THE VOICE FROM ABROAD Speaking as an autograph hound August, 1999

Last year, as I was heading towards 30, I began to think about the people,
the things and the events that were important to me. I spent my twenties
finishing school, travelling, getting married, working, having children and
watching EastEnders. Being a fan of the show doesn't sum up who I am, but I
don't mind it describing a part of who I am.

Because it helped shape my world, given me immense entertainment and inspired
the names of my children, I decided it was high time to thank those actors in
the show who I found especially worthy of praise. I sat down and thought of
the actors whose work most touched me. That was harder than it sounds,
because I so enjoy the rich tapestry of all the characters interacting and I
do value all those whose job it is to bring Walford to life. After pouring
over Colin Brake’s book, The First Ten Years. I made a final list of 25 of
my favourite EastEnders and here it is reprinted for you:

1.   Susan Tully, Michelle Fowler”
2.   Bill Treacher, Arthur Fowler”
3.  Letitia Dean, “Sharon Watts Mitchell”
4.  Gretchen Franklin, “Ethel Skinner”
5.   Ross Kemp, “Grant Mitchell”
6.   Todd Carty, “Mark Fowler”
8.   Leslie Grantham, “Den Watts”
9.  Tom Watt, “Lofty Holloway”
10. Anita Dobson, “Angie Watts”
11. John Altman, “Nick Cotton”
12. June Brown, “Dot Cotton”
13. Pam St. Clement, “Pat Butcher Evans”
14. Gillian Taylforth, “Kathy Beale Mitchell”
15. Nicola Duffett, “Debbie Bates”
16. Mike Reid, “Frank Butcher”
17. Michael French, “David Wicks”
18. Paul Bradley, “Nigel Bates”
19. Wendy Richard, “Pauline Fowler”
20. Adam Woodyatt, “Ian Beale”
21. Tommy Etyle, “Jules Tavernier”
22. Michelle Collins, “Cindy Beale”
23. Martine McCutcheon, “Tiffany Mitchell”
24. Patsy Palmer, “Bianca Jackson Butcher”
25. Sid Owen, “Ricky Butcher”

Over the course of a few weeks, I carefully crafted a letter to each of the
actors on my list. It was by no means an impersonal mass mailing. I took
the time to express how much I had enjoyed the show every week, and how their
individual performance was appreciated. I asked each if they could send a
signed photograph, and I enclosed (with considerable help from my English
friends Tony and Shan) large self-addressed stamped envelopes (SASE) complete
with enough British postage to get it back to me.

If you don’t have access to British postage for your SASE, consider mailing a
coupon for international postage, available through our post office. This
can be exchanged for Royal Post stamps. Under no circumstances should you
send a SASE overseas with U.S. postage on it. It would be useless to them as
the Royal Post would not send the envelope, or exchange the U.S. stamps for
British.

For those EastEnders actors who were still with the show I sent the letters:

c/o Elstree Centre
Clarendon Road
Borehamwood
Hertfordshire WD6 1JF
UK

But, as you saw from my list, a fair number of those actors had already left
the show. For them, I sent their letters in care of their agents and the
addresses for those agents I got out of the book, 'Who's Who on Television' by
Anthony Hayward.

Out of 25 fan letters, 15 responses came back.

So, can you guess who responded? Who didn't? Who has a history of pleasant
correspondence? And who is known for not responding at all?

Wendy Richard was the first to send back an autographed photo and she did so
in an amazing turn-around time of two weeks. The gorgeous photo of her as
herself (not as frumpy Pauline) and Miss Shirley Brahms III (her dog) was
personalised “To Catherine, Love Wendy Richard”. She also sent the group
shot photo of the entire cast with their signatures photocopied on the back.

The next day, I heard from the fabulous Paul Bradley. What a gentleman! He
paid postage for the mailing, sending back my unused self-addressed stamped
envelope inside. He included five cast photos and a photo of him as Nigel,
which he signed on the front, “To Catherine, with Love Paul Bradley,” and on
the back wrote, “Thank you very much for your kind letter.”

Go to http://www.thecrypt.demon.co.uk/actor/index.html to read more about
Paul Bradley.

Two days after that, I was elated to find that one of the letters I had sent
to an agent had successfully been received by actor Tom Watt. He sent three
small resume photos of himself signed with, “Best Wishes, Tom Watt,” along
with a handwritten letter dated March 13, 1998:

Catherine,
Thanks for you letter. I’m just back from recording a radio
feature in
Argentina and I’m off to do another in Holland tomorrow. So Forgive
my haste! All Best Wishes, Tom Watt

Presumably, the work was in his second career; that of a soccer commentator.

Many of the EastEnders actors are multi-talented. Take, for example, Tommy
Etyle, who started out his entertainment career in England as a bandleader in
a London hotel. When he wrote to me, he took me up on my offer of help, by
sending to me the script and digital recording of a musical he had been
working on. Called, “Somep’n in the City,” it’s the story of a man
pretending to be ordinary, while all the time he’s truly as colorful as the
other characters who surround him. The professionally produced music doesn’t
include Mr. Etyle’s voice, but it is catchy and worth listening to all on its
own, apart from the script.

He was, by far, the most generous; sending two cast photos, a beautifully
done 8x10 color resume headshot, signed, “Dear Catherine, All the Best, Tommy
Etyle” along with two photos of him as Jules. One is signed, “To Catherine,
All the Best, Tommy Etyle” and the other is signed, “To Catherine, Words fail
me. I am ‘gobsmacked’ Tommy Etyle.”

In his handwritten letter he said:

Dear Catherine

    If there is anything you can do? yes please. I have recently
completed a musical and am gently seeking it’s being staged (1)
or televised (2).

It is set in London and is about a ‘con man’ going berserk when he
finds that another ‘con man’ wants to marry his daughter.
I also play guitar, or rather, “the Guitar” and sing and write songs,
hence the play.

Have had the pleasure of taking out the “Albert Square Fan Club” on
       their visit to London a few years ago.

Excuse the late response. I was waiting for the big “FOTO.”

All the Best. You’ve brightened my Winter, Tommy Etyle

P.S. Bad writing due to arthritis

When I made arrangements for one of the most prominent producers of Black
theatre, Penumbra Theatre, in St. Paul, Minnesota (where August Wilson got
his start) to have a look at a copy of Mr. Etyle’s work, I wrote back to him.
He responded with a card that was printed on the front with, “I’m glad there
is you...” and on the inside he wrote, “Hello Catherine, Script, and tape
received. Reply delay due to film.” After the card’s sweet sentiments about
friendship, he wrote, “That’s what I call good schmaltz. All the Best.”

I was really flying high when later that month, when I received, on the same
day, responses from both Anita Dobson and Bill Treacher. Can you imagine
having Arthur and Angie come to your house on the same day?

Anita Dobson sent a demure 8x10 resume photo signed, “To Catherine, love
from Anita Dobson, and a note on stationary that was printed, “With
compliments Anita Dobson”. She handwrote,

“Dear Catherine, Thanks for writing such a lovely letter and I
enclosed a photo as you requested. It’s nice to know that there’s
someone out there in the U.S.A. that’s watching us over here.
Lots of love from Anita. xxxx”

Bill Treacher is known for sending charming letters. He is so sweet a person
that he once responded to an American fan with a letter, then responded
again. He had come across the fan’s letter, and unsure if he had sent
anything or not, sent another one just in case. Mr. Treacher sent a lovely
typed response to my letter. One of the things I had written to him was,
“Whatever you do, don’t tell me that in real life you kick dogs and scare
little children.”

Dear Catherine,

Thank you so much for your very kind and complimentary letter.
I am so pleased you enjoyed my performance as Arthur Fowler...and I
        have to tell you that I love both dogs and children, having two of my own.
        Children that is, not dogs. Alas, my beloved dog, Toto died two years ago
        having been with us for 15 years. He was named Toto as I had just finished in
       “The Wizard of Oz,” playing the Cowardly Lion when we got him.
        My two children, Jamie who is 23 and Sopie who is 19 are my pride and joy.

I was in America in August 1996 when I was the guest of WETA
       Washington and met some lovely people who were fans, including a lady who had
       flown in from Minnesota especially to meet me [that refers to the late Robin
       Fluin]. I’m not in contact with many of the EastEnders cast now. We occasionally
       telephone and do Christmas cards but it was 11 years of my life and I shall
       never forget it ---some great times and alot of laughs.”

Thank you again for your wonderful letter and I wish you and yours
      the very best of health and every happiness in the future.

Yours sincerely, Bill Treacher.

He sent along one small resume photo signed, “To Catherine & Family, Best
Wishes, Bill Treacher”. He also sent a photo of him as Arthur signed, “To
Catherine, Best Wishes, Bill Treacher”.

A few weeks later, I received two signed photos of Gretchen Franklin as
Ethel. She signed them on the back, “Greetings from Gretchen F.”

Shortly after that, I received a photo of Patsy Palmer, and it says that she
is in the photo as Bianca, but she looks a bit too upmarket, if you ask me.
She signed it “Love, Patsy xx”.

And if you guessed, that I’d rather have the actor personalize it with my
name, you’re right.

A typed form letter did come with the photo. Here’s what it said, in part:

Dear Loyal Fan,

Firstly, I’d like to thank you for your great letter and secondly
        I’d like to apologise for the delay in answering you (been up to me eye balls
        in it you know)!!

As Bianca Butcher, life can be so hectic trying to achieve all the
        goals she sets herself so it makes me happy to know that there is so mcuh
        support for her to succeed.

Life’s pretty busy for me too, but it always gives me pleasure to say
        thanks to the people who go to the trouble of writing to me, so please find
        enclosed that signed photograph you requested.”

It then spoke about her starting a fan club and needing ideas. I responded
to the email address with my thoughts and that is how I ended up on these web
pages and within the pages of her fan club newsletter.

Martine McCutcheon was further along in starting her fan club and I received
lots of information about joining and lots of photos, including two photos
of her as Tiffany signed, “Love, Martine McCutcheon”.

Her mother, Jenny, is also the head of her fan club and she sent this typed
letter:

Dear Catherine,

As Martine McCutcheons’ Mother and also the person responsible
for organising her Fan Club over here in England I read your letter
       with great pleasure.

All letters sent to Martine find their way to my desk and we, as her
       official Fan Club, reply to all of them. As many as possbile are read to
       Martine and she often asks me to reply in person, and I felt in your case, I
      would love to.

It’s very encouraging to find so many in the states that are actually
        watching the show. We receive a few letters from fans out there, and it’s so
        nice to hear she has a small fan base there also.

The video you received is spread over a few years. The Spice Girls
        was recorded some time last year and the clip of Martine showing her
        tummy was part of a video made when she was with the all girl group “Milan” way
        back in 1994.

There have been many changes since that time. Her Fan Club, for one.
       Martine started to receive so many letters that it was obvious that she was
        more popular that either of us imagined.

        After describing the Fan Club, she goes on to say:

Secondly, Martine made her debut at the Royal Albert Hall with The
        Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, singing a collection of Oscar winning songs.
        It was a triumphant night and has caused quite a stir over here.

Martine has also secured the lead role in the re-make of the much
        loved fairytale Sleeping Beauty. It’s a musical film, with Cybil Shephard taking the
        wicked queen’s role. Hopefully it will be shown in the states and work
        starts on it her in June.

It would be really lovely to hear from the fans in the states, and
        it’s very exciting to hear you have an Albert Square Fan Club. What does it do?

We are in the process of getting Martine set up on the internet, and
         hopefully she will have her own web site in the near future.
                             (www.martinemccutchoen.com)

Obviously, as her Mum, I am thrilled that she is doing so well. I am
         so glad that you manage to see what Martine has acheived with her character in
        EastEnders, but there is so much more to her than Tiffany.

Who knows, maybe next year, she will hit the states big time, and
         everyone out there will be able to see how multi-talented she is.

In the meantime, thank you so much for writing, and I have enclosed
        some of the stuff we send to fans, and our official address should you wish to
        write direct again.

Martine sends her thanks and good wishes to all those that support
        her in America.

Yours sincerely,
Jenny McCutcheon
Director and Mother
Angel Media Services

Michelle Collins was next to respond. She sent a signed photo of her as
Cindy and an unsigned 8x10 resume photo.

The day after, Leslie Grantham’s sexy 8x10 resume photo came in the mail. In
gold pen, it was signed, “To Catherine Best Wishes, Leslie Grantham” across
his black leather jacket. Amazing how that man’s charisma can ooze off a
two-dimensional image. I was plently excited to have Den and Angie, in
addition to Arthur and Pauline in my collection.

Two months after I had sent out the letters, I was able to complete another
couple, as Nicola Duffet sent a photo of her as Debbie with a handwritten
note on the back, which referred to my concern over her welfare,

Dear Catherine, Thank you so much for your kindness. I am
currently working for the, ‘New Shakespeare Company,’ and things
are O.K. Much love, Nicola Duffett

She also sent a schedule for the plays in which she was appearing. She was
Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and Helen in “Troilus and Cressida”
in repertory in Regents Park that summer.

A week later, Adam Woodyatt sent a signed photo of him as Ian.

Three of the envelopes were returned unopened, as I had tried and failed to
contact Mike Reid, Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp through their agents. I
should have just sent them off to Elstree Studios like any normal person
would have, but as the British like to say, I got cheeky. I will probably
try again for the first two, but Ross Kemp is notorious for not responding to
his fan mail. Perhaps the overwhelming amount puts him off, and he has said
in the press that many of the letters are from men requesting signed photos
from him.

A total of 364 days elapsed between when I sent the letters and when I
received a photo of Gillian Taylforth as Kathy, signed, “For Catherine, With
Love, Gillian Taylforth xx” and the note:

“Catherine, Many thanks for your letter---and for the wonderful
compliments! With love, Gillian Taylforth x”

That astonished me. I could still get a response almost a full year after I
had sent out the letters!

And then I got a hand-addressed envelope from England--not one of the ones I
sent over. It was from Todd Carty who sent over a photo of him as Mark and
signed it, “To Catherine Lots of Love, Todd Carty xxx”

Will I ever hear from the rest? Susan Tully? Letitia Dean? John Altman?
June Brown? Pam St. Clement? Micheal French? Sid Owen? I think I’ll try
again with June Brown and Pam St. Clement. Ms. St. Clement is known for
responding. As for the others, I don’t think they’re very interested in
appeasing their EastEnders fans.

To read about another autograph hound's successes go to:
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~davhop/Page_Daves_UK_Soap_Stars.htm

Lastly, I’d like to leave you with a funny story my friend Robin once told
me. She and I were talking about photos of the cast. She did have a full
set of those photographs of EastEnders actors in character---kind of like
collecting baseball cards except without the stats on the back. Can you
imagine what kinds of info they’d need to put for Cindy??

Anyway, Robin told me that while she collected those cards, she was unlike me
in that she never really collected autographs. And during one EastEnders
luncheon, for which she had flown out East, a newcomer started bragging
about how he had all the signatures of the cast. It was an obvious attempt
to one-up the premienent American EastEnders fan.

See, he said, he had connections. His good friend was a British actor who
worked as an extra on the EastEnders set at Elstree and this friend had run
around the set, collecting all the star’s autographs as a favor to him. It
was then that the man pulled out this prized possession....this humdinger of
a trophy.

Sure enough, it was cast photograph with the all the photocopied signatures
on the back that Elstree sends out to everybody.

Robin could have left him thinking that he was one smooth operator, but she
had heard enough of his prentensions and pulled out her copy and said, “Huh,
that looks just like my photograph! Oh, look, mine has those autographs on
the back too.”

Reportedly, he crawled away quietly after that.

And now it’s time for me to bid a potentially permanent farewell. If you
don't see me here for September, then you'll know that this column has ceased
production. Thanks for reading and contributing your thoughts and ideas.
I've enjoyed being a mouthpiece for North American fans of EastEnders.

As I ride off into the sunset with my husband and two children, singing at
the top of their lungs, I'd like to remind all of you out there to apply some
of the lessons learned from watching EastEnders.

No, not about putting up wallpaper correctly, or running a market stall, or
how not to get caught cheating.

I'm talking about how the show allows us to glimpse into the private lives of
others (albeit fictional) and to gain some empathy for who they are and what
they have to go through. All of us are bumping around in the world, trying
to do the best we can. It is a good lesson learned to be kind and
considerate and remember that everyone has worth. Take Care ~Catherine