A SOUTH Woodford success story returned to his roots.

Actor Tony Robinson, who is best known for his role as Blackadder's loyal servant Baldrick in the cult BBC TV programme, gave a talk about his life to a packed audience at the Central Library in Ilford.

The local lad has gone a long way since he grew up in Raymond Road, South Woodford. Although he now lives in Bristol, he maintains close links to the area as his elderly mother lives in Woodford Green.

Mr Robinson was anxious about what faces from the past would think of him at the talk, which was organised by Redbridge museum services.

He said: "I am a bit nervous. Coming back to your own patch, you think somebody is going to shout 'fraud'."

But he soon overcame the nerves and told tales of his time at Woodford Green Preparatory School and Wanstead County High School.

He said: "There was a teacher at Woodford Green Preparatory School who absolutely terrified me. Even when I hear her name now I cringe."

Sir James Hawkey Hall in Broomhill Road was one of Mr Robinson's regular haunts, as he took part in shows there.

He plunged into professional acting when his parents spotted an advert for parts in a West End show. He was just 12 years old at the time and the show was the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver.

He said: "I did six auditions. I got a part as one of the boys in the workhouse and I was in Fagin's gang. There were 36 curtain calls on the opening night."

His big break in the show came when the boy playing the Artful Dodger failed to turn up one day.

He explained: "Twenty minutes before the show they asked if I would be the Artful Dodger. I knew all the words. After that they were so relieved that they gave me the part of the understudy."

Mr Robinson's claim to Hollywood fame was when he had a bit part in a John Wayne film called Branagan. He almost appeared in a Judy Garland film as well, but was disappointed when the scene was cut.

He said: "I had told all my friends I was in it."

When he was 17 he left Wanstead County High with four O levels and went to the Central School of Speech and Drama in Swiss Cottage.

He said: "I was supposed to get more roles. People thought it was because I was doing shows. It was actually because I was so lazy."

The actor worked for numerous theatre companies and trained as a theatre director in Bristol where he set up a small theatre company, trying to find a new kind of theatre.

When he was offered the part of Baldrick in a pilot show for Blackadder he was shocked.

"I had eight lines, none of which were funny. Just to be offered a part was bizarre. I found out it was because everybody else had turned it down."

He almost lost the part when filming started for a second pilot while he was in a touring theatre production. But the director asked him back for the first series.

He said: "They said they preferred my Baldrick to the other guy. The series really changed my life. I was about 35 then. I had never believed in the lucky break.

"You know how frustrating it is to know that you can really do something but the office door is always closed. Suddenly the doors were open."

More success followed for Tony when he produced the children's programme Maid Marion and Her Merry Men, in which he played the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham.

He said: "It was the most successful BBC children's programme for a long time. It came 15th in the all time children favourites."

Tony's high profile in the Comic Relief campaign helped bring the issues behind poverty to the forefront of the public mind.

His passion for archaeology also led to the success of long-running Channel Four educational series, Time Team. Mr Robinson presents the show, which is now in its tenth year.

The actor captivated the audience with his descriptions of digs he had been involved in and of the effort that goes into making the programme.

He said: "One of the great things about archaeology in this country is the vast number of people who have come here. I am loving every moment of it."