My Carry On Blogging Highlights So Far...

 

It's not normally very British to blow your own trumpet (Matron!) however I wanted to do a little blog post as a round up of Carry On Blogging highlights so far. It's been quite a journey since I started blogging back in 2015 and I've loved every minute of it!

I'm thrilled that the blog has now received nearly 600,000 page visits since I set it up in March 2015! January this year was the most visited month so far with over 45,000 views!

The blog Twitter account now has nearly 12,000 followers and nearly 600 of your have "liked" my Facebook page. Thank you to everyone who tweets, follows, likes and comments - it's always great to hear from you!

I marked what would have been Kenneth Williams' 90th birthday last February with a special week of blog posts celebrating the life of the great man.

 

I have published a series of blogs covering each of Joan Sims' 24 Carry On performances, giving my own opinions on the roles she played.

I have started to publish a series of blogs covering each of Hattie Jacques' 14 Carry On performances. 

I have started a project of blogs running through some of the lesser known Carry On supporting actors in an A - Z feature.

I have cast the net out far and wide for a range of guest blog posts to bring in different opinions on the Carry On films.

I got a sneak preview of Sarah Miller Walters' new book Joyce To The World

I visited the London Film Convention back in Spring 2016 where I had the great pleasure of meeting Carry On actors Jacki Piper and Fenella Fielding. You can read about that here 

 

One of the biggest developments has been the start of my Carry On Blogging interview series. So far I have interviewed several Carry On actors, authors and interesting folks connected to the series and British comedy:

- I interviewed the lovely Angela Douglas - you can read that here 

- I caught up with the delightful Valerie Leon to discuss her new Forever Carrying On show - you can read that here 

- I interviewed the wonderful Jacki Piper - you can read that here 

- Carry On writer and historian Robert Ross answered my questions and celebrated twenty years since the publication of The Carry On Companion here 

- I learned more about Steve Lilly's wonderful British comedy art work when I interviewed him - read that here

 

- I asked the brilliant Simon Sheridan all about his book Keeping The British End Up and the saucier side of British film comedy here

- I found out more about the fantastic Sid's Place blog in an interview with Stuart Ball - you can read that here

- I interviewed screen legend Fenella Fielding about her new audio book of memoirs - you can catch up with that here  

- I published an interview with Odysseas from the superb Art and Hue, celebrating the best of British film and television in Pop Art! You can read that here

- I interviewed the lovely Louise who runs the fantastic Joan Hickson tribute Twitter account and you can read that here

- I interviewed the brilliant Craig Deeley and you can read that here

 

- I caught up with the fabulous Judy Matheson for a chat about Hammer Horror, Robin Askwith and all things Carry On and you can read that here

- I interviewed Stuart Morriss from the terrific Misty Moon Film Society and you can catch up with that one here

- You can read my blog interview with Peter Reed, Senior Producer at the BBC Radio station 4 Extra by clicking here

- I had the great pleasure of visiting Elstree Studios to meet and interview Morris Bright and I even got to sit at Sid's piano! You can read Part 1 and Part 2 by following these links. 

 

 

- I blogged an interview with the lovely Ben Peyton, which you can read here 

- And I've also published a blog interview with the legendary actress Francoise Pascal  

- In September I enjoyed a wonderful chat with the lovely Madeline Smith and you can read the blog interview of that encounter here

- I interviewed the brilliant film director and Carry On fan Jason Figgis and you can read that here

 

- I published a guest blog by Carry On fan Adam Endacott who is currently writing The Kenneth Williams Companion. You can read that here

- I interviewed Carry On Super Fans Robert Jervis Gibbons and Callum Phoenix about their love of the films and their stars. You can read that here and here

 

 - I caught up with Please Sir! actor and author David Barry and you read all about that here

- I published a fantastic guest blog by Dr Laura Mayne on the relationship between two of the leading lights of Carry On - Producer Peter Rogers and writer Talbot Rothwell. You can read that here

- I interviewed Bless This House and Carry On star Sally Geeson and you can find that blog here

I most recently interviewed Carry On actress and all round entertainer Anita Harris about her time with the team making Carry On Follow That Camel and Carry On Doctor in 1967. You can read about that here

At the start of November I had the great privilege to catch up with the lovely Robin Le Mesurier, a true gentleman who answered my questions on life with his wonderful parents, Hattie Jacques and John Le Mesurier. You can read that interview here

 

In January this year I interviewed the lovely actress and author Josephine Bailey about her time as a child actor, studying at the Corona Academy and of making Carry On Teacher. You can read that here

I also had the great pleasure of interviewing the glorious Amanda Barrie about her long and successful career which of course has included two Carry Ons and Coronation Street. You can read that here

Most recently I spoke to the delightful Judy Buxton about her career as an actress, her time with the Royal Shakespeare Company and of meeting and working witht he great Joan Sims on the series On The Up. You can read that here

Last October I celebrated reaching 1000 blogs. I invited many of those who have contributed to Carry On Blogging over the past eighteen months to tell me what Carry On films mean to them. I was thrilled that so many people took part, including the likes of Fenella Fielding, Robert Ross, Sherrie Hewson, Jessie Wallace, Jacki Piper, Francoise Pascal, Angela Douglas and Madeline Smith. You can catch up with these special blogs here:

Part 1
Part 2 
Part 3 


In March I celebrated Frankie Howerd's centenary by interview his agent and long-time friend Tessa Le Bars. You can read that interview here

I also spoke to the actor Mark Farrelly about his love of Frankie and his plans for a new one man show telling Howerd's story. Read this here.

Paul Taylor-Greaves told me all about his love of blogging and podcasting and that can be found here 

 

Carry On Nurse actress Christine Ozanne spoke to me earlier this month about her long and varied career and her new memoir, The Tome of the Unknown Actor. Find out what Christine had to say here

And more recently I interviewed Jennie Linden on her long stage and screen career, finding out what it was like to work with Kenneth Williams on the play My Fat Friend. Read more from Jennie here 

To celebrate my second anniversary, on 29 March this year I interviewed my blogging colleague and Coronation Street Blog Editor Glenda Young about blogging, Corrie and of course, Carry On. You can check that out here.

Having written about all of Joan and Hattie's Carry On adventures, I have also started blogging about Barbara Windsor's nine Carry On roles as part of the run up to Barbara's 80th birthday in August. You can read the first of those blogs here 

I'm also now beginning a new series of blogs looking back at all of Kenneth Connor's Carry On performances in the lead up to his centenary next June. You can read the first of these blogs here.

Earlier this summer saw comedy historian Robert Ross embark on a special Carry On Cruise with some very familiar faces. Robert very kindly answered some questions on his European jaunt with Valerie Leon, Jacki Piper, Anita Harris and Richard O'Callaghan. You can find that article here 

Having interviewed the fabulous Madeline Smith last year it was a thrill to finally meet her in person in June. I attended "From Biba to Bond: An Evening with Madeline Smith" at the Stow Roses Women's Institute in North London. You can read about my encounter with the lovely Maddie here 

Another great moment in June was interviewing the writer Mark O'Connell on his long association with Pinewood Studios and his love of all things James Bond. You can read that interview (and find out more about Mark's book Catching Bullets) here

Also, omething I have been blogging about and calling for since I started Carry On Blogging actually happened in June (an apt month). Yes, June Whitfield was finally made a Dame. You can read my thoughts on this wonderful news here 

I was thrilled to receive an exclusive chance to review Network's newly released The Complete Sykes on DVD last month (many thanks again to Blue Dolphin). You can read that review here.

I was absolutely delighted to be contacted recently by Patrick Purcell, son of the late great Irish actor Noel Purcell. We had a smashing interview and you can read all about that here 

Only the other day I interviewed actor and writer Jack Lane about his passion for the work of Sir Norman Wisdom and Jack's one man show, Wisdom of a Fool. You can read that interview here

In July published my interview with the lovely Georgy Jamieson, passionate comedy fan, BBC Suffolk presenter and Director of the British Comedy Society. You can read our interview here

Also that month I enjoyed a hysterical hour on the phone with British film legend Robin Askwith. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here  

I celebrated Carry On legend Barbara Windsor's 80th birthday with a series of blogs at the beginning of August - you can read the main one here

I started a new series of blogs in August asking some of my favourite people to write in about the five greatest influences on their careers. You can read Judy Matheson's blog here, Sarah Miller Walters' blog is here, Stuart Ball's blog is here and you can read the blog from Jason Figgis here

Also in August I had the great pleasure of chatting with television legend Derek Griffiths and you can read my blog interview with him here  

And finally, in September I travelled to Elstree Studios for a celebration of the very best of 1960s and 70s British television. Hosted by Morris Bright and featuring classic clips and interviews with Dame Diana Rigg and Carry On actors Angela Douglas and Valerie Leon, you can read my review of the evening here.

A huge thanks to everyone who's kindly taken the time to answer all my questions - it has brightened many a day and been completely and utterly enjoyable.  

Finally, a massive thank you to everyone who reads my blog. I only do this as a hobby and your kind comments and observations keep me going even when the chips are down and I think I'm too tired to Carry On! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram

Favourites in Five: Jason Figgis

 

I started a brand new series of blogs a couple of weeks ago, asking some of my favourite people to write in about the five most important influences on their lives from the world of theatre, film and television. You can read Sarah Miller Walters' wonderful blog here , actress Judy Matheson's super piece is here and blogger, author and Sid James fan Stuart Ball's blog is here

Today it's the turn of film director, Jason Figgis.

ROBERT MITCHUM 

Robert Mitchum was a towering figure in Hollywood and I don’t just mean his 6’2” frame carrying a 48 inch chest. He was feared by movie moguls and loved by women, as well as men. His loose style was effortless and even gave him pause to answer a reporter who enquired of his acting style with the humorous retort : “With and without a horse”. Mitchum was a tough guy onscreen but off, an intellectual - his need to be the consummate professional powering his approach to his roles that saw him look for meaning in everything he did. He joked that he would be happy to paint houses if they paid him the same crazy money but Mitchum was merely making light of a profession he was passionate about. Legend has it that he was so upset by the mogul Howard Hughes insistence on reshooting a feature film three times that he roughed up two security guards; locked himself into the set and proceeded to tear the entire construction apart; watched on the sidelines by a bewildered and highly amused cast and crew. Such was his talent as an actor that while shooting the superb Cape Fear for Gregory Peck’s production company, Peck himself sidled up to Mitchum to assure him that he was not in the least bit upset that his co-star was stealing every scene out from under him. Peck knew that in Mitchum he had cast the most charismatic actor to play the most charismatic and terrifying antagonist opposite his genial lawyer. The film was a smash critical hit for Mitchum and Co. and continued a career trajectory that had begun in the 1940s with film noir and would reach further critical heights with such powerful thrillers as The Yakuza and The Friends of Eddie Coyle. For me Robert Mitchum was the consummate actor. He was a physical powerhouse with a face that was etched with deep insight into the human condition. He believed that he had three expressions; looking right, looking left and looking straight ahead but Mitchum was in fact one of the most underrated actors of the 20th century. 

 

NICOLAS ROEG 

One of my earliest memories of film (and one of the most influential) was witnessing Jenny Agutter carry her onscreen brother (in fact Nicolas Roeg’s own son) across the broiling sands of the Australian bush. This was memorable for two reasons: My older brother Danny had starred with Agutter in a “Troubles” story set in Belfast called A War of Children and secondly, the power of Roeg’s scope as a visionary director. The film was, of course, Walkabout - a highly controversial tale of child abandonment and awakening (not least because of the teenage Agutter’s many scenes of sometimes full frontal nudity). Agutter went on to star, weeks later, in the children’s classic The Railway Children for actor/ director Lionel Jefferies. She was so tanned from her months in Australia, that she needed to be constantly “paled” down for her scenes set in a cold Yorkshire landscape. The dialogue in Walkabout was sparse but the imagery was rich and full of beautiful and terrifying things. To cap it all, one of John Barry’s most haunting scores was utilised to great effect. I looked for more of Roeg’s work and discovered his sublime cinematography for John Schlesinger’s Far From the Madding Crowd and his next great work, Don’t Look Now which starred Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie in two tour de force performances that garnered much critical acclaim. Everything that Roeg has touched is tuned to such artistic perfection that no matter what the genre, he has made it his own. 

 

STANLEY KUBRICK 

When Kubrick released a feature film - it was an event, not only in Hollywood, but in my house. Like Roeg, Kubrick was the consummate artist and even though others produced his work, he held such a powerful grip on every area of creativity within the filmmaking process, that he can, without doubt, be considered an auteur. He attacked a new genre each time he made a picture and in doing so, seemed to have the uncanny ability to redefine that genre. He was also obsessed with perfection of performance. One of my favourite anecdotes concerned Tom Cruise on the set of the excellent Eyes Wide Shut. Cruise had walked through a door approximately 50 times and when he questioned Kubrick’s rationale, the great master responded: “But, don’t you want to get it right”. That pretty much summed up Stanley Kubrick’s obsession; he always wanted to get it right and, he always did.

 

MICHAEL CAINE 

I had the good fortune to spend a few nights alone at Ian Fleming’s former home near Reading and was struck with the awesome grandeur of the surroundings. One particular room, with walls adorned with photographs of Fleming with many other famous faces, I found to be a very eerie place. It was if Mr. Fleming was still present and was curious about I, the unknown interloper. When Michael Caine stood before his spy-ring boss in the superb The Ipcress File, thanking him for a much needed raise as he could now afford the latest grill that he had been looking at, Caine redefined Ian Fleming’s idea of what a spy should be. Harry Palmer (as portrayed by Michael Caine) was practically the antithesis of Fleming’s Bond. He was an intellectual first and much more interested in cooking than breaking apart the latest nest of potential national security threats. The film proved to be a success as both types of physical and intellectual alphas were accepted by the film-going public. It certainly didn’t harm the success of the film that Caine was an unconventionally beautiful, blonde, 6’2” presence. Something that set Caine apart from his contemporary leading men though was his ability to inhabit any role that he was cast in. He could play the intellectual spy, the philandering Eastend boy, the Nazi soldier, the upperclass English officer or even, the thug. He was also one of the first of the English New Wave to realise that less was more. He allowed his hooded eyes to do the talking and they spoke volumes. With a single tear misting one of those peepers, a nation of women and men gulped back their own begrudging emotion. They weren’t expecting how so little could produce so much. Even though Caine has continued his great successes in Hollywood, I believe the 60’s and 70’s in British film were his defining decades with such films as Zulu, Alfie, The Italian Job and of course, what I consider his best film, Mike Hodges’ Get Carter. The latter I watch at least twice a year, relishing such lines as “You’re a big man, but you’re out of shape. With me, it’s a full time job” (I paraphrase as best I can but ... you get the message). 

M. R. JAMES 

The English ghost story in its present short form can be attributed to the realist terrors that flowed from the fountain pen of the erudite scholar Montague Rhodes James. He wrote ghost stories to entertain his fellows and students across the dark hours of a winter’s evening as Christmas approached and soon found a much broader audience - and indeed a publisher, who was more than happy to promote the safe terrors of the Victorian/Edwardian ghost story. What set James apart from his contemporaries was his ability to interweave realist scholarly narrative with the more salacious elements of the paranormal. We believed the journey that our hero was on, we believed his quest and his translations of ancient Latin texts, so that when the horror was visited upon him, we believed that too. My introduction to his work was courtesy of the BBC and Lawrence Gordon Clark’s exemplary adaptations of his stories for a season of Ghost Stories for Christmas, throughout the 1970s. It was a bigger thrill for me and my brothers than the prospect of Santa Claus, as we huddled with pillows on a cold Dublin Christmas Eve, while the very austere BBC announcer introduced us to yet another spine tingling adaptation of the master’s work. Since then, I have of course read all of his works, and their impression has never been even slightly lessened by the regular revisits to his landscapes of the macabre. If you haven’t picked up a collection as of yet, I urge you to hold off no longer. 


Thank you so much to Jason for taking the time to write such a thoughtful, fascinating piece for the blog. You can follow Jason on Twitter and find out more about his career in film here


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram
 

Carry On Blogging Interview: Jason Figgis

 

I recently caught up with the film director, producer and all round lovely man Jason Figgis for a chat about his career to date as well as his love of the very best of British film and television. So Carry On Reading for a lively chat about all things Carry On, Bond and even a spot of The Professionals! 

- First of all can you tell me a bit more about yourself and how you came to become a film director?

My parents have always had an interest in film and my father in particular used to collect every issue of the film magazine, Photoplay. Whenever he had finished reading the latest issue, I would get to read it and devoured every line and publicity image. Later, when I was trying unsuccessfully to study animation - I went to France with an ex-Hells Angel called Gary and missed my admissions date for college - I ended up getting accepted to the Model-Making course in the same establishment, Ballyfermot Senior College, Dublin. When I was recovering from almost severing my finger while building a model gymnasium, I heard that Murakami-Wolf Studios were hiring for a new TV series called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

I went along and secured a job in the Ink and Paint department (under the watchful eye of the 6'1" ex-model, Sophia Darlington (I know, she sounds like a Carry-On character). I left college and began work full-time. It wasn't long before I discovered that Steven Spielberg was hiring in London at his Amblimation Studios in Acton for painters and inkers on his latest production: An American Tail 2: Fievel Goes West. I went to London and got a job with this team on a contract basis. I remember on my very first day, the animator who designed Ariel in The Little Mermaid, drew me a picture of her as a souvenir. I had now realised that there was indeed a way into the film industry. Years later I moved into Live Action and directed a feature documentary on the work of Sir Simon Marsden, the acclaimed photographer. This film, The Twilight Hour, was double IFTA nominated (the Irish equivalent of the BAFTAS) and played on Discovery Civilisations for three years. I was off and running.

- I understand early in your career you worked on the animation film, The Thief and the Cobbler. That was the brainchild of Richard Williams who I think was a friend of Kenneth Williams. What are your memories of that project?
This was a wonderful experience. We worked in Camden in a rooftop studio and began the day by looking at rushes. Lunch time would be spent lying on the roof of the studio and getting a fantastic view of North London. Richard Williams was a warm man to work for and if you stayed late you were fed dinner and given a cab home to your door. I did a lot of overtime. I became friendly with Richard's son and we had some good times.

 

 
- Of all the films you have been involved with, which are you most proud of and why?
Every film I have made has meant something special; either because it was a steep learning curve or because it was a joyful and rewarding experience. I think the most interesting project though and where I made some fantastic friends was when I was asked to direct a feature documentary called A Maverick In London, which looked at the life and work of the KIng's Head Theatre (in Islington) artistic director and founder, Dan Crawford. We filmed interviews with some incredible talents, including Alan Rickman, Richard E. Grant and Steven Berkoff. A particular favourite interviewee for me was the wonderful Joanna Lumley. I got to walk her to her car at the other end of Upper Street and literally every head turned to look at her. A lovely and charming lady. A particular day of fun saw our small team go out on the road to visit the homes of three actors whom we had to interview. We started at Maureen Lipman's house, moved over to Prunella Scales' house and from there to Susannah York's. A fantastic day and everyone incredibly accommodating and friendly. This film played for three years on Sky Arts and is available from the National Theatre on DVD.


-Can you remember the first time you ever saw a Carry On film and which film was it?
It was definitely Carry on Screaming. I have always been obsessed with Hammer, Amicus and the BBC ghost stories for Christmas. I was thrilled that ...Screaming was equal parts terror and humour. I was blown away by it and had to seek out every Carry On film after that. From Barbara Windsor's cheeky sex appeal to Kenneth Williams' outrageous brilliance and Sid James' infectious laugh, there has always been so much to recommend these films.
 

 

- Do you prefer the black and white charm of the early Carry Ons or the full on saucy colour films of the Seventies? And why...
I have watched every film from both periods of Carry On output and I love them all. I do have a particular fondness though for the B&W period of British film in general. There is a certain atmospheric mix of wonderfully moody cinematography and re-recorded and Foleyed sound that just creates a cocktail of audio/visual delights that is irresistible. The bawdy seaside humour of the 60's and 70's Carry Ons were equally entertaining in their own way and of course introduced us to even more Carry On beauties.

- Why do you think the Carry Ons are still so universally popular in 2016?
There is a certain nostalgia factor involved but I also feel that the quality of actor/actress that the Carry On producers employed were particularly strong and characterful. How could you possibly find such a wonderful variety of performers like those today; they simply don't exist (save for the likes of rarities that include David Walliams, Steve Pemberton and Mark Gatiss).


- I set up my blog as a tribute to the late great Joan Sims. Were you a fan of Joan and if so, what are your thoughts on her career?
Of course. How could one be a fan of Carry On and not love Joan Sims. She was a brilliant foil for lots of the shenanigans that erupted around her and handled each situation with aplomb and usually great affront. Her general appall was brilliantly rendered by her expansive talent. 

 

 
- Are there any Carry On actors still around today that you would love to meet? Who would they be and why?
I met Barbara Windsor at a book signing about fifteen years ago and I told her at the time that I had loved her since I was a boy. She stood up from her desk, walked around it and took me by the hand. She looked up at me, towering over her, and giggled: "You're not a little boy anymore, are you darlin?". That was a wonderful moment and one I would love to repeat. I would love to meet her again and have a proper chat about her very varied and brilliant career. Another actress I would love to meet is the beautiful Shirley Eaton. I have always loved her from Carry On to James Bond.


- Who do you think is the ultimate unsung hero of the Carry On films? And why do you think so?
This would have to be the magnificent Charles Hawtrey. His comic timing was without peer and every melodramatic entanglement he found himself embroiled in was executed with brilliant flair and laugh out loud genius.

- As you know there are plans to relaunch the series for the 21st Century. What are your thoughts on this?
I am not sure they will be able to pull it off (excuse the Carry On double-entendre). I am really not convinced and really because of a point I made earlier; these brilliant characterful performers are thin on the ground. I would have to see proposed castings before I made up my mind. But, I am excited to see them try.
 
- Who is your all-time favourite Carry On actor?
 Kenneth Williams.

- And what's your favourite Carry On film of all time?
 Carry on Screaming.

 

- I understand you are also a big fan of the James Bond franchise. Tell me more about that!
Yes. Absolutely. The cocktail of a deeply charismatic character - embroiled in danger at every corner - and surrounded by memorable bad-guys and breathtaking beauties is a cocktail that one can't resist. Bond films have a class all of their own and every Bond has brought something to the franchise and contributed to its success. I love Daniel Craig but Sean Connery is still the ultimate Bond for me. Martine Beswick (From Russia With Love, Thunderball) agreed with me when I met her recently at the Starburst International Film Festival where my latest feature film, Don't You Recognise Me? walked away with the Best Performance award. I later had a great chat with the most prolific of Bond directors, John Glen about editing. He is 85 now and full of vigour and a complete gentleman. 
Mr. Glen directed three Roger Moore outings and two Timothy Dalton films. I grew up watching Moore in the cinema and later Dalton. I think Moore's humour was part of his persona and it worked well. When Dalton erupted onto the screen, he, being a Fleming scholar, wanted to bring the written character back to life and the level of violence of these pictures came as somewhat of a shock to the movie going public - of the mid eighties - who were used to Roger Moore's more humorous approach. Brosnan brought back a mixture of humour and brutality which created a perfect opening for the "blunt weapon" that Daniel Craig portrays in the new millennium. Who will be next? Personally, I would like to see Aidan Turner or Tom Hardy take up the Walther PPK and Shaken (but not stirred) Martini.
 
- You've also said you love the classic television series The Professionals - why do you like that show so much?
This was my favourite show of the late 70's / early 80's. My brothers and I never missed an episode. It was the mixture of irreverence, violence, action and buddy-camaraderie between Bodie and Doyle that was irresistible. The casting was exemplary. I had the great pleasure of spending two days with Martin Shaw on the set of BBC's George Gently and found him to be incredibly witty and charming and a huge favourite among the cast and crew. Other shows that we devoured during this period was The Sweeney and, in my case, Van Der Valk (I am humming the tunes as I write).

 

- Finally, what projects are you working on at the moment?
I have two films releasing in the USA and Canada at Christmas; the DVD release of my Discovery Civilisations documentary The Twilight Hour and my teen vampire chiller, The Ecstasy of Isabel Mann. My feature film Urban Traffik (which looks at the world of sex trafficking) is currently with my sales agent in Los Angeles with an expected release in February 2017 and my award-winning feature film Don't You Recognise Me? is currently doing the festival circuit. I am currently in post production of a Dublin set gangster film called The Sweetest Morsel and a psychological horror film called The Paper Child (which stars Bryan Murray - of Trevor Jordache/Brookside fame and Bill Fellows of Downton Abbey and Broadchurch).

 

 

Thanks again to Jason for taking the time to answer my questions - I thoroughly enjoyed our exchanges about the very best of British film and telly! You can follow Jason on Twitter here

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also on Facebook