More celluloid glory from the legal profession: Isle of Man-based solicitor-advocate Paul Beckett - previously profiled by Obiter for his boxing exploits - writes in to say that opportunities to work as an extra in the Isle of Man are plentiful, thanks to its thriving film industry. For some reason, he says he gets typecast as the neighbourhood tattooed thug.

His next screen performance is as a shirtless barman in the forthcoming movie 'The Walker', starring Woody Harrelson, Lauren Bacall and Lily Tomlin. Mr Beckett is also scheduled to appear on ITV this autumn as a menacing and unsmiling neighbour who checks out Kevin Whately (best known as Lewis in 'Inspector Morse') as he is forced to move into a low-life dive in 'Who gets the dog?' The latter is a drama about two lawyers who, in assisting their divorce clients, themselves have an affair.


Mr Beckett was offered a role as a mutant in 'The Mutant Chronicles' but, he says, 'one has to draw the line somewhere'.


A more alluring role - if less politically correct - was played by solicitor Sue Stapely, the well-known strategic communications consultant. Back in the 1960s, she performed the part of a 'gorgeous librarian' in an episode of 'The Likely Lads' on the BBC. Ms Stapely says she had to climb to the top of a set of library steps and reach for a book while Terry and Bob (played by James Bolam and Rodney Bewes, respectively) peered 'somewhat lasciviously' up her skirt.


Unfortunately, because of a BBC wiping policy in the 1970s, the footage seems to have disappeared. Ms Stapely nevertheless says she lives in fear that one day it may resurface on a cable channel.