MY TV LIFE

Vicki Michelle

The Essex-born actress, 67, is bestknown as saucy French waitress Yvette Carte-Blanche in the sitcom ’Allo ’Allo!

What was your first TV memory?

The Woodentops with Spotty Dog –

“the very biggest spotty dog you ever did see”! And also Andy Pandy with Looby Loo, the rag doll that came to life when Andy and Teddy weren’t around. I called my daughter Louise “Looby Loo” throughout her childhood.

Who was your first TV crush?

Believe it or not, Jess Conrad on Oh Boy! He was really good-looking when he was a pop star. I liked Cliff too, and Elvis was gorgeous. In TV drama, it was Michael Landon who played Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza. So cute!

What was your first TV appearance?

I had one line in a Dixon Of Dock

Green episode when I was 17. Then

I did sketches on The Dick Emery Show. I adored his catchphrases. The very first time I saw Dick, he walked in clad head-to-toe in leather. I thought he was doing it for a laugh but he went everywhere by motorbike.

What is your favourite current show?

I’m A Celebrity... It’s a great jungle line-up this year. I feel for Anne Hegerty though. I did panto with her and she’s quite a private person so this is all very difficult for her. By the way, Emily Atack’s uncle, Ted Robbins, used to be the warm-up man on ’Allo ’Allo! I’m glued to Strictly too of course.

Which TV show would you take to a desert island?

I would cheat and burn a disc with all my favourite sitcoms – Only Fools, Dad’s Army, Are You Being Served? and of course ’Allo ’Allo! Prime time used to be full of laughter, now it’s all soaps and dismal reality shows.

What TV show would you like to put out of its misery?

It would be that whole depressing genre of TV where people constantly shout at each other, and series about real-life debt collectors hounding people out of their homes. It’s cheap and demoralising.

What’s your guiltiest TV pleasure?

I love Ancient Aliens on the History Channel and the theories that go with it. I believe intelligent life exists elsewhere. It’s hard to believe that we’re alone in the universe.

What are you up to at the moment?

I have my radio show, Vix’s Mix on Phoenix 98FM. And I am playing the wicked fairy godmother in Sleeping Beauty in pantomime.

Vicki is in Sleeping Beauty at Castleford Civic Centre, Wakefield: castlefordpanto.com