The diary of the popular television actor Tom Watt
JANUARY 2005
January 1st 2005
Well, Christmas is out the way and a new year is upon us. I was given a new diary as a present, which I fully intend to write in as often as my busy schedule will allow. It was bought for me by Wendy Richard, who plays Pauline Fowler in the popular BBC soap EastEnders. I used to be in that, of course. I see her regularly, as well as many of the other cast members. Especially ones from the soap's Golden years, 85 - 88.
I'm currently wearing a sweater that my Nan bought for me. It's got John Craven's face on it. From Newsround. It's brown with cream piping, and it looks super. I once met John at BBC Television centre, and he was an utterly lovely man, with a splendid sense of humour. But I remember he was in a bit of a hurry at the time. I've heard from a lot of people that he's always rushing about.
January 4th 2005
Woke up at 8.57am today, three minutes before my alarm was actually meant to go off. I love it when that happens, it feels really magical. I had a really busy day ahead of me, so needed to be up early.
Got to yoga at 7.00pm that evening, but it had been switched to Wednesday, so it was anti-natal classes instead. I felt really embarrassed. I could see the headlines 'Popular television actor Tom Watt in pregnancy shocker!'. If only!
Thought someone wanted my autograph today, in Jessops, but it was a man referring to someone else called Tom, before adding 'what?', presumably in some kind query. I'm used to it, so luckily didn't step forward - it's happened many times before, but now I know better.
January 9th 2005
Went to Boots to collect some photographs of my visit to the Helicopter Museum, near RAF Locking, but instead got back some photos of some men without shirts in a pub garden. Really disappointed, as I took some superb pictures. I'm not going to get the chance to go back there either due to my hectic schedule. I asked them to give me the correct photos, only to be told my ones had been taken too. That made me cross, why didn't they check them before they left?
I bumped into Nick Berry today. I hadn't seen him since 1997. I've tried to ring him a few times in regards to acting work, but I always get put through to Tottenham Court Road tube station. I'm pretty sure he doesn't live there, but I can't say for certain. He was in a rush, so we only spoke for a few minutes. I wanted to give him my new number, but he said he already had it. I wasn't sure how, given I only moved house last year. I presumed he'd got it of someone else. Maybe Adam Woodyatt had passed it on, I don't know. I forgot to ask him if he lived in a tube station. Wish I'd remembered . . .
January 13th 2005
I had an audition today, for an ITV drama set in a library. It's called 'Overdue', and looks set to star Ross Kemp opposite Dervla Kerwin. It's from the creators of the popular ITV show 'Bad Girls'. The part I went for was 'Tony Timpson', he's a mild mannered library assistant, mainly there for comedic effect. Very exciting. The audition went well, and they told me they'd get back to me about it. I'm itching to get back into regular TV work. I always get people stopping me in the street and asking when I'm coming back on the box. 'Soon' I tell them. Soon . . . I promise them.
January 15th 2005
I picked up an award today from BBC Radio London, for some sports journalism I did. I went up and began to sing some of the famous hits of popular singer Tom Waits - resulting in a smattering of applause and light chuckles. I then went on to tell them that I wasn't Tom Waits, but popular television actor Tom Watt. I joked that when my name was read out, it was read as 'Tom . . . What?!' Due to me not deserving such a prestigious award. A couple of people clapped and there was some consistent sustained laughter. To end it I quipped 'Only joking . . . This award isn't prestigious!' Everyone applauded and laughed for at least six seconds. I then went to speak but the joke unexpectedly got a second wave and most of the audience continued laughing. I laughed too. I was happy.
January 19th 2005
Had a coffee with Susan today. (That's Tully, my EastEnders co-star, she played Michelle Fowler) She's keeping well. She hasn't done much acting work either, so we're both in the same boat really. The previous day she'd had dinner with Todd Carty who played Mark Fowler. This made me a bit paranoid, because I knew what sparkling company he could be. 'Anecdote Carty' is what we used to call him at EastEnders. Letitia Dean came up with that name. This made me feel a bit self-conscious, and desperate to impress. I told her some jokes and stories about what I'd been up to - but, before I knew it I told her I'd landed a role in the new Harry Potter film, as a major character. It just slipped out. I don't normally lie. She seemed delighted. She rubbed my hand and said 'Well done!'. I felt terrible for lying. I wanted to pull out of the lie but when she said she'd never read any of the books, that made me lie more. I said I was playing the role of Harry's uncle - Gary Limewire, a loveable rogue. I felt really awful. I couldn't look at her. I felt ill! I made my excuses, and left. Saddened.
January 22nd 2005
Had to take my car in to Quick Fit today, because it's juddering a lot in 3rd gear. Normally the car - a Toyota Corolla - is extremely reliable, and I've driven Toyotas for nearly 25 years. I took it into my local garage, and was pleasantly surprised to be asked for an autograph by a middle-aged woman. She told me I was always her favourite EastEnders characters, and that she couldn't believe she'd actually met me. She asked when I was going to be on TV again in a major show, and I quipped that 'I may not reach those "Lofty" heights ever again', she laughed and said that I had a lovely sense of humour. She offered me a Polo, I declined. It's meeting fans like this that really makes my day. She'd probably go home and tell her husband she'd met me. I'm happy.
January 26th 2005
I took my dog, eBay, for a walk today. He's old and smells. Leslie Grantham bought him for me as a leaving present. I was so touched. He was originally called Barry the Dog, but I decided to update his name last year. I haven't spoken to Leslie for years now. The last time I spoke to him was when we were in a taxi together. The driver was German. He made a joke about not liking EastEnders, I turned to Leslie and said 'Ha, ha, you should kill him in cold blood for saying that! . . . And then rob him, with a gun'. Leslie stormed off, and I never spoke to him again. I think it was because I tipped more than him at that night's meal, but I can't be sure.
29th January 2005
I discovered today there was a character in the popular children's television show 'Bob The Builder' called 'Lofty'. Rather brilliantly it's a crane. Clever pun I thought. I never knew the blue piece of heavy plant existed until I heard a young boy at my local Asda shouting 'Lofty!! Lofty!!' At the top of his voice. Obviously, being the popular television actor Tom Watt I went over, assuming his mum was a fan, however when I approached I noticed she looked about fifteen, and I became worried and agitated. I doubted she knew of my character, presumably knowing EastEnders history from about 1997 - to the present. I gave her a polite smile, and escaped down the crisps aisle. I think I avoided any embarrassment.
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This always amused me for some reason. Probably just me.
I wrote it as the date says, over 3 years ago. Way back.
This is my debut in Critique, though I'm cheating as it's not serious work or anything.
Critique me up!
(And JW, don't slag me off, we're buddies . . .)
