Patrick Stratford
@pcstratford.bsky.social
Part of the presenting team for The Bill Podcast and currently working on a book project 'The Road to Glendarroch: Making Take The High Road' looking at the history of the iconic Scottish Television series.
https://www.devonfirebooks.com/about
https://www.devonfirebooks.com/about
My good friend and publisher Oliver Crocker has helped to bring to life the memoirs of Barry Appleton, who before going on to write for The Bill and Taggart, served as a real life Detective in the Flying Squad.
I can't wait to read this when it comes out!
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Twentieth-Ce...
I can't wait to read this when it comes out!
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Twentieth-Ce...
October 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
My good friend and publisher Oliver Crocker has helped to bring to life the memoirs of Barry Appleton, who before going on to write for The Bill and Taggart, served as a real life Detective in the Flying Squad.
I can't wait to read this when it comes out!
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Twentieth-Ce...
I can't wait to read this when it comes out!
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Twentieth-Ce...
Went to the Glasgow Film Theatre last night to see a brilliant new film Dirty Boy, written and directed by Doug Rao and starring Graham McTavish. Definitely go and see it if you can!
I was honoured to interview Doug for The Bill Podcast and it was a pleasure to meet him and Graham afterwards. :)
I was honoured to interview Doug for The Bill Podcast and it was a pleasure to meet him and Graham afterwards. :)
September 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Went to the Glasgow Film Theatre last night to see a brilliant new film Dirty Boy, written and directed by Doug Rao and starring Graham McTavish. Definitely go and see it if you can!
I was honoured to interview Doug for The Bill Podcast and it was a pleasure to meet him and Graham afterwards. :)
I was honoured to interview Doug for The Bill Podcast and it was a pleasure to meet him and Graham afterwards. :)
Calling all #DoctorWho fans!
We are offering up for sale, 12 photographs signed by the legendary Louise Jameson on behalf of Stageworks East West Theatre, who were co-producing The Omega Factor: By The Pricking of My Thumbs with the late Natasha Gerson (daughter of the series creator Jack Gerson)
We are offering up for sale, 12 photographs signed by the legendary Louise Jameson on behalf of Stageworks East West Theatre, who were co-producing The Omega Factor: By The Pricking of My Thumbs with the late Natasha Gerson (daughter of the series creator Jack Gerson)
August 3, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Calling all #DoctorWho fans!
We are offering up for sale, 12 photographs signed by the legendary Louise Jameson on behalf of Stageworks East West Theatre, who were co-producing The Omega Factor: By The Pricking of My Thumbs with the late Natasha Gerson (daughter of the series creator Jack Gerson)
We are offering up for sale, 12 photographs signed by the legendary Louise Jameson on behalf of Stageworks East West Theatre, who were co-producing The Omega Factor: By The Pricking of My Thumbs with the late Natasha Gerson (daughter of the series creator Jack Gerson)
Clearing through my office drawers and came across what has become my badge collection.
I think I’ve got a couple of Frank Sidebottom badges somewhere too, though I’m sure I had more from Breaking Bad.
I think I’ve got a couple of Frank Sidebottom badges somewhere too, though I’m sure I had more from Breaking Bad.
July 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Clearing through my office drawers and came across what has become my badge collection.
I think I’ve got a couple of Frank Sidebottom badges somewhere too, though I’m sure I had more from Breaking Bad.
I think I’ve got a couple of Frank Sidebottom badges somewhere too, though I’m sure I had more from Breaking Bad.
Finally got a new Smart TV after the last one broke down and I thought I would also invest in a new BluRay player and a new sound bar, this time with a sub woofer!
Sadly couldn’t get a 4K one as those sizes of TVs are too big for my bedroom. Still happy with the Full HD set up I have.
Sadly couldn’t get a 4K one as those sizes of TVs are too big for my bedroom. Still happy with the Full HD set up I have.
July 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Finally got a new Smart TV after the last one broke down and I thought I would also invest in a new BluRay player and a new sound bar, this time with a sub woofer!
Sadly couldn’t get a 4K one as those sizes of TVs are too big for my bedroom. Still happy with the Full HD set up I have.
Sadly couldn’t get a 4K one as those sizes of TVs are too big for my bedroom. Still happy with the Full HD set up I have.
The latest volume of Edward Kellett’s excellent book series on The Bill, Reaching A Verdict, is now available from Devonfire Books.
It also includes a quote from yours truly on the back cover!
It also includes a quote from yours truly on the back cover!
June 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The latest volume of Edward Kellett’s excellent book series on The Bill, Reaching A Verdict, is now available from Devonfire Books.
It also includes a quote from yours truly on the back cover!
It also includes a quote from yours truly on the back cover!
Post a random photo, otherwise everything goes wrong in June.
June 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Post a random photo, otherwise everything goes wrong in June.
Dad’s Army is on and all is right with the world.
Ring Dem Bells is a bit of a surprise choice, but I guess they can’t always repeat The Deadly Attachment every VE Day anniversary.
Ring Dem Bells is a bit of a surprise choice, but I guess they can’t always repeat The Deadly Attachment every VE Day anniversary.
May 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Dad’s Army is on and all is right with the world.
Ring Dem Bells is a bit of a surprise choice, but I guess they can’t always repeat The Deadly Attachment every VE Day anniversary.
Ring Dem Bells is a bit of a surprise choice, but I guess they can’t always repeat The Deadly Attachment every VE Day anniversary.
There are many great mysteries I've asked myself within life's rich tapestries. Are we alone in the universe? Does life truly having a deeper meaning to it? And why does Mr. Sneeze have no arms?
April 30, 2025 at 7:33 PM
There are many great mysteries I've asked myself within life's rich tapestries. Are we alone in the universe? Does life truly having a deeper meaning to it? And why does Mr. Sneeze have no arms?
Over on The Bill Podcast Patreon channel is Part 1 of a 2 part interview I recorded with actor and filmmaker Dominic Power, who played PC Leon Taylor on the series.
I had a brilliant time talking to Dominic about his work on The Bill, Emmerdale and his latest venture working with young actors.
I had a brilliant time talking to Dominic about his work on The Bill, Emmerdale and his latest venture working with young actors.
April 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Over on The Bill Podcast Patreon channel is Part 1 of a 2 part interview I recorded with actor and filmmaker Dominic Power, who played PC Leon Taylor on the series.
I had a brilliant time talking to Dominic about his work on The Bill, Emmerdale and his latest venture working with young actors.
I had a brilliant time talking to Dominic about his work on The Bill, Emmerdale and his latest venture working with young actors.
Just pre-ordered my copy of Edward Kellet's latest volume of Reaching a Verdict
His writings on The Bill are the best that's out there. If you haven't read his book series looking The Bill within its dramatic, social and historical context, I highly recommend them reading them. devonfirebooks.com
His writings on The Bill are the best that's out there. If you haven't read his book series looking The Bill within its dramatic, social and historical context, I highly recommend them reading them. devonfirebooks.com
April 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Just pre-ordered my copy of Edward Kellet's latest volume of Reaching a Verdict
His writings on The Bill are the best that's out there. If you haven't read his book series looking The Bill within its dramatic, social and historical context, I highly recommend them reading them. devonfirebooks.com
His writings on The Bill are the best that's out there. If you haven't read his book series looking The Bill within its dramatic, social and historical context, I highly recommend them reading them. devonfirebooks.com
Brian Wilde returns as Foggy Dewhurst in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY
March 26, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Brian Wilde returns as Foggy Dewhurst in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY
Well that’s annoying.
I suppose I could just stand up?…
I suppose I could just stand up?…
March 12, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Well that’s annoying.
I suppose I could just stand up?…
I suppose I could just stand up?…
Available now over on The Bill Podcast Patreon channel is an interview I did with veteran television director Moira Armstrong recorded last year. Although Moira's memories of The Bill weren't great (she is 95 years young!) we still had a brilliant conversation and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
March 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Available now over on The Bill Podcast Patreon channel is an interview I did with veteran television director Moira Armstrong recorded last year. Although Moira's memories of The Bill weren't great (she is 95 years young!) we still had a brilliant conversation and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Just released over on The Bill Podcast Patreon channel is the first of a 2 part interview with Karl Collins (DC Danny Glaze) and Chris Simmons (DC Mickey Webb). Karl and Chris discuss working together again recently on Chris's upcoming film The Broken Arrow and their memories of working on The Bill.
February 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Just released over on The Bill Podcast Patreon channel is the first of a 2 part interview with Karl Collins (DC Danny Glaze) and Chris Simmons (DC Mickey Webb). Karl and Chris discuss working together again recently on Chris's upcoming film The Broken Arrow and their memories of working on The Bill.
My latest impulse buy. I’ve only ever seen one episode of The Prisoner but it’s one of those shows I’ve heard many things about.
This seems to be long out of print, along with the production book by Andrew Pixley and I’m very much a proponent of physical media, especially in recent years.
This seems to be long out of print, along with the production book by Andrew Pixley and I’m very much a proponent of physical media, especially in recent years.
January 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
My latest impulse buy. I’ve only ever seen one episode of The Prisoner but it’s one of those shows I’ve heard many things about.
This seems to be long out of print, along with the production book by Andrew Pixley and I’m very much a proponent of physical media, especially in recent years.
This seems to be long out of print, along with the production book by Andrew Pixley and I’m very much a proponent of physical media, especially in recent years.
Tree’s now up!
December 6, 2024 at 6:42 PM
Tree’s now up!
Time once again for an Advent Calendar. Only this time I’ve decided to resurrect an old countdown that I’ve decided to revisit this year.
For the next 24 days, I am going to count down every UK Christmas No. 2 single from 1952-1999, looking at 2 songs per day.
#adventcallendar #christmassingle
For the next 24 days, I am going to count down every UK Christmas No. 2 single from 1952-1999, looking at 2 songs per day.
#adventcallendar #christmassingle
December 1, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Time once again for an Advent Calendar. Only this time I’ve decided to resurrect an old countdown that I’ve decided to revisit this year.
For the next 24 days, I am going to count down every UK Christmas No. 2 single from 1952-1999, looking at 2 songs per day.
#adventcallendar #christmassingle
For the next 24 days, I am going to count down every UK Christmas No. 2 single from 1952-1999, looking at 2 songs per day.
#adventcallendar #christmassingle
A little sad to have said goodbye to my Classic Doctor Who DVD Collection today. Mainly because it took over a decade or so to build up the collection.
I’ve had to part with them partly for financial reasons, but also because I’m fast running out of shelf space.
I’ve had to part with them partly for financial reasons, but also because I’m fast running out of shelf space.
November 20, 2024 at 7:02 PM
A little sad to have said goodbye to my Classic Doctor Who DVD Collection today. Mainly because it took over a decade or so to build up the collection.
I’ve had to part with them partly for financial reasons, but also because I’m fast running out of shelf space.
I’ve had to part with them partly for financial reasons, but also because I’m fast running out of shelf space.
For the curious, here is what Bluesky HQ looks like
November 16, 2024 at 10:16 PM
For the curious, here is what Bluesky HQ looks like
Edward Kellett's books on The Bill are amongst the best and they are academic in their approach to exploring the series and the social and political climate that surrounded the series at the time.
Volume 3, along with the first two volumes, is now available.
www.devonfirebooks.com/product/reac...
Volume 3, along with the first two volumes, is now available.
www.devonfirebooks.com/product/reac...
November 16, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Edward Kellett's books on The Bill are amongst the best and they are academic in their approach to exploring the series and the social and political climate that surrounded the series at the time.
Volume 3, along with the first two volumes, is now available.
www.devonfirebooks.com/product/reac...
Volume 3, along with the first two volumes, is now available.
www.devonfirebooks.com/product/reac...
BlueSky/Twitter
November 15, 2024 at 10:33 PM
BlueSky/Twitter