I have been following the ‘Up’ series since 28 Up – basically because it was never really promoted much on Australian television when I was a kid and the society that those kids came from was much different from the non-classed Australian society I grew up in. But like most, I became hooked on the series because the people in it were just a few years older than myself and we all grew up at a time when childhood was still relatively free of the issues that exist today.

Like young tear-away Tony from the East End, I played in the outdoors and my neighbourhood – no fear of child abductors or paedophiles lurking around the playground back then…even though they did exist. Television was something you might have watched after dinner before bed and dad chose the show and he had the final say. We all left school being able to read, write and add up – no games consoles, no mobile phones, no reality television to become addicted to.

56 Up - Jackie, Sue and Lyn

What I found interesting about the ‘Up’ kids is that they all seemed to follow the path in life that was available to them – those higher up the social ladder fulfilled the expectations of them, those on the lower scale felt their way along their paths because on that level nothing is handed to you…you have to go out and earn it, make it happen with what you have.

It will be interesting to see how happy they have all turned out – if John is less miserable nowadays than he always seemed to be. If the bloke who went to Australia as a young man is finally content with his life having grown up in a children’s home – he always seemed unhappy deep down. And we all want to catch with Neil – he more than anything represents how tenuous our grip on life really is and how much we all are at the mercy of circumstances. I hope it’s all good news

Okay, so I watched the show and felt no discomfort whatsoever, despite the inference by some sections of the media that you must. It showed that people with disabilities are like everyone else, they want companionship and love – it also showed that they can be as unrealistic about what they want as anyone else too. Penny has a ‘type’ and most of us acknowledge that the ‘type’ we think we prefer is often not what we finish up with. If she is going to stipulate ‘tall men’ only she will continue to be dateless. If she is looking for a relationship that will include physical intimacy a 6ft 1″ man is going to pose ‘technical’ problems for both of them especially as she has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (her condition). Let’s be honest and realistic about it.

Richard, bless him, has the problem that makes dating difficult for many people…the inability to recognise what is appropriate behaviour and what is not. He has childish traits, clearly a short fuse (which would certainly rule out pairing him with a woman with young children) and behavioural issues. None of them his fault of course – but is he able to learn and accept that you don’t steal food from a lady’s plate on a date…? I think Richard would do well with a woman much older than himself – someone patient, who likes the idea of a younger male and who would be more likely to mother him as well. His relationship with his mother suggests older women suit him better. As for Luke and his tourettes…who cares about his tics and his language? he is good looking, kind, has a great sense of humour and is open and honest about himself -  I am keeping my fingers crossed for him.