Peter Wright, Channel 5’s Yorkshire Vet, appeared at the Great Yorkshire Show on Wednesday (July 15) and spoke to host Christine Talbot about everything TV, travels, and his future plans.

During the chat, the broadcaster shared some fond memories from the set of the modern All Creatures Great and Small adaptation when he appeared in a Christmas episode, while also noting what the real-life vets that the show is based on were like.

“I loved my time on the set of All Creatures Great and Small; it was great to chat to the actors and make a small appearance,” he said.

Peter Wright at The Great Yorkshire Show (Image: GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW)

“I remember heading to Grassington, where the show is filmed and seeing Nicholas Ralph, who plays James Herriot, wearing a full coat and getting into an RAF car on one of the hottest days of the year.

“I started to feel for him in the end because they made him do this scene 17/18 times and he was massively sweating by the end of it.”

He then went on to say how difficult it was for the new cast of the All Creatures Great and Small cast, compared to those who portrayed the characters back in the 1970s and 1980s.

“The cast back then had the original people that these characters are based on to turn to, but you don’t have that now.

“The cast of both shows are very talented and do such a great job.”

He then recalled working alongside Alf Wright, who wrote All Creatures Great and Small, as well as knowing James Herriot during his life.

“It was a great experience to spend time around them when I was becoming a vet,” he added.

Later in the talk, the TV star let the audience know that he’s currently filming the 23rd series of The Yorkshire Vet and has a four-part ‘At Home with the Greens’ series in the pipeline too.

He has also been over to India recently to film ‘A Passage to India: A Yorkshire Vet Special’, which saw him join colleague Rohin to explore Punjab, where he said that he had a “fantastic time,” despite calling part of the journey “utter chaos”.

Peter Wright at The Great Yorkshire Show (Image: GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW)

During the trip to India, Peter said that he and Rohin went to a festival dressed in traditional Punjabi outfits.

Joking about the experience, he said: “It reminded me of Del Boy and Rodney when they dressed as Batman and Robin in Only Fools and Horses.”

The TV star also spent some time with the judges of the schools’ Veg Box Competition.

Schools across the region took part in building, designing and growing a veg box from scratch. Learning all about growing and nature along the way.

This year’s theme was Waste to Grow, and judges visited all the schools to choose 12 finalists, which were displayed at the show.

Peter said: “It’s very early in the morning, but it’s great to see such enthusiasm from the youngsters. At the GYS, we get to appreciate our food and where it comes from.

For children to be given seeds and flat packs to create these veg boxes, they can grow their own food and learn about how it. For many children, food comes from a supermarket or a packet, so this is really important for them.

The children have really got into the task, and it is an important extension of school life. It’s a wonderful initiative.”

As Sony and Microsoft do seemingly everything in their power to upset veteran gamers, one reader says they’ve had enough and are turning their back on the current generation.

As a long-term gamer who has been playing since I was old enough to reach the joystick on an arcade machine, and someone who has been reading the Metro for as long as it’s been around, I have always very much enjoyed diving into the commentary around gaming over the years.

Having even dropped in a few of my own Reader’s Features in the past, I’ve spent a lot of time recently just sitting back and reading the room on the current state of the games industry. But right now, I felt it was time to put pen to paper once again. At 49, I find myself starting to reflect on what gaming has actually given me over the decades, and how drastically things have shifted.

Take a look at the modern gaming landscape right now – especially when you see cynical, Fortnite-chasing clones like the recently revealed Horizon Hunters Gathering – and it’s hard not to feel completely exhausted by it all. There is a massive generational chasm opening up in gaming, and the executives in charge seem entirely oblivious to it.

The divide is pretty simple. There is a whole generation of us who remember when games actually had intent, soul, and a bit of creative spark. We remember the Capcom standard of the 90s and early noughties. Back when I was a teenager, dropping coins into Street Fighter 2 cabinets or getting into the very first Monster Hunter, the developers weren’t just chasing the latest zeitgeist; they were writing the rules. You bought a cartridge or a disc, and that was it – a complete, fully featured experience. You wanted the best stuff? You actually had to play the game and get good at it.

Things started to really go wrong around the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4 era. What kicked off with that infamous horse armour DLC has mutated into this vacuous, corporate treadmill of live service models, microtransactions, and endless loot boxes.

The real tragedy is that the younger generation – the kids born with tablets practically glued to their hands – have absolutely no idea what they’ve lost. They’ve been essentially indoctrinated by a manufactured ecosystem. To them, a game isn’t a self-contained piece of art; it’s a digital storefront that actively penalises you if you don’t log in every single day. They don’t even question why a title ships half-finished or why they’re expected to cough up extra cash for basic features. This saccharine, corporate greed is the only version of the hobby they’ve ever known.

But a lot of us older players are finally hitting the brakes. As we become acutely aware of what’s next, whether it’s the eye-watering price of the newly released Steam Machine or the looming prospect of a PlayStation 6 and whatever Microsoft has planned pushing prices to absurd heights. I am simply noping out of it all. It is just too expensive, and frankly, I am not the target audience anymore.

With these spiralling hardware costs and the actual leaps in photorealism giving us diminishing returns, those of us who know better are just walking away. We’re diving backwards into the absolute gold mine of retro gaming. We’re embracing things like the return of the Neo Geo and investing in physical media that actually belongs to us – no server handshakes required. We just want self-contained experiences we can actually finish and put proudly on a shelf.

It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom when you’re staring straight into the abyss of this corporate, digital-only future. But if we just stop for a second and look backwards, the whole picture changes. You see an era overflowing with joy, boundless creativity, and genuine art.

There is so much to be thankful for in the history of this medium. We don’t have to follow the corporate machine into the dark; we can choose to turn around and celebrate the masterpieces that are already waiting for us.

By reader Bristol Pete

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

MORE: My greatest gaming experience was a 40-year-old game in VR – Reader’s Feature

MORE: The best action game of 2025 is a game nobody bought – Reader’s Feature

MORE: PlayStation and Xbox are both dead, they just don’t realise it yet – Reader’s Feature

By OLIVER SALT, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR and DIANA COOPER, US SENIOR SHOWBIZ REPORTER

Published: 23:15 BST, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 00:56 BST, 18 July 2026

Tom Brady lashed out at Logan Paul in an astonishing moment at Fanatics Fest on Friday night, months after the pair were tipped to collide in a WWE ring.

In footage captured by the Daily Mail, Brady and Paul were first seen exchanging heated words after reigniting their feud at the star-studded New York City event, before the NFL legend completely lost his cool.

Brady slapped Paul on the side of the head before NBA champion Karl-Anthony Towns and a security guard quickly intervened to defuse the situation.

After taking the hit, the WWE superstar was seen pointing at his arch-nemesis as Towns tried to calm him down.

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Before squaring off on the stage Brady and Paul clashed while discussing their meeting at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic event earlier this year.

They had a couple of run-ins on the field that day, but it was the online personality who had the last laugh after his Wildcats FFC team defeated Brady’s Founders FFC.

Tom Brady lashed out at Logan Paul in an astonishing moment on stage at Fanatics Fest

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Brady and Paul have reignited their feud months after being tipped to collide in a WWE ring 

‘It’s just nuts to me how Tom Brady couldn’t come back from us winning the flag football game that he said he was going to beat me,’ Paul said while sitting on the same panel as the seven-time Super Bowl winner at Fanatics Fest.

‘I just want to say it… never forget. Never forget the YouTuber beat the football player.’

‘There were a lot of cheap shots in that game too,’ Brady responded.

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After the viral slap, Paul posted on X: ‘This happened bc I was roasting Tom for beating him in flag football. And he tries to smack me ?? Horrible example for the kids Aura -100 + Blocked. With a torn tricep’.

Brady quoted his post and wrote: ‘I tried America… will try again next time I see this nerd.’

Brady became embroiled in a shocking beef with Paul after he mocked the wrestler’s athletic ability during a guest appearance on his ‘Impaulsive’ podcast in February. He dismissed Paul’s athlete chops as ‘cute’ while claiming he lacks the toughness of football players.

In response, Paul argued that he could beat the majority of NFL athletes in a fight – a statement which sparked fierce debate – before they ramped up their rivalry at the flag football event.

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Many have questioned how real Paul and Brady’s apparent disdain for one another is, instead rubbishing it as an attempt to generate attention.

The Daily Mail revealed back in March that, according to an insider, Paul and Brady are only playing on the feud to promote a potential WWE storyline.

The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was expected to appear at WrestleMania earlier this year, only to not show up at the wrestling company’s showpiece event.

Brady and Paul exchanged some heated words on stage before the NFL legend lost his cool

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Their rivalry began when Brady dismissed the WWE star’s athletic ability as ‘cute’ in February

They then crossed paths at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles a month later

Yet on Thursday, Brady revealed he is waiting for WWE president Nick Khan to give him a call about making an appearance.

He said at Fanatics Fest: ‘I feel like, I’m retired from football, have the opportunity to go out there and showcase that I’m still a little bit of an athlete. My boy Gronk’s done it, I’ve seen Logan Paul do it. I think I could get in there for at least one match, right?’

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Brady has been keeping himself busy since retiring from the NFL in 2023. He is preparing to enter the third year of his decade-long, $375million contract with Fox after venturing into broadcasting for the league.

Shortly after joining Fox, he also became an NFL owner in highly controversial fashion. His deal to acquire a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders sparked uproar in 2024 over what many argued was a conflict of interest amid his commentary role.

When asked if he’d want to be a good guy or a ‘heel’ in the wrestling world, Brady insisted: ‘It’s such an easy choice. I’m a bad guy. I’ve always been a bad guy.

‘I mean, I feel like when our teams did really well, I would always go into these stadiums and I would feel that… When you go on the road and you’ve had some success in the NFL, they don’t like you. It’s an incredible feeling when you work that entire day to basically try to send the crowd home early.’

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By JAMIE BOYS, REPORTER

Published: 00:30 BST, 18 July 2026 | Updated: 00:50 BST, 18 July 2026

A serving detective chief inspector with a history of blackouts who killed a pedestrian after passing out at the wheel has been jailed for three years and seven months.

Michael Cooper was in an unmarked police car when he ploughed into a row of parked vehicles – crushing educational psychologist James Bane between two of them as he stood chatting in the street following a school visit.

Nottingham Crown Court heard the 50-year-old father-of-two suffered serious injuries and died at the scene in Etwall, Derbyshire.

A woman who was also hit by Cooper was badly hurt in the incident in September 2021 and continues to suffer pain and severe psychological effects.

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Cooper, 55, who resigned from the police in 2024, had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He had previously denied the charges.

During sentencing yesterday, Samuel Skinner KC, prosecuting, said Cooper shouldn’t have been behind the wheel when he killed Mr Bane because he had an ‘unexplained medical history of blackouts that occurred without warning’ for almost 20 years.

Mr Skinner added that 12 years before the crash, Cooper had been warned by a consultant neurologist not to drive and to inform the DVLA about his condition – but failed to do so, or tell his insurance company.

He told the court Cooper was so worried about his blackouts – thought to be caused by a cardiac problem called Stokes-Adams, where the heart suddenly stops beating, or epilepsy – that he admitted to doctors he was concerned about driving, swimming or working up ladders.

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Serving detective chief inspector Michael Cooper was in an unmarked police car when he ploughed into a row of parked vehicles

Cooper, 55, who resigned from the police in 2024, had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving

But Mr Skinner said: ‘Despite his concerns and despite instructions from a neurologist, the defendant carried on driving. The defendant courted a dangerous risk every time that he got into the driver’s seat of a vehicle.’

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Cooper was also disqualified from driving for five years.

Judge Mr Justice Sweeting said he had shown a ‘callous disregard of the potential danger he posed’, adding: ‘The death of Mr Bane was a wholly avoidable tragedy.’

Mr Skinner said Mr Bane had visited three children at a local primary school, then walked back to his car at around 11.30am.

Cooper, of Etwall, first hit the woman in his unmarked black Peugeot, before his car bounced off the kerb and shunted the two parked cars into one another.

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Mr Bane’s wife Catherine described her husband in court as ‘thoughtful, dedicated, respected and greatly missed’, adding: ‘When James was killed, everything I knew was ripped away. The many dreams we had were shattered, and the future I had envisaged was lost.’

She said to Cooper: ‘It is staggering to me you have never demonstrated any contrition, nor reached out to say you are sorry.’

Vernard Murray, 26-years-old, was found seriously injured at a property on Cardinal Street on October 23, 2025, after being pursued and attacked by a group of men.

He later died in hospital from his injuries.

Following a trial earlier this year, Lee Williams (11/08/2006), of Gravenmoor Drive, Manchester, was convicted of murder and two counts of possession of a bladed article.

He was sentenced to life in a young offenders’ institution with a minimum term of 21 years.

Riley McDermott (16/03/2008), of Inghamwood Close, Salford, and John Harte (08/01/2007), of Weaste Lane, Salford, were convicted of manslaughter.

McDermott was sentenced to eight years in a young offenders’ institution, while Harte received a six-year sentence.

A police investigation revealed that on October 23, 2025, Murray had been chased by two masked men, later identified as Williams and McDermott, who were armed with large knives after his car was blocked, rammed, and overturned.

Lee Williams (11/08/2006), Riley McDermott (16/03/2008) and John Harte (08/01/2007) (Image: GMP)

Despite escaping the vehicle and fleeing on foot, he was stabbed and later died in hospital from his wounds.

Further enquiries revealed that Harte instructed someone to “burn it, the car.”

The BMW used in the attack was found torched two hours later, approximately 0.6 miles from the scene.

Murray’s family delivered emotional statements in court.

His father said: “Vernard wasn’t just my child – he was my pride, my hope for the future, and a huge part of who I am.

“To the people responsible, I want you to understand that your actions didn’t just take one life – they have destroyed many.

“You have taken a son from his father, and nothing will ever repair that.

“I will carry this loss for the rest of my life.”

His mother said: “Those responsible are given numbers to serve sentences, while I am left with a cemetery plot to visit and a lifetime of grief.

“I find myself asking where the justice is in this.

“In many ways, it feels as though I am serving a sentence alongside them, carrying the pain and consequences of their actions every day.”

His siblings described Mr Murray as more than a victim.

They said: “Our brother was more than another victim in this case.

(Image: Google Maps)

“He was a son, a grandson, a father, a partner, an uncle, and our brother.

“He was loved, and he is missed every single day.

“No sentence can restore what has been taken from our family.

“The consequences of this murder will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”

His partner spoke of the lasting impact on their family.

She said: “Although the court will sentence those responsible today, my son and I will continue serving our own life sentence of grief.

“We will wake up every day knowing that Vernard is never coming home.

“Our son will grow up with memories instead of a father, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill a space that can never be filled.”

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Naismith of GMP’s Major Incident Team welcomed the sentences.

He said: “Today’s sentencing reflects the devastating consequences of a shocking attack that claimed the life of Vernard Murray.

“This was a truly shocking case, occurring in a residential area, with fatal consequences.

“The violence inflicted upon him was horrific, and those actions have left a family grieving their loved one forever.

“No sentence can undo the loss they have experienced, but we hope today’s outcome can provide them with some measure of justice and closure.

“I would also like to thank the officers and staff whose dedication and professionalism helped us identify the offenders and piece together significant amounts of evidence to secure these convictions.”

It represents a significant setback for manager Martin O’Neill, who stated earlier this week that he remained optimistic the striker would lower his expectations and rejoin the club

Celtic have lost out on re-signing Kelechi Iheanacho after declining to meet the striker’s substantial wage demands.

The Nigerian forward has put pen to paper on a lucrative three-year contract with Turkish side Bursaspor, despite having an offer to stay at Parkhead on the table.

Record Sport understands the Hoops were unwilling to meet Iheanacho’s request for a significant package worth £50k per week – considerably more than the club’s highest earners.

The Hoops had tabled a two-year deal for the Double-winning star despite letting the automatic one-year extension clause lapse at the end of June.

However, the ambitious Turkish second-tier side – who secured promotion last season – swooped in with a generous offer to secure the 29 year old on a three-year contract.

It represents a significant setback for manager Martin O’Neill, who stated earlier this week that he remained optimistic the striker would lower his expectations and rejoin the club.

Celtic have been outbid and it’s set to frustrate supporters already unhappy with the limited transfer business conducted during the summer window.

O’Neill has brought in forward Camilo Duran and extended Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stay by another 12 months.

However, the club have failed to add further reinforcements despite accepting the likely departures of key players including Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate.

Meanwhile, defender Maik Nawrocki has completed a £2.5m move to French side Lens.

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Pigalo’s, based in North Shields, announced the closure in a heartfelt statement yesterday (July 16), describing it as “an incredibly difficult decision.”

Owners of the restaurant took to Facebook, saying: “It is with a heavy heart we have now closed Pigalo’s North Shields permanently.

“We want to pay special tribute to our team.

“They have been the heart of this place – showing up with commitment, creativity, and kindness every single day.

“We’re deeply proud of them and grateful for everything they’ve done.”

Pigalo’s is now calling on other local employers to consider its staff for new roles.

The restaurant said: “They are talented, hardworking people who would be an asset to any team.”

Pigalo’s confirmed that its Newcastle location at Louies will continue to operate and that any bookings made for North Shields can be transferred to Newcastle.

Its sudden closure has prompted an outpouring of sadness from customers online.

One individual said: “Bye-bye to the best burgers in the North East.

“Wishing you both the best with whatever you do next.”

Another added: “So sad to read this, hoping you get sorted for new roles soon.

“I always thoroughly enjoyed the times that I visited, food always delicious.”

Another wrote: “That’s such a shame, we really enjoyed your food, but if we need to go to town to support you we will.”

It is not yet known when the sinkhole will be fully repaired

Repairs to Milton Road’s sinkhole have been further delayed after Anglian Water found failures with their network at the site. Cambridgeshire County Council said on Thursday (July 16) that the sinkhole was expected to be repaired this week.

The sinkhole, near the roundabout with Elizabeth Way, has caused part of Milton Road to be closed since June 22. The county council said it is believed to be the size of a family car.

Work to repair the sinkhole was scheduled to start on Tuesday (July 14) but works were paused on Wednesday after a new source of water was discovered. The county council said the issue needed investigating further.

The full update shared on Thursday said: “We were expecting to see the Milton Road sinkhole repair completed this week, and we understand how disappointing a further delay will be.

“Just before the planned concrete pour, Anglian Water identified failures within their network at the location – this issue needs to be resolved by Anglian Water.

“Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. We’ll share another update as soon as we have one.”

There’s nothing worse than a bland chip – but one simple ingredient can transform your air fryer frozen chips from boring to bursting with flavour

There are few dinners that wouldn’t be significantly enhanced by a serving of chips on the side. Whether it’s burgers, chicken nuggets, a Caesar salad or a tasty pie, chips complement practically everything, so it’s hardly surprising they’re such a favourite.

Making your own is straightforward enough, but sometimes you simply don’t fancy the additional effort and time involved. This is where frozen chips come to the rescue, and I know I’m not the only one to have a bag tucked away in the freezer.

To elevate them and make them more delicious, I always add one essential ingredient once they’ve finished cooking — and it’s not salt.

For me, there’s nothing more disappointing than a flavourless chip. On too many occasions I’ve been presented with a portion of what should be gorgeous golden fries, yet without a trace of seasoning on them — honestly, what’s the point?

While it’s true that you can rescue an bland chip with a decent dipping sauce, you don’t want this to bear all the responsibility. Sauces can occasionally be extremely overpowering, whereas a light sprinkling of seasoning simply elevates the taste without affecting the texture.

And my chips deliver this every single time thanks to my treasured jar of Kerala Chinese salt and pepper seasoning that I purchased from B&M. It immediately transforms your chips from dull and bland to packed with flavour.

How I make the tastiest oven chips

Calling this a recipe almost feels wrong given how little effort is involved, but there are still a few steps required to achieve these deliciously crispy chips.

First, the appliance. An air fryer is the go-to choice here, as it not only takes less time but also produces far crunchier results than a conventional oven ever could.

The choice of chips matters too. After experimenting with several different frozen varieties, the Aldi skin-on fries consistently come out on top, delivering the best flavour — and, naturally, they crisp up brilliantly in the air fryer.

Cook the chips at 180C for 20 minutes, giving the basket a shake halfway through. On occasion, an extra couple of minutes may be needed to achieve that truly crispy, golden finish, so it’s worth keeping that in mind.

Once the time is up, reach for a large stainless steel bowl. This is an essential piece of kitchen equipment, making it effortless to toss and coat ingredients evenly, with no risk of anything seeping into the material.

Tip in the chips, followed by a small drizzle of olive oil to help the seasoning stick, then add that all-important seasoning. Approximately a teaspoon per portion tends to deliver the best outcome.

Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring an even coating. After that, all there’s left to do is to serve up and tuck in.

This technique makes them wonderfully crispy, while also being packed full of the flavours you’d expect from your favourite Chinese takeaway. If you’re the one cooking dinner this weekend and you’re looking to elevate your chips to a whole new level, a salt and pepper seasoning is highly recommended.

And she stars alongside the nation’s favourite Sue Johnston in what promises to be a brilliant series, and a welcome throwback to relatable sitcoms that helped make the BBC the home of British comedy.

Imagine it’s 2029, and robots have been rolled out to support the NHS and care for the elderly whose children aren’t around to look after them.

This is the premise of Diane new BBC One madcap comedy Ann Droid, in which the 50-year-old Motherland actress portrays an outdated robot, Linda, who is assigned to a grieving widow called Sue, played by The Royle Family star Sue Johnston, 82.

L-R: Sue (Sue Johnston) and Linda (Diane Morgan) (Image: BBC/Boffola Pictures/GaryMoyes)

In the six-part series, penned by Morgan and Sarah Kendall, Sue’s husband Dave died two years ago, and now her only son, Michael, is moving out again, to try to fix his marriage – again.

In a bid to support his mother’s wishes to live independently, Michael surprises her with an Ann Droid Z58/100 humanoid care robot, but Sue really does not want a robot in her home, especially one that causes chaos straightaway.

Ahead of the release, the two talk about the innovation of technology, ageing, and loneliness.

DIANE, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THE SERIES?

DIANE MORGAN: The idea has been batting around for a couple of years, not that long. But there are some ideas we have had for 15 years, and they don’t get made.

I read an article in the newspaper about how, in the future, not that far in the future, people who don’t have kids can end up having robots looking after them, and I thought this was hilarious, because I don’t have kids, and that’ll be me being fed soup by a robot.

So I told my friend Pippa (Brown, a producer) about it, and she said we should write it up and see if the BBC will go for it. I agreed, thinking they won’t go for it, and then they did.

HOW CAN THE ELDERLY BETTER EMBRACE AGEING AND THE SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY MAY BRING?

SUE JOHNSTON: I don’t know when the time comes when you do want to be looked after, because I don’t want to be looked after. But life’s an adventure, isn’t it? And it shouldn’t stop being an adventure, because you’re in your 80s.

DIANE MORGAN: After my dad died, my mum was on her own, living in Wales, and I thought, ‘I’ll get her an iPad, that’s the perfect solution. I can then Zoom with her, and train her to Zoom’. But she got this iPad, and she was like, ‘What’s this? I don’t want this. I hate technology. I don’t want anything to do with technology’.

There’s a whole generation that just doesn’t want anything to do with technology. It can be scary – they are terrified of scams. Yet it can help sometimes if you embrace it.

L-R: Sue (Sue Johnston) and Michael (Paul Ready) (Image: BBC/Boffola Pictures/GaryMoyes)

SUE JOHNSTON: So many older people are fiercely independent, but they’re always being told to downsize and get rid of their junk and do this, and people are trying to control their later years.

I’m in my 80s, so I know that feeling, and it’s what we all don’t want to hear. I always say I had a bad fall last year, but I call it an accident, and it was an accident.

HOW DID YOU PHYSICALLY PREPARE TO PLAY A ROBOT?

DIANE MORGAN: I didn’t think about it when we pitched this idea, but when the BBC went for it, I suddenly realised, ‘Oh Christ, they’ll want me to play the robot’, I thought I could play a nurse instead. But they were dead set that I should be the robot.

I had absolutely no idea how to do this, but we got a movement coach who worked on Humans [the TV series starring Gemma Chan], and he was amazing, and gave me the confidence.

Linda is meant to be a reconditioned robot, so she’s a bit of an older model. There are other robots in the show that are more modern robots, but Linda was one of the first ones that were rolled out.

She’s a bit old-fashioned, so we had to make her movements more of a proper robot-y style movement, and that’s where the fun is, I suppose.

If you’re making a drama like Humans [where a husband buys a refurbished, highly developed robot to help his wife], you want them to be as real as anything. But in a comedy, you want to see somebody being a robot, don’t you? Otherwise, where’s the fun?

HOW DID YOU FIND IT?

DIANE MORGAN: One of the hardest things was staying still. Sue’s brilliant, and if we’re in a take together, and I make the decision that Linda shouldn’t blink, which is a really stupid idea, I must commit to it.

There was a moment when we were outside, and the wind was blowing in my eyes. I had tears rolling down my face; I wanted to blink more than anything in the world. So it was hard. I’ve got new respect for people who play robots.

ARE YOU A FAN OF NEW INNOVATIONS, AND CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING A ROBOT LOOKING AFTER YOU?

SUE JOHNSTON: If that was the only choice. It was very understandable how Sue got fond of her robot.

Diane bought me a robot cat at the end of the show, and it’s a beautiful thing, but this is how your brain works, and how it worked in the show.

I keep stroking and talking to the cat; it meows, purrs, lies on you, and you can feel its heartbeat. I love it and my grandkids go, ‘Granny, it’s not real’, but it’s something you get used to, which is why it’s so easy to transfer affection. It’s what happens to Sue in Ann Droid.

So, I don’t think I’m going to say I never want a robot, because if that’s what helps you be independent – and I’m so independent – then, yeah, I’d go for it.

That’s what I love about the series: it touches on the loneliness of old age, and I could really identify with that.

I hope other people will too, because there are so many women who lose their husbands and have to go through that stage on their own, finding things that they enjoy again.

Ann Droid comes to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9.30pm.

With two much-loved stars at its heart, there’s every reason to believe this will be a funny, thoughtful and thoroughly entertaining watch. Let us know what you thought of the comedy in the comments.