Free For All
@freeforallpod.bsky.social
A podcast dedicated to the 1967 tv show ‘The Prisoner’ hosted by Cai Ross and Chris Bainbridge. https://linktr.ee/freeforallpod
’Dear Diary,
An odd morning. Woke up left-handed, having gone completely off my favourite cigarettes, and suddenly unable to tell the difference between flapjacks and pancakes. On the plus side, have grown a superb moustache overnight.‘ #theschizoidman #theprisoner
An odd morning. Woke up left-handed, having gone completely off my favourite cigarettes, and suddenly unable to tell the difference between flapjacks and pancakes. On the plus side, have grown a superb moustache overnight.‘ #theschizoidman #theprisoner
February 10, 2026 at 4:44 PM
’Dear Diary,
An odd morning. Woke up left-handed, having gone completely off my favourite cigarettes, and suddenly unable to tell the difference between flapjacks and pancakes. On the plus side, have grown a superb moustache overnight.‘ #theschizoidman #theprisoner
An odd morning. Woke up left-handed, having gone completely off my favourite cigarettes, and suddenly unable to tell the difference between flapjacks and pancakes. On the plus side, have grown a superb moustache overnight.‘ #theschizoidman #theprisoner
In a 1967 TV Times interview, David Tomblin described McGoohan’s brutal routine: studio 7am–5:30pm, cutting room till 10pm, writing until 2am. Little wonder he suffered 3 nervous breakdowns. Doctors advised rest which the actor ignored “you can’t let up when you’re in charge!”
January 16, 2026 at 9:03 AM
In a 1967 TV Times interview, David Tomblin described McGoohan’s brutal routine: studio 7am–5:30pm, cutting room till 10pm, writing until 2am. Little wonder he suffered 3 nervous breakdowns. Doctors advised rest which the actor ignored “you can’t let up when you’re in charge!”
Today, January 13th, we remember Patrick McGoohan (1928–2009). Actor, writer, director, producer, and the visionary force behind The Prisoner, a show that is still asking the questions that matter. #patrickmcgoohan #theprisoner
January 13, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Today, January 13th, we remember Patrick McGoohan (1928–2009). Actor, writer, director, producer, and the visionary force behind The Prisoner, a show that is still asking the questions that matter. #patrickmcgoohan #theprisoner
As part of our prep for series 6, we need your help. What myths and falsehoods surround The Prisoner? Which stories, heresay and trivia have become fact? Comment below and be part of the conversation for an upcoming episode. #theprisoner #portmeirion #patrickmcgoohan #freeforall
January 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
As part of our prep for series 6, we need your help. What myths and falsehoods surround The Prisoner? Which stories, heresay and trivia have become fact? Comment below and be part of the conversation for an upcoming episode. #theprisoner #portmeirion #patrickmcgoohan #freeforall
Happy New Year! 🎉 Wishing you a prosperous 2026. Hard to believe that this September marks 60 years since filming began at #Portmeirion on #ThePrisoner. #HappyNewYear #PatrickMcGoohan #Arrival
January 1, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Happy New Year! 🎉 Wishing you a prosperous 2026. Hard to believe that this September marks 60 years since filming began at #Portmeirion on #ThePrisoner. #HappyNewYear #PatrickMcGoohan #Arrival
Just a reminder that our Christmas episode is now available. A bumper episode with some interesting revelations! #freeforall #christmasspecial #theprisoner #patrickmcgoohan #portmeirion #podcasting #classictv #itc #podcast #retrotv #culttv #beseeingyou #thevillage
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Our seasonal offering is now available at tinyurl.com/yey8zxt3 in which we look at the press and public’s reaction to #theprisoner, the praise and criticism #patrickmcgoohan faced at the time, and incorrect spellings of #portmeirion! Enjoy!
December 23, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Just a reminder that our Christmas episode is now available. A bumper episode with some interesting revelations! #freeforall #christmasspecial #theprisoner #patrickmcgoohan #portmeirion #podcasting #classictv #itc #podcast #retrotv #culttv #beseeingyou #thevillage
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Our seasonal offering is now available at tinyurl.com/yey8zxt3 in which we look at the press and public’s reaction to #theprisoner, the praise and criticism #patrickmcgoohan faced at the time, and incorrect spellings of #portmeirion! Enjoy!
December 22, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Our seasonal offering is now available at tinyurl.com/yey8zxt3 in which we look at the press and public’s reaction to #theprisoner, the praise and criticism #patrickmcgoohan faced at the time, and incorrect spellings of #portmeirion! Enjoy!
What does a 6ft fence, flamboyant sex, and Cai doing his best Pam Ayres impression have to do with The Prisoner? Find out this Monday as we drop our Christmas special, looking at the viewers’ and critics’ responses to the show. #theprisoner #thatslife #pamayres #christmasspecial
December 18, 2025 at 11:42 AM
What does a 6ft fence, flamboyant sex, and Cai doing his best Pam Ayres impression have to do with The Prisoner? Find out this Monday as we drop our Christmas special, looking at the viewers’ and critics’ responses to the show. #theprisoner #thatslife #pamayres #christmasspecial
“Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love.” - Gil Gerard (1943-2025). #gilgerard #buckrogers
December 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
“Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love.” - Gil Gerard (1943-2025). #gilgerard #buckrogers
Join us next Monday for our Christmas episode - ‘Rebellion on Prime Time’ in which we explore the reactions of critics and viewers between 1967–68, when the show first challenged television norms. #theprisoner #patrickmcgoohan #portmeirion #dangerman #beseeingyou #pointsofview
December 15, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Join us next Monday for our Christmas episode - ‘Rebellion on Prime Time’ in which we explore the reactions of critics and viewers between 1967–68, when the show first challenged television norms. #theprisoner #patrickmcgoohan #portmeirion #dangerman #beseeingyou #pointsofview
Our Christmas Special is released on Dec 22! This year, we dive into the press and public reactions to The Prisoner in 1967/68 from bewildered critics to fascinated viewers.
Re-enter the Village with us for a festive deep-dive into the show’s earliest impact. #ThePrisoner
Re-enter the Village with us for a festive deep-dive into the show’s earliest impact. #ThePrisoner
November 30, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Our Christmas Special is released on Dec 22! This year, we dive into the press and public reactions to The Prisoner in 1967/68 from bewildered critics to fascinated viewers.
Re-enter the Village with us for a festive deep-dive into the show’s earliest impact. #ThePrisoner
Re-enter the Village with us for a festive deep-dive into the show’s earliest impact. #ThePrisoner
Donald Sinden, Peter Wyngarde and Paul Eddington all took a turn as Garry Essendine in ‘Present Laughter’ with Patrick McGoohan once playing Fred the valet. Fittingly, playwright Noël Coward was a frequent visitor to Portmeirion and wrote ‘Blithe Spirit’ there. #presentlaughter
November 19, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Donald Sinden, Peter Wyngarde and Paul Eddington all took a turn as Garry Essendine in ‘Present Laughter’ with Patrick McGoohan once playing Fred the valet. Fittingly, playwright Noël Coward was a frequent visitor to Portmeirion and wrote ‘Blithe Spirit’ there. #presentlaughter
Great news. futurenetwork.wales has recently launched! A worthy successor to the much missed Network. Find all your ITC favourites plus hundreds of classic shows and films. #network #itc #bluray #dvd #futurenetwork
November 18, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Great news. futurenetwork.wales has recently launched! A worthy successor to the much missed Network. Find all your ITC favourites plus hundreds of classic shows and films. #network #itc #bluray #dvd #futurenetwork
In 1965, 12-year-old Catherine McGoohan ‘hired’ her dad Patrick to do the lighting for her school play - unpaid, of course. #patrickmcgoohan #catherinemcgoohan
November 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
In 1965, 12-year-old Catherine McGoohan ‘hired’ her dad Patrick to do the lighting for her school play - unpaid, of course. #patrickmcgoohan #catherinemcgoohan
Extra of the day: Ray Marioni (b. 1933). A master of the croupier cameo - he pops up in A.B. & C and more than 16 other films and shows spinning the roulette wheel, including our favourite sitcom Duty Free. Marioni also played ‘Al Capone’ in The Man with the Golden Gun.
November 16, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Extra of the day: Ray Marioni (b. 1933). A master of the croupier cameo - he pops up in A.B. & C and more than 16 other films and shows spinning the roulette wheel, including our favourite sitcom Duty Free. Marioni also played ‘Al Capone’ in The Man with the Golden Gun.
McGoohan performed in several rep productions at the Sheffield Playhouse in the late 1940s. Many of these shows featured future Prisoner co-star, Paul Eddington. Other notable alumni from the Playhouse include Keith Barron, Patrick Stewart and Peter Sallis. #sheffieldplayhouse
November 15, 2025 at 9:55 AM
McGoohan performed in several rep productions at the Sheffield Playhouse in the late 1940s. Many of these shows featured future Prisoner co-star, Paul Eddington. Other notable alumni from the Playhouse include Keith Barron, Patrick Stewart and Peter Sallis. #sheffieldplayhouse
Did you know that Patrick McGoohan and famous British entertainer Des O’Connor lived in the same house at different times? The house, in Brocco Bank was owned by The Sheffield Playhouse and used by its repertory performers #patrickmcgoohan #desoconnor #sheffield
November 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Did you know that Patrick McGoohan and famous British entertainer Des O’Connor lived in the same house at different times? The house, in Brocco Bank was owned by The Sheffield Playhouse and used by its repertory performers #patrickmcgoohan #desoconnor #sheffield
Cai and I reconvene next week to record our Christmas episode. This one has taken a little while to research, but will be worth the wait (we hope!). Fans of Esther Rantzen’s ‘That’s Life’ will have a field day. Series 6 to follow next year. #beseeingyou #theprisoner #portmeirion
October 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Cai and I reconvene next week to record our Christmas episode. This one has taken a little while to research, but will be worth the wait (we hope!). Fans of Esther Rantzen’s ‘That’s Life’ will have a field day. Series 6 to follow next year. #beseeingyou #theprisoner #portmeirion
Eric Mival, The Prisoner’s legendary music editor and Rhyl’s finest, has passed away at the age of 86. Aside from Ron Grainer’s majestic theme, Mival was responsible for choosing the eclectic soundtrack that peppered the series and helped make it so memorable. #ericmival
August 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Eric Mival, The Prisoner’s legendary music editor and Rhyl’s finest, has passed away at the age of 86. Aside from Ron Grainer’s majestic theme, Mival was responsible for choosing the eclectic soundtrack that peppered the series and helped make it so memorable. #ericmival
A familiar face on Welsh television, Mici Plwm (pronounced Mickey Plum) was as an extra in The Prisoner. Plwm is known to a whole generation of Welsh children as the hapless Plwmsam in the Anturiaethau (Adventures of) Syr Wynff a Plwmsan (1980-89) #checkmate #theprisoner #s4c
August 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A familiar face on Welsh television, Mici Plwm (pronounced Mickey Plum) was as an extra in The Prisoner. Plwm is known to a whole generation of Welsh children as the hapless Plwmsam in the Anturiaethau (Adventures of) Syr Wynff a Plwmsan (1980-89) #checkmate #theprisoner #s4c
Wishing the lovely @janemerrow the happiest of birthdays today! #janemerrow #happybirthday #theprisoner
August 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Wishing the lovely @janemerrow the happiest of birthdays today! #janemerrow #happybirthday #theprisoner
To the gentleman driving the Caterham Super Seven around Llandridnod Wells whilst wearing a full Kosho outfit, we salute you!
August 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
To the gentleman driving the Caterham Super Seven around Llandridnod Wells whilst wearing a full Kosho outfit, we salute you!
If you’re in the UK, check out Our Lives on BBC iPlayer as they visit this year’s Portmeiricon convention at Portmeirion. #sixofone #portmeiricon #portmeirion #theprisoner www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Our Lives - Series 9: The Prisoner of Portmeirion
In a dreamy Welsh village built like an Italian town, fans gather to celebrate a TV show – and something much deeper about story, place and belonging.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 16, 2025 at 2:44 PM
If you’re in the UK, check out Our Lives on BBC iPlayer as they visit this year’s Portmeiricon convention at Portmeirion. #sixofone #portmeiricon #portmeirion #theprisoner www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Free For All
We returned to the @freeforallpod.bsky.social village to discuss our new The Prisoner figures!
open.spotify.com/episode/3e4T...
open.spotify.com/episode/3e4T...
Return to Wandering Planet - Special (Number 45)
Free For All · Episode
open.spotify.com
June 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM
We returned to the @freeforallpod.bsky.social village to discuss our new The Prisoner figures!
open.spotify.com/episode/3e4T...
open.spotify.com/episode/3e4T...
Did you know that in the Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) episode ‘Revenge of the Bog People’ (2000 reimagining), writer Charlie Higson named the supporting characters after actors that had played Number 2 in The Prisoner. (1/3) #randallandhopkirk #theprisoner #charliehigson
June 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Did you know that in the Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) episode ‘Revenge of the Bog People’ (2000 reimagining), writer Charlie Higson named the supporting characters after actors that had played Number 2 in The Prisoner. (1/3) #randallandhopkirk #theprisoner #charliehigson