Russell T Davies wrote script for Crossroads days before it was axed

Russell T Davies appears on The Graham Norton Show on Friday, January 20 to talk about his latest project Nolly, which pays tribute to Crossroads star Noele Gordon. And the It's A Sin creator reaveals that he was such a 'super fan' of the ITV soap that he wrote a full script for it - days before it was axed.

Crossroads launched in 1964 and the late Noele - portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter in three-part ITVX drama Nolly - was one of its biggest stars.

Talking about the soap opera on The Graham Norton Show, Welshman Davies says: “The first thing I ever wrote was a script for Crossroads. I sent it off and they invited me to Birmingham. I was so excited to be there because I loved it so much, but I could see the fear in their eyes when they realised, I was a super fan. I went away and wrote a proper script and sent it off. Five days later the show was axed. I waited 40 years and finally got to write it so got there in the end!”

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Helena adds, “The person who would love it the most is Noele Gordon. She was a wonderful woman. I wasn’t exactly conscious of who she was but when I read the script it was a gift, a love letter to her and to any actor. It was beautiful and hilarious. She had guts and was so gallant and told things exactly how they were. The show is ‘Me Too’ without the sex because she took on the bullies. Everyone needs a Nolly in their lives.”

Asked if she thinks the industry has got better in terms of men calling the shots, Helena says, “It’s getting better. We’ve lots of women producers and more women making the decisions, but I think it is still ageist and women get the brunt of that.”

Meanwhile, Davies is also returning to Doctor Who as its showrunner. He says: “I am loving it, loving it so much. We’ve three specials and then a brand-new doctor, who is amazing.”

The Graham Norton Show is on BBC1 on Friday, January 20 at 10.40pm.
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