Welcome to the February Newsletter!

We’re back this month with another packed newsletter! Throughout 2019 we’ll be bringing you lots of new additions to the Official Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Fansite and also expanding our brand-new Spender Fansite with lots of new scripts, behind the scenes info, locations and much more!

• Martin McKeand - 'A Haze of Beer and Schnapps Fumes...' Part Two
• Chris Phipps: 'Namedropper!' Competition
• Tim's Latest (and last?) Location Video
• The Spender Fansite: Update
• 35th Anniversary Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Hoodie
• My North East: Competition Winners Revealed

'A Haze of Beer and Schnapps Fumes...' Part Two

Have you ever wondered what life was like on the road filming Auf Wiedersehen, Pet? In this, the second of a three-part special, we speak to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Series 1 and 2 Producer Martin McKeand who gives us an incredible snap shot into his time on set.

In 'Part Two' Martin tells us about the time between Series 1 ending and Series 2 beginning, and how Series 2 developed. Once Series One came to a close, Central TV had no idea how to follow up on its massive success, and with a lot of time wasted, many of the cast had moved on to other projects. Many changes had taken place since 1982/83, Elstree Studios in Hertforshire  had now been taken over by the BBC and Central TV had relocated to the Midlands. Find out how Series 2 was 'cobbled together' and how strikes by set electricians made production a nightmare!

Once again, special thanks to Martin McKeand for sharing his memories.

Chris Phipps – Namedropper!

Thanks to former Black Country BBC Correspondent, Producer of Channel 4’s flagship rock show ‘The Tube’ and all-round media historian Chris Phipps, we’ve another exclusive competition for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet newsletter readers.

Chris’s passionate expert knowledge of radio, television, entertainment and popular music shines through in his brand-new book ‘Namedropper!’. He’s interviewed The Who’s Roger Daltrey, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, legends David Bowie, Little Richard, Madonna and Miles Davis to name but a few.

Dedicated in the memory of the late great Gary Holton (AKA lovable Cockney Wayne Winston Norris), this unorthodox autobiography captures Chris’s memories from the mega famous to the mundane. We recently caught up with Chris when he took a moment out of his busy schedule to talk to us;

“I hope readers enjoy my unusual autobiography "Namedropper!". It’s essentially a visual and anecdotal record of my 5 decades in radio and television. It could not be told without reference to Gary Holton, hence the previously unseen photographs taken in BBC Pebble Mill Club Bar in 81 /82.

My last memory of Gary was a risqué interview with Lesley Ash on "THE TUBE” in Tyne Tees Studio 5 followed by a performance with a band made up of fellow actors. We had lunch with his new manager and that was it. The irony is that in "Auf Pet" he had found his true forte as a tragi-comic actor - great things were around the corner. 

My book also includes an encounter with Clement and La Frenais - Ian has been most gracious in writing a foreword. 

Enjoy "Namedropper"!!

Chris Phipps”

Chris has not only signed, but personalised a copy of his book for one lucky Auf Wiedersehen, Pet / Gary Holton fan! Simply email us at namedropper@awpet.com with the answer to the following question with a chance to win.

Q: Which one of our ‘Magnificent 7’ did Chris dedicate the memory of his new book ‘Namedropper!’?

One entry per person. Open to UK residents only. Terms and conditions apply. Closing date for entries Sunday 7th April 2019 at 20:00 hrs. The winner will be announced in a forthcoming newsletter, social media networks and the Official Auf Wiedersehen, Pet fansite.

Special thanks to Chris Phipps for taking time out his busy schedule.

And if you’re curious as to which risqué interview Chris refers to, then check out Lesley Ash interviewing Gary Holton on The Tube back in 1984 when they discuss his role in Quadrophenia, a possible return of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and memorable performance of ‘Long-Legged Blue-Eyed Blonde’ by ‘The Actors’.

A Trip To More Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Series 2 Locations - Part 6

Team member Tim is back with a roundup of Series 2 locations… but could this be his last? Regular newsletter readers will know Tim has tirelessly travelled the length and breadth of the UK over the last 7 years in search of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet filming locations – and he’s just about covered them all. Chronicled and narrated in his own unique style, his latest offering includes 'The Fake Falklands', Series 2 ‘Blue Hut’, Spanish Casino, East Midlands Airport, and the ‘Barry Pay Phone’ deep in the heart of Newcastle’s concrete jungle!

This special edition also includes a closely guarded top-secret filming location first discovered by Tim in 2017 that has puzzled fans since first screened in Series 2, Episode 9 ‘Hasta La Vista back in 1986. Even cast and crew couldn’t recall its precise location!

‘Basically’, sit back, relax and watch his latest location video by clicking on the image below.

Spender - The Fansite

The award-winning team behind the Official Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Fansite are working hard behind the scenes creating ‘Spender - The Fansite’. We’re currently collating the biggest ever collection of filming locations, interviews, behind the scenes pictures, and more.

We’d like to thank those who have contacted us over recent weeks with their photos, scripts and stories. Without you, we simply couldn’t do it!  We’ve been out and about ‘filming location hunting’ and could do with your help. We’ve plans to expand www.Spender.TV throughout 2019 with the sole aim to become the most comprehensive Spender site ever created. And we need you to make it even better!

• Were you around in Newcastle when filming took place and do you have a story to share with us?
• Can you pin-point Spender filming locations?
• Did you take photos on location or - fingers crossed - video footage of it being filmed?
• Were you an ‘extra’ on set and have scripts stored in your loft simply gathering dust?   

We’d also love to see archived media, interviews, pictures, newspaper articles and magazines, so whatever you can put your hands on, we’d love to hear from you!

Visit Spender - The Fansite and find out how to get involved using the link below.

35th Anniversary Hoodie - Limited Stock!

We’ve a handful of embroidered 35th Anniversary hoodies in grey complete with classic logo in black and red stitch. Our gaffer, Tim Healy and writer Stan Hey are both proud owners of our strictly limited edition run of 100 units!

Over the coming months join us in celebrating 35 years of televisions no.1 comedy drama and wear yours with pride! A minimum of 10% of proceeds from all sales goes to the Sunday For Sammy Trust based in the North East of England. Charity Number: 1144531

Please note, sizes small & 4XL sold out!

A minimum of 10% of proceeds from all sales goes to the Sunday For Sammy Trust based in the North East of England. Charity Number: 1144531

And the winner is…. My North East

Winter 2018 saw the launch of our competition to win one of three copies of My North East, and this month we announce the winners!

My North East is a 200-page book featuring stunning landscape pictures and features interviews with many of the North East's most famous sons & daughters including Auf Wiedersehen Pet stars Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately, Melanie Hill, Denise Welch, Brendan Healy, Gina McKee plus creator Franc Roddam and writer Ian La Frenais.

Stephen Tompkinson who starred in Sunday for Sammy 2018 also features in the book and kindly signed 2 copies for us to give away as top prizes!

Our lucky winners selected at random are;

• David Mayor (signed by Stephen Tompkinson)
• Lou Chorley (signed by Stephen Tompkinson)
• Kyle Leitch

If you’re one of our winners, please get in touch to claim your prize!

Yours ‘til the next point of interest,

Lee, Andy, Tim & Gavin....