.world at war

A 41-year-old Whitechapel man has memorised the entire narration from the iconic 1970s, award-winning, Second World War TV documentary series, The World At War, and is now only able to communicate using dramatic lines from the groundbreaking series.

Toby Dell, an unmarried painter and decorator, has spent the last 40 years memorising every line of Sir Laurence Olivier’s sombre narration, spending every available moment watching his 140-episode box set at his home in Commercial Road.

Mr Dell, who also sings a few opening bars of the dramatic theme music before speaking, told a Whelk reporter last night:

“DER DER DER DER DER DER DERRRR. DERDDLE ER DER DER… BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

“Stalingrad 1943! Hitler’s forces are locked in a grim struggle with Stalin’s mighty Red Army as the fearsome Russian winter closes in”

Mr Dell’s achievement mirrors that of a 60-year-old woman from neighbouring Stepney, who has memorised every episode of the Australian soap opera, Neighbours, from 1978 to the present day.

“Mrs Tracy Carter, told us last night: “Strewth! Fair go mate! Stone the bloody crows! Who put me frosties in the dunny? Has anybody seen Harold and Toady?”