Lewis Gilbert film versions of Willy Russell's plays "Educating Rita" (1983) and "Shirley Valentine" (1989). Gilbert also directed the film "Stepping Out" (1991). Gilbert was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1997 Birthday Honours for services to the film industry. In 2001, Gilbert was made a Fellow of the British Film Institute, the highest accolade in the British film industry. In June 2010 he appeared on the BBC Radio 4 programme "Desert Island Discs". In it he said that his 1970 film "The Adventurers" was a disaster, and that he should never have made it. On
Educating the East End 2011. Ten sixty-minute episodes were commissioned; the first eight were shown from September to October 2014 with the other two episodes acting as "specials". The original title for the series was "Educating Walthamstow" but shortly before transmission the title was changed to "Educating the East End". Before filming began Twofour advised Smith to get into contact with the headteachers of "Educating Essex" and "Educating Yorkshire". They both reportly gave advice on handling the attention and stayed in contact throughout the filming process. After the first episode was broadcast, "The Guardian" gave a favourable review, calling the show "funny, moving and