Paul Darrow at Clacton Sci-Fi Event.
A review by Gillian Puddle.

On Sunday, 14th September, the sun shone brightly from a cloudless blue sky on to Highfield Holiday Park, a large caravan site on the outskirts of Clacton-on-Sea.  Families on holiday sunbathed  by the pool, played in the playground or amusement areas seemingly unaware that in the Dolphin Hall, situated between the Take-away Pukka Pie & Chip shop and the Cockles and Winkles fish stall, the 5th Clacton Sci-Fi Convention was in full swing.  

The venue consisted of two interconnecting halls, both containing trade stands selling a variety of Sci-Fi collectables and memorabilia.  Mingling with the attendees were various characters from Sci-Fi programmes, including The Master, and a Dalek with a sense of humour – having had to reverse when faced with some steps and subsequently finding it difficult to manoeuvre through the crowds, it announced wryly, ‘I can do 0-60 in around 4 weeks!’ At the end of one hall, several guests including Shane Rimmer, Michael Billington and Francis Matthews sat on a dais signing autographs.  Paul was located in the other hall, between the Tenth Planet stall, and Colin Baker and Louise Jameson’s table.  Behind him was a replica of the Tardis, and opposite sat Jade, glamour model.  Just beyond, some steps led down to a larger area, which had been set with chairs ready for the guest talks.     

Paul’s talk was scheduled first.  The Blake’s 7 episode ‘Aftermath’ was projected on to a large screen on the wall behind him, so whilst he spoke, a larger than life Avon was meeting Dayna (‘You are very beautiful, Avon!’), battling with the Sarrans and grappling with Servalan.  Despite this distraction and the temperamental microphone, Paul’s jokes and non-stop banter with the audience more than held everyone’s attention.  So much so that one attendee informed him that he had missed his vocation.  ‘You mean I should have done the Generation Game,’ said Paul, giving a perfect impersonation of Larry Grayson.


Many topics raised by members of the audience, were covered at breakneck speed .
Football (Manchester City was mentioned!)
Writing books (Paul’s still interested in writing, but it’s a slow process ‘one word a day!’)
The movie (some progress was being made, but Cameron Diaz wouldn’t be in it!)
Tom Baker (‘my favourite Dr Who’ – said very loudly for Colin Baker’s benefit.)
Physics (definitely not Paul’s subject, despite his father being a chemist)
Latest projects (including ‘Hercules’ – new challenge TV show, which Paul presented, dressed in a white suit, standing in front of a giant naked statue of the eponymous hero.  In contrast, demonstrating mobility aids for an ad – great fun using a shopping centre as a grand prix circuit, albeit at 4 mph!).

Paul was rather stumped by one query about Avon taking regeneration pills in one of the Blake’s 7 episodes.  But everyone thought they sounded a good idea, and the microphone could certainly have done with some.  It gave out completely after fifty minutes, effectively bringing the session to a close.  Paul was given a very enthusiastic round of applause, before returning to his table to continue signing autographs and having photographs taken until late afternoon.   The banter between Paul and Colin continued off and on – Colin breaking off during his talk when he noticed Paul was about to depart, to demand, ‘You’re going….?’  But somehow I doubt he had the last word!   

Photographs copyright Gillian Puddle.

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