where I would spend the whole day as an official visitor. Back in those days I was a freckly kid, It was a time of Blake's Seven and Saturday Morning Swap shop. A couple of guys my dad knew worked on a show called hit the note. I was doing a project at school on TV and I was invited down to spend the day. It was amazing as a kid you imagine this huge house where all the TV stars hang out a magical place where what to see at home is all there. Suddenly that Saturday morning it was. You drive towards television centre and see the sign and the massive cylindrical building we drove through the main gate as the barrier rose I could see the plinth with the bronze bust of Petra from Blue Peter sat on top. Something I had seen only in black and white before. Surrounded in mist to the left there was the green house you could just see it behind a hedge. And then suddenly as the car drove round the bend The fish pond I had watched on TV as a child being Built came into view next up the massive centre of the building came into view and I could see the where Roy Castle had tap danced his way to a new world record. We parked the car and walked towards the main entrance. As we approached the doors it was like entering the magical kingdom. We made our way through the maze of corridors to the large foyer and there it was  that magic sign Everyone has seen Studio 3 rehearsal flashing red in front of me. We walked through the doors and with my visitors pass round my neck was given a tour up into the gallery to meet everyone for me it was like being in heaven. Rehearsals of the show had started and I was told I could nip next door if I liked into studio 4, not knowing what awaited me next I was given a young researcher to escort me and we made our way out of the studio. Would you like a cup of tea he asked me and we joined the small cew of people waiting by the tea bar. Next minute I turn round and there was Keith chegwin standing behind me. Not knowing I asked if he would like to go first. He looked at me and smiled and jokingly said no. you have to remember I was about eleven years old. Then we walked into studio 4. the first thing I saw was noel edmonds sat behind his desk with the purple dinasour and the trim phone. (Ask your mum). Saturday morning swap shop. There was john craven maggie philbin and delia smith. Right there in front of me. We stayed in there for a bit and then back to studio 3. Then it was lunch off tho the famouse bbc canteen. As we came out of the lift I saw a short round man standing in the lunch que and we went and stood behind him as he turned I bumbled out captain maynwairing, it was arther lowe and he was going to talk to me. Hello there official visitor you must be improtant and giggled we got outr lunch and he beckoned for us to go and sit with him. We chatted and laughed and then he was gone and I was left mouth open at what had just happened. Back in the studio final rehearsals for the show I had come to watch were nearly finished and one of the camera men asked if I would like a go on the crane. Where you sit with one of the massive cameras and be wizzed up into the air as well as backwards and forwards. One final tea break in the afternoon and it would be time for the recording. This time the entire cast of blakes seven stood behind me. So where is that filmed I said to my researcher. Studio 4 of course . That was when I realised the magic of televisoin was all smoke and mirrors an illusion that we all sat and watched.  It was magic when I first got there. It was reality when I left. Over the years I have been lucky enough to work on most things you still watch on television. I say lucky it was just a job after all. But each one still holds a bit of magic to me. Memories of the guys I worked with the comeradery of it all. The different locations and the fun we used to have.  How can I show this to you. The smoke and mirrors  If you watched the apprentice the photos below are from the house. Its just a big rented house. the beds are made of:Mdf staple guns and foam. The pictures on the wall styrafoam and two be one. Its all an illusion but its still magic.