WITH its catchphrase of 'Goodnight John-Boy', US TV series The Waltons was a massive hit in the 1970s and 1980s all over the world.

The depiction of a family in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II was as American as apple pie, but did you know the show has a strong Blackburn connection?

For actor and musician Jon Walmsley, AKA Jason Walton, was born in the town in February 1956.

The parents of Jon, who is also famed for providing the voice of Christopher Robin for Disney's Winnie the Pooh cartoons, were from Lancashire, although they swapped life her for California when Jon was just two years old.

He says Britain still holds an affinity for him and he fell in love with Cornwall on a visit before moving there, he also still has relations that live in the UK.

The Waltons first aired in September 1972 and was such a success CBS decided to run it for another nine seasons.

Jon starred in 213 episodes in his decade working on the TV show as Jason, the musically gifted, second-oldest brother.

To go with his acting accomplishments, he has also worked with music stars such as Richard Marx, the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, Gregg Allman, Merle Haggard, Denny Laine, Spencer Davis, Peter and Gordon, Jackie Lomax, Roger Daltrey, the Beach Boys' Al Jardine and David Marks, and Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean.

Never forgetting his British roots, Jon now resides in Cornwall.