ITV marked its 70th anniversary on Monday. The Telegraph’s list of ITV’s 70 greatest shows over the years was read by thousands, and many of you also shared your favourites that were missed from our list.
A nostalgic experience for many, readers like Karen Sandler had “forgotten just how good ITV used to be. I watched many of these programmes.”
Clare Gibson also commented that “Despite limited channels when most of these [programmes] were made, the quality, whether script, acting or production, remains outstanding and so very memorable!”
Notably, a number of readers disagreed with Coronation Street being number one in our list.
Shirley Ann Bowles “watched it for years”, but feels that the “show is not what it was.” However, Paul Wild concedes “it is there through longevity and history.”
Many also argued that Poirot should be higher up the list (we ranked it at 67). Penny Fretwell “would have put Poirot and Rumpole above Blind Date. Both should have been much much higher. Midsomer Murders should have replaced Blind Date!”
“Well that was an enjoyable romp through memory lane, and there were a few real gems amongst them. In no particular order for me, The Sweeney, The Saint, Callan, The Prisoner, Thunderbirds, The Avengers, Rising Damp, and a few more. 7up has to be the most remarkable TV documentary ever. Lew Grade the most influential TV producer ever? Good stuff.” We agree, Stephen Nix.
Here, in no particular order, are the shows the readers would live to have seen included.
The Benny Hill Show
Benny Hill ‘couldn’t be made nowadays’, says Stephen Nix
“Benny Hill deserves to be in there. It’s seaside postcard humour sold around the world.” Andrew Batty
Stephen Nix agrees, sharing that “there was a time when that was essential viewing. Couldn’t be made nowadays though.”
Farmer George also contributed to the conversation, reminiscing that “when working in Belgium a decade or so ago, I would watch Benny Hill in my hotel room, dubbed into Walloon”.
The Professionals
“A whole generation was brought up on The Professionals, surely Bodie and Doyle need a ranking.” Richard Ruddiman
Jeeves and Wooster
Steven Fry and Hugh Laurie in Jeeves and Wooster were ‘practically perfect’
“Jeeves and Wooster with Hugh Laurie and Steven Fry – practically perfect in every way.” Nicola Dark
The Bill
The Bill ran for 27 years
“What about The Bill? 1984-2010. Absolute ITV classic!” Greg McKay
“Especially the early episodes, which were excellent.” Andrew Groves
The Sooty Show
“I still love The Sooty Show. I was watching the episode with Sooty and Soo playing musical instruments when Sweep interrupts with a guitar, just last week on YouTube. The episode entitled ‘No Guitar’. How is it we could always understand what Sweep was saying, by the intonation of his squeaking?” C. Lawrence
Foyle’s War
“Foyle’s War is superb – and Sharpe needs to be on there.” Davie Boy
Public Eye
“Public Eye with the excellent Alfred Burke deserves a mention. Gritty, with good stories, still worth a watch – sometimes on Talking Pictures.” Kelvin Parry
“Public Eye…Frank Marker is every man at some point in his life!” Edmund Hughes
Rainbow and Pipkins
Who can forget Rainbow and Pipkins?
“Some happy memories on there but off the top of my head: George and Mildred; Man About the House; Love Thy Neighbour; On the Buses and of course who can forget Rainbow and Pipkins.” John Carrington
Department S
Rosemary Nichols and Peter Wyngarde in Department S
“Danger Man with Patrick Mcgoohan was very popular, Gideon’s Way, Department S [on] Saturday afternoons at 4pm, wrestling, who remembers Big Daddy and Mick Mcmanus?” Paul Jones
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