A few days ago I was watching the BBC program Hustle and was pleased to see Christine Adams (Cathica in The Long Game) turn up in a small role.  She joined series regular Robert Glenister (the immortal Salateen in The Caves of Androzani). Perhaps because of the great anticipation we pay to the announcement of guest artists in the first place (yay Marc Warren), and our investment in their portrayals, our interest as fans is heightened somewhat.

There is also something akin to seeing a beloved school teacher in a pub or a work acquaintance in another country—they are familiar and incongruous at the same time.

Coronation Street is perhaps my primary venue for such crossover experiences.  When I was 13 I remember seeing Helen Worth on Corrie for the first time and noting excitedly to my dad that “she was in Colony in Space!”  She was the chinless wonder then, and she remains so today.

Often, flipping through channels, a familiar Who guest star will attract me like a mosquito to a Coleman lantern.  I watched the entirety of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4, because I spotted Bill Fraser (Grugger in Meglos) as Bert Baxter.  I then got hooked on the books and now eager await each diminishing release.

Certain actors tend to turn up quite frequently like the late Peter Jeffrey (Count Grendel in The Androids of Tara), Peter Halliday (Pletrac in Carnival of Monsters amongst other things), Fulton McKay (Dr. Quinn in The Silurians).  Strangely enough all 3 have turned up in both The Avengers and Lovejoy.

So keep your eyes glued to the screen, and the next time you see Paterson Joseph (Rodrick from Bad Wolf) you can yell out, “where’s my money!” to the utter confusion of those in the room.