MANY of you may have been to see the new film version of Far From the Madding Crowd, starring Matthias Schoenaerts and Carey Mulligan, right.

At Looking Back we were delighted to hear from Ian Payne of Walsall, who wanted to tell us about the caring nature of actor Alan Bates, who was in the much-admired 1967 version playing the Wessex farmer Gabriel Oak.

Ian said: "I have just been to see the 2015 film version of Far From the Madding Crowd, and even though I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the 1967 film version more, with the late great Derbyshire born actor Alan Bates playing Gabriel Oak.

"I have never forgotten Alan sending me this signed photo (left) in the 1990s after I wrote and requested it, he also wrote me a letter after I stated I had suffered long-term depression at the time, he was a caring and generous man and I am sure he will always be missed by colleagues and fans alike."

It would appear as though Alan was just like the gentle-natured, caring character Farmer Oak.

He said: "To me John Schlesinger’s 1967 version just has that extra magic, which that period of film always has, then again I am willing to be called an old fogey now I’m in my 50s, but I will chance that one."