Seeing the joke over `blind' star

Dec 20 2003 By Ed Reed, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

They use doubles of Peter and Frank Thornton, also 82, for long-shot walking scenes.

Happily, Peter arrived (with his white stick) for lunch with Alan to explain everything. Like most senior citizens he was having trouble dodging the throng in busy London streets. So, to create himself a bit of leeway, he got himself a white stick.

He told Alan, who has directed the show for 22 years: "Folk are so considerate. I don't have to keep dodging them. They give me a wide berth."

The good news is the cataracts have been removed and Peter is in all 11 of the new series. He is also in the Christmas Special tomorrow on BBC1 at 6.15pm and all 10 episodes, shot this year for screening early in the new year.

He is also busy with his other role - as the voice of Wallace in a new Wallace and Grommit feature film due to be completed in two years' time.

Roy Clarke said: "Naturally there is always concern for the well-being of our cast - about 16 of them - especially the oldest members. Peter is a very funny man and just as entertaining off screen."