Sadly once again I have to announce the death of another old star. This time it is Hardy Kruger, who as a handsome young German actor scored a big hit in a 1950s film called The One That Got Away, a wartime tale about a German pilot who escapes from an English POW camp.

He went on to star in many other movies and lived to the good age of 93 but sadly I never got to meet him. Alas, that is true of many actors - although with all my name dropping it might appear I have met everyone. Although I have literally been meeting stars since childhood, starting in 1960, I naturally missed many of the Hollywood greats and these days I would not get a look-in if a big name came to town.

I see the Oscar ceremony has lost so many viewers that it is embarrassing, but I am one of those lost viewers. Personally I don't care what some star I have never heard of is wearing on the red carpet or to listen to boring acceptance speeches. I have met many Oscar winners in the past and have actually held three of the golden statues. It needs a root and branch review, although I am not sure these days how many more cinema ticket sales are gained from an Oscar win. It has always been the case that the actor and actresses' awards do give the recipients a big financial clout, albeit many end up forgotten or reduced to appearing in cheap films with guest star billing.

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Hollywood, as the generic name for the film business, is very unforgiving once you start to slip. I was once walking down Hollywood Boulevard with a Universal Studios executive when he suddenly said we needed to cross the road. He later told me he had seen a former executive colleague, who had been sacked, walking towards us. You must never be seen in the company of losers - that is a true story.

Personally I have different standards, but that is showbiz. I hear that ITV have dropped Simon Cowell's latest silly talent show. He is also selling off his company as he wants to spend more time with his family. Once he was the jewel in the crown of ITV, but may I suggest the format has grown stale. If I may name drop yet again, I interviewed David Niven at Elstree Studios 44 years ago. I was young then so I asked him for a lifetime tip when I got old. He replied: "Always know when it is your time to leave the stage," which still stands today.

I am beginning to think I am getting old. 'No, Paul!' I hear you shout. Well, I still watch the BBC, have no idea of what is number one in the hit parade, find many films full of effects a touch too long and boring and grow tired of speaking to youngsters who have never heard of a kipper tie or winklepicker shoes let alone brothel creepers. The fact that I have been writing this column since 1977 also dates me but alas the press don't salute veterans.

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Regarding the BBC, which is losing the under 30s in droves and alienating us old timers with over-the-top political correctness, apparently they pay some person £267,000 a year albeit only required to work three days a week to be their diversity champion. That is a lot of licence fees. I am available for just, say, 10% of that fee, with luncheon vouchers and a free bar tab. I will put them back on course as I am down with the dudes but in touch with those of us who have grey hairs and I won't mention the war. If this gets printed I salute my editor for upholding freedom of speech.

  • Paul Welsh MBE is a Borehamwood writer and historian of Elstree Studios