SIR JOHN MILLS CBE

In October 2000, I was asked to launch and promote a remarkable new film - featuring Sir John Mills - by the backers and his son Jonathan Mills.

Jonathan had recently discovered more than 10 hours of 16mm film stored in steel cans in his father's attic. This previously unseen footage documented Sir John's life between 1946 and 1969 on film locations, at home and on holidays with his numerous celebrity friends.

The footage - included scenes from some of Sir John's classic films - PLUS film of relaxed family life and holidays with stars such as David Niven, Rex Harrision, Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, Richard Attenborough, Stewart Grainger, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Jean Simmonds - the list goes on and on - it was an incredible A-Z of Hollywood Greats.

To celebrate Sir John's highly successful career, spanning 7 decades, the footage was made into a Special Edition 60-minute film, which I launched to the press on HMS Belfast – and followed it - with a glittering star-studded dinner in the Painted Hall at Greenwich - in aid of The Lord's Taverners charity.

This was followed up with three major features in Hello Magazine.

One of the other things I arranged to promote the release of the movie - was to arrange for Sir John to be interviewed on Michael Parkinson’s show.

Sadly - just as he was walking on stage – his trousers fell down around his ankles. It brought the house down. Luckily with Sir John being such an old pro – he just pulled them up and carried on with a wink to the audience.

You may have seen it – it was very funny.

SIR JOHN MILLS’ BIRTHDAY IN THE PAINTED HALL AT GREENWICH