TV designer Richard Drew — one of the big names at the BBC’s Elstree studios — returned to his old college in Barking after 38 years to have a look around and give a guest lecture to students about his career.

Richard studied performing arts at the former Barking Technical College before going to work at the Elstree studios in Borehamwood in 1988, on TV classics such as Grange Hill and Top of the Pops.

“I’ve managed a modestly-successful career somehow in the years since college,” he told the students. “This college holds a special place for me as it was the most important education I ever had.”

He toured the campus of what is now called Barking and Dagenham College, nowadays with its own film and TV studio.

“It’s almost a cliché but I feel it’s time to give a little back if I can,” he added. “Even after 36 years in TV, I’m still passionate about my craft and its diversity. That passion was ignited at Barking Tech — so I owe it everything.”

His most recent projects included BBC2’s The Kemps, All Gold on December 29, but has also just wrapped up the third season of the comedy Mandy and worked on Afterlife for Netflix, starring Ricky Gervais.