…And a superbly funny ‘Book of the Week’ by the author of One Day.
Children’s BBC is 30 – nostalgic show from my first big TV job
Yes this week, Children’s BBC – the live links in between the shows – turned 30. Two weeks after Phillip Schofield went on air in 1985, I went for an audition at the TV Centre and was told shortly after afterwards that I’d be stepping in when Phillip needed cover. This happened from April to June plus another two weeks in the Summer, shared with my pal from Piccadilly Radio in Manchester Andy Crane. Well the new MediaCityUK home in Salford took me 200 miles north-west, and thirty years in the past.
When I got there, having checked in to the hotel next door (they were putting me up overnight) I popped in to the studios to get my make-up done, and then I was taken to the green room. There I found a surreal mix of the past presenters from the Broom Cupboard era to the present.
The Broom Cupboard Era was represented by Andy Crane, Simon Potter, Simon Parkin and Toby Anstis. Phillip Schofield and Andi Peters did video greetings, as did a couple of the big female hosts from way back when. It was really nice seeing everyone, including Doreen, the famous secretary who outlasted every single presenter till she retired in 2005. The last time I’d seen anyone was at her leaving ‘do’ in 2005, so whilst we waited for the live show to start, we had a good chin wag! She remembered my mate Craigy, who worked there as a researcher, so did Charlie Brook! And many other well-known faces.
One or two of them made my day. Ortis who now presents on ‘The Gadget Show’ came up to me when I was talking to Chris Jarvis, both famous faces. And Ortis said to me ‘can I take a selfie of me with you?’ I asked if he was joking but apparently, no, he told me I was one of the reasons why he went into telly! Did make me feel old though!
We did our bit and the show went out fabulously well, everyone celebrated the longevity of one of the biggest iconic broadcasters of our childhoods, and we took a big group shot at the end. Look at this photo and this video and you’ll get a tiny insight as to what we got up to behind the scenes.
The clip is what was happening behind the scenes whilst we awaited the big photo opportunity. And minutes later it was on Twitter!
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It was a super night. Even Hacker was nice to me! Lol! I had to get this shot specially for my nieces, right?At the end, ‘they’ asked if I could help cut the cake with Andy and Simon Parkin since I was the *gulp* first one out of all of them, to have presented the broom cupboard.
It’s a super part of my formative-presenting-years and I was proud to be involved. Not sure the 40th will be quite the same though! It’ll probably be all on the internet in another ten years! Watch the show here!
SNIPPETS
Stop Press! MDD news Will from Charlie Bears and lovely Charlie herself have agreed to help me with my fund-raising for these amazing dogs. They are looking at a very special edition… more later in the winter! Don’ forget to buy your Millingtons dog food – Richard Jackson the supplier will donate £1 for each one sold. Plus here is some info about their next fundraising event. They need your help the Santa Run in Victoria Park London on 6 December. The Santa Run is a fun event which gets you in the festive spirit! Join 4,000 other Santas taking part in either the 5K or 10K route. Run, jog or walk – you decide! Wheelchair entrants are welcome and so are children over the age of eight.
Why not get the whole family involved or ask friends or colleagues to join you? Once the race is over enjoy some London sights or catch up with your Christmas shopping and make this a great day out whilst supporting Medical Detection Dogs
Free Santa suit with every entry! For more information please e-mail contactchallengeevents@medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk or register to take part here.
Book of the Week What a fabulous book I listened to this week, by the clever author of one of my favourite books/movies, ‘One Day.’ David Nicholls’s ‘The Understudy’ was his second book, and will soon be a movie – again. It features an unlikely hero, is set in the world of theatre and celebrity and has some brilliant one liners and characterisation. I got totally drawn into ‘One Day’, and after a tiny slow start, this one did the same. Enhanced by the narrator, Paul Thomley, I laughed out loud in the car on the way to work! More here.
Bruce’s big Chat!
My first September Monday web chat on the QVC UK Facebook page was timed so that Bruce from Bodyblade could appear and very popular he was too! Over 100 comments and he answered lots too, staying till 11pm to get them all done after a little technical glitch in posting them! Bruce’s clever device is helping so many people – read this review from our website!
DVD And don’t forget even though the Super6/Power10 DVD has now sold out! However it’s available on waitlist and will be in again as soon as poss – Bruce’s next visit is 6/7th October. It comes with the main pack anyway – which is the Bodyblade itself as well as the wall chart plus the same DVD. I did book a holiday but due to these dates plus another event, I may change it so I can be on with him!
I did a lot of minutes during the afternoon recordings on Tuesday plus the live show later. Another successful visit! Here’s the whole Tuesday night hour show, for anyone who’s curious why it works so well, and features four BB customers too. Many people said they found it a really informative show, so I’ve got it archived for you. Watch below!
Back to You – Renee Extra! Also on Tuesday night we had a special treat – an extra web chat on my Back to You group with lovely ‘Wardrobe Warrior’, Renee and she talked about upcoming shows and her own personal favourites. Go here to read it on this week’s Back to You blog.
To Come: this Monday 14th it’s a super opportunity for you to ask Tom Ogden (Alpha H guest) your own questions about Alpha H and your skin. Go to the QVC UK Facebook page here, 7-8pm. Then straight afterwards, join us for our regular weekly chat on Back to You QVC Facebook group, here, this time with Doris from Doll10, on 8-9pm. Earmark Mondays through September if you like joining in.
Doggy Update – Puppysitting Time OMG soooo cute! Lovely little Baloo and tiny Luna (11 weeks) came to play at the weekend, when it was Lauren’s birthday, and kept ME amused, let alone each other! The little one is just about learning what’s what , but as you can see from this clip, is still vying to be alpha with Baloo! She got on well with Maggie next door too, who is virtually the same size.
Lauren’s Birthday – Happy 26th! My lovely girl was 26 – how on earth did that happen? We had a nice mosey around Shere, one of my favourite villages, and only a tiny bit to do with the movie The Holiday which was partly filmed there! Maybe that’s why I love my cottage so much, since it looks so much like the one they built for the set!
The Child Within How amazing is this work of art? I’m not big on art pieces but this is phenomenal and so evocative, don’t you think? Two people back to back, with their inner child reaching out to each other. Lovely. Near Burningtree?
Sneaky Peek – Mally-Ahoy! Oooo another Mally Todays’ Special Value on Sunday week (20th) – here’s a little teaser – I just LOVE poreless face defender, it’s such a good finishing touch, like airbrushing.
Sneaky Peek 2 – Jason’s JuiceTube As we get nearer to the last weekend in September, when Jason Vale the Juicemaster will be on QVC, here’s a little , er, taster! It’s a fun clip featuring juice-fan Alisha Dixon! I’ve loved trialling it, and as you’ll know if you’re a regular, I like to listen to what my body demands, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that my body regularly ‘want’s’ Jason’s beetroot juice mix (not much fruit – it’s always best to eat it. I like veg juice though.) Go here to watch it.
Do you? #FacebookThoughtful. Have been listening to Wayne Dyer this week (one of my all time heroes who died last week – see last week’s blog) and one of his most famous sayings, and books, is ‘You’ll see it when you believe it.’ Having faith is a big leap for some, but do listen to ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ his semi-autobiography, for some illuminating philosophies.
BLOOPER in keeping with what they featured on the CBBC 30th anniversary show this week, here’s the full length YouTube clip of the programme tape breakdown circa 1986 on Childrens’ BBC, BBC1. Ohhhhh… dear! That hair, that voice, eeek! Oh god it so makes me criiiinge! Lol. Glad they only showed a fragment on the 30th show!
This week on QVC –
Big Today’s Special Values – Elemis on Saturday (12th), Emu Hi boots Sunday, then do join us Monday including the bling loveRocks watch I’ve been wearing this past two days.
Click to view slideshow.
Big night Monday – web chats are at 7pm (Alpha H on the QVC UK Facebook group) and 8pm on the Back To You Facebook page (Doris from Doll10 cosmetics.) I am on air at 10pm with Philosophy, then Yong Kim at 11pm inc – book your place in front of the telly – a OTO bargain!!
L’Occitane, Dennis Basso and Dyson upright bargains are also to be had next week.
Go Jewellerey team! Ps congrats to our fab jewellery team for getting one of the most prestigious accolades in he industry, they’ve been nominated for Professional Jeweller Top 100! The Professional Jeweller Hot 100 is an annual celebration of the 100 most impressive individuals from the UK jewellery industry that have showcased innovation, business development and design skills over the past 12 months. The 100 are listed under six categories – Trendsetters, Retail Stars, Business Big Shots, Brand Champions, Trailblazers and NexGems; the latter dedicated to new jewellery business and design talent based in the UK. Well done team!
Have a lovely week! More fun stuff to report back on next week, including a little afternoon ‘soiree’ at mine this weekend – pray for no rain!
Best wishes
Debs
X
PS – *TiFFT – Try it For the First Time Club!
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