ALAN COLEMAN
Director of Crossroads 1964-1972

Alan joined ATV Network in the sixties as a cameraman, working alongside Noele Gordon and Reg Watson on the pioneering live daily chat and variety show, Lunchbox. In 1964 Alan became one of a wave of new directors hired by ATV and one of his first directing roles was that of the new daily serial, Crossroads. In 1969 he was the first director to use the new control room of Studio One at ATV Centre in Birmingham and other firsts were to follow.

Alan directed some of the most memorable episodes over the years including the poignant Coventry Cathedral scenes in 1972 when Meg (Noele Gordon) seeks comfort after the car crash which left son Sandy (Roger Tonge) confined to a wheelchair.

In 1972 Alan became the first Head of Children's Drama at ATV, producing some of the most popular children's dramas of that era. In 1974 Alan and Crossroads visionary Reg Watson left the UK for Australia and Grundy Television. With Grundy Alan devised The Young Doctors, based in a hospital the daily drama revolved around the lives and loves of the Albert Memorial Hospital staff.

Alan has also been Executive Producer of Neighbours, and directed other hit series such as Prisoner: Cell Block H, Home and Away, Sons and Daughters and in the UK Family Affairs for Thames TV.
JANE ROSSINGTON
Played "Jill" 1964-1988 / 2001

Jane Rossington first worked for ATV Network on ITV's first medical drama, Emergency Ward 10 playing the part of Nurse Kate Ford - one of five new interns. Notably Jane's first screen-kiss at the Oxbridge Hospital was with future Emmerdale Farm actor Frazer Hines.

Jane spend a year with ATV at the Elstree studios, including appearing in the episode in which Noele Gordon appeared as herself at a hospital summer fair, before deciding to return to the theatre. However the casting director at ATV remembered Jane when Reg Watson was looking for his Crossroads personalities, and with Jane's Midland roots she was selected to audition for the part of Jill Richardson.

She of course won the part, although even Jane herself may never have believed the character would run for nearly 25-years. During the 1960s Jane was one of the few actors to work on two high profile serials at the same time. Rushing between the ATV Alpha Television Studios and the on-screen tribulations of Jill and the BBC Midland Radio Studios where the audio world of Monica Downes in The Archers was created.

In recent years Jane has starred in Channel 4 soap Brookside and The Lily Savage Show.
TONY ADAMS
Played "Mr Perkins" 1968 and "Adam" 1978-1988 / 2001-2002

Tony Adams had a distinguished stage career before television including working opposite Ginger Rogers in Mame. Television work includes on BBC Two's first night of programming in Cole Porterís musical Kiss Me Kate alongside the Broadway stars Howard Keel and Millicent Martin.

In 1968 Tony arrived in Kings Oak as Mr Perkins an estate agent, he wouldn't return to Crossroads however for a decade. In that time he became a household heartthrob as Doctor Neville Bywaters in ATV Network's General Hospital which he co-starred alongside many stars including Joanna Lumley.

From ATV Elstree back to Birmingham in 1978 when he was cast as accountant Adam Chance, a role he would play for ten years and reprise for a further two in 2001. In Crossroads he became the man people loved to hate as a motel shareholder, director and garage boss. He married Jill in the series and created a hugely popular double act with Jane Rossington.

In recent years Tony has appeared in BBC daily saga Doctors, sitcom's The Grimley's and The Upper Hand and in theatre a highly praised performance in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as Grandpa Potts.
STAN STENNETT
Played "Harry" 1971 and "Sid" 1982-1987

Stan Stennett first worked for ATV as a guest performer on the Noele Gordon hosted Lunchbox chat and variety show. He became a regular on BBC music and comedy programmes but it was as Harry Silver in 1971 that he made his mark on the villagers of Kings Oak in Crossroads when he took hostage several villagers and kept them captive in the church crypt. A GI on the run he was later taken into custody and Harry was never seen again.

Stan later popped up in Granada Television's iconic Coronation Street as the fish and chip shop owning brother of Hilda Ogden, but it was Crossroads where he would play out his longest serial role.

In 1981 ATV invited Stan to return to Crossroads in a new role. The part of mechanic and wheeler dealer Sid Hooper was a perfect outlet for Stan's natural humour. He also formed a love-hate relationship, which proved popular with viewers, with on-screen wife Mavis - played by Charmian Eyre - who is generally believed to be the inspiration for Acorn Antiques' Mrs Overall.
JANET HARGREAVES
Played "Rosemary" 1971-1980

Janet was no stranger to television serials when Crossroads came calling in 1971. She had previously had a role in BBC twice weekly saga Compact as regular Clare Farrell one of the magazine secretaries. Compact, based around the office of a women's magazine also starred Ronald Allen who would play Janet's on-screen husband David in Crossroads.

Janet auditioned for Crossroads in 1970 and heard nothing back. She then was offered the Birmingham produced medical serial The Doctors. She joined as Doctor Cheryl Barnes, a year later and ATV contacted Janet's agent to offer her a role at the Midland motel. The part of Rosemary Hunter was born.

Rosemary went through every emotion and illness - from being an alcoholic to insanity - over the course of nine years of storylines. Widely regarded as one of Britain's first serial 'super bitches' Rosemary was a snobby cow. After Crossroads Janet appeared in cult sci-fi series Doctor Who.

Janet has in recent years starred in the current BBC Birmingham medical soap Doctors as well as dramas Trial & Retribution and Poirot.
BILL BUCKLEY
Regular "motel guest" and media personality

Bill was working for a local newspaper in 1981 when the news that Noele Gordon had been sacked from Crossroads by what people thought at the time were inept television executives at ATV. Bosses we were told in the press wanted to focus on lavish highly praised dramas, and cheap daytime sagas were not the in-thing. While ATV executives may have held that view the majority of Britain did not - and a national outrage on the axing swiftly followed.

Bill with the support of the press, radio and television lead the campaign to 'Save our Meg'. Part of the campaign was a protest song - which was ultimately released as a single - Meg Is Magic. The track gained much radio play across many local stations as well as Radio Two even joining in with the wave of support for Noele.

The song was famously sung outside ATV Centre, which had seen several protests arranged outside the ATV Centre studios in Birmingham over the dismissal. Bill and around 100 supporters gathered to sing Meg Is Magic. However the powers that be remained resolute that Noele had to go. Bill had previously worked on Crossroads as a supporting artist - basically one of the many mute motel guests in the background of reception scenes.

In the 1980s Bill later appeared as a regular reporter and presenter on BBC One's That's Life! - the consumer magazine show. In more recent times he's had regular radio programmes across the UK and often appears as a newspaper reviewer on the BBC News Channel. You can read more about Bill at his website, link in our page here.
JO-ANNE GOOD
Played "Carole" from 1981 to 1984

Today JoAnne is better known as a BBC Radio presenter in the South and London. In fact thanks to her radio work she has a Star on the Brighton 'Walk of Fame' (along with co-star Tony Adams) and has been crowned 'Queen of Brighton'. JoAnne currently works for the BBC in London.

In 1981 she arrived as housekeeper Carole Sands - working for ever popular duo David and Barbara Hunter (actors Ronald Allen and Sue Lloyd), however Carole had ambitions. She eventually after some persuasion became a trainee mechanic at the Crossroads garage - soaps first female mechanic to boot. Carole also was outspoken and was hospitalised after taking part in an unemployment demonstration in Birmingham City Centre - which turned into a riot... She also had an affair with Glenda Brownlow's husband and later had to work under her domineering father at the garage when he became manager.

As well as Crossroads JoAnne has appeared in many other TV Productions including drama The Bill and comedy Only Fools and Horses. She is currently part of Sky One's new documentary series A Different Breed, which looks at the more outragious side to pampered pooches and well loved pet dogs.
LYNETTE McMORROUGH               ANGELA WEBB                          EMILY ALBU
Played "Glenda" 1976-1985           Played "Iris" 1980-1985               Played "Katie-Louise" 1984-1985

We reunited three of the 'Brownlow Girls' for this documentary...

Glenda first arrived at the motel on 'the run' from her parents. She lied about her age and got a job at Crossroads as a waitress, but Jane Smith (actress Sally Adcock) sussed her out a few weeks later. Once Glenda had wiff that her parents had been tipped off and were heading for Kings Oak from Manchester she shot off to London to join, as the script stated, Pans People - the dance troupe on music show Top Of The Pops!

The BBC chart show didn't like Glenda's dancing, in fact she didn't even get to audition - so she lived rough in London for a while before deciding to head back to the Midlands. On her hitch-hike back she was raped by a truck driver - and Glenda's life went downhill from there on. Eventually the whole family moved to Kings Oak and Glenda resumed waitressing work at the motel. She became involved with some 'troublesome' men before settling down with builder Kevin Banks (actor David Moran) who then went and had an affair with garage mechanic Carole Sands (actress JoAnne Good). They however stayed together later leaving for Canada in 1985 when Kevin found employment in the UK difficult to find.

Lynette has had a hugely successful stage career since leaving Crossroads and has made the odd guest appearances in television drama, such as BBC One daytime serial Doctors.

Iris arrived in 1980 and was soon making plenty of trouble for her family. She came to stay in Kings Oak to be near her relatives the Brownlow family (Being the daughter of Kath Brownlow's sister, Rose) but soon accused her uncle of sexual assault. She later revealed she lied and spent time in prison. She also, when working as a cleaner discovered some secret tapes which revealed David Hunter's son was really someone else's. Later she began working for businessman J, Henry Pollard and this started to put Iris on the right track, but not before she had a phantom pregnancy because she was jealous of Glenda's relationship with hubby Kevin. Towards the end of her time in Kings Oak Iris found love with boyfriend Pete Maguire but it wasn't to last. He was addicted to drugs and ultimately died of an overdose. Heartbroken Iris left for pastures new.

In real life Angela quit acting to become a full time mother, now with three grown up children she has just recently decided to return to acting and has already recorded a commercial for DFS.

Katie Louise became a news headline when Crossroads decided to introduce soaps first 'test tube baby'. The real-life daughter of Lynette was introduced into the storyline to much controversy. Some declared it was irresponsible, however another woman was also shown within the serial that had been waiting many years to have a child and all her previous attempts had been unsuccessful. Katie of course didn't have many major storylines being so young, but she was 'abducted by Doris Luke' when the aging motel cleaner had a nervous breakdown.

Emily currently works as a model and actress with a string of advertising and modelling shoots to her credit.
CROSSROADS FANS
Stephen Savva and Jean Hochet

We've also spoken to two keen Crossroads fans for the documentary, Stephen Savva from London and Jean Hochet from Jersey. Both watched the original series over many years and talk about their love of the daily serial and their favourite characters.

We also look at the mistakes made during the shows run, such as the axing of Noele Gordon as Meg and the ill-fated remake in 2000.

Jean was also lucky enough to meet the late Roger Tonge when he visited Jersey in the mid-1970s and she recalls that encounter with the much missed actor. She also wrote diaries about Crossroads from 1974 to 1985 which have proved popular with many fans of the show since she published them online - they now fill so many gaps about episodes which have since been wiped by ATV.
CHRIS STACEY
Author TV Times Supersoaps and TV Soap Expert

Chris watches all the main soap operas, and a few extra besides. He first appeared on our TV screens in the mid-1980s on a documentary about Coronation Street (a one which when the public were asked who their favourite Corrie characters were someone replied "Benny!") Since that 25th celebration of the Granada saga Chris has worked as regular presenter for BSkyB on entertainment series 31 West as well as appearing as a soap expert on TV-am, GMTV, EastEnders Revealed, The One Show, Sky News and BBC News Channel to name only a few.

He was also the resident television critic for London radio station LBC and as well as writing a book about the best British, Australian and American soaps in the TV Times Supersoaps book, he's also published a number of soap quiz books in association with the TV Times. Return to Crossroads isn't his first television association with the soap. In 1990 he interviewed the founders of the Crossroads Appreciation Society for BSB and has also chatted with Crossroads cast such as Sue Lloyd for television. For Return to Crossroads we took Chris to the birth-place of Noele Gordon in East Ham, London.
CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS
Played "Martin" from 1973 to 1975

Christopher has become a renowed writer and can often be found working for various BBC radio and television productions. Back in 1973 he was hired by Reg Watson to add a touch of 'sex appeal' into the soap opera as Martin who came to stay with his godmother Vera on her houseboat. Described as a cheeky-chap he was really a bit of a troublemaker and small time criminal.

Martin was known to steal and not a lot was safe in Kings Oak during his time there - including Wilf Harvey's prize-winning pigeons, which Martin killed and cooked. The character however, with the urging of Vera, found work at the motel as a barman, but even that didn't keep him on the right side of the law, he found himself involved in much darker business with a dodgy casino. In the end Martin went off to the cafeteria for sandwiches and was never seen again.

Christopher was also good friends with the late Roger Tonge, who of course along with Noele Gordon set off the whole Crossroads Care charity idea in 1973. Interestingly his father was also good friends with fellow Crossroads actor John Bentley - who in the 1960s was seen as the motel's heartthrob.
We have recorded many other interviews with stars and fans of the show, these will be added shortly.
CROSSROADS CARE
Barbara Rudge and Neil Gammie

Barbara Rudge, a senior executive in the Birmingham arm of Crossroads Care explains how the charity was formed by ATV and ITV back in the seventies and the service it offered then - and continues to offer now. Crossroads Care (Caring for Carers) has also grown into a leading provider of other forms of care, not just respite services as was the case nearly 40 years ago. What amazes many people is the fact that before the serial launched this charity there was no such support on offer by anyone else.

We also talk to Neil Gammie whose mother has been assisted by Crossroads Care. He talks of the work of the charity from someone who's seen it all in action. Neil also tells us how Crossroads Care has given his family the support and help they need.
PETER KINGSMAN
Friend of Noele Gordon

A friendship which began in a supermarket opening ceremony which Noele Gordon was the star guest. From being with Noele backstage at her theatre shows to watching her record an album at the iconic EMI Abbey Road studios Peter remained great mates with the 'Queen of British Soap' from the 1970s through until Noele's untimely demise in April 1985. Peter was also pals with many of the other Crossroads stars, many sadly no longer with us, including Elizabeth Croft (Edith Tatum), Anthony Morton (Carlos the Chef), Joy Andrews (Tish Hope) and producer Jack Barton.

In the 1990s Peter took charge of ITV's official fan club for the saga, The Crossroads Appreciation Society and cared for the heritage of the groundbreaking daily serial. In his archive there is a vast array of photographs, props and even the odd costume. The collection's centrepiece is the original 1964-1981 red motel sign - which was often seen in the opening of the episodes on the driveway up to the reception building.

Peter co-presented the ITV1 documentary, produced by Central Television, 'Crossroads 30 Years On' in 1994 with Jane Rossington and was an advisor on the 2001 spin-off series re-launched by Carlton-Central in the East Midlands. Peter is also currently the executor of the Noele Gordon Estate. Peter is photographed outside the set of the 'Crossroads Motel' in 2003, holding Noele Gordon's This Is Your Life book. Peter was the last person to sign-in to the motel set.
JEAN BAYLESS
Played "Cynthia" 1971-1974

Crossroads' first - and only in the original series - senior female chef. The motel had many women cooks, but never until 1972 a chef. Cynthia brought a great deal of glam and flare to the kitchens of the motel - and also plenty of drama.

Cynthia first arrived as a guest at the motel with no intention of working in the kitchens, however when she couldn't pay her motel expenses she was forced to pay for her stay somehow - and into the kitchen the character moved. From those money problems to having a fling with a staff member 20 years her junior and finding herself blackmailed it was certainly never dull at Crossroads. Jean also found some real-life dramas while at the motel, most notably when she chopped off the top of her finger during one kitchen scene concerning cutting vegetables and a sharp knife. Ever the professional she carried on with the scene regardless until the cameras moved on to the next shot!

Jean has had a long and distinguished career in the theatre. She was the first to play Maria in The Sound of Music in the UK and went on to take the lead in many other theatre plays and musicals. Today Jean is happily retired, but has decided to return to Crossroads one last time for this documentary.
CAROLYN JONES
Played "Sharon" 1977-1983

Carolyn was no stranger to television audiences by the time she checked into the Crossroads Motel in 1977, having previously worked on many hit serials including Z Cars, Within These Walls and The Sweeney.

In 1977 Carolyn arrived at the motel to work in the garage as secretary and soon became a popular member of the Kings Oak community, sharing a flat with Diane Parker (later Hunter) - which became a popular double act. Carolyn describes Sharon as a 'tart with a heart' and she certainly was a notorious maneater working through several local menfolk, most married! One of the highlights from later years was her storyline concerning the downs child Nina and the social impact that plot had in the real world. Sharon quit Kings Oak to help run a school for special needs children.

In real life Carolyn left Crossroads and continued acting in theatre and television, as well as running in her own drama school for a number of years. Recent television appearances include roles in soap Family Affairs for Channel 5 and BBC medical serials Doctors and Holby City.
RICHARD THORP
Played "Doug" 1973-1975

Richard came to national prominence in the 1950s when he landed a leading role in the iconic film, The Dambusters. In 1957 Richard was hired by ATV's popular medical saga Emergency Ward 10. He joined the staff of the Oxbridge Hospital six weeks into its eventual ten-year run. He stayed with Ward 10 for seven years and proved such a popular actor he was given his own spin-off series, Calling Oxbridge 2000, which ended after a year when an actors strike brought it to a sudden halt. However by this point in 1962 he'd become one of ITV's first self-made heartthrobs and could command large crowds at any public event.

While with ATV he became the first person to be transmitted in photograph across the Atlantic via satellite, something he's still very proud of. In 1973 he was asked to join Crossroads as Merchant Sailor Doug Randall, a role he would play on and off for nearly two years. Richard enjoys working on 'soap operas' as they are always evolving. Other serial roles include parts in the forerunner to EastEnders, the ATV produced Market In Honey Lane, which he appeared as the market inspector and period daytime saga The Cedar Tree.

Richard of course has over the past three decades become best known for his role as Emmerdale's Alan Turner.