As News Shopper celebrates its golden anniversary, we take a nostalgic look back at what was on the box in the 1960s.
It’ll be amazing how many you remember.
Coronation Street
Doubt you’ve heard of this little-known show. Is it still going? Corrie’s been on our screens since way back in 1960 and it was an immediate hit, becoming the most-watched TV show within six months of airing. And look who was in it from the very start, only blinking Ken Barlow. But who else remembers Elsie Tanner, Bet Lynch and Vera Duckworth?
Jackanory
The kids’ reading programme clocked up a staggering 3,500 episodes in its original 30 year run from 1965 and inspired thousands of kids to pick up a book.
The Avengers
No, not Iron Man and his pals, The Avengers was a much more British affair about a stiff upper lip spy played by Patrick Macnee and a succession of assertive yet glamorous assistants, such as Diana Rigg and Honor Blackman. It ran from 1961 to 1969.
The Magic Roundabout
Another show loved by generations of kids thanks to countless re-runs, the stop motion show about a dog, a jack-in-the-box, a snail, a cow and a rabbit about a playground was created in France but dubbed into English.
It became such cult viewing that adults actually complained when it was moved to a more child-friendly time in 1967, because they didn’t want to miss it.
The Benny Hill Show
A saucy sketch show that probably wouldn’t get quite the same audience today, but it was all good fun, wasn’t it? A great theme tune too.
The Morecambe and Wise Show
One of the great double acts, Eric and Ern’s appeal hasn’t dimmed since their show first appeared on BBC2 (because it did colour) back in 1968.
Thunderbirds
5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Thunderbirds are go! Gerry Anderson’s puppet show set the bar high for kids TV and it’s still hard to beat – a great premise, plenty of cool gadgets (later very desirable toys!) and fun characters. There’s (another) reboot on the way, which is testament to how good the original 1965-66 series was.
Doctor Who
Another show which remains a popular fixture on the TV schedules. The Time Lord first appeared on the BBC back in 1963 and the first of his 12 incarnations was Kent’s William Hartnell.
The Saint
Before he was Bond, Bexley’s Sir Roger Moore was Simon Templar, aka The Saint. He righted wrongs, taking cash from the super rich and redistributing it – and with a certain style.
It was the biggest show of its day and was syndicated in the States. It was another one of those shows that was so big it can’t be left alone: Val Kilmer starred in a naff 90s remake and there’s an ITV reboot on the way soon.
Z Cars
A must-view from when it debuted in 1962, Z Cars revolutionised police shows with its gritty realism. It’s another classic theme tune too.
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