Drink 3/5 Decor 4/5 Price 4/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Staff 5/5

TV EXTRAS used to be an unfamiliar breed of person to me. I couldn't understand why they choose to get up at ungodly hours to stand around at the back of scenes while the main actors say their lines and get the glory.

But now I have become friends with an extra so am gradually figuring out what it is all about.

One thing I know is her recent excursion to east London to film football drama Dream Team could have easily have taken place in the Royal Standard.

The outside looked very old while the inside had the feel of a traditional pub with dark wooden furniture, whitish walls and an ugly carpet.

I can just imagine it playing host to a TV drama about a Championship football team.

Extras would pour into the moderately sized bar, congratulate the players then choose from the wide selection of drinks.

I had a pint of Toby Bitter then moved on to London Pride, both served with a smile by pretty barmaids.

It was with the food selection that the pub came into its own.

As is usually the case I was too late to eat and so opted for crisps - four packets, in fact.

I was busy stuffing the last bag of crisps into my mouth when one of the barmaids said the landlady had offered to make me a cheese and pickle sandwich.

It was so nice and unusual to find such thoughtful kindness.

And probably nice for you lot, who have to read my endless moanings about lack of dinner, week after week.

Posters announced Wednesday night was curry night so I might just return one day for poppadums and a jalfrezi.