As I made my way down to stairs I instantly spotted an A5-sized brown envelope on the large decorative rocking chair that stood in our hall. At the time this is where my mother used to leave all of my post.

Closer inspection of the front of the envelope revealed that my name and address had been beautifully handwritten with a blue ink pen.

My heart started to beat faster. Could this, I hoped, be a reply from the man himself? I opened the envelope carefully and took out the contents and I found to my amazement a signed photo of Kenneth Williams, a signed copy of his book, Backdrop, and a signed piece of white paper. All were personally dedicated to me!

I couldn't believe it. I had received a reply from my favourite actor - Kenneth Williams. This made my entire Easter holidays!

I had has recently written to both the creators of the Carry On films, Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas, at Pinewood Studios to ask about a new Carry On film that I heard was being planned. In the event I received a lovely reply from a lady called Samantha Thomas on behalf of Gerald Thomas at G.T. Productions.

Maybe it was youthful optimism, but I had also added a letter for Kenneth Williams. I asked politely if the letter could please be passed on to Kenneth Williams' agent. To my amazement someone did pass on the aforementioned letter which requested Kenneth’s autograph.

I was so excited and returned to school after the Easter holidays elated by the replies that I had received from both Gerald Thomas' office and Kenneth Williams.

I decided to write and thank Kenneth Williams for his reply c/o his agents, ICM, at the address printed at the top of the paper Kenneth had signed for me.

I was still buzzing with the recent events and looking forward to the weekend while I was in the school library during lunchtime on Friday 15th April 1988.

One of the boys I knew at school came into the library having returned from taking his lunch break at home. He seemed preoccupied and the reason for this soon became apparent. He informed me that it had just been announced on the BBC lunchtime news that Kenneth Williams had died. I was shocked.

I returned home from school that day almost in a daze. Surely it was a mistake, surely Kenneth couldn't have died? It wasn't a mistake and the news on both the BBC and ITV confirmed that Kenneth had passed away in the early hours of that morning in his London flat. A suspected overdose was later said to have been the cause of his death. Although to this day many people still cannot agree as to whether Kenneth had intended to take his own life or not.

I went to my room and took out the autographs and the book that Kenneth had so kindly sent me such a short time ago. As I viewed them I found it hard, like the rest of his fans across the world, to comprehend that he was no-longer with us.

From his stage play and revue appearances, to his radio work on Hancock's Half Hour and Round the Horne, to his countless appearances on film and TV, Kenneth had entertained millions during his 62 years on this planet.

In 1993 the world was given its first chance to read the edited version of Kenneth Williams’ diaries. The volume, compiled by Russell Davies, has since become my favourite book and my own personal bible.

As one reads the diaries you discover Kenneth at both at his happiest and his lowest. Ultimately, they include the final entry made on Thursday 14th April 1988 which ends with the words: "...Oh what's the bloody point?"

Twenty-one years may have passed since Kenneth Williams died but I will never forget Kenneth. I may never have been lucky enough to have met him, but I will never forget the kindness his showed me during what was obviously, as the diaries revealed, a very difficult time for him.

Kenneth's legacy to all his fans both old and new are the various radio, film and TV appearances that he left behind.

Kenneth may have gone but I knew I will never forget him and will continue to enjoy watching and listening to his work. And when I personally feel that (to quote one of Kenneth's most famous Carry On lines): "Infamy, infamy they've all got it in for me," I can put on a DVD, a CD or a tape that features Kenneth and feel instantly cheered up by a wonderful performance by the late Carry On star.

Wednesday 15th April 2009 will mark the opening of a hit stage tribute show dedicated to Kenneth Williams, and based on the BBC radio show which he starred in called Stop Messing About!

According to the official website for the show, Stop Messing About! is set during a live BBC recording and is packed with outrageously funny sketches, parodies and songs. The show is said to be a guaranteed laugh a minute evening of nostalgia.

This show is being staged for a limited run at the wonderful Leicester Square Theatre in London (see link above right for further details), and will be fantabulosa fun for all fans of Kenneth Williams!

So did Kenneth Williams ever work at one or more of the studios in Borehamwood during his amazing career? Yes, he did. Kenneth's Borehamwood credits included a small role as a shop assistant in the 1953 comedy film Innocents in Paris (made at The Gate Studios), a small role in the Tommy Steele 1959 film Tommy the Toreador (made at Elstree Studios) and a TV sitcom role in 1957 alongside Richard Wattis in Dick and the Duchess (MGM-Borehamwood).

Actor, writer, performer and an eloquent speaker, Kenneth was all of these things and more. There will never be another man quite like Kenneth. He really was truly unique.

RIP, Kenneth.

Stop Press: I have just heard the very sad news that Peter Rogers, the producer of the Carry On films, died on Tuesday 14th April 2009. Peter's passing really does mark the end of an era in film history.

RIP, Peter.

© Paul Burton