Here's a little guy who seems to have completely disappeared off our TV screens. Having scored a huge hit as the precocious Tristram in the UK hit TV series "George and Mildred", Nicholas went on to let his hair down (literally) in the joint UK/Australian production of "The Coral Island". Shot and screened back in the early 1980's it was not exactly faithful to the much loved book but it was a great adventure romp. Nicholas actually bust a tooth just before filming and the director was so taken with the "urchin look" that it gave him that he asked Nicholas not to get it fixed until after the shoot finished. Nicholas had already shown us in "George and Mildred" what a very fine comedy actor he was, now he showed that he could "swashbuckle" with the best of them. He was terrific as the little stowaway, Peterkin, bringing great energy and skill to the likeable little rogue. I have always been surprised that this series has not been released on video. As usual if anyone knows what has happened to Nicholas, please do let us know.

IMAGES FROM "THE CORAL ISLAND"