Everybody needs good Neighbours!
Cake Live pulled off the mother of all brass bands yesterday as over 300 brass band players congregated in Trafalgar Square to play the Neighbours theme tune, led by the legend that is Harold Bishop. Musicians came far and wide to be a part of this poignant moment to mark the end of the soaps long term partnership with BBC 1 and to celebrate a harmonious beginning on Five.
When I heard that one of my heroes was going to be at Trafalgar Square I jumped at the chance to go down and report first hand on this momentous occasion, but it seemed I was not the only one as members of the public turned up by the bucket load….
I fought my way through the crowds elbowing anyone who stood in my way even the bird holding the placard ‘I love Harold’ just to get a glimpse of one of the best loved characters in soap history..and why the hysteria? One man Harold Bishop, a soap icon, a living legend
So what is it we all love about the lovable Neighbours veteran? So many have passed before…the beloved bouncer, Joe Mangel the endearing Helen Daniels and lets not forget Jim Robinson ( who has experienced a glorious revival over the last couple years OC/Ugly Betty/Lost) yet we can’t seem to shake the Godfather of Neighbours, the man who came back from the dead to be re united with his beloved Madge, the caring grandfather and of course lets not forget his sensational Tuba Talents.
As I kicked and bit my way to the front of the Orchestra congregated beautifully on the steps the site of Harold in the flesh made the formation complete! He was every bit as perfect as I imagined him… handsome, polite, and humorous, cracking jokes to his adorning fans I thought to myself if only my Grandma was single…..Harold Bishop my Step-Grandfather (Wow!)
As the band started playing the undisputed Ramsay Street theme tune I couldn’t help but get emotional as flashbacks of Neighbours characters fast forwarded in the corner of my mind….Scott, Charlene, Gail, Annalise, Lance, Beth, Brad- the harmonious sounds of the trumpets, tubas, trombone, and french horns had the audience transfixed….for that sweet short moment we were all living on Ramsay Street!
Thank you Cake Live for a trip down memory lane, for a harmonious rendition of Neighbours and for bringing me within feet of my hero! Here is to a new beginning on Five!
James x
PS I love you Harold!
