CrossRoads Correspondences - volume 1

[paul ross]

Thread dedicated to 'made up' correspondences between actors/crew of Crossroads and also of the viewing public. Please join in, if you do, try and avoid being too outrageous! as this will diminish the fun.

Post Edit: All the following is meant to be funny!

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116 Fukery Close
Edgbaston
Birmingham
WS15 3RT

August 1974

Dear Ronald Allen,

Sorry to interrupt your valued time but as a fan of Crossroads I thought I would dearly love to write something in appreciation of you and your colleagues on the show. I first started to watch the programme in about 1969 which I believe was around the time you first made your appearance. I do love the way the stories develop and how everything is seamless. I think you are a wonderful actor and so convincing playing a heterosexual character. My husband, Paddy, often smiles at your attempt in coming across as feeling something genuine for these often lovely ladies. He says to me ‘that camp Aida, look at the cut of it! He wants locking up’.

Oh, you have to forgive me, as my husband has a very dry sense of humour and doesn’t mean anything by it. In fact I have recently been concerned as he’s nearly 88 and because we are so fond of the show I have had to make him wear rubber knickers as he laughs at it so much, the settee can be drenched.  Only the other night we were in stitches when Meg answered the phone in reception saying she couldn’t chat to a friend as they were so busy! The reception contained four people and that included Meg!

Anyway my dear Ronnie, I hope you take care of yourself and nothing but good wishes to you. Thank you for the magic.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs L. Creighton

[paul ross]

C/O ATV Birmingham

October 2nd 1974

Dear Mrs L. Creighton,

Thank you for your kind words which made me laugh! I receive a hefty volume of fan mail each week which I always enjoy reading. I joined about 1970 so you are not that far off with 1969!  I do enjoy the programme and its often hectic recording!

All good wishes to you and your husband and I hope you both get continued pleasure from watching.

Enclosed a signed photo.

Sincerely

Ronnie Allen

[paul ross]

11 Hartford Row
Wembley,
Middlesex.

February 24th 1975
 
Dear Ann George,

I have enjoyed watching Crossroads and in particular your performances for some time now. I was sad to hear of your character being written out of the programme. I do hope that some time in the future you can return as the every day life of Amy is one of the more enjoyable parts of Crossroads. I hope wherever you go after the show, you will be happy. All my love to you,

Rose Smith

[paul ross]

Flat 4b Granger Tower
Edgbaston,
Birmingham

Dear Rose Smith,

Ta for the letter of the 24th which I have only just read. Yes, it is a shame that Amy is no longer surplis to requirements (or whatever the spelling) I don’t know what is to become of me, as these days television is possessed by anything under 30. I loved being on it and was very sad to go. But I hope you’re right and that I may have just a small rest and then be asked back. The last year has been one I’d rather forget. I was told by some of the crew behind the scenes that I was to be written out as I couldn’t remember my lines. This is not so. The fact of the matter is that it was the others who forgot their lines and then blamed me. I told Jack Barton our new producer but he’s as much use as a Mickey Mouse on Panorma.  He gave me all the usual acted replies and I think he just didn’t like me, not the character. Ah well. I'm trying to get in touch with Reg Watson who was our first producer. He moved back to Australia to work on new soap projects and I hope that he may have something for me over there. I'd love to move out to Australia. But its early days, we'll have to wait and see.  I had a good long run with Crossroads and was wise enough to save my money. I have a wonderful husband who puts up with so much and when I was at the studio I could come home and he would have all the housework done and the tea made. Don’t know what I’d do without him.

Anyway my love, you take care and God bless.

Ann George

[paul ross]

140 Bambrook Hall, Jersey

June 22nd 1984

Dear Sandor Eles,

You are a fantastic actor and love your work on Crossroads. I don’t often write to celebrities or anyone for that matter but you have brightened up the show for me and my Mum in the last few years. Please could you provide a signed autograph of yourself as its Mum’s birthday next year (she has one every year) and she would just love it. I saw you in an old Hammer Horror film the other night and you looked so young! But still very dishy! Never that far from the young ladies in that film too! Hope you stay at the Motel for a very long time.

Cheers,

Derek (Robinson).

[paul ross]

C/O Central Television,
Broad Street
Birmingham

August 14th 1984

Dear Mr Robinson,

It was kind of you to write to me regarding my contribution to Crossroads. The character of Paul Ross is so far removed from myself that I often find what he does and in particular, what he says, as disconcerting.  Every Friday evening after we stop recording I try to erase Paul Ross and the show from my memory banks as actors must otherwise there is a tendency to go mad. I then go back to my bedsit and put a chicken in the oven and have it with oven chips and a glass of Pepsi. After that I look at myself in the mirror and then do the dishes.  I’ll glance through next weeks scripts and then have a dander up the park. It is an often solitary life the life of an actor and I often ask myself what I am doing being one. I have yet to find an answer. However, I do enjoy the company of the other actors on the show and in a way they are an extended family as most actors have no children as we are far too wrapped up in ourselves, either that or we’re bent! Crossroads has been good to me but the money is terrible - a supply teacher would get more! There is consolation in the fact that I am blessed with the best dialogue any actor could wish to speak. But the show is so often lambasted that it gets one down until one would rather be somewhere else. It has many strengths and virtues but is undermined by the title Crossroads. I have often spoken to our producer in the hope that we could change this name but alas all to no avail and in any case its tiring having to stand in the long Q to speak to him about changing it.

Anyway my friend I wish you well and thank you again for your kind interest.

Sandor Eles.

[Steve F]

What a wonderful reply from Sandor! I was actually quite moved by his honesty. It's very insightful.

I adore the Paul Ross character & and can't wait to see more of him on later Archive releases.

Is his reply for real? Earlier in this thread, there was a suggestion that these letters/replies aren't genuine. I can't believe that of this reply!  

[paul ross]

No, its not real! It's as mad as a hatter. I thought it was obvious how phoney it was! I'll have to be less subtle next time! putting a chicken in the oven and then having it with oven chips? Sandor Eles? I don't think so! none of the above is real!

[Steve F]

No, its not real! Its as mad as a hatter. I thought it was obvious how phoney it was! I'll have to be less subtle next time! putting a chicken in the oven and then having it with oven chips? Sandor Eles? I don't think so!!!!!

What can I say Mr Ross? My Name is Fool...  :oops: Bloody good though!  

[paul ross]

Flat 4b Grainger Tower
Edgebaston,
Birmingham

Hello my flower,

It's Ann George here! Oh Reg you've no idea what's happened, I've been sacked. I'm not going to take up your time moaning about it, but I hear you moved to Australia to work on new projects? If this is so, I would be interested in anywhere you could fit me in. I am willing to emigrate! Oh, I mustn't laugh. But I am serious, Reg, you have been so good to all the Crossroads cast and I wouldn't normally be so brazen but you have my address. All my love flower and hope one day to hear from you,

Ann

[paul ross]

Grundy Television
Australia

Dear Ann,

It was a shock to hear from you and I am equally shocked to hear that Amy is to be written out. You didn't say whether she is being killed off, but if not then there's always a chance! My time on Crossroads is over and I'm enjoying the sunshine over here! had too much of British weather! I don't know how much of that was instrumental in my move away. At present I have no projects lined up. I spend most of my weeks attending meetings for this idea or that idea. I should think that soap is where I will continue my career and of course if a part comes up I will get in touch with you.  

I found a spider in my bathroom ceiling the other morning that was nearly a foot long.

Anyway Ann, keep well and I will make a mental note of your plight!

Reg Watson

[paul ross]

9 Pickalilly Drive
Horseham
Down South

28th July 1983

Dear Benny,

I love you on Crossroads and think you are the best character EVER! I'mglad that all that stuff with Sid and the horses has been sorted out. Keep your money in a bank. You may need it one day! I have to go now Benny as they're calling me for my tea.

Damian (aged 56)

[paul ross]

C/O Central Television
Birmingham

Hello damian,

Thankz for your letter, glad to know there are nice people out there. I will keep my money safe, whats left of it. I've got a new job with the motel plummer who is doing some new chalets. I have learned a lot so far. Miss Diane say I be very good with my plunger.

Byebye

Benny

[paul ross]

Reg Watson
Grundy Television
Australia

Dear Ann,

I have a new pilot soap to be made at the end of the year (6 months from now) and one character is a Salvation army volunteer, called Mabel. She's in her 60s and like Amy, she should be fun to listen to! (from what I've read of the scripts) I don't know how practical this part or idea will be for you but if interested please do not hestitate to contact me.

All good wishes,

Reg

[paul ross]

Flat 4b Grainger Tower
Edbaston
Birmingham

Thank you Reg for you letter which was read with keen interest! I would be grateful to read for the part of Mabel. I love her name! The Salvation army reminded me of something that happened years ago. There was a group of them came over to me in the street as I was standing watching them play and one asked me which hymn would I like? Quick as a flash I said, I'll have him with the tangerine (I mean tambourine)
 
Reg this is my number: 09876545443

God bless, speak soon,

Ann