Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 13h

Philip Elsmore gave the first announcement on Thames Television on 30 July 1968. He also gave the final announcement on 31 December 1992.

It was announced in the last hour that he had passed in August 2025 at the age of 87.

Philip Elsmore
1937-2025

tvark.org/philip-elsmore

Philip Elsmore was born on 16 November 1937 and passed away on 3 August 2025 at the age of 87.

He is an actor and former broadcaster.

Philip is best known for his role as senior continuity announcer for Thames Television. He made the station's first continuity announcement on 30 July 1968, and its final announcement on 31 December 1992. He has also done continuity announcing for Border, Tyne Tees, Southern, ABC Weekend and Westcountry.

Elsmore has also acted in Doctors, Casualty, EastEnders, The Governor, Lovejoy, The Bill, Lytton's Diary, Astronauts, Rainbow, Whodunnit?, Late Night Drama, Armchair Theatre, Love Thy Neighbour, Harriet's Back in Town, Pardon My Genie, Two in Clover, The Kenny Everett Video Cassette and Eric & Ernie's last ever Christmas Show for Thames where he tries to announce while Morecambe and Wise are ridiculing the shows he's announcing.

4 15 39

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 20h

In Memoriam

Gary Bond
7 February 1940 - 12 October 1995
Age 55
Actor
Performed in Bergerac, Lift Off with Ayesha, Z Cars and Hart to Hart

Ambrosine Phillpotts
13 September 1912 – 12 October 1980
Age 68
Actress
Performed in Hadleigh, Dixon of Dock Green, Follyfoot and Thriller

Gary Bond was born on 7 February 1940 and passed away on 12 October 1995 at the age of 55.

He was an actor.

Bond appeared on stage and was the original Joseph in the Lloyd Webber & Rice musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

On television, he appeared in Lift Off with Ayesha, The International Pop Proms, Moonstrike, Bergerac, After the War, Hannay, Lytton's Diary, Love and Marriage, Great Performances, Hart to Hart, Tales of the Unexpected, Hammer House of Horror, Kids, Crown Court, The Main Chance, Affairs of the Heart, A Place in the Sun, The Avengers, Frontier, Escape, Armchair Theatre, Great Expectations, Blackmail, Riviera Police, Love Story, No Hiding Place, Z Cars, Redcap, The Indian Tales of Rudyard Kipling, Story Parade and Camera Three.

Ambrosine Phillpotts was born on 13 September 1912 and passed away on 12 October 1980 at the age of 68.

She was an actress.

Ambrosine's television appearances have included Call My Bluff, Wilde Alliance, Hadleigh, Thriller, Men of Affairs, Doctor in Charge, Follyfoot, It's Murder But Is It Art, The Last of the Baskets, I That's Your Funeral, Charge!, The Idiot, HMS Paradise, Love Story, Vacation Playhouse, Dixon of Dock Green, Benny Hill, Emergency-Ward 10, Somerset Maugham Hour, Tales of Mystery, Brothers in Law, Hotel Imperial, Happy and Glorious, Armchair Theatre, One Step Beyond, Tales from Dickens and The Small House at Allington.

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 21h

12 October 2000

CBBC on One debuts cartoon series The Lampies.

ITV debuts drama Fat Friends. Ruth Jones and James Corden star.

12 October 2015

Channel 5 debuts the cartoon series Wissper.

12 and 13 October 2020

ITV show 2 part documentary John Bishop's Great Whale Rescue.

The Lampies is an animated children's television series broadcast on CBBC on BBC One from 12 October 2000. 2 series totalling 46 episodes were made. There would have been more but financial issues caused the creative and business drive to malfunction.

A group of friendly sprite-like power engineers maintain and defend the lamp post "HO32" which is the critical area of the entire Lighting Network. The Roons, who live with their only leader, Arch Roon, in the dark sewers below, are the green yellow-eyed creatures who always plan to threaten the whole Lighting Network due to their strong dislike of light. Sewer rats can still also prove to be a pest to the Lampies themselves.

The voice cast were Jimmy Hibbert, Eve Karpf, Rob Rackstraw and Susan Sheridan.

A Red Balloon production for BBC.

Fat Friends is a drama that aired on ITV from 12 October 2000 to 24 March 2005, consisting of 25 episodes over four series.

Set in Leeds, the series explores the lives of several slimming club members, with a focus on the various ways their weight has impacted upon them.

The cast includes Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye, Ruth Jones, Jonathan Ryland, James Corden, Janet Dibley, Barrie Rutter, Richard Ridings, Kathryn Hunt, Josie Lawrence, Jason Merrells, Rita May, Meera Syal, Eleanor Bron, Allan Corduner, Lisa Riley, Lynda Baron, Paul Warriner, Julian Kerridge, David Harewood and Janine Mellor.

A Rollem and Tiger Aspect co-production for Yorkshire Television.

Wissper is a CGI preschool animated children's television series broadcast in the UK on Channel 5 in their Milkshake! block from 12 October 2015.

Wissper is a 7 year old girl, born with the magical ability to whisper to animals. She has a loving connection to all creatures. By using the magic word "Sssshhh!...", she can transport herself anywhere if there is an animal in trouble. Wissper is sweet natured, except when animals are behaving badly.

Voice cast includes Joanna Ruiz, Peyton Jowers, Keith Wickham, India Chesher-Good, Jimmy Hibbert, Alison Dowling, Flynn Chesher-Good, Rob Rackstraw and Nigel Pilkington.

A co-production of Made 4 Entertainment, Absolutely Cuckoo, Telegael, Discreet Art, Bastei Media and Wissper Limited.

John Bishop's Great Whale Rescue was a 2 part documentary series shown on ITV on 12 & 13 October 2020.

Bishop follows every step of the complex and moving journey of Little Grey and Little White, two Beluga whales released from captivity and into an ocean sanctuary.

A Plimsoll Production with Lola Entertainment for ITV.

2 2

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 22h

12 October 1965

BBC 1 debuted the French/German series The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.

12 October 1975

Adult literacy series On the Move debuts on BBC 1.

12 October 1995

Channel 4 debuts the drama Jake's Progress

12 October 2010

BBC Three debuts the drama Lip Service

The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe is a French-German children's television drama series made by FLF Television Paris and based on Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe. The show was first broadcast in the UK on BBC 1 from 12 October 1965.

It was aired in the UK in 1965 as a 13 part serial that was dubbed into English. The voice for the English version was provided by Lee Payant.

Among the cast were Robert Hoffman, Fabian Cevallos, Jacques Berthier, Phillipe Ogouz, Jacques Gougin, Francis Chares, Phillipe Bruneau, Guy Mairesse, Alain Nobis, Robert Dalban, Jacques Dynam, Peter Miles, Jean Paul Bernard, Jaqueline Chotard, Luc Andrieux, Roland Rodier, Robert Luchaire and Gilbert Robin.

On the Move is a television series broadcast on BBC 1 from 12 October 1975 and 17 October 1976. 52 ten minute episodes were made.

On the surface, the series appears to be a lightweight soap opera. In fact, it was an educational programme aimed at adults with literacy problems, and linked to a national campaign at the time.

The running narrative features the characters of Alf (Bob Hoskins), a removal man who has problems reading and writing, and his colleague and friend Bert (Donald Gee). This narrative is interspersed with sketches and exercises featuring actors including Nigel Stock, Patricia Hayes, Martin Shaw, Polly James, Gay Hamilton, Mel Martin, Rosemary Leach, and Norman Rossington.

Up to 17 million people watched the series, and it was credited with removing some of the stigma attached to illiteracy.

Jake's Progress is an 8 part drama shown on Channel 4 from 12 October to 30 November 1995.

Turbulence and shifting allegiances affect three generations of a family. Jamie was almost a rock star. Now, he looks after his son whilst his wife works all hours. A couple attempts to deal with big changes in their lives and their son Jake's increasingly troublesome behavior.

The cast includes Robert Lindsay, Julie Walters, Barclay Wright, Dorothy Tutin, Amanda Mealing, David Robinson, Graham Robinson, David Ross, Lindsay Duncan, Julie Livesay, David Ryall, Louie Batley, Jennifer Ball, Darragh Whelan, Samantha Beckinsale, Eleanor Summerfield and Jimmy Mulville.

A Diplomat films production for Channel 4.

Lip Service is a drama that was shown on BBC Three from 12 October 2010 to 25 May 2012. 2 series totalling 12 episodes were made.

The drama portrays the lives of a group of lesbian and bisexual women living in Glasgow.

The cast includes Laura Fraser, Ruta Gedmintas, Fiona Button, Emun Elliott, James Anthony Pearson, Roxanne McKee, Heather Peace, Natasha O'Keeffe, Cush Jumbo, Anna Skellern, Adam Sinclair and Alana Hood.

A Kudos production for BBC Scotland.

1

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 1d

Happy 65th Birthday to actress Nicola Bryant.

Peri Brown in Doctor Who.

Nicola Bryant was born on 11 October 1960.

She is an actress.

Her most famous role is as Peri Brown in Doctor Who.

11

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 1d

In Memoriam

Claire Rayner
22 January 1931 - 11 October 2010
Age 79
Journalist, panelist, agony aunt, writer and TV chef
President of the British Humanist Association
Appeared on TV shows such as Timeshift, Newsnight, Kelly, Question Time, Antiques Roadshow, Bazaar and Brass Eye

Claire Rayner was born on 22 January 1931 and passed away on 11 October 2010 at the age of 79.

She was a Journalist, panelist, agony aunt, writer, TV chef and President of the British Humanist Association.

Claire has appeared on many television shows.

These include Cash in the Celebrity Attic, Breakfast, Timeshift, Richard & Judy, Breakfast with Frost, Kelly, Question Time, Newsnight, Antiques Roadshow, One Foot in the Grave, Brass Eye, Network First, Have I Got News for You, World in Action, An Audience with Bob Monkhouse, Bazaar, Surprise! Surprise!, Good Morning... with Anne and Nick, Good Morning Britain, That's Showbusiness, Through the Keyhole, Celebrity Fifteen to One, You Bet!, Daytime Live, An Audience with Victoria Wood, Blankety Blank, Gallery, Wogan, Play Your Cards Right, Victoria Wood As Seen on TV, Tell the Truth, Television Scrabble, Pebble Mill at One, Aspel & Company, Babble, The Pyramid Game, Did You See..?, Breakfast Time, Give Us a Clue, Scene and Parkinson.

10

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 1d

Very sad to hear of the passing of Diane Keaton at the age of 79.

An American Golden Globe and Oscar winning actress.

Has made appearances on TV in Love American Style, The FBI, Mannix, The Godfather Saga, Tilda, The Young Pope and Green Eggs and Ham.

Diane Keaton
1946-2025

Diane Keaton was born on 5 January 1946 and passed away on 11 October 2025 at the age of 79.

She was an American Golden Globe and Oscar winning actress.

Though most known for her movies, Diane has also made some appearances on television.

Has made appearances on TV in Love American Style, Rod Serling's Night Gallery, The FBI, Mannix, The Godfather Saga, Tilda, The Young Pope and Green Eggs and Ham.

3 7

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 1d

11 October 1960

BBC tv debuts Here's Harry.

tvark.org/heres-harry

11 October 1990

BBC 1 debuts the sitcom Your Cheatin' Heart. Starring Tilda Swinton (pictured).

11 October 1995

ITV showed the pilot episode of science thriller series Bliss. It got a series in 1997.

Here's Harry was a comedy series that was shown on BBC Television from 11 October 1960 to 27 December 1963. The series continued on BBC 1 from 13 October 1964 to 10 December 1965. 7 series totalling 60 episodes were made.

Accident-prone magnet of calamity Harry Worth comes up against various forms of authority, resulting in fallout and failure.

Harry is joined by Jack Woolgar, Joe Gladwin, Geoffrey Hibbert, Doris Gambell, Edwin Apps, Deryck Guyler, Stuart Saunders, Tony Melody, Reginald Marsh, Leslie Clark, Anthony Sharp, Gwendolyn Watts, Patrick Newell, Leonard Williams, Harold Goodwin, Roy Maxwell, Sam Kydd, Meg Johnson, Gerald Andersen, Vi Stevens, Roger Moffat, Frank Williams, Ruth Kettlewell, Ballard Berkeley and Gordon Rollings.

Your Cheatin' Heart is a 6 part comedy drama series shown on BBC 1 from 11 October to 15 November 1990.

Cissie Crouch is working as a waitress in an American-themed bar and restaurant in Glasgow called "Bar L", while her husband is in prison for a robbery she believes he did not commit. She meets journalist Frank McClusky who agrees to help her to clear her husband's name by investigating Fraser Boyle, a violent small-time criminal and drug dealer who had been a member of her husband's band.

The cast includes John Gordon-Sinclair, Tilda Swinton, Kevin McMonagle, Katy Murphy, Ken Stott, Eddi Reader, Tom Watson, Peter Mullan, Guy Mitchell, Helen Atkinson-Wood and Maggie Bell.

A BBC Scotland production.

Bliss is a television science thriller series first broadcast as a pilot episode on itv on 11 October 1995. It was commissioned for a 4 episode series broadcast on ITV from 12 June to 3 July 1997.

Dr Sam Bliss, a medical research scientist based at Cambridge University, often finds himself investigating bizarre and unexplained deaths with the help of his assistant Dr Melanie Kilpatrick.

The cast includes Simon Shepherd, Sian Webber, Sarah Smart, Zoë Hart, Anthony Smee, Jonathan Hyde, Reece Dinsdale, Eva Marie Bryer and Jennifer Hilary.

An Abbey Films Production for Carlton Television.

1

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 1d

11 October 2020

Reality gameshow The Bridge debuts on Channel 4. Contestants have 20 days to build a bridge.

Historical documentary series Enslaved with Samuel L Jackson debuts on BBC Two.

The Bridge was a reality gameshow shown on Channel 4 from 11 October 2020 to 7 June 2022. 2 series totalling 14 episodes were made.

The series follows 12 strangers who come together on the banks of a picturesque lake in the British countryside to build a bridge in 20 days to an island 250 meters away.

James McAvoy narrated the first series, AJ Odudu narrated the second.

A Workerbee production for Channel 4.

Enslaved with Samuel L Jackson was a 4 part series shown on BBC Two from 11 October to 1 November 2020.

Samuel was joined on presenting by journalist Afua Hirsch.

The series explores various aspects of the history of slavery in the United States, including the efforts of American actor Samuel L Jackson to reconnect with his African heritage through DNA testing, diving projects to locate and recover shipwrecks in which at least two million African people captured by slave traders died before ever reaching North America, and explorations of the impact of the Atlantic slave trade on economics, politics and culture through to the present day.

Cornelia Street and Associated Producers co-production.

1 1

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 1d

Starting Wednesday 15th October at 6.05pm on That’s TV

Freeview 56
Sky 171
Freesat 164
Virgin Media 150

If you know, you know.....

Grange Hill starts a re-run on Wednesday 15th October at 6.05pm on That’s TV

Freeview 56
Sky 171
Freesat 164
Virgin Media 150

1 4 17

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 1d

11 October 2010

A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss debuts on BBC Four

11 October 2015

BBC Two begins 2 new series.

Reality series Earth's Wildest Waters: The Big Fish

Documentary series Britain's Ultimate Pilots: Inside the RAF

CBS Reality debuts Donal MacIntyre Unsolved

A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss is a 3 part documentary series shown on BBC Four on 11, 18 & 25 October 2010.

It is a personal exploration of the history of horror film, inspired by Gatiss's lifelong enthusiasm for the genre.

A BBC Bristol Factual production.

Earth's Wildest Waters: The Big Fish was a 6 part reality series broadcast on BBC Two from 11 October to 15 November 2015.

Hosts Matt Hayes and Babs Kijewski explore Ontario's wilderness, seeking iconic Canadian fish while discovering local culture and scenic beauty through land, water, and air travel.

In the series were Ben Fogle, Yves Bisson, Valgerður Arnardóttir, Charles Tembo, Lazaro Vinola, Todd Staley and Mai Naibaan.

Britain's Ultimate Pilots: Inside the RAF is a 4 part documentary series shown on BBC Two from 11 October to 1 November 2015.

Narrated by Toby Stephens.

Join the Red Arrows and the RAF's finest aerial display teams in an action-packed series featuring exclusive access to the fast moving world of aerobatics, fearless flying and aviation excellence.

Donal MacIntyre: Unsolved is a 10 part crime reality series broadcast on CBS Reality from 11 October 2015.

investigative journalist and self-proclaimed criminologist Donal MacIntyre investigates a number of well noted "cold cases", for which the police have never been able to reach a conclusion. Working alongside a self-assembled cold case team, MacIntyre revisits each case by re-interviewing witnesses, investigating officers and reviewing physical evidence in the hope that "fresh eyes" can release new information and possible theories, which could lead to closure for the family and friends of each of the victims.

An AMC production for CBS Reality.

1 3

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 2d

10 October 2010

UKTV channel Dave launched One Night Stand. Featuring comedians such as Tim Vine and Ben Elton.

ITV 2 debuts reality series The Only Way Is Essex.

BBC Two shows Law and Disorder in Lagos. A Louis Theroux documentary filmed in Nigeria.

Dave's One Night Stand is a comedy programme broadcast on UKTV channel Dave from 10 October 2010 until 12 December 2012. 4 series totalling 20 episodes were made.

The series featured stand-up comedians performing in their hometowns with 2 other stand-up's in support.

Headline acts were Ben Elton, Jack Whitehall, Johnny Vegas, Sarah Millican, Russell Kane, Chris Addison, Mark Watson, Dave Gorman, Jason Byrne, Greg Davies, Ardal O'Hanlon, Tim Vine, Reginald D Hunter, Stephen K Amos, Tommy Tiernan, Al Murray, Patrick Kielty, Angelos Epithemou, Andrew Maxwell and Milton Jones.

Support acts included David O'Doherty, Justin Moorhouse, Alun Cochrane, Carl Donnelly, Holly Walsh, Andi Osho, Alex Horne, Isy Suttie, Simon Evans, Roisin Conaty, Gary Delaney, Josie Long, Terry Alderton, Elis James, Henning Wehn, Zoe Lyons, Lloyd Langford, Richard Herring, Andy Zaltzman, Jimeoin, Tom Rosenthal, Chris Ramsey and James Acaster.

An Amigo Television & Phil McIntyre Television co-production for UKTV.

The Only Way Is Essex (often abbreviated as TOWIE) is a reality television series which was first shown on ITV 2 from 10 October 2010 and continues to this day. The series moved to ITVBe in 2014 but moved back to ITV 2 in 2025 when ITVBe closed. Currently on its 35th series. To date, 430 episodes have been broadcast.

The series is based in Brentwood, Essex. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way."

The series was narrated by Denise Van Outen.

A Lime Pictures production for ITV.

Law and Disorder in Lagos is a one-off feature length documentary film by Louis Theroux that was broadcast on BBC Two on 10 October 2010.

Theroux journeys to Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, to investigate the nature of law and order in the rapidly expanding city. There he follows the Government-run paramilitary task force KAI (Kick Against Indiscipline), notorious union leader MC Oluomo, and young gang members known as "Area Boys" who unofficially run neighbourhoods for money.

2

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 2d

10 October 2005

ITV debuts crime drama Vincent. Starring Ray Winstone, Suranne Jones and Joe Absalom.

10 October 2015

BBC Two shows the one-off feature length documentary Ted Hughes: Stronger Than Death. Looking at the turbulent life of the former Poet Laureate.

Vincent is a television crime drama series that was first broadcast on ITV from 10 October 2005 to 6 November 2006. 2 series totalling 8 episodes were made.

Vincent follows the work of a private detective agency based in Manchester, run by private investigator Vincent Gallagher, who alongside his sidekick Beth, junior PI Robert and fellow team members Gillian and John, investigates cases which the police would either refuse to touch, or have been unable to solve. Vincent also has to deal with his arch enemy, DCI David Driscoll, who begins a relationship with his estranged wife Cathy, resulting in Cathy becoming pregnant.

The cast includes Ray Winstone, Suranne Jones, Joe Absolom, Angel Coulby, Ian Puleston-Davies, Philip Glenister, Sandra Huggett and Eva Pope.

A Granada production.

BBC Two shows the one-off feature length documentary Ted Hughes: Stronger Than Death on 10 October 2015.

The documentary looks at the life of the former Poet Laureate, focusing on his turbulent life and, in particular, his stormy marriage to Sylvia Plath.

2

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 2d

10 October 1965

The BBC Asian service began. Every Sunday, BBC 1 broadcasts the programme "In Logon Se Miliye" which means "Let Me Introduce You."

10 October 2005

Channel 4 launches a new channel More4. It also launches More4 News on weeknights.

tvark.org/more-4-ident

On 10 October 1965, the BBC Asian service began. Every Sunday morning, BBC 1 broadcasts the programme "In Logon Se Miliye" which means "Let Me Introduce You."

The show was renamed Apna Hi Ghar Samajhiye (Make Yourself at Home) in 1966.

The show was renamed again Nai Zindagi Naya Jeevan (New Life in Urdu & Hindi) in 1968 before one final renaming in 1982 as Asian Magazine.

More4 was a digital channel from Channel 4 which launched on 10 October 2005.

It was also the launch of More4 News which followed the Channel 4 News at 8pm on weeknights.

2

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 2d

10 October 1955

Alexandra Palace began a 405-line test transmission in colour. Not sure if it was this one.

tvark.org/bbc-experime...

ITV debuted The Granville Melodramas. An anthology of melodramas starring Hattie Jacques and Erik Chitty.

On 10 October 1955, Alexandra Palace began a 405-line test transmission in colour. Not sure if it was this one.

https://tvark.org/bbc-experimental-colour-transmission

The Granville Melodramas was an anthology series that was broadcast on ITV from 10 October 1955 to 25 January 1956. 11 were broadcast sadly all were wiped.

Among the cast were Hattie Jacques, Erik Chitty, Helen Shingler, John Bailey, Victoria Grayson, Kenneth Gilbert, Thane Bettany, John Le Mesurier, Iain Scott, James Bree, Peter Tuddenham, John Vere, Leal Douglas, Daphne Abbott and Frank Thornton.

An Associated-Rediffusion production.

1 3 5

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 3d

He is in the cast, so yes.

1

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 3d

In Memoriam

Gordon Honeycombe
27 September 1936 – 9 October 2015
Age 79
Newscaster at ITN, TV-am and The Big Breakfast
tvark.org/gordon-honey...

Julia Jones
27 March 1923 – 9 October 2015
Age 92
Writer for Armchair Thriller and Wycliffe (pilot episode)
Actress in Z Cars

Gordon Honeycombe was born on 27 September 1936 and passed away on 9 October 2015 at the age of 79.

He was a newscaster, author, playwright and stage actor.

Gordon is most famous for being a newscaster on ITN News, TV-am and Channel 4's The Big Breakfast. He also did narration for Arthur C Clarke's series for ITV.

Honeycombe was an author and also wrote scripts for TV, radio and theatre.

Other television roles were in Minty, Comics, Terry and Julian, Spitting Image, Traffik, Blind Justice, London Embassy, Pulaski, First Among Equals, Unnatural Causes, The Glory Boys, Mr Palfrey of Westminster, The Brack Report, The Professionals, The Gentle Touch and The Foundation.

Julia Jones was born on 27 March 1923 and passed away on 9 October 2015 at the age of 92.

She was a television scriptwriter and actress.

Julia wrote scripts for Armchair Thriller, Miss Marple, Wycliffe, Anne of Green Gables, Moody and Pegg, Our Mutual Friend, Tom's Midnight Garden, Animal Ark, The Famous Five, Strathblair, A Likely Lad, The Chestnut Soldier, Emlyn's Moon, The Campbells, The Snow Spider, Echoes, The Bretts, The Cuckoo Sister, Ladies in Charge, The Irish RM, Sharing Time, Juliet Bravo, Nanny, Take Three Women, QED, The Story of the Treasure Seekers, Funny Man, A Little Silver Trumpet, We the Accused, The Swish of the Curtain, The Enchanted Castle, Border Country, The Duchess of Duke Street, The Peppermint Pig, The English Programme, Cottage to Let, Romance, Angels, Within These Walls, Churchill's People, Rooms, Village Hall, Away from It All, Emmerdale, Home and Away, Take Three Girls, City '68, The Gamblers, Boy Meets Girl, Love Story, Thirteen Against Fate and Londoners.

1 6

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 3d

9 October 1970

ITV debuts sitcom The Mating Machine. Pauline Collins stars.

9 October 1965

BBC 1 debuts the US comedy The Munsters.

tvark.org/munsters-2

8 October 1955

ITV viewers in London saw the newly rebranded ATV ident for the first time.

tvark.org/atv-ident

The Mating Machine was a 7 part comedy series broadcast on ITV from 9 October to 20 November 1970.

In 1970, computer dating was in its infancy, so this series was made about an early computer dating service.

The cast includes Gerald Flood, Dido Plumb, Jan Waters, Sheila Hancock, John Cater, Eleanor Summerfield, Miriam Karlin, Gillian Bailey, Michael Lees, David Lodge, Norman Bird, Sam Kydd, Norman Rossington, Jonathan Elsom, David Wood, Pauline Collins, Duncan Lamont, Jane Hylton, Roger Brierley, Marjorie Rhodes, Stella Tanner, Martin Shaw, John Savident, David Suchet and Oscar James.

An ATV production.

The Munsters is an American sitcom about the home life of a family of benign monsters that first aired in the UK on BBC 1 on 9 October 1965. 2 series totalling 70 episodes were made though it is unclear how many were shown in the UK.

The Munster family are Dad Herman (Frankenstein's monster), his vampire wife Lily, Grandpa (Count Dracula), their niece Marilyn, and their werewolf-like son Eddie. The family pet, named "Spot", was a fire-breathing dragon.

The cast includes Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Beverley Owen, Pat Priest and Butch Patrick.

A Kayro-Vue Production with Universal Television.

On 8 October 1955 was the first time ITV viewers saw the ATV ident as the company rebranded.

1 3

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 3d

9 October 1995

Animated series Wolves, Witches and Giants debuts on CITV. Narrated by Spike Milligan.

The Learning Zone debuts on BBC 2.

tvark.org/bbc-learning...

9 October 1990

ITV debuts the sci-fi horror series She-Wolf of London. 20 episodes made, 14 in the UK.

Wolves, Witches and Giants is a children's cartoon series of humorous adaptations of classic fairy tales, featuring a collection of villains including the wily wolf, a wicked witch and an enormous giant.

It was shown on CITV from 9 October 1995 to 21 October 1998. 4 series totalling 53 episodes were shown.

Written by Ed Welch and narrated by Spike Milligan.

A Honeycomb Animation production for ITV.

The Learning Zone was an educational strand run by the BBC as an overnight service on BBC Two from 9 October 1995 to 24 July 2015.

It broadcast programming aimed at students in Primary, Secondary and Higher Education as well as to adult learners. Viewers are encouraged to watch programmes after the original broadcast via the use of, originally VHS, then later DVD.

She-Wolf of London is a 20 episode science fiction television series that aired on ITV from 9 October 1990 to 10 April 1991.

Student Randi Wallace travels to Britain to study mythology with Prof Ian Matheson. Randi spends a night on the moors and is bitten by a werewolf. She seeks Ian's help. For the rest of the series, Randi and Ian investigate supernatural phenomena together while they search for a cure for her lycanthropy and he becomes her keeper during her transformations. Randi's curse also draws the attention of various other supernatural creatures.

The cast includes Kate Hodge, Neil Dickson, Scott Fults, Dorothea Phillips, Jean Challis, Arthur Cox, Diane Youdale, Dan Gilvezan, Simon Jessop, Mark Drewry, Rolf Saxon, Pavel Douglas, Sally Faulkner and Jane Cunliffe.

The first 14 episodes were filmed in the UK with the remaining 6 episodes filmed in Los Angeles and renamed Love and Curses.

A HTV production with The Finnegan-Pinchuk Company and Universal Television.

1 5

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 3d

9 October 2020

Channel 5 debuts Friday on the Farm. With Jules Hudson and Helen Skelton.

9 October 2010

BBC Four shows the adapted poem The Song of Lunch. Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman star.

9 October 2000

Sky One debuts US sci-fi series Andromeda. Kevin Sorbo stars.

Friday on the Farm was a 6 part series with a Christmas special that was broadcast on Channel 5 from 9 October to 24 December 2020.

Helen Skelton and Jules Hudson witness autumn's arrival at Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire, much of which has been filmed by the farmers themselves.

A Daisybeck production for Channel 5.

The Song of Lunch is a television adaptation of Christopher Reid's poem of the same name. It was broadcast on BBC Four on 9 October 2010 as part of National Poetry Month.

Starring Alan Rickman as he and Emma Thompson as she.

The production is unusual in featuring little spoken dialogue, the action instead being an enactment of incidents described in poetic monologue by the male character.

The play tells the story of a reunion between two former lovers in a Soho Italian restaurant. he is a London book editor who writes poetry in his spare time (unsuccessfully). she is his former lover who left him to marry a successful novelist fifteen years previously.

Also in the cast was Andi Soric, Siubhan Harrison, Joseph Long, Georgina Sutcliffe, Christopher Grimes, Jamie Baughan, Orlando Brooke, David Hayler, Simon Killick, Oscar Ward, James Richard Marshall and David Tennant.

A BBC production with Masterpiece.

Andromeda (aka Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda) is a science fiction television series, based on unused material by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. It was first shown in the UK on Sky One from 9 October 2000.

The series follows Captain Dylan Hunt of the Systems Commonwealth, an intergalactic government that presided over an extended period of peace and prosperity until its destruction from a rebellion led by the warmongering Nietzcheans and parasitic Magog.

The cast includes Kevin Sorbo, Lisa Ryder, Keith Hamilton Cobb, Lexa Doig, Laura Bertram, Gordon Michael Woolvett, Brent Stait, Steve Bacic and Brandy Ledford.

A co-production of Andromeda Productions, BLT Productions, Fireworks Entertainment, MBR Productions and Tribune Entertainment.

2 3

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 4d

Currently 1,377 episodes.

1

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 4d

8 October 2015

BBC Four debuts 3 part history series A Very British Romance. Presented by Lucy Worsley.

ITV debuts drama series Unforgotten. Sanjeev Bhaskar helps to solve cold cases.

Documentary series Disappearing Britain debuts on More4. With Maureen Lipman and Larry Lamb.

A Very British Romance is a 3 part historical documentary series shown on BBC Four on 8, 15 & 22 October 2015. Hosted by Lucy Worsley.

Worsely explores how our idea of romance has developed since the Georgian period.

Assisting her are AN Wilson, Doug Grant, Kate Summerscale, John Benjamin, Derek Scott, Lesley Hall, Roger Luckhurst, James Pembroke, Dr Sally Holloway, Lawrence Napper, Ann Heilmann, Loraine Fergusson, Lynn Shepherd and Claire Harman.

Unforgotten is a crime drama television series, which aired on ITV from 8 October 2015 and continues to this day.

The series follows a team of London detectives led by DCI Cassie Stuart, DCI Jessie James and DI Sunny Khan as they solve cold cases of disappearance and murder.

The cast includes Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nicola Walker, Sinéad Keenan, Jordan Long, Lewis Reeves, Pippa Nixon, Peter Egan, Jassa Ahluwalia, Colin R Campbell, Carolina Main, Alastair MacKenzie, Georgia Mackenzie, Michelle Bonnard, Janet Dibley, Andrew Lancel and Kate Robbins.

Guest stars included Michele Dotrice, Hayley Mills, Hayley Tamaddon, Sheila Hancock, Kate Williams, Charles Dale, James Fleet, Neil Morrissey, Siobhan Redmond, Bill Paterson, Wendy Craig, Mark Bonnar, David Troughton, Tessa Peake-Jones, Hannah Gordon, Cherie Lunghi, Trevor Eve, Bernard Hill and Tom Courtenay

A Mainstreet production for ITV.

Disappearing Britain is a series shown on More4 from 8 October 2015

A celebration of Britain's outdoors, its history, culture and tradition, that explores our love affair with the nation's heritage and looks at possible threats to its longevity.

Presented by Maureen Lipman and Larry Lamb.

4

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 4d

8 October 2000

BBC One shows one-off feature length drama Care. Steven Mackintosh stars

BBC Two debuts Top of the Pops Plus. A new live music show spin-off.

8 October 2005

BBC One drama Casualty broadcasts its 500th episode.

Care is a single television crime drama film, written by former Tomorrow's World presenter Kieran Prendiville. It was broadcast on BBC One on 8 October 2000.

Care follows Davey Younger, a former childhood resident of Glenavon care home, who is forced to dig up his past when a local councillor, Tony Collins, orders an investigation into reported historical sex abuse, which took place at the home during Davey's years as a resident, following evidence unearthed by journalist Elaine Hughes.

The cast includes Steven Mackintosh, Jaye Griffiths, Maria Pride, Charlotte Cornwell, Peter Wight, Aneirin Hughes, Clive Merrison, Richard Harrington and Rhys Parry Jones.

A BBC Cymru Wales production.

Top of the Pops Plus was a new live music show spin-off from the Top of the Pops format. It was broadcast on BBC Two from 8 October 2000.

The new live show delves deep inside the world of pop music and entertainment with exclusive interviews, live performances, and news of the TOTP all-time Top 40.

Presenters were Josie d'Arby, Scott Mills , Joe Mace, Lisa Rogers and Vernon Kay.

45 shows were made with the last one broadcast on 26 August 2001

On 8 October 2005, BBC drama Casualty broadcasts its 500th episode.

3

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 4d

8 October 1975

ITV debuts sitcom Rule Britannia! With Russell Hunter and Richard Davies.

ITV shows one-off drama It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow. Based on the 1943 Bethnal Green tube station disaster.

8 October 1995

BBC Select ends after 3 years.

tvark.org/bbc-select-i...

Rule Britannia! was a 7 part sitcom which was shown on ITV from 8 October to 19 November 1975.

Described by the TVTimes as "Have you heard the one about the Englishman, Irishman, Scotsman and Welshman? They're all in Rule Britannia!"

An Englishman, bearing up to marriage and life with a stiff upper lip, suddenly remembers his promise to 3 shipmates. The day of their vow to meet 25 years later is almost here, and then the Irishman, Welshman and Scotsman will drink again.

The cast includes Tony Melody, Richard Davies, Russell Hunter, Joe Lynch, Jo Warne, Carol Mills, Ronald Mayer, Françoise Pascal, Patrick Newell, Patsy Smart, Tim Barrett, Keith Chegwin, Brian Oulton, Michael Segal, Nosher Powell and Oscar James.

A Thames Television production.

It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow was a one-off feature length drama that was broadcast on ITV on 8 October 1975.

A recreation of a World War II incident which occurred in London's Bethnal Green underground station in 1943, in which 173 people died when a panicked crowd stampeded as they were hurrying down the steps to take refuge from an air raid.

The cast includes Mario Renzullo, Gwyneth Strong, Ray Mort, Marjorie Yates, Liz Smith, Cheryl Kennedy, Catrin Strong, Rosemarie Dunham, Michael Tarn, Christopher Malcolm, Linda Robson and Robert van Kaphengst.

An ATV production.

BBC Select was launched on 21 January 1992.

It was a subscription service that played on BBC 1 & 2 after closedown.

The service ended on 8 October 1995.

1 1

TVARK @tvark.bsky.social · 4d

8 October 1960

BBC Television Service was renamed as BBC TV.

8 October 1965

BBC 1 debuts spy thriller The Mask of Janus. Dinsdale Landen stars.

8 October 1990

Channel 4 debuts Centrepoint. A modern loose retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

On 8 October 1960, the BBC Television Service was renamed BBC TV.

The Mask of Janus was an 11 part spy thriller television series shown on BBC 1 from 8 October to 27 December 1965.

The series was set in the fictional European country of Amalia and dealt with the political interests of the British, American and Communist espionage communities within. The series dealt with more politically oriented plots such as defections to the west, awakening "sleeper" agents and the leaking of official secrets.

The cast includes Dinsdale Landen, Simon Oates, Peter Dyneley, Hamilton Dyce, Lawrence Dane, Derek Benfield, Peter Arne, Richard Marner, Donald Eccles, Julie Paulle, Cyril Shaps, Vernon Dobtcheff, Barry Jackson, Michael Sheard, Michael Graham Cox, Stephen Yardley, Carl Duering, Roberta Tovey, John Woodnutt, Artro Morris, Michael Mellinger, Reg Lye, John G Heller, John Louis Mansi and Edward Kelsey.

Of the 11 episodes made, 7 are missing, believed wiped.

A spin-off series called The Spies, also starring Dinsdale Landen, followed in 1966.

Centrepoint is a 4 part television thriller that was broadcast on Channel 4 from 8 to 29 October 1990.

The series, which loosely retells the story of Hamlet, is set in London's Docklands at the time of its commercial development. Roland Wareing's father Nick has been missing for several years, presumed dead. However, when a mysterious telephone caller suggests that Nick may not be dead after all, Roland sets out to discover the truth behind the disappearance.

The cast includes Jonathan Firth, Murray Head, Cheryl Campbell, Bob Peck, John Shrapnel, Abigail Cruttenden, Veronica Quilligan, Sian Ellis, David Stevenson, Derrick O'Connor, Patrick Fierry, Jennifer Bryce, Joanna Clarke, Adrian Dunbar, Phillip Dogham and Roger McKern.

A Rosso production with Channel 4 Films.

1 3