Well, last week put me back into my showbiz harness despite my attempts to become a semi-recluse.

It started when I was asked to interview Rona McKendrick, the production manager on EastEnders, on camera for the new Elstree centenary documentary.

Rona has been with the show since about 1992 and is a lovely lady and grandaughter of that marvellous actor Alistair Sim.

We shot the interview on the EastEnders exterior lot at the BBC Elstree Centre, which is to be rebuilt over the next few years owing to the modern requirements of television transmission quality on HD.

I felt a bit odd as I can still remember being invited to tour Albert Square back in 1985 by the set designer Keith Harris and the former head of the new BBC Elstree Centre Keith Clement.

Seeing it today, 29 years later, reminded me of the passage of time.

I also remember escorting the late Hollywood icon Douglas Fairbanks Jr around the set a couple of years later and how he brought filming to a halt in the Queen Vic while cast members asked for his autograph.

The next day, I was asked by ITV to appear in an item they were filming at Elstree Studios to celebrate the centenary of film production in Borehamwood.

They told me they had allocated a whole two minutes to the piece, which included an introduction and several film clips.

I am a veteran of these shoots, having done about 60 since 1982, and knew they would never use more than about 15 seconds of me.

Still, they insisted on interviewing me for about 15 minutes and overall, we spent three hours filming a two-minute item.

It was a nice day and I had nothing else to do, but when I saw the programme I noticed they allocated more than twice the time to somebody who photographed hedges as a hobby!

Surely, 100 years of film production in Borehamwood warranted more than that? But such is the judgement of television editors running programmes today.

I still remember appearing on the same programme 20 years ago when I was live at the front of Elstree Studios, having to put up with members of the public trying to make me laugh, while rebutting the late Michael Winner, who was in a London studio, by calling him a “rent a quote” as he called Elstree Studios “tin sheds off the A1 not worth preserving”.

Many years later, Michael signed his copy of his autobiography to me by saying well done on saving Elstree.

Finally, I was privileged to host the première of Howard Berry’s documentary on the centenary of film production in Borehamwood at the Ark Theatre.

I was amazed we attracted 450 people to attend, including the town and borough mayors and many Elstree veterans.

My part in the documentary was easy — doing the interviews and being interviewed — but Howard did the real work.

I was also surprised to see my old mate actor John Altman, alias Nasty Nick in EastEnders, in the audience as he is back in Albert Square once again.

Overall, it was a good week and I congratulate Howard on putting together such an excellent documentary and a big thank you to all those who participated.

Already Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbach could be future interviewees, but we still want to hear from Borehamwood residents who worked in the studios.