WELL, did you see it?
Sir Jimmy Savile made his feelings quite clear without saying a word after the final credits had rolled on the last ever Top of the Pops.
Turning off the studio lights – 42 years after hosting the first show in Manchester – he shook his head. The message to BBC bosses was clear: “You’ve made a mistake.”
Last night’s one-hour special opened with the Rolling Stones, just as TOTP had on New Year’s Day 1964. And, of course, the choice of track from the black and white video library was: “The Last Time”.
BIG Mutha Davina warned us to have the tissues ready, and she wasn’t joking.
Last night’s Big Brother eviction show was a blub fest to match anything in the Channel 4 show’s history.
Those producers spending a long hot summer of bruv in BB HQ – a TV and film stage just off Borehamwood High Street – certainly know how to manipulate an audience.
This time it was the tried and tested letters from home routine. Tears flowed as the BB prisoner housemates received news from outside.
KYM Ryder is back in Coronation Street – this time with two brothers who are set to rock the Rovers.
I met up with them all yesterday on the Corrie cobbles, where there’s quite a bit of excitement about the new Weatherfield arrivals.
Earlier this year I spoke to Kym for a TV feature just before she starred as singer Michelle in four episodes.
She later cracked open a bottle of champagne when her agent rang to say Corrie bosses wanted her to become a regular member of cast.
IT’S Kym Marsh, of course, now known as Kym Ryder, who is returning to her role in Coronation Street next month.
But why is she laughing, and who is the man she’s with?
THE hot ticket today is for the recording of the last ever Top of the Pops.
A one hour special will be screened on BBC2 on Sunday evening as the veteran show reaches the end of the road.
Stars past and present are gathering at BBC Television Centre in west London for the farewell edition. Jimmy Savile, the man who hosted the very first programme in Manchester 42 years ago, is already at the studios.
LET’S start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Well, you can find out on BBC1 this Saturday night, with more details in tomorrow’s M.E.N. Television page feature.
The Sound of Music is, arguably, the greatest musical story of all time. The original Broadway show was turned into that classic 1965 film starring Julie Andrews – and is still one of many people’s favourite things.
IT was a Monday lunchtime much like this one when the phone rang.
Jill Dando had been attacked outside her house and was feared dead.
I noticed my hand shaking. Exactly seven days earlier, almost to the minute, I’d met Jill and spoken to her for a forthcoming feature.
The tape of what was now one of her very last interviews was sitting on the desk beside that phone, still to be transcribed.
A little while later came the newsflash confirming Jill’s death
CONGRATULATIONS to Anthony McPartlin, who married girlfriend Lisa Armstrong this afternoon.
One half of Geordie duo Ant and Dec, he tied the knot at St Nicholas Church in Taplow, Bucks, as rain poured down outside.
IT’S a story of the old and the new for armchair fans of the Open Golf Championship this weekend.
Perhaps you’re a keen player, avid fan or once a year crazy golfer like me. It doesn’t matter. Everyone can appreciate the sporting drama at Hoylake as it moves towards a climax on Sunday evening.
SCORCHING July. So, naturally, it’s time for the BBC to unveil their autumn programmes.
Today it’s the turn of BBC2, who just this minute have released their new season of shows, including a second series of the award-winning Extras. It’s just one example of how the TV world operates on a different timescale to most of us.
Life of Wylie 