The man from Mossley Hill - who gave the world classic TV series including GBH, The Monocled Mutineer and, of course, Scully - is sitting in a Liverpool hotel talking about the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking five-part drama Boys From The Blackstuff.
But only because I twisted his arm.
Alan only had a vague idea the anniversary was looming.
"I don't look back," says Alan, 56. "I swear to you it's 20 years since I've seen any of that series."
You should put the videos on, Alan. It's pretty good stuff, you know.
"But because I don't think about it, it is nice to sit here and recall the events."
