The ’80s – a decade filled with the best TV. Back when viewers in their millions tuned into the likes of Wogan, 3-2-1, Live from her Majesty’s and Taggart, TV stars were icons and we couldn’t get enough of them. But was it all as peachy we remember? We’ve got top talent from back in the day including the Green Goddess Diana Moran, dancer Wayne Sleep and Hollywood royalty Stephanie Beacham who relive the moments they’d rather forget in this 2-hour special narrated by Queen of the ’80s, Anita Dobson.
Highlights include Debbie McGee who recalls the time her late husband Paul Daniels went through a bad spell after a Halloween stunt went too far. As the show faded to black amid chaos in the studio, millions of viewers were left shocked, wondering if their favourite TV magician’s illusion had gone fatally wrong. We’ve got the time man’s best friend turned out to be Des’s worst enemy when Elaine Paige’s pooch nipped at the popular chat show host’s trademark nose. And veteran broadcaster Nick Owen recalls the breakfast hash served up by TV-Am which includes some less-than-perfect moments from a young Chris Tarrant and Timmy Mallett.
Other highlights include the toilet sketch that went down the pan for comedy geniuses, Kenny Everett and Billy Connolly. BBC Breakfast News’s Debbie Rix joins us to recall the time she was thrown in at the deep end as a tragedy unfolded live on air and she had to deal with it. Plus, we have the never-before-seen pilot episode of Channel 4’s Countdown, hosted by a fresh-faced Richard Whiteley, which was beset by bad luck from the start. It’s a miracle the show ever made it on air, let alone lasted 40 years!
Other interviewees include Su Pollard, Vicki Michelle and Blue Peter’s Peter Duncan.
Rating 420,000 and a 5.7% share. (Highest share on Channel 5 that day). Up 52.4% on slot average and the number one top improving show on any channel by rating on that day. After 11pm, beating BBC2, Channel 4 and ITV.