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0:00:15 > 0:00:16- # In the garden
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- # In the garden
0:00:19 > 0:00:21- # That's where I meet - my special friends
0:00:22 > 0:00:23- # Where fun begins and never ends
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- # Helping one another, - doing things for charity
0:00:28 > 0:00:29- # Chris Needs's friendly garden... #
0:00:29 > 0:00:33- Now then, now then, pop pickers, - not 'alf.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- Good evening and welcome.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37- Chris Needs it is, hello!
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- It's the hunk of the south. Hey-ho!
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- Five nights a week, Chris Needs - connects with his loyal audience...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- ..the people in the friendly garden.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- There are thousands of them, - in Wales and beyond...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59- ..from America to Australia.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- If they're ill, they phone me.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- If someone close to them has died, - they phone me.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12- I remember someone phoning up - and saying, "My wife died today."
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- I thought, "Hang on, - I'm just a record-putter-onner."
0:01:18 > 0:01:20- They trust me.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- And they like me, thank goodness!
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- I like them too.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- People phone in their hundreds - every night.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- Twice a week, Gabriel, - Chris's partner, answers the phones.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- Is it your birthday tomorrow?
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- Oh, 37 is a funny age for a woman. - I know that, love!
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- I wish you a fantastic day tomorrow.
0:01:46 > 0:01:47- No.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- No, I can't sing until I'm better.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- Right now, - Chris is the one who needs help.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04- I'm on my way up to Harley Street - in London to see a specialist.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- I hope he can help me. I hope so.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09- It's been terrible.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- I've lost six and a half stone - in eight weeks.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- So, it's been quite a shock - to be honest.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23- I felt pain in my neck initially.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- I thought, "That's all I need - in a job where I have to talk!"
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- It deteriorated.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36- Then my mouth was full of ulcers - and I couldn't speak or eat.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- I knew something was wrong.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- I'm hoping this boy - is like a magician.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- They help me a lot - the garden.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- It's like payback time for me.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- Usually, I try and help them - but now, they're helping me.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59- They send me cards, emails... - everything.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- Letters.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- Life mail from New Zealand.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- 35 for a jar of honey, every week.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- Sorry, it hurts when I speak.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- It is difficult to speak.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- We're down in Porthcawl, - in Chris Needs's caravan.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- The love boat. I don't think so!
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- Gabe and I come down here to hide.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- We've just reopened it - after the winter.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- Throw out the old tomato ketchup - and bring the new one in.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40- Switch the water back on.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- There's a lot to do.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- There's no dishwasher.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- I have to wash the dishes - like my mother used to do.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- I like coming down here a lot. - It's my hiding place.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- People don't bother me - - I can be on my own.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- I have two microwave ovens here. - Ping-ping meals.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- Nice. Under the spotlight again.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- Do you like it? It suits me.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- Stuff for Buster here. - The television is over here.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- I don't drink at all. No way, Jose. - I never drink.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- But... voila!
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- Who wants a Bloody Mary?
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- I'm going to make the beds. - Gabe's mother's coming down to stay.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- Clean bedlinen.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- I end up doing it usually.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- I do everything.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Cooking, everything. - Ping-ping meals every time.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- I use the slow cooker - to cook stews.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- Chris will always find something - to do with gadgets.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- He'd much rather have a new gadget - to play with or sort out.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- If he can't get it working, - then he'll come to me.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- And here I am, on the throne.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- Who said queen?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- We eat a lot of takeaways here.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- I like curries in front - of the television. Dancing On Ice.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31- Toast!
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- This toaster's knackered.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45- It's like waiting for a bus here, - waiting for the toaster.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- Come on.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- Ah.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- It's hard to eat.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Porridge again.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- According to Chris, this is - the "land of the moving curtains".
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Cwmavon, where he was raised.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- Mam, Dad, the brothers and me.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- I'm the eldest brother.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- I was the only one, - my mother's favourite.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- I was the one who had piano lessons, - I would compete in eisteddfodau.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- I was coached - in Mathematics and Drama.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11- I was the one.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- I remember in school.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- "And now, Christopher Needs - is going to play the piano.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- "And now Christopher Needs - is going to do something else."
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- I'd like to go back to that time.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29- Today, you can't go there, you - can't do this, you can't say that.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Back in the day, when I was young, - I remember going to the shop.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- "Ten fags for Mami, please."
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- The school in Cwmavon, I loved it. - I loved Mrs Bailey, my teacher.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- She helped me with music big time.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50- I had huge problems, ginormous - problems down in the comprehensive.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- I hated the place.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- It all changed.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Everyone took the mick.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- "Hello, gay boy."
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- I remember the prefects saying, - "We don't sell Vaseline."
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- That's all I had - throughout my school days.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- I hated that school in Port Talbot.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- The scars run deep - and Chris was abused at a young age.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- That man did terrible things to me.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- It started - when I was five years old.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- I remember him saying, - "We're going up to pick wimberries."
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- We didn't pick any wimberries.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- He'd say, "Behave yourself - and you'll have ice cream."
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- I remember him saying, - "Don't you tell your parents.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- "You'll go to Borstal - for being a queer."
0:08:53 > 0:08:55- I was so scared.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- When I was 13, it stopped.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- I said, - "This can't go on any longer.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- "I'm going to tell the police."
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- And then he died - so I couldn't say anything really.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- I moved away and lived - on the continent for 20 years...
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- ..because I couldn't stand it here.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- I worked in piano bars, - playing the piano and singing.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- I remember an old millionairess - from America saying...
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- .."Play Misty for me, baby."
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- She'd give me hundred dollar bills. - I thought, "Ooh, I like it here."
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- I was working in Puerto Banus, - Estepona and Gibraltar.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- Fantastic.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- I started playing the piano - at the age of five...
0:09:55 > 0:09:56- ..with Mrs May Williams.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- I played the organ in chapel.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- I then moved down to the town - to be taught by Mrs Ida Jenkins.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- I studied for an A Level - and a Doctorate.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- Then I went straight - to Bonnie Tyler.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16- I had the opportunity to go up to - work in London, in Covent Garden...
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- ..but pop music was calling me.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- This is where I performed - for the first time.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- In front of a congregation.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- No mistakes.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Miss May Williams - was in the audience, tuning in.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- I had to be note perfect.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Of course, - Mam was sitting there too.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- She was so proud.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50- # Rachie #
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- There's an echo.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- # Ombersley #
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- Yes, I think so. Big time.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- I like it here, - it suits me being here.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- I want to be a preacher.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- I remember Mam - sitting right at the back.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Mam asked me - to play something uplifting...
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- ..when the collection trays - came around.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- # Is This the Way to Amarillo? #
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- I was sitting - at the organ playing Amarillo!
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Mam was a comedian.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- She wanted to make people laugh.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- She wanted to be part of things.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11- We were inseparable - bread and jam, - like Bonnie and Clyde.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- We weren't like a mother and son.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- We were like friends, really.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- She was perfect for me, really.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- It's strange, being here.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- It is strange.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- I feel young in here.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- I don't know if I like it - to be honest. It's spooky!
0:12:38 > 0:12:39- Very spooky.
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0:12:49 > 0:12:49- Subtitles
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- When Dad finished work, - he had a superannuation...
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- ..so Mam bought this shop with it.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06- Then, Dad bought - the fish-and-chip shop opposite.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- We were the Ewings of Cwmavon.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- Today, Chris spends - most of his time back in Cwmavon.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19- The grocer's shop has reopened, - next door to Chris's charity shop.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Gabe runs the shop nowadays.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- I gave the shop to Gabe...
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- ..my partner.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- I went out to buy lettuce - and I found him!
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- I remember being in Jersey.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- I had a drink, I was only 18.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- I fell asleep on the bed - just like that.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- I remember waking up and a girl - was straddling my stomach...
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- ..kissing me.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- I said, - "Get off, I'll tell my mother."
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- I phoned my mother and said, - "Mam, a girl's kissing me."
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- "Tell her to sling her hook. - Find a nice man with a nice job."
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- He's out the back now, - the man with the job.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- We've been together for 20 years. - He means everything to me.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- He's a lot nicer than me.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14- People love Gabe.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- It's sort of hit and miss with me.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- I can hide on the radio...
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- ..but not here, - you're on stage here.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- You have to be polite, - "Hello, how are you?"
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- I've always known.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- I remember Ray Gravell asking me.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- "Chris Needs..." He was so animated - and excited when he spoke.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- "Oh, Chris Needs!"
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- He asked me one day, "Chris Needs, - since when have you been a poofter!
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- "From the start - or did you pick it up on the way?"
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- "Ray," I said, - "It's not a language."
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- "Since when have you been - a poofter!"
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- Very camp. Like Dolores Delargo.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- I remember buying a rubber suit.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Mam would say, - "Oh, Chris looks elegant in rubber."
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- You didn't have to iron it.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- People would ask, "How many - children have you got, Margaret?"
0:15:13 > 0:15:14- "Three - one of each."
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- She'd always say that. - It didn't bother Mam at all.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- I was right, - everyone else was wrong.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- I always wanted to be on stage.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- Every lunchtime, - she'd shut up shop at 1.00pm.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- For the next hour, a special variety - concert was held in the front room.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- Chris's next concert - is in Swansea's Grand Theatre...
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- ..to raise money - for diabetes charities.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- I was meant to be - like Bruce Forsyth.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- "Nice game, now then, now then."
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Chris Needs & Friends - is the name of the show.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- I play the piano.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- I tell jokes and perform sketches.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- The South Wales Gay Men's Chorus - are on stage too.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- I want to sing, if my voice is OK...
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- ..How Do You Solve a Problem - Like I'm Queer?
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- People love nonsense!
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Today, Chris has more - serious matters on his mind.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- He's had dozens of ulcers - in his throat.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- He's worried about his future - and is on his way to Harley Street.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- My friend, Carole Rees-Jones, - is a singer.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- She's a very special friend.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- He's like the brother I never had.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- It's great to talk to him - - we like the same things.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- We do like the same things. Men!
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Behind the humour, - there is concern...
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- ..but the doctor's appointment - isn't for another two hours.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- Time for Chris and Carole - to have some retail therapy.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- My favourite sport is shopping. - Thank you.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- Chris has been a diabetic for years.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- He's well known for raising money - for diabetes research.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- He can call on his - showbiz friends to help out.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- Large? Are you a large?
0:17:18 > 0:17:19- Oh, shit.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- Soon, he'll perform - in another concert.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28- In the meantime, - the results from the specialist.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- I'm glad to be out. Heavens above.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- Well... Yes, very well, thanks.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- It's alright. I'm coming back - in a fortnight, again.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49- I have a problem with - my vocal chords after the ulcers.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- I also have thrush.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- There's a scar.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59- But he said, - "Shut up, stop talking!"
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- Sorry, I'm off now.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- That'll take some doing!
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- I'm going back to Paddington.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- A week before the show...
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- ..Chris collects his costumes - for the stage from his camper van.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- Motor-homo! - It's like a mobile dressing room.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- A Tardis!
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- It's all in here. - A shower, bunks, a cooker.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- A television, computer, everything.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- Great. It's a big boy's toy. - I also have a boat.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44- That's nice.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- My stage clothes are in here.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Look! - I don't know if they fit me now.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- It's 46"...
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- ..44" chest instead of a 54" chest.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- I've lost so much weight. - Most of my clothes don't fit me.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- These are off to the cleaners - and away to go.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- My friends are helping me out - big time this time.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- People can see Rebecca Evans, - Mark Llewellyn Evans...
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- ..Wynne Evans, Simon Bowman...
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- ..Bruce Anderson, me, - everyone for a tenner.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- It only costs 10.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- It's like the workingman's opera.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- Well, I hope the artistes - are on their way.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- There's been an accident on the M4.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- Someone's going to be an hour late.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- The boys are coming - - the South Wales Gay Men's Chorus.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- Here they are. Hello, boys! Hey-ho.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50- Hello!
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- I am excited. I am excited.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- I'm excited for the charity.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- I'm excited just to meet the people.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- It's a party - with all the artistes backstage.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- It's like a fantastic party.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- I make certain that everybody sings - the right songs at the right time.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17- It's not stage managing...
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- ..but I make certain they get - the right tracks in the right order.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- In an ideal world, if I could...
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- ..I'd like Gethsemane, - Bring Him Home and the duet.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- Those are your big three shows.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32- It's up to you.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- It's up to you.- - If you don't mind.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44- Are you playing it, Gabe?
0:20:44 > 0:20:45- Are you playing it, Gabe?- - It's playing.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- It's a duet. - Mandy Starr and Simon Bowman.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- # Sing once again with me
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- # Our strange duet
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- # My power over you #
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- Oh, jeez Louise!
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- Oh, from the West End.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- From the West End. Simon Bowman.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15- Hello, darling.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- Hello, darling.- - Hello, love.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- We've ironed out the problems.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- Hopefully, - it'll go more smoothly tonight.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- They'll never know out front, - they never do.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- Uh, excuse me. - How do we get the piano to work?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- Plug it in!
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Half an hour left. We have - half an hour left to rehearse.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55- Piano or music?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- Well, piano.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- I spoke to...
0:22:01 > 0:22:02- I spoke to...- - Rebecca.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- No problems then.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- I'll leave you to it then.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- They're talking about Rachmaninov. - I'm off!
0:22:12 > 0:22:13- Rachmaninov - I'm off!
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- I'm getting better.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- Slowly. A centimetre a week!
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- As Gabe said, - "I thought you were going to die."
0:22:25 > 0:22:30- I remember Gabe staying up all - night, sitting next to the bed...
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- ..looking after me.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- I am getting better.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- I just hope everything goes OK.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- Five minutes to go.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- I need to pee.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Do I look slim?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Hello, Swansea! Hello.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- Good evening!
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46- .