Read somewhere that moves are afoot to make a movie on the life of legendary Tynside hardman Vivian Graham, Vinnie Jones was considered for the lead part but it was felt that the audience would be looking at Vinnie the footballer turned actor than Viv - hard man. the tip for the lead role is a guy called Ian Freeman -: photo shows him to be of the baldy heeded brigade , Viv was an okay looking guy,no comparision there, Freeman is the only Brit to compete in violent fighting in the USA, apparently this is the ultimate. Directors been mentioned include Ridley Scott, shots of the Quayside, Tyne Bridge, no slag heaps, more shots of the Tyne Bridge and clubs, clubs.

Michael Caine may be asked to appear as Jack Carter , no mention of Oz although the Azure Blue got a mention in Auf Fr Pet.

Finally obviously to attract the younger set Ant and Dec will play a part . Out of this information I have given surely you budding scriptwriters out there can rustle up a plot/story/title.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Answers

Witzend Productions Proudly Present , The Siege of Byker Grove

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

There was a viv graham thread on here some time ago. Coming home from work the other night and I noticed that one of Chicago's premier theaters is having a production of "Among the Thugs" I couldn't believe it. Has it played in England?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Byker Grove had a siege years ago. I only remember 'cos my son had a part as one of the plods!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Syme - Deputy Prime Minister has been rehearsing!!!!!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

I remember Viv Graham got shot in the head through the drivers window down the road from my 1st year student flat in Walker while I was away on Xmas break. Something about a London vs Newcastle gang thing? I dunno...pleased to keep out of that business altogether.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Sounds like you're trying to create an alibi for yourself Bobby? Just how close to your flat was he shot? ;-)

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

LOL - if I remember rightly the incident was near the Walker bingo. As I was new to the town I never knew Viv's reputation, not until Roger Cook's expose. And to think, the number of times I walked through Walker pissed up and looking like a prime stooooodent victim...and hearing all the break-ins in the flats (at the lovely 'Martine' McCutcheon Court)...or staggered down the Walker Road from the Quayside...

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

This can't be the same Viv I'm thinking of, but talk of death and the Azure Blue keep pointing me at a Viv who was manager or tenant or whatever in the Azure Blue and was killed in 'an incident'.

I think he might have been knifed though, and, not to put to fine a point on it, he had well and truly mastered the art of the mince, so I can't see him having been Viv the hard man, although he was built for it. Being a hard man I mean.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

I dunno PB - I might well have this all arse ended, but that's what I remember from the time.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Same one PB

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

"photo shows him to be of the baldy heeded brigade , Viv was an okay looking guy,no comparision there"

Cheers Buff, wish I had a pound for every time I'd heard the equivalent of that one since I was 25.

Mind, it only really hurt from a woman... so that's just 50% of the population then... lucky I'm past it, eh?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

I wouldn't want to meet this guy in a dark alley!

Martial arts expert fights off 12 thugs

A martial arts expert single-handedly fought off 12 thugs who had come to bully his uncle into paying a debt.

The man was at his uncle's osteopathy clinic in Klang, Malaysia, when the heavies turned up after being sent by a loan shark.

He took out a long pole and proceeded to fight all the men, who were armed with knives, until they fled.

He is highly skilled in Chinese martial arts, reports the Straits Times.

A security guard who witnessed the incident said the 12 men had been armed with 'parangs' or knives.

"One of the parangs was broken into two during the fight," he said.

The heroic nephew received only minor injuries to his hands.

-- Anonymous, May 25, 2001

Reminds me of a neighgbours son, who's 20. When walking back from the pub he was confronted by about 6 lads demanding his wallet. He put the first on his back with one swing and asked for the next taker. They scarpered sharpish.

-- Anonymous, May 25, 2001