I saw Billy on stage again in February 1962 in what was then an annual production in the Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow, a charity fund-raising event called “Stars for Spastics” in which everyone available in the Scottish Theatre circuit appeared and was given a “spot”.  Unfortunately for me, on the night that I went with my parents, Billy’s spot was cut because other stars were appearing just on that night.  I remember it was Harry Secombe and I also remember Billy introducing a boy and girl act called “Elaine and Derek”.

Fast forward 4 years to 1966, when he returned to Scotland to be the compere of STV’s “A Search for Beauty”, a beauty competition when the winner went through to the English finals.  I did pluck up the courage to meet him then!  After the transmission on 17 September 1966, I asked him for his autograph, which he signed “For Linda, Hi there Billy Raymond”.  He came back the following year to do the series again, but I didn’t get to meet him.

Fast forward again to 1971, when Billy brought his Australian quiz show “The Generation Gap” to BBC Scotland for a series of 12 shows.  I got tickets (going alone, this time) for most of the shows.  For the third show I attended I was sitting in the foyer with the accumulating audience before the show when a group of people came in and the elderly lady sat beside me.  A younger man referred to her as “The mother of the star” and I knew I was sitting beside Billy’s Mum, May!  I introduced myself to her.  The younger man was Billy’s elder brother, Jack, and a friend of the family, Jimmy Craighead.  May took to me right away!  She was delighted to meet a fan of her son.  I met Billy properly that night and we’ve been friends ever since.  

After that, I met him every time he returned to his family in Glasgow and he invited me to his parties at home at 384 Glasgow Road, Paisley.

The last time I met him was on 1 August 2002.  This is my birthday and he was back in Glasgow to see family and friends.  I am involved with the restoration campaign for The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall in Argyle Street, Glasgow.  At that time entry to the Panopticon could only be gained by arrangement and I wanted Billy to see the old music hall - I knew he’d love it and he did!  A tradition at that time was that all visitors to the Panopticon had to sing to the theatre ghosts (yes, there are ghosts in the Panopticon!).  My favourite song of Billy’s is “One In Particular”, which he recorded for HMV in 1958 (POP 526).  It’s a happy, bouncy song written by Cy Chalmers, perfectly suited to Billy’s voice and personality.  I coerced him into singing it with me that day - the one and only time we have sung together - a wonderful memory!  And yes, our voices match!