I would normally complain about getting up at 4:30am but today was well worth the effort. I set my alarm and was out the door by 5:10am as I had to get the 5:37am fast train out of Rainham to Victoria.
I rushed all the way there. The faster I went the more of the show I got to see. The train arrived at Hackney Wick at 7:26am. I ran all the way to the house just in time to see the competition and this was where the excitement began.
I ran all the way down the side of the canal to reach the house to see Johnny dressed as Darcy Farquhar and people stacked in the stand surrounded by the crew. I could not hear Johnny and Liza talking but we saw Hugh Laurie play his part and Johnny give a few instructions and count the knickers. I managed to get in a few shots. It was funny to watch the competition at the different angle to the rest of the viewers. The best thing about being there was you could see what happened behind the cameras and the fun the crew were having while Johnny and Liza were hosting.
Liza tarbuck came up to the fence after the competition was over (See Photo!) and asked, 'Who would like the competition cards?' while she put them in order. What could I say but smiled and said 'Me, please?' Believe me, I may have sounded ungrateful by not giving the other people a chance but she knew I wanted them so much and placed them in my hand. I said thankyou to Liza and she knew I was happy. She asked me to MAYBE share them out but when I realised that Johnny's cards were there as well I had to keep them for myself.
(See Photo!).
All I could hear outside was the news and the music going to and from commercial breaks so we knew when Johnny would be on the move to different sections. After the competition, it was three minutes before Johnny was on again. Johnny went into the house to take off the costume he was wearing and it was approximately a minute later, Johnny came back out smoking (See Photo!). He walked down the garden, puffing quickly before the show was on again as he made his way to the shed to do DI - WHY? He stumped out the cigarette just as the music started again and he stood perfectly as the cameras came back on.
I did not notice but as Johnny was doing his part of the show, Liza came out to have a chat. Some other people asked where Liza got her shoes from and she answered them. She calmly walked up to me, as I was watching Johnny and said 'I like these parts of the show' looking at the shed 'as I get a break!' I think she needs a break once in a while from Johnny as he is quite lively!
The DI - WHY? section went on for just under 10 minutes before the speaker came out with the 7:51 From Old Ford Lock (Robbie Williams - Rock DJ). Johnny walked from the shed back to the house talking to Giles (Writer) about the Paper Review. He saw me about to take a photo and quickly waved while still walking. I took many photos of Johnny going back and forth from the shed to the house.
We had to wait about 10 minutes before Sturdy Girl came out with one of the Thai people and Jonathan Lipnicki to show them how to walk in for the Pun of the Week. Jonathan is very cute and as he is so small he had to look up to everyone (Bless him!). They were standing along the path with Carpet Monster and Sturdy Girl up one end behind Matt Mills.I thought that this would be a good time to show my poster saying 'Johnny Is The Best!' I held the poster by my side as Mark Wagman came past. He stopped to ask what it said and he read it and asked 'So you really like him, then?' and what could I say but 'Yes, I really like him' and Mark replied 'You really, really like him?' and smiled. As he walked off I quickly asked if he could ask Johnny to come out at the end of the show. Mark said that he comes out anyway and stands at the other end of the fence to where we were standing. I thought I would ask just in case Johnny didn't come out and Mark walked off. Back to the pun of the Week, I made sure I was standing in line to the camera and held the poster up. Carpet did a fake laugh impression to say the poster looked really good and Sturdy Girl asked if it was the right way up. I said yes and she gave a thumbs up. She counted down from five to one and we got our few seconds of fame. The poster was unreadable but I was on camera quite clearly so I cannot complain.
I was outside waiting for another 10 or so minutes when Liza came out again with the interview cards her and Johnny had used for the interview with Hugh Laurie and Jonathan Lipnicki (See Photo!). I was the only one at the fence by that time apart from an older man further down. Liza told us she only had a minute before the show started again but thought we would like the interview cards as well. I asked if she was sure and again said thankyou with utter delight.
There was only about 7 minutes of the show left when all the crew were waiting round the shed with Jonathan Lipnicki inside. Johnny came out of the house and I thought that this was another good chance to take a photo. Near to the shed, Johnny looked round and noticed the camera again and stopped to wave again. This time he stood where he was until the photo had been taken (See Photo. Includes Sturdy Girl!). I shouted 'Good one Johnny' and he put a thumb up. He was turning round and started to walk again when he pretended to trip up as he knew I was still watching. It really looked as though he properly tripped. I laughed and he went to talk to Jonathan about shaving! They partly walked back together to the house but I caught Johnny on camera looking at his script for the Friday Song (See Photo!). I knew at this point that I was going to properly meet Johnny any minute and I was starting to get even more excited but a little nervous. I couldn't wait. I got the camera ready, a pad and pen out for him to sign and picked up the card and present for his birthday.
The next few minutes went really fast as one minute I was sorting my belongings and the next I could hear the sound of the Planet 24 logo at the end of the titles. I didn't know where to go. I ran up to view the other side of the house and to see Johnny making his way out of the house while talking to Jonathan Lipnicki again. Liza walked down and around the pool. She knew I was waiting for Johnny so she pointed at him and did an ok circle towards me. I would have liked her autograph but she walked off. Johnny looked over at me and pointed and smiled, said something to the group he was with and funnily ran towards me.
The conversation began......