Paul Hayes
@paul-hayes.bsky.social
Writer and BBC radio producer.
Author of Doctor Who: Star Flight, coming in 2026 from BBC Audiobooks:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/471521/doctor-who-star-flight
Author of Doctor Who: Star Flight, coming in 2026 from BBC Audiobooks:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/471521/doctor-who-star-flight
Reposted by Paul Hayes
There's more on our website, tenacrebooks.co.uk. Please order directly from us and help to support independent publishing. We have lots of great titles in the works for 2026, including the first authorised biography of Terrance Dicks and another Doctor Who book we'll be announcing before Christmas.
December 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
There's more on our website, tenacrebooks.co.uk. Please order directly from us and help to support independent publishing. We have lots of great titles in the works for 2026, including the first authorised biography of Terrance Dicks and another Doctor Who book we'll be announcing before Christmas.
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Pull to Open is @paul-hayes.bsky.social's definitive history of how the BBC created and launched Doctor Who, from the show's first concepts to its early troubled months of production, told through BBC paperwork and exhaustive new research.
December 6, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Pull to Open is @paul-hayes.bsky.social's definitive history of how the BBC created and launched Doctor Who, from the show's first concepts to its early troubled months of production, told through BBC paperwork and exhaustive new research.
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Need a special gift for the classic TV fan in your life? From in-depth histories to initimate biographies, we've got it covered! Check out our range of books at tenacrebooks.co.uk, and here's a rundown of some our great titles…
December 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Need a special gift for the classic TV fan in your life? From in-depth histories to initimate biographies, we've got it covered! Check out our range of books at tenacrebooks.co.uk, and here's a rundown of some our great titles…
Reposted by Paul Hayes
If Bruce Forsyth had written @paul-hayes.bsky.social’s definitive reference work.
December 5, 2025 at 10:35 AM
If Bruce Forsyth had written @paul-hayes.bsky.social’s definitive reference work.
Some rogue Time Lord appears to have landed their TARDIS in the post room at work.
December 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Some rogue Time Lord appears to have landed their TARDIS in the post room at work.
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Looking ahead to the new year, let us know if you've got an exciting audio project or podcast you'd like some advice on.
We pride ourselves on being a friendly and supportive women-led small business, and love working on projects with community at their core!
Send us an email: [email protected]
We pride ourselves on being a friendly and supportive women-led small business, and love working on projects with community at their core!
Send us an email: [email protected]
December 2, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Looking ahead to the new year, let us know if you've got an exciting audio project or podcast you'd like some advice on.
We pride ourselves on being a friendly and supportive women-led small business, and love working on projects with community at their core!
Send us an email: [email protected]
We pride ourselves on being a friendly and supportive women-led small business, and love working on projects with community at their core!
Send us an email: [email protected]
Reposted by Paul Hayes
HBOMax has started showing a 'remastered' 4K Mad Men and they’ve messed things up so during Roger’s oyster vomit scene you can now see the crew men with the vomit hose on the right
December 2, 2025 at 11:28 AM
HBOMax has started showing a 'remastered' 4K Mad Men and they’ve messed things up so during Roger’s oyster vomit scene you can now see the crew men with the vomit hose on the right
Reposted by Paul Hayes
#OTD - 2nd December 1953
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM
#OTD - 2nd December 1953
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
The BBC Television Service introduced the Bat Wings ident, designed by Abraham Games, after two years of development. Games was paid 200 guineas for the design, 70 guineas for an on-screen clock, and a 15 guineas retainer.
At Caversham again today, working on my next BBC History piece - for a certain 30th anniversary coming up next month...
December 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
At Caversham again today, working on my next BBC History piece - for a certain 30th anniversary coming up next month...
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Giving this another post in case anyone fancies watching it this weekend - The Story of Whirligig, a 20-minute mini-documentary telling the story of one of BBC Television's first long-running, well-known children's programmes...
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Giving this another post in case anyone fancies watching it this weekend - The Story of Whirligig, a 20-minute mini-documentary telling the story of one of BBC Television's first long-running, well-known children's programmes...
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Giving this another post in case anyone fancies watching it this weekend - The Story of Whirligig, a 20-minute mini-documentary telling the story of one of BBC Television's first long-running, well-known children's programmes...
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Giving this another post in case anyone fancies watching it this weekend - The Story of Whirligig, a 20-minute mini-documentary telling the story of one of BBC Television's first long-running, well-known children's programmes...
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Brand new on Dirty Feed: what happens when The Dick Van Dyke Show starts questioning its own worth.
Spoiler: it decides it’s pretty good, actually.
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/i-do...
Spoiler: it decides it’s pretty good, actually.
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/i-do...
November 29, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Brand new on Dirty Feed: what happens when The Dick Van Dyke Show starts questioning its own worth.
Spoiler: it decides it’s pretty good, actually.
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/i-do...
Spoiler: it decides it’s pretty good, actually.
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/i-do...
Reposted by Paul Hayes
An enlightening account of children's entertainment of yore, as Paul Hayes reveals much hitherto obscure about 1950s BBC series Whirligig: www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthe...
Whirligig
A tribute to a much-loved Saturday teatime children's favourite, 75 years on.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:28 PM
An enlightening account of children's entertainment of yore, as Paul Hayes reveals much hitherto obscure about 1950s BBC series Whirligig: www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthe...
Reposted by Paul Hayes
I'm also very pleased to hear about Paul's forthcoming book When Saturday Came. My pre-order will be in like a shot once it appears on the Telos Publishing site.
An article, a video, and a new book announcement!
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
Another Saturday in November 1950
The blog of writer and radio producer Paul Hayes.
notanovelistyet.blogspot.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I'm also very pleased to hear about Paul's forthcoming book When Saturday Came. My pre-order will be in like a shot once it appears on the Telos Publishing site.
Reposted by Paul Hayes
This is a terrific and illuminating watch. I knew virtually nothing about Whirligig and now I can whistle the theme tune. Really great archaeology as usual from Paul.
Exactly 75 years ago, BBC Television had just begun regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes, with the opening episode of Whirligig at 5pm.
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This is a terrific and illuminating watch. I knew virtually nothing about Whirligig and now I can whistle the theme tune. Really great archaeology as usual from Paul.
I've done a little bit for this one. Out next week!
Information on the special bookazine about UNIT from the makers of Doctor Who Magazine. cultbox.co.uk/news/doctor-...
Doctor Who Magazine special covers UNIT
The makers of Doctor Who Magazine offer a bookazine that traces the history of the secret organisation known as UNIT.
cultbox.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I've done a little bit for this one. Out next week!
@tobyhadoke.bsky.social Look what's on at the pictures!
Piccadilly Circus
The Ladybird book of London,
1961
Artist: John Berry
The Ladybird book of London,
1961
Artist: John Berry
November 27, 2025 at 11:09 AM
@tobyhadoke.bsky.social Look what's on at the pictures!
Crashed Martian spacecraft from five million years ago...?
'Extraordinary discovery' at Orkney's Ness of Brodgar Neolithic site
Archaeologists are to resume digging at the site after 3D radar technology uncovered a mystery find.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Crashed Martian spacecraft from five million years ago...?
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Great stuff here - a fascinating story, entertainingly told.
Exactly 75 years ago, BBC Television had just begun regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes, with the opening episode of Whirligig at 5pm.
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Great stuff here - a fascinating story, entertainingly told.
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Paul's work on Whirligig is part of a larger project to uncover the early years of Saturday afternoon television and the first BBC TV Children's Department:
An article, a video, and a new book announcement!
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
Another Saturday in November 1950
The blog of writer and radio producer Paul Hayes.
notanovelistyet.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Paul's work on Whirligig is part of a larger project to uncover the early years of Saturday afternoon television and the first BBC TV Children's Department:
Reposted by Paul Hayes
Shows like Whirligig seemed lost to ancient history even when people wistfully mentioned them in the eighties, so it's always a thrill to watch a documentary that makes them feel just that bit closer to the world as we still know it now. Hugely entertaining. Plus Stranger From Space content!
Exactly 75 years ago, BBC Television had just begun regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes, with the opening episode of Whirligig at 5pm.
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Shows like Whirligig seemed lost to ancient history even when people wistfully mentioned them in the eighties, so it's always a thrill to watch a documentary that makes them feel just that bit closer to the world as we still know it now. Hugely entertaining. Plus Stranger From Space content!
An article, a video, and a new book announcement!
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
Another Saturday in November 1950
The blog of writer and radio producer Paul Hayes.
notanovelistyet.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:48 PM
An article, a video, and a new book announcement!
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
Reposted by Paul Hayes
This is amazing!
Exactly 75 years ago, BBC Television had just begun regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes, with the opening episode of Whirligig at 5pm.
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
This is amazing!
Reposted by Paul Hayes
A must-watch documentary for anyone interested in the history of children's television programmes, with 'Whirligig' being one of the first.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.
Exactly 75 years ago, BBC Television had just begun regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes, with the opening episode of Whirligig at 5pm.
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
We all know what happened 13 years later - but how does this story begin...?
Here's my first ever YouTube TV history video - The Story of Whirligig:
The Story of Whirligig
YouTube video by Paul Hayes
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A must-watch documentary for anyone interested in the history of children's television programmes, with 'Whirligig' being one of the first.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.
Written and narrated by my friend Paul Hayes.