The Avengers

[andy-hughes]

They are re-running the series on daytime TV, and today there was one from the really early days featuring Cathy Gayle.


I envy Patrick McNee even more now - not only did he play one of the truly great British TV characters with John Steed, he of the impeccable manners and classy suits, but he worked with four - yes four! of the most gorgeous women ever to appear on TV - Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg, Linda Thorson, and Joanna Lumley.

Coming to work must have been a serious pleasure!

[jno]

The first one playing opposite him was Ian Hendry, wasn’t it?

[Peter Pedant]

there were tensions with number 3
I remember thinking 1968 why did she take the job and almost immediately start whining ?

Diana Rigg took a job in the RSC - I saw her in Phaedra Brittanica 1973
her judo was almost a dance form
but that didnt stop me doing judo for a few years

she would grab the arm wrist of a stunt man and he wold launch himself over a pile of crates - great stuff !

[Old_Geezer]

Yes, at the start it wasn't a male/female team but two guys Patrick & Ian.

Daytime TV eh, which channel ?

(Always wanted to be Steed when I was younger, but never calm nor posh enough.)

[jno]

OG, I expect they realised early on that two males just wasn’t doing it for the Andy Hughes demographic.

[Old_Geezer]

Channel 61, 2 am & 3 am !
zZZ zZZ zZZ

Not many series 1 episodes survive :-(

[237SJ]

I used to work with Diana Rigg's niece. The resemblance was obvious as well.

[Peter Pedant]

Diana Riggs book
no turn unstoned
about bad reviews early and modern is worth a read

[andy-hughes]

PP - // I remember thinking 1968 why did she take the job and almost immediately start whining ? //


Are you referring to Diana Rigg?


I don't believe she 'immediately started whining' - if it to her you refer - rather that after a few episodes, she discovered that she was being paid less than the camera crew, protested, and got a salary increase.

[tonyav]

I always fancied a blast in Steed's blower Bentley.

[bodeker]

Was watching TV with my daughter and her boyfriend when one of them mentioned The Avengers , I piped up oh I loved that when I was younger :) They both looked at me as if I was daft. Daughter says I don't think we are talking about the same thing. No well I had never heard of the modern day Avengers, some kind of super heroes I believe lol.

[Peter Pedant]

// PP - // I remember thinking 1968 why did she take the job and almost immediately start whining ? //

come on! come on! andie count and analyse context
Diana Rigg was number 2 ( leather clad lovely)
and started 64-65 innit?

this was her successor

[bodeker]

I just remembered getting into trouble at school because I turned up one day wearing black boots and black skirt and jumper lol was sent to Headmistress and was told I was not Diana Rigg and not to come in dressed like that again :)