BBC decision to end Holby City at Elstree was a mistake

Last week I was invited to visit the filming of one of the last scenes being shot on the long running Holby City at the BBC Elstree Centre. They could not have been kinder to this old columnist and even provided me with a seat to watch an exterior scene being shot featuring two of the main cast members. Today everything is a closed set, insofar as you have to agree to not to reveal anything heard or seen, so I will say nothing about the scene.

Elstree & Borehamwood Studios.plus general view.NL6862.....

However, a horrible thing happened. While they were shooting a scene my damn phone rang, although I was sure it was on silent. I was mortified as in 60 years of visiting television and film sets I have never spoiled a scene. The Holby City crew are lovely people so they said don't worry, an aircraft flew overhead so we needed to reshoot anyway, but I never heard it. I cannot name the actors involved but my sincere apologies to them. They finish shooting the series next week although it will still be on air until next March due to advance filming. I am a fan of the series and think the BBC have made yet another mistake. The cynic in me would suggest it was driven by their desire to prepare for the sale of the Studio, but that is just me.

I wish the cast and crew could have a slap-up leaving party but alas I suspect this damn Covid will kill that idea. Could you imagine what fun the tabloids would have with BBC medical soap opera ignores a virus? I understand they are kindly donating items to our local museum and will donate unwanted costumes to the local charity shops in Borehamwood high street. Alas, that does not include medical costumes so I will not be appearing in a doctor's outfit, which is probably just as well.

Elstree Studios

Watching actors at work after several years reminded me I could have been the next Olivier or Stallone if only I could remember lines. I can fake sincerity, sadness or happiness looks. Mind you, if you become a big star that is not a worry. I remember Trevor Howard telling me why he hated working with Brando on Mutiny On The Bounty. He revealed Marlon often read his lines from a prompt card, or what we used to call an idiot board just off camera, or have his lines fed to him in a concealed earpiece. For Trevor the result was that he often made no eye contact, which is a must for actors to believe in a scene.

I must end this article by saluting the cast and crew of Holby City for the pleasure they have given us for so many years whilst being the poor relation to EastEnders at the BBC Elstree Centre. As for the top BBC management, I will bite my lip but as somebody said to me the other day "you are still expecting the standards of yesterday" . Thus I must apologise and am guilty as charged. Until next time take care.

Paul Welsh

• Paul Welsh MBE is a Borehamwood writer and historian of Elstree Studios