PINT sized performer Don Estelle will be seen going back to his "beloved" Darwen roots when he appears on television tomor- row.

The 65-year-old singer and actor, best remembered as Private Lofty Sugden in It Ain't Half Hot Mum, didn't hesitate when asked by the makers of BBC 2's Out and About series what was his favourite place in the North West.

He wanted to return to Sunnyhurst Woods where he played as a boy.

During the "Time Out" slot he will describe his life in the town as a Second World War young evacuee, including singing with Holy Trinity Church Choir and living with cotton mill union leader Fred Clough and his wife in Tockholes Road.

He will also be reunited with his childhood friend David Watson, of Watson's Solicitors, Railway Road, Darwen.

Mr Watson, 70, said: "I was 13 and Don, then called Ronnie Edwards, was seven when we first met.

"Two things about him have always stuck in my mind. He had a lazy eye and had a black patch over one side of his glasses and I will never forget when he sang South of the Border to my father with perfect pitch.

"For years we lost touch but met up by chance about four years ago.

"He was delighted that I still had the train set we played with together as boys and we now see each other regularly."

Susan Grunshaw, of the Lytchgate Cafe, Sunnyhurst Wood, where some of the scenes were filmed, added: "He was really lovely and obviously thinks very highly of Darwen. I'm only small but even I towered over him.

"I used to like watching a It Ain't Half Hot Mum and I asked him if it would ever be repeated. But he explained it was unlikely because the series was thought to be politically incorrect these days."

The programme will be broadcast at 7.30pm.

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