PASSING COMMENT

As you may recall, my blog-friend SHARON MAIL of Storm in a G Cup has been writing a book about her friend, the late Ian Richardson.

Well, We Could Possibly Comment: Ian Richardson Remembered is now published and available and a fine piece of work it is.

Sharon takes us through Ian's distinguished career including his years in the RSC - as one of the finest Shakespearian actors of his age - and his many memorable television performances in such series as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Private Schulz, Porterhouse Blue, Murder Rooms, Sherlock Holmes, Gormenghast and, of course, the House of Cards trilogy in which he created the unforgettably serpentine Francis Urquhart.

The book is crammed with anecdotes, recollections and tributes from those who worked with Ian - actors, writers, directors - and I feel extremely privileged to have been able to add my own memories of Ian recording a reading of my book, Shadowlands for the BBC that was to sadly prove one of his last pieces of recorded work.

But there are many more prestigious contributors to the book than myself: Sirs Peter Hall, Ian McKellen and Donald Sinden, Dames Helen Mirren and Judi Dench as well as Isla Blair, Alex Jennings, Juliet Stevenson, Patrick Stewart and John Sessions who describes the book as "A glorious and heart-warming tribute to a superb and much loved actor." I couldn't put it better myself!

We Could Possibly Comment (ISBN 9781848761841) is available from bookshops, on-line booksellers, via the publishers, Matador, or directly from the author at her blogsite.

One of my favourite quotes in the book is Brian Blessed's description of Ian Richardson's acting: "He is the only actor who has made my heart dance."

I know exactly what he means and here's a clip of Ian - as the notorious FU - confronting Michael Kitchen as His Majesty in To Play the King where he manages, simultaneously, to thrill and chill the viewer...