Generation Star Wars

Did you watch Bring Back Star Wars, presented by Justin Lee Collins, which was shown, last night, on Channel 4?

Justin Lee Collins, following his successful A-Team, Dallas and Grange Hill assignments, attempted to reunite the principal cast of the original Star Wars trilogy in his inimitable style!

Carrie Fisher is, as always, interview gold! Princess Leia was my first pin-up and adorned my bedroom wall for almost a decade! And I'm entirely envious that Justin Lee Collins had a guided tour of Carrie Fisher's homestead, despite being terrorised by one of Carrie's canines, that's not a euphemism!

The revelation that Kenny Baker (R2-D2) and Anthony Daniels (C3-PO) never got along was a baffling surprise! And what's with Mark Hamill's (Luke Skywalker) self-defeating agenda to distance himself from the Star Wars saga? Collins' was fortunate not to raise the ludicrous $50K, purportedly requested by the actor's agent, to interview the embittered star! Skywalker! More like Starkiller!

Ultimately. I was left yearning for an unspoiled reissue of the original Star Wars trilogy on Blu-ray! George Lucas you, alone, have the power to bring balance to the force...

Star Wars Celebration Europe maybe over. However, Dorling Kindersley (DK) and myself are offering four lucky readers a chance to win exclusive signed copies of "Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections" poster prints, signed by artist Hans Jensen, and You Can Draw "Star Wars" book, signed by the author Bonnie Burton and artists Tom Hodges and Matt Busch.



Every fan's dream - step inside over 100 Star Wars vehicles. Open up the cockpit and peel back layers to reveal the weapon systems and construction secrets of over 100 Star Wars vehicles. Four fold-out pages take you right inside a Droid Control Ship, the Death Star, an Invisible Hand and a Republic Gunship in incredible detail. Discover everything you ever wanted to know about every key Star Wars machine from the "Phantom Menace", through to "Return of the Jedi". See inside the elegant Naboo starfighters and relentless TIE bombers and explore their background stories, history and even technical data. All revved up and ready to explore the universe?



Feel the force of the pencil, get creative and bring "Star Wars" to life on the page. Follow the expert tips, tracings, fold out pages and stencils and draw body shapes which pack a punch (or a lightsabre), inspiring action poses, spectacular vehicles, out-of-this-world clothes and futuristic equipment. Put R2-D2, Luke SkyWalker and Darth Vader on the same page and create scenes and battles from your own imagination - if you dare!

To enter for a chance of winning one of these coveted prizes signed by the author and artists, please leave a comment. Good luck. Special thanks to DK for supplying the competition prizes.

Explore the Star Wars galaxy through DK books.

About DK books
Since 1974, Dorling Kindersley has published an extensive range of internationally acclaimed titles in 51 languages for adults and children. As the UK's market leader in illustrated non-fiction, we pride ourselves on creating books that combine comprehensive information and superb design.

Over the years, as the world's leading family illustrated publisher, we have inspired and informed readers who find DK books to be educational, distinctive and of consistently high quality. We value this reputation and will continue to create reference titles that are, without question, exceptional.

Recently I was contacted by a Star Wars & Doctor Who convention organizer. Their next convention - to celebrate the return of Doctor Who and the release of Revenge of the Sith - is scheduled for April 16th at Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset. At time of writing the following guests have been confirmed:

Star Wars
*David Prowse (Darth Vader)
*Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)
*Kenny Baker (R2-D2)

Doctor Who
*Colin Baker (5th Doctor)
*Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier)
*Mary Tamm (Romana mark 1)
*Wendy Padbury (Zoe Heriot)
*Nicola Bryant (Peri Brown)

A stellar role call at no mistake.

During childhood I was a Whovian and visited Longleat's Dr Who Exhibition on more than one occasion. However, my most cherished Dr Who memory is of the 20th Anniversary Convention in April 1983. All tickets had been sold, but Mum worked her considerable charm and we were admitted as VIP guests. Here's the only photographic record of that amazing day.



On the subject of stars. I bought Mum a copy of Tatler magazine. Mum singled out cover star Selma Blair, who resembles my late Canadian Grandmother (in her teens), as my future wife! Wishful thinking.