As Christmas Eve jingles ever closer, let’s take a moment to unwrap the festive season in 1970s Britain—a time filled with wonder, laughter, and the magic of television.

Christmas as a child in the 70s was pure joy. The excitement began weeks in advance, from crafting endless paper chains at school to rehearsing nativity plays that got more creative each year (a South Sea Island-themed production, anyone?). At home, our trusty but increasingly threadbare Christmas tree emerged from its box once again, and the annual battle with the fairy lights became a family ritual of frustration and triumph when they finally flickered to life.

The ultimate thrill came with the double issues of the Radio Times and TV Times. These weren’t just TV guides; they were treasure maps to two weeks of festive television bliss. Christmas specials weren’t ordinary episodes with a sprinkle of tinsel—they were cultural events.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the holiday TV moments that shaped my Christmas memories. Morecambe and Wise were the crown jewels of festive programming. From Andre Previn’s legendary “all the right notes” sketch to Angela Rippon’s unexpected dance number, their shows brought the nation together. Who could forget the star-studded chorus of newsreaders performing “There is Nothing Like a Dame,” or the touching comedy of Porridge Christmas specials? These weren’t just shows—they were moments that united families and offered laughter during an era of power cuts and economic struggles.

And that’s what made 70s Christmases so magical. It wasn’t just the gifts or the glittering decorations; it was the togetherness, the joy of shared traditions, and the anticipation that made each festive season unforgettable.

So, as we gather with loved ones (or simply indulge in some well-deserved quiet time), I want to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. This podcast wouldn’t be what it is without you—your memories, your support, and your company make every episode special. That’s why I do this, why we reminisce, and why we’re so grateful for each and every one of you who tunes in and shares this nostalgic journey through 70s TV.

As I raise a glass of QC British Sherry (perhaps a little more generously than intended—it is Christmas), I toast to you. Here’s to the laughter, the memories, and the joy we’ve shared, and to many more moments of nostalgic delight in 2025. Thank you for being part of the My 70s TV Childhood family.

Take care,
Oliver

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Welcome to a very special edition of My 70s TV Childhood! This week, we’re celebrating Christmas with a listener-powered quiz extravaganza. That’s right—every single question in this episode has been submitted by you, our brilliant audience. Your response was overwhelming, and while we couldn’t include all of your fantastic submissions, we’ve curated a selection that spans the golden age of 1970s television.

From the sci-fi adventures of Blake’s 7 and Sapphire and Steel to the comedic brilliance of Fawlty Towers and The Good Life, this quiz is a nostalgic journey through the iconic TV shows of the 70s. It’s a true testament to the joy of gathering around the television during a simpler time.

And with Christmas just around the corner, why not turn this into a festive family challenge? Gather your loved ones, grab a glass of eggnog or a plate of mince pies, and see who knows their 70s TV trivia best.

What about you? Did these questions bring back memories of your favourite shows? Which round stumped you the most? Share your stories and scores with us on the blog or social media—I’d love to hear how you got on!

Take care and have a wonderful Christmas,

Happy quizzing!
Oliver

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Welcome to My 70s TV Childhood! As the festive season jingles ever closer, it’s time to unwrap memories of Christmas in 1970s Britain.

Ah, the Christmas list. A child’s masterpiece of dreams, overthinking, and perhaps a little greed. Would Father Christmas judge your requests? Would you strike the perfect balance between modesty and ambition? Tools like the Argos catalogue turned our imaginings into meticulously referenced wish lists, complete with page numbers for ease of parental shopping.

And then there were the TV adverts. From the magical Mousetrap to Ronco’s ever-so-slightly odd Record Vacuum, these commercials cast their spell on us. Even if some of the toys didn’t quite live up to the hype (I’m looking at you, Mousetrap), the magic of those 70s adverts still lingers.

In this episode, I’m reminiscing about the best Christmas presents of my childhood: Action Man’s daring missions, the endless adventures of my Hornby Train Set, and the excitement of Subbuteo’s Stadium Edition. These weren’t just toys; they were moments of pure joy that lit up Christmas mornings.

What about you? Did your list include toys inspired by TV adverts? Did the festive build-up fill your home with excitement? Share your memories on the blog or social media—I’d love to hear your stories!

Take care,
Oliver

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Welcome back to the My 70’s TV Childhood Quiz! This week, we’re marching straight into the world of Dad’s Army with a special quiz that celebrates the much-loved sitcom and plenty more from the golden age of 1970s British television. Whether you’re a devoted fan or just here for a bit of fun, grab a cuppa and join us!

Kicking things off, our Don’t Panic! round salutes Dad’s Army. From Private Frazer’s surprising day job to the legendary theme tune, this round is packed with questions that’ll transport you back to Walmington-on-Sea.

Next up, it’s the Marathon—Fil Rouge round. Revisit classics like Timeslip, Steptoe and Son, and even the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. We’re digging deep into the archives for some truly unforgettable moments.

For the third round, it’s all about Name That Tune. Spin the wheel, land in 1975, and guess theme tunes from shows that ended that year. Can you identify these iconic soundtracks? It’s nostalgia overload!

Finally, the TV Times round closes the show with a grab bag of trivia. From the beginnings of Last of the Summer Wine to Eurovision near-misses, this round will test the limits of your 70s TV knowledge.

This week’s bonus question: Which actor played The Man from Atlantis? If you know, email us at quiz@my70stvchildhood.com. And don’t forget, we’re taking your ideas for our special Christmas quiz—so send us your best questions and you might just hear them on the show!

Until next time, stay safe, keep those memories alive, and join us again soon for more from My 70’s TV Childhood.

Take care,
Oliver

Until next time, take care and happy quizzing!

Oliver

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Welcome to another episode of My 70s TV Childhood. This time, we’re returning to the world of Gerry Anderson’s iconic puppet series. Growing up in 1970s Britain, Thunderbirds and other Anderson creations like Stingray, Captain Scarlet, and Joe 90 were a big part of my TV memories.

We explore the genius of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their revolutionary Supermarionation technique, which brought their characters to life. I reminisce about the Tracy family of Thunderbirds, their heroic missions with International Rescue, and the incredible vehicles like Thunderbird 2 and the underused Thunderbird 3 (Why?). There’s also Lady Penelope and Parker, whose quirky British humour added charm to the show.

I share my fond memories of playing with a Thunderbird 2 toy and the amusing fact that it was blue instead of its original green, thanks to advice from a child psychologist!!

In this episode, we also touch on the cultural backdrop of space exploration in the 60s and 70s, which heavily influenced these shows, and revisit the darker tones of Captain Scarlet and the fantastical gadgetry of Joe 90. These shows, despite their puppetry, offered drama, adventure, and a sense of wonder that still resonates today.

Were you captivated by the heroics of Thunderbirds or intrigued by the darker world of Captain Scarlet? Or perhaps you have your own Gerry Anderson favourite? Want to share your memories of these unique characters? Let us know on our blog, Facebook, or Twitter! Your stories make this podcast even better.

Take care,
Oliver

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I’m not sure what possessed me to venture into the dusty cellar this week, but I’m glad I did. Deep in the archives of My 70’s TV Childhood Towers, I unearthed copies of the Radio Times and TV Times from 19th November 1975. Armed with these fragile treasures, I pieced together a fascinating snapshot of what was on TV that chilly Wednesday evening nearly 50 years ago.

It was a typical night of 70’s British television, full of familiar favourites and forgotten gems. BBC1 was its dependable self, with shows like Play School, Magic Roundabout, and Nationwide. Of course, there was Till Death Us Do Part, a sitcom that even now divides opinions as sharply as it did then. On BBC2, things took a more refined turn, but the schedule reminded me of something I had almost forgotten—just how often the channel was off-air. Imagine that today, staring at a blank screen for hours!

ITV offered more variety and, dare I say, flair. Rainbow and The Sooty Show added a splash of colour, while Boy Dominic intrigued me. The drama followed a young boy navigating life in 19th-century Yorkshire, but I’ll admit, it’s not one I remember watching. Maybe you do?

It was also a night that highlighted how much TV has changed. Back then, families were often divided on whether to watch ITV at all—Granny, for example, might have disapproved of its “immorality.” Thinking about that now, compared to the vast and varied content available at the touch of a button, it feels like a story from another century.

So, what were you watching on 19th November 1975? Did you love the warm familiarity of Nationwide or the sports-filled excitement of Sportsnight? Or perhaps Boy Dominic rings a bell?

Let me know—I’d love to hear your memories.

Oliver

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Hello, 70s TV lovers! Welcome to a brand-new episode of My 70’s TV Childhood Quiz! We’re excited to take you on another journey through the colourful, quirky, and unforgettable world of British TV in the 1970s. Get ready for four rounds packed with nostalgia, surprises, and a few fresh twists!

First up is Round One: Animal Magic, where we’ll test your memory of the famous four-legged (and sometimes winged!) friends that brightened our screens. How many of these iconic animal stars can you remember?

Next, we move on to Round Two: Marathon - Fil Rouge, where we revisit episodes from the podcast. Do you remember the dynamic duo from Vision On, or that cheeky troublemaker from the Tufty Club who was always getting into scrapes? This round is a little treat for our loyal listeners!

Then it’s time for Round Three: Mystery Voice, an exciting new addition! We’ll play you snippets from legendary voices of the 70s—think you can recognise them just by sound? Listen closely and see if you can identify each one!

And finally, Round Four: TV Times brings you a whirlwind of trivia from the golden age of television. From The Six Wives of Henry VIII to Worzel Gummidge, it’s a round that will put your memory to the test!

We’re also gearing up for our Christmas quiz, and we’d love your input! We’re looking for the very best questions from our listeners. Send your favourite questions and answers to quiz@my70stvchildhood.com, and you might see them featured in our festive special!

So, how did you do? Let us know! And if you enjoyed this episode, why not share the fun with a friend and keep the 70s TV spirit alive?

Until next time, take care and happy quizzing!

Oliver

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Welcome back to My 70’s TV Childhood! In today’s episode, we’re on a wild ride through the zany five-minute gems that made British teatime magical in the 1970s. Just before the news, these teatime treats burst onto our screens, packing unforgettable characters and stories into a few short minutes. From the peculiar Hector fussing over his garden, to Dougal’s dry wit on The Magic Roundabout, to Ludwig’s bizarre egg-shaped antics, each one brought something unique, and sometimes a bit strange, to our living rooms.

Take Hector’s House—Hector the meticulous dog was all about keeping order, with Kiki the Frog and Madame Zaza the Cat stirring things up just enough to keep us laughing. Meanwhile, The Magic Roundabout gave us surreal humour mixed with wisdom as Dougal the dog, Florence, and Zebedee took us on quirky adventures. And let’s not forget The Wombles, recycling Wimbledon Common’s rubbish long before it was cool—teaching us all to find treasure in the trash!

Then there was Ivor the Engine, the little Welsh steam train chugging through gentle tales of dragons and runaway donkeys. And what about Captain Pugwash, the bumbling pirate whose “fearless” antics always needed Tom the cabin boy’s help? It was the perfect mix of pirate mischief and wit.

In the world of Crystal Tipps and Alistair, everything was a rainbow-coloured, wordless adventure with groovy music to match. Or Barbapapa, the shape-shifting blobs who turned every story into a kaleidoscope of transformations. And for pure, delightful oddity, there was Ludwig, the glass egg who played classical violin while saving woodland creatures—unforgettable in the most surreal way.

Of course, there’s no teatime without Paddington Bear, whose kind-hearted mischief became a British icon. With his marmalade sandwiches and a sense of wonder, Paddington made teatime that much sweeter.

These five-minute marvels were more than just shows—they were little daily escapes into worlds of humour, adventure, and pure imagination. Want to share your memories of these unique characters? Let us know on our blog, Facebook, or Twitter! Your stories make this nostalgia journey even better.

Take care,

Oliver

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