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'56 up (7up) due in 2012

172 replies

YuleingFanjo · 17/02/2012 22:00

Anyone else really looking forward to this?

I always remember, of course, the guy who was living in the scottish islands but then became a politician.

OP posts:
wintera · 17/05/2012 15:41

My sister has never watched it before, but she did watch 56up. She rang me while it was on to ask what the deal was with Neil. First thing she asked was whether he used to be on drugs, second thing was if he had suffered some kind of abuse. I am assuming not but I thought it was interesting that she came to that conclusion on her first viewing. Neil never seemed to get over not getting into Oxford. I think in 21up he seems very upset about it.

bigTillyMint · 17/05/2012 17:38

DS watched it (recorded) avidly last night. He said Neil seemed wierd and wanted to know what had happened to him because he was such a happy little boySad

edam · 17/05/2012 21:46

I think the documentary has always been careful not to say what caused Neil's problems - presumably because he doesn't want to tell the world.

QuickLookBusy · 18/05/2012 15:00

Yes you can tell he wants to keep some things private and why shouldn't he?

The only thing he has said, is that he had a nervous complaint from the age of 16.

DuelingFanjo · 18/05/2012 15:07

if I were to speculate, mental illness aside, it would be that something happened RE his schooling and the pressures he felt - possibly. Though how can we ever know. I think I read that he has a brother but can understand why he wants things to be private. On the other hand he seems to want to get his writing out there, to be known for it.

MissM · 18/05/2012 17:05

I felt that something happened to Neil in between him being 7 and 14. If you watch the footage of him aged 14 he's markedly different - anxious, quiet, clearly under pressure (either self-inflicted or otherwise), and obviously not enjoying high school. Something either happened to him, or the mental health issue that he had/has started to manifest itself then. It's just very sad watching the lovely, carefree, skipping little boy at 7 and comparing him to the teenager.

bigTillyMint · 18/05/2012 17:07

Yes, MissM I agree that he looked more anxious in the 14 one.

It is of course his own personal business, but when someone is on National TV over 50 years, and you feel sad / worried, etc for them, it is hard not to speculate.

DuelingFanjo · 18/05/2012 17:23

in 14 up a lot of what he talked about was achievement, keeping up, competing with others. I do wonder if he was just burned out by the age of 16, expected to do great things but pushed into it. Pure speculation of course but sad if true.

MissM · 18/05/2012 17:27

What I love about this documentary is that it's so unobtrusive. The people are real, their lives are real, they aren't wannabes or putting on a act, and the director isn't editing it to manipulate the viewer into judgement. We are all genuinely concerned about Neil, because we have seen the little boy he was. And because Neil could be anyone we know, see on the street, live with.

Rezolution · 18/05/2012 17:39

I am no expert but I know from experience of other people that mental health issues may become more apparent during the teenage years. People can be "normal" at seven but ill at 21. It happens- unfortunately. I hope Neil is not on Mumsnet as he would be quite upset to read this thread. I know we mean well and wish him well but we really should not invade his privacy. Sorry if this sounds judgemental, it is not intended to.

edam · 18/05/2012 22:34

I think Neil's quite used to people talking about him - he discussed his feelings about it on the show. Clearly doesn't enjoy people saying 'I know how you feel' because, as he quite reasonably said, they don't.

Himalaya · 20/05/2012 22:58

Just marking my place - next episode tomorrow.

DuelingFanjo · 21/05/2012 16:12

yes, looking forward to tonight's episode, mostly because I'd like to see how Bruce is.

I understand what you mean about hoping neil isn't reading this. I imagine he always experiences a bit of intrusion for a while every 7 years - as do they all.

BiscuitNibbler · 21/05/2012 17:08

Is it Bruce's turn tonight? I really want to see how he's doing.

I think it is fine to talk about all of them - they decide whether or not to participate and they take the fee knowing that they will get speculation and discussion for a few weeks. They are hardly new to it all after nearly 50 years.

insicknessandinhealth · 21/05/2012 19:31

Did anyone hear Frank Skinner on his radio show say that he had been picked up by Tony the cabbie (jockey)? Apparently he was a lovely bloke and ended up playing him old comedy recordings and didn't even charge him for the ride! How brilliant to be picked up by him. I absolutely love this series. Can't remember what age I started watching at. It makes you think about how short life is and how important family is.

bigTillyMint · 21/05/2012 19:42

Only an hour and a quarter to go......

CuriousMama · 21/05/2012 19:54

I love this too, looking forward to tonight.

edam · 21/05/2012 20:28

Ooh, I'm glad I saw this, reminded me it is on tonight.

CuriousMama · 21/05/2012 21:07

It's on!!

LeeCoakley · 21/05/2012 21:09

Oh this is sad.

sailorsgal · 21/05/2012 21:43

She sounded far more posh when she was younger than she is now. Grin

Notcontent · 21/05/2012 21:52

I have watched this over the years (am in my late 30s) and finding it quite sad this time round. Perhaps because it illustrates how our lives are so full of unexpected events, and also how some of us are lucky and others are not.

Also, I have examined my life in 7 year intervals.

7 - a quiet but mature child, from a slightly impoverished middle class background.
14 - a shy teenager, very focused on school and doing very well, planning a happy and successful future.
21 - typical uni student, reasonably content.
28 - happy (most of the time), in a good professional job, recently married, satisfied with my "successful" life.
35 - very unhappy, lone parent, feeling like my life has been torn apart.
Now - better, but not how I imagined it at 21.

edam · 21/05/2012 22:34

Blimey, poor Jackie - MIL and ex-husband (who is still very much part of her extended family) both dying of cancer, then ex gets hit by a car and dies of his injuries, her sister dying, benefits cut (yeah, as employers are so keen to offer people with rheumatoid arthritis work)...

Queenofcake · 21/05/2012 22:37

Just watched this on catch up. Blimey that poor Jackie what a crap hand she has been dealt in life Sad.

BiscuitNibbler · 21/05/2012 22:38

No Bruce this week, have to wait another week.

Jackie looked the best she ever has IMO. For the first time she looked her own age rather than old before her time. Bit of a shock about her ex husband though.

For a moment there I thought Nick & Susie had got together! Shock Was rather relieved to find they were just being interviewed together!

They all seem so much older this series, so much more accepting of themselves. There seems to be much more of a sense of their own mortality. I expect this will be the last one with all the participants still living.