Anthony Newley was selective over interviews but was happy to talk whilst in Blackpool

If there is one thing that can make me feel ancient it is the amazed question: “Can you really remember all those things?”

The reference is usually to Blackpool stage entertainers of the 1950s and 60s.

“Well, I was there,” has been my answer and the questioner does a quick calculation and comes up with the figure 60 - as in 60 years ago.

Clearly, I wasn’t a reporter aged 10!

Inevitably, it happened again last weekend when I contributed to the Gazette story about the passing of Des O’Connor.

Monday’s Gazette had a photo of Des and his pal Lonnie Donegan, preparing for a game of tennis at Fairhaven in the summer of 1961.

I can tell you that these two always carried sports bags and when they put on their tennis shoes it wasn’t just a game! But when they were together in the Showbiz X1 in charity football matches they shared the ball.

Lonnie was starring in 1961 at the Winter Gardens Pavilion and Des was at the North Pier.

The previous summer - May, 1960 - Des was in the first of the CADS charity concerts at the Opera House (and three later concerts) and gave me a five-second introduction to a man who didn’t give interviews: Anthony Newley (1931-1999).

He had made several low budget films and had just had two Number One discs with Why and Do You Mind.

The old cuttings book reveals my article in the Lancashire Evening Post of May 21, 1960.

“Convinced that all the films he has made have been bad, Anthony Newley has hopes of improving himself (in his own eyes) when his contract ends next year,” I wrote.

(If you ever come across those dumb late 1950s flicks on the Talking Pictures channel, you’ll understand).

Tony wanted to talk, to state that there was a greater talent waiting, and said: “I have a couple of performances in me that will shock everyone.”

At the time I didn’t understand the significance of this but the following year he starred in the musical Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, which he co-wrote with Leslie Bricusse.

The show had a London run of 478 performances and 555 in New York.

Newley and Bricusse then wrote the title song for the third James Bond film, Goldfinger.

In our Blackpool interview, Newley explained his avoidance of interviews.

He said: “I sometimes regret being so frank during interviews. I am always being misquoted and having whole sentences put into my mouth.

“In fact I now see only the columnists who I must see. There are many others I refuse.”

Clearly, as a hick reporter in the north I was harmless and he talked with intensity. He gave me a signed photo.

Newley’s “couple of performances” was an understatement for as well as his long writing partnership with Bricusse, and acting roles, he had a big career in cabaret, mainly in America.

And he married Joan Collins!