Another treat for fans of Follyfoot. This was a short snippet from a
morning show that get's Steve Hodson on the telephone to answer questions
from viewers. This came from the same generous UK fan who supplied the
brief clip of Gillian. Again, the exact date of the interview is not
known, or is it unlikely that any more information about the interviwer or
programme are available. Enjoy.
Click on a thumbnail to enlarge
on Open air, BBC programme 1988/89.
Opens with the final scene from the season one episode "Birthday at
Follyfoot". Steve,Dora, Ron and Slugger are sitting on the special raft
built by the boys, in the middle of the pond. Ron pulls out a
bottle on a string from the water.
Ron: "....when there's champagne!"
(everyone cheers)
Slugger: (out of shot)"This is the way to have a party."
Steve:"Something you didn't get - a horse!"
Slugger:(out of shot)"Oh yes she did - look!"
(cuts to the Colonel sitting on a horse at the bank with Copper all
saddled up.)
Ron:"Not another bloomin' 'orse?"
(end clip - cuts to Interviewer wearing yellow, in a yellow studio
with ladies on phones behind him.)
I :(sighs)"Absolutely brilliant." (hums some of the theme tune)
"Mrs.White from Wiltshire wanted to know what ever happened to
Gillian Blake and Steve Hodson from the series. Diane Wagstaff from
Bedford wanted to know where it was filmed; and it was Ivan Shackle
of Market Rasen who wanted to know when the repeats were on.
Well, we can answer all those questions because on the line now is
Steve Hodson, who played Steve in the series. Good Morning Steve."
SH:"Good Morning."
I :"How are you sir?"
SH:"Very well thanks."
I :"Tell me first of all; what are you doing at the moment?"
SH:"At the moment, I'm working with the BBC radio repertory
company in London."
I :"Oh, so you're still in the game?"
SH:"Absolutely."
I :"Right, now then, where was it filmed?"
SH:"It was filmed in Leeds/Harrogate, um - near an
estate called Lord Harewoods estate. I think that's all I can tell
you really, because it's been sold privately now; and it would be
unfair if people started turning up there now."
(interviewer nods head during all this)
I :"What do you think, looking back at the series now that it's
being repeated, are you looking at it on a Sunday morning?"
SH:"I'm not, my children are."
I :"What do they think?"
SH:"They think its rather good. They sit on the back of their
rocking horse and enjoy it. Makes me feel rather old, I think."
(Interviewer and Steve chuckle)
I :"Listen, its a strange sort of series because the music was so
very good, instantly hummable."
SH:"Yeah."
I :"Did it stay with you for many years after you'd made the
series?"
SH:"Oh yes-yeah. They used to walk down the street, and I'd hear
people singing it and, you know, when they recognised me."
I :"Do you think it's going to makeyou a star all over again, to
the youth of today?"
SH:"As it happens, I don't think so."
I :"No?"
SH:"It's nice to get the letters, the same sort of letters I got
eighteen years ago."
I :"Hmmmm."
SH:"I mean, the whole thing happening again - I don't think so."
I :"Yup. Have you got any idea what Gillian's doing at the
moment?"
SH:"Yeah."
I :"Yeah?"
SH:"She's living with her son and husband in Norfolk."
I :"Okay. Well, thank you very much indeed Steve, thanks for
taking the time to speak to us, and thans to everybody who got in
touch about Follyfoot. We do like to answer your queries. Thank you
very much."
SH:"Thank you."
(end transcript)
