On JG Ballard and Hollyoaks

c/o Claire Walsh

Here’s a joyous little incident.

On 25 Feb 2013, I received this email from Claire Walsh, Ballard’s partner (although he called her his girlfriend) —

Dear Toby

You’ve just been given a great plug on Hollyoaks, of all unlikely places!

How are you doing?

All best

Claire

As it turned out, in the email exchange that followed, Claire was a long-time Hollyoaks fan, and had often — particularly during his last illness — sat down to watch it with Jim.

This is the main thing I learned about Ballard, and wanted to pass on. It’s such a lovely image.

After hearing about the plug, I set my video to record the show’s repeat. And watched along live.

In the scene Claire was excitedly letting emailing about, one character is given a signed copy of my novel Corpsing for their birthday.

Apologies for the quality —

In the dialogue there, somewhere, is ‘Sorry it’s not much,’ ‘How d’you know I like Toby Litt?’ and ‘This is a great book.’

Of course, being a TV drama, as soon as something nice happens, something horrible happens straight afterwards.

I still have no idea who any of the characters are. They’re mostly young and very good-looking and have great taste.

If any other Hollyoaks fans can explain what’s going on, please do.

I thanked Claire for letting me know. She replied —

So glad you’ve recorded it. I don’t suppose you’ve ever watched Hollyoaks so you can have no idea how extraordinary the reference is. I think it’s probably the first time a book has appeared, ever. And one of the characters says something on the lines of — Toby Litt is a good writer. You certainly have a fan there!

I still have no idea who was responsible for my mention.

Thank you to them, whoever they are.

Hollyoaks quite possibly marked the high point of my fame —along with being a wrong answer on The Chase.

There is a rumour, unsubstantiated, that I’ve also been a Pointless answer, too.