Mr Blackburn first stepped on to the stage of the King's Theatre 50 years ago as a performer with the Scout-run production. The 12-year-old, who had been turned down the year before because he was too young, soon found himself hooked on the variety and bustling atmosphere of the annual event. Mr Blackburn, now 62 and living in Cramond, is gearing up for next week's show, which stars the city's Scouts and Guides, in his role as honorary life president, and today fondly looked back in his days as a debut star. "I went from having no experience of theatre to singing, dancing and doing solos with a full orchestra," he said. "I wouldn't say I remember every show but I remember that first one. I was frightened, but it wasn't a packed audience back then, not like now. That said, when the curtain came up it did strike a bit of fear into you, but it was the excitement that just gripped then and it has never left." After 13 years with the show, during which Mr Blackburn learned how to operate stage lighting, he became stage director in 1973. "We always worked hard and put everything into the show. From those early years as an amateur production we went on to become a highly professional show." Before the show earned the reputation and audiences it commands now, its posters were hand-painted and resources were scarce. Much of the scenery and props were improvised, however, the show's wardrobe department was well stocked, with costumes from as far away as Iceland and Chicago. For Mr Blackburn among the many highlights is the time he staged the Edinburgh Gang Show at the London Palladium. "We took everything, the whole cast, the stage props, the backdrops, on the bus to London, and there we were, standing on one of the most famous stages in the world. "The audience loved us and it was a night to remember." In 1987 he became director, a post he held until five years ago, when he took a back seat. "The effort put in to staging the Gang Show is incredible. It never stops. The moment the curtain goes down you're already trying to think about the next show," he says. As honorary life president Mr Blackburn is still very much involved in the show, but has a dedicated team of directors who now run the organising of the event. Looking back over the years, he proudly says: "I feel tearful at times, but I've had fantastic experiences and I'll never not be part of it all. "It's been my life really. The enthusiasm and the effort the kids show makes it all worthwhile." The Gang Show runs from November 23 to 27 at the King's Theatre.