A one-off special celebrating the history of Central Television and its predecessor, ATV, marking four decades of ITV in the Midlands.
Host Bob Holness (Bob Holness) guides viewers through four decades of television history in the Midlands. The programme features a mix of archive clips from classic programmes and new interviews with some of the most recognisable faces associated with ATV and its successor, Central Television. Contributors include entertainers Lenny Henry (Lenny Henry) and Chris Tarrant (Chris Tarrant), legendary impresario Lord Lew Grade (Lord Lew Grade), and actors Jane Rossington (Jane Rossington) and Kevin Whately (Kevin Whately).
This one-off special was Carlton’s contribution to the broader celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the ITV network, but with a specific focus on the Midlands franchise. Rather than a network-wide history, the programme served as a local retrospective, charting the story from the pioneering days of Associated Television (ATV) under Lord Lew Grade to the contemporary era of Central Independent Television. The selection of interviewees, ranging from powerhouse executives to popular entertainers and soap opera stars, positioned the programme as both a piece of corporate history and a nostalgic tribute for the regional audience. It was a clear exercise in brand consolidation, reinforcing the cultural importance of the local ITV service.
Broadcast: ITV – Carlton UK, 1 Episode, 11 August 1996
Executive Producer: Mike Morley
Producer: Caroll Baker
Main Cast: Bob Holness (Host), Lenny Henry, Bob Monkhouse, Lord Lew Grade, Jane Rossington, Kevin Whately, Timothy Spall, Tim Healy, Chris Tarrant, Anne Diamond, Nick Owen, Ned Sherrin, Shaw Taylor
