Nolly

We take soap operas for granted these days but back in the 1970s there were very few to choose from and all of them in the days of just three channels were all on ITV. Emmerdale was just a farm, Coronation Street was on twice a week, and then you had crossroads the first five nights a week soap opera.

In years to come crossroads would become a byword for badly made television, wooden acting terrible scripts and shaky scenery. The star of the show was Noel Gordon who was already something of a star in her own right. But it was Crossroads who put her into the nation's living rooms five nights a week and in the days of three channels over 15 million people with tune into this rubbish because really there was nothing else on!

This is a wonderful nostalgic return to the 1970s and a reminder of how bad TV was in those days.

Helen Bonham Carter is terrific as the matriarch character Meg Richardson, But there was far more to this woman than just crossroads. Russell T Davies script and high production values make this a must watch for those like me who remember this period in television history. 9 out of 10.

I thoroughly enjoyed this great piece of nostalgia. Noele Gordon's story deserved to be told, and Russell T Davies and Helena Bonham Carter were the perfect pairing to tell it.

It has some genuinely poignant moments but there is also a lot of devilishly funny moment to, who knew Nolly could have a mouth like a sailor.

The three episodes flew by, as I got caught up in all of the drama and campery. I'm sure I'll watch it again and probably see little bits and one liners that I missed the first time. Great TV. I loved the Larry Grayson section, Mark Gatiss played him really well, and with great affection. Maybe Larry's story will get the Russell T Davies treatment one day, I hope so. Augustus Prew, who played Tony Adams also did a fine job, comical and touching.

Crossroads oozed cheese and ham. What the heck was a Motel and where did they find those rough accents ?

Characters like Benny, Jim Baines and Amy Turtle were legend. Meg Mortimer played by Nolly was like the headmistress that you hated but kept everything under control. It was always a close thing between Crossroads and Bill and Ben as to who had the most wooden actors. It was with trepidation that one watched the new series and how Russell T Davies would treat such a precarious subject. Would it be a mirror of liquid cheese or glistening goo ?

Amazingly the script displayed humour, sensitivity and integrity. 15 million viewers couldn't all have been wrong ? Helena Bonham Carter nailed it. She captured the vulnerable and perceptive side of Meg, illuminating up the screen as if it were colour tv for the first time in 1938. Slowly drawing one in, by the third episode one was impressed by the complexities of behind the scenes and especially insidious male management. Cast is very good especially Larry Grayson played by the chap from League of Gentlemen, music is sympathetic, sets are spot on. Great script and directed with a great build up from Peter Hoar. A real surprise.

Noele Gordon, Nolly was famed for appearing in Crossroads, the soap opera set in a Motel, she and The Nation were stunned to learn that her character Meg was to be killed off.

Russell T Davies does it once again, I went in to this knowing virtually nothing about Noele Gordon, someone that would have switched Crossroads straight off, after this, I felt like I knew her a little better.

It's entertaining, it's moving, it's very funny, what an obscure story to tell, but it works. I wish they'd gone into her early years perhaps a little more, although I totally get why they focused on The Crossroads era.

After episode one, I was left in no doubts as to where Acorn Antiques came from, wonky sets, improvisation, demanding leading lady, I could just see Mrs Overall.

Helena Bonham Carter absolutely nails it, she's fabulous throughout, August's Prew is great as Tony, and a special mention for Mark Gatiss, who creates Larry Grayson incredibly well.

Charming and funny.

8/10.

Terrific performances and wonderful settings but parts of the script left a lot to be desired. The searching for why she was sacked is ridiculous, it's because she had a massive ego but little talent. This is clearly portrayed so to suggest it was because men were afraid of her is nonsense.

There is much to like about the show, particularly the performances of Helena Bonham Carter and Mark Gattis, although the rest of the ensemble were excellent as well. It was very well shot and the Manchester Opera House made a lovely substitute for whatever theatre they ere supposed to be in. It's definitely worth watching but don't believe everything you see or.