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Old British Telly

@oldbritishtelly.co.uk

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A celebration of old British telly from across the decades.

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Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 5m

[1980] The Two Ronnies - "The Worm That Turned", Diana Dors guest-starred in this spoof piece of dystopian fiction set in 2012 in which women rule Britain. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhVrtQMy0Og

The Worm that Turned - a film by the Two Ronnies

British TV production by Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, also starring Diana Dors. Originally shown as part of their series in 1980, the film depicts a dys...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 1h

[1980] Switch to the Facts - "Insulation and Heating", an Electricity Council Film presented by Brian Trueman. It details how electric heating with extra house insulation can lower energy bills. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyH8R_VL4qU

Switch to the Facts - Insulation and Heating (1980) Electricity Council Film

Presented by Brian Trueman.'Switch to the facts' was series of films for the electrical industry in the UK made by the Electricity Council in the early 1980s...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 2h

[1980] Going to Work - From the BBC Schools educational programming strand. When a boy and a girl go out on a date, they soon realise it costs much more than they budgeted for. www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHcn7kM_8Xs

BBC SCHOOLS - GOING TO WORK: Spending Money (TX 01/02/80)

When a boy and a girl go out on a date, they soon realise it costs much more than they budgeted for!! Continuity includes Slide and Dots Countdown. From my o...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 2h

[1981] Beekeeping - John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson Beekeeping sketch from The Secret Policeman's Other Ball.

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Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 4h

[1981] It Takes a Worried Man - Philip Roath is a middle-aged office worker who is highly intelligent, but suffering a midlife crisis, and completely bored with his job. He is never seen doing any actual work. Written by and starring Peter Tilbury. E01. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcLSTU6dlL0

It Takes a Worried Man - Series 1 - Episode 1 - Peter Tilbury

Sitcom by Peter Tilbury.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 5h

[1963] You Know It Makes Sense - First ever seat belt campaign, 20 years before it became compulsory for all drivers and front seat passengers to wear one.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 6h

[1992] Archer's Goon - Based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones. The protagonist's father—an author—is visited by a mysterious figure, who demands that he write two thousand words of gibberish. First episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b0Mnru_l_0

Archer's Goon Episode 1 Full

Archer's Goon Episode 1 FullCopyright BBC MCMXCII (1992)

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 7h

[1949 - 2026] George Fenton R.I.P. - English composer best known for film scores and TV music. Five Academy Award nominations, plus BAFTA, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Classic BRIT awards. Collaborated with directors like Attenborough, Gilliam, and Loach.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 7h

Morning!

Yosser Hughes, a man with dark hair and a prominent mustache, sits in the driver's seat of a car with both hands on the steering wheel, wearing a black jacket. The scene is from the British television series Boys from the Blackstuff.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 16h

[1972] Dead of Night – “The Exorcism”, four friends gather in a newly-renovated country cottage for Christmas. Through a series of inexplicable occurrences, they learn about the life (and death) of one of the cottage’s former inhabitants. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQFXTNvBLKI

The Exorcism - BBC Dead of Night

Episode 1 - BBC Dead of Night TV Series 1972.I made a special effort to find this for Halloween 2015. I eventually discovered it hiding away on a videotape....

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 17h

[1981] Twentieth Century Box - Short lived modern arts series presented by Danny Baker. This episode focuses on Iron Maiden, with interviews and early performances. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G6xogA6UTs

Iron Maiden 20th Century Box 1981 - Original Length DVD

Hello everyone! I found this gem in my collection and thought it would be a cool upload. This already exist on youtube but it's either in really bad quality ...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 18h

[1981] Solo - Sitcom written by Carla Lane about a woman who changes her life after discovering her live-in boyfriend has had an affair. Starring Felicity Kendal. First episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LzP2G3BT0s

Eighties SITCOM. Gemma Palmer, a woman who changes her life after discovering her live-in boyfriend has had an affair. Starring Felicity Kendal, Elspet Gray,...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 19h

[1981] Kevin Turvey Investigates -Turvey (Rik Mayall), a self-styled investigative journalist with a West Midlands accent who lived with his mother, wore a blue anorak and fancied Theresa Kelly. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZICCwgLCcW0

Kevin Turvey Investigates | Rik Mayall | 1981

The Mad Kevin Turvey has been hired by the BBC to investigate things but rather than investigate 'normal' things Kev decides to investigate stupidly bizarre ...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 20h

[1972] The Bardney Pop Festival - Dive into the world of fuzz, fans, freaks and bands at the Great Western Express Festival, a live rock music extravaganza which caused controversy with the local residents one weather-beaten weekend in May 1972. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8rbw7htu4

The Bardney Pop Festival (1972) | BFI National Archive

Dive into the world of fuzz, fans, freaks and bands at the Great Western Express Festival, a live rock music extravaganza which caused controversy with the l...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 22h

[1981] World of Sport – Big Daddy v Giant Haystacks – The two titans of British wrestling battle it out at the Wembley Arena.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 22h

[1972] Spyder's Web - The Arachnid Film Unit is the cover for an obscure group of intelligence operatives. Starring Patricia Cutts, Anthony Ainley and Roger Lloyd Pack. First episode, written by Roy Clarke. www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-eijXk_wZ4

Spyder's Web 1972 S01E01 Spyder Secures a Main Strand

Fri, Jan 21, 1972After a British agent fleeing across a Communist border is picked up by car, and shot, the Web weaves its way into the hunt for a traitor. A...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 05/10/2026

[1982] Kelly Monteith - Stand up comedian Kelly Monteith's look at life - which is part sitcom and part sketch show. www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6HAO2wl3ws

Kelly Monteith 1982

A classic episode from Kelly Monteith's UK TV Show in 1982. I only have this one remaining on tape - it would be good to see more of them... enjoy!

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 05/10/2026

[1990] Jeeves and Wooster - Bertram Wooster, a well-intentioned, wealthy layabout, has a habit of getting himself into trouble and it's up to his brilliant valet, Jeeves, to get him out. Starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. First episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4GeN700eu4

Jeeves and Wooster S01E01 Jeeves Takes Charge

Jeeves and Wooster S01E01 Jeeves Takes Charge

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 05/10/2026

[1981] Maggie - Drama series about a teenage girl growing up in Glasgow. Starring Kirsty Miller and Michael Sheard. First episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuwm2I491cI

Maggie episode 1 (BBC2 early 80s)

This used to be on BBC2 about 6pm in 1981. Kirsty Miller is Maggie, and Michael Sheard (Mr. Bronson) is her dad. Based on books by Joan Lingard. Sorry, I don...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 05/10/2026

[1981] Scene - Mixture of fictional and non-fictional thought-provoking short films aimed at students of school and college. This is "Ties" by Barry Purchese. Karen and her older sister Sandra both take a trip to Brighton due to unforeseen circumstances. www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8_c_AJEsnA

BBC2 | Ties | 1984

21st February 1984 - A play originally shown as part of the schools programme Scene. Karen and her older sister Sandra have different attitudes to boys and t...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 05/10/2026

[1981] Willo the Wisp - When an intergalactic beauty pageant is going to be held in Doyly Woods, Mavis the fairy intends to enter, but Evil Edna has other ideas. Voiced by Kenneth Williams.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 05/10/2026

[1971] Tomorrow’s World - "Is this the car of the future?", James Burke may appear to be driving a modest 1970s car, but looks can be deceiving, for this prototype features not just mod cons, but future cons.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 05/10/2026

Morning!

Gregor Fisher as the Baldy Man in a brown suit and tie, smiling in a photo booth with a bright orange background. Still from the Hamlet Cigars advertisement.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1984] Weekend in Wallop - From the First Nether Wallop International Arts Festival, a one-off intended as a rival to the Edinburgh Festival, Rik Mayall performs with the Jools Holland Big Band.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1979] Potter - Sitcom, written by Roy Clarke, starring Arthur Lowe as Redvers Potter, a busybody former sweet manufacturer ("Pottermints - the hotter mints") with time on his hands following retirement. First episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh0SvlNFIaI

Potter (Starring Arthur Lowe) - Series 1 - Episode 1

Potter (Starring Arthur Lowe) - Series 1 - Episode 1Broadcast: March 1st, 1979.For many a long year, Redvers Potter has been head of the family firm - Potte...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1969] One Pair of Eyes - "What is Comedy?", Marty Feldman looks at humour through the people who create it. Featuring Peter Sellers, Eric Morecambe, Dudley Moore, Annie Ross and Jon Hendricks, Johnny Speight, Denis Norden and Barry Took. www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0it6iARj64

1969: Marty Feldman - What is Comedy? | One Pair of Eyes | Comedy Icons | BBC Archive

What makes you laugh? It is always easier to describe humour than to analyse it.Marty Feldman, for many years a successful comedy writer before his more rece...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1969] Pipe Burst - Public information film informing you what you need to do if you happen to get a burst pipe. Although it seems like a parody, it isn't.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1969] Journey to the Unknown - Anthology series. This is "Do Me a Favour and Kill Me", a has been actor wants his agent to kill him so that his wife will benefit from the insurance. Starring Joseph Cotten, Judy Parfitt and Carol Cleveland. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv0ALXlgAsc

Journey to the Unknown: Do Me a Favor and Kill Me

A has been actor wants his agent to kill him so that his wife will benefit from the insurance money, but soon has a change of heart.

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Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1984] Nice - Dramatic monologue. A West Indian living in Britain talks about being nice to people and tells of the trouble it has got him into. Starring Norman Beaton. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAqwQdpuDQU

Nice (1984) | BFI National Archive

Monologue about a "nice" West Indian and his descent into postcolonial cynicism, performed by the legendary Norman Beaton.Back in the 1980s, Channel 4 was at...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1969] The Secret Service - Sci-fi series by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson featuring Father Stanley Unwin puppet, voiced by the real-life comedian of the same name. Unlike other Anderson puppet series, it used extensive live-action footage for long shots. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPQwUhDMh1I

the secret service a gerry anderson production a case for the b i s h o p

the secret service a gerry anderson production a case for the b i s h o p

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1979] The Innes Book of Records - Series made to accompany the release of the third solo album by Neil Innes. The album bore the same title, and both it and the TV show were intended to parody various genres of postwar music. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU3UM0vJUAY

The Innes Book of Records - Season 1, Episode 1 (1979)

Performed, written, and composed by Neil Innesincludes- "How Sweet To Be An Idiot"- "When Does A Dream Begin"- John Betjeman reads "Indoor Games Near Newbur...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1969] Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) - Jeff Randall and Marty Hopkirk are private detectives whose long-running partnership seems to come to an abrupt end when Marty is killed, but Marty is soon back--as a ghost. Starring Mike Pratt and Kenneth Cope. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfwii0O71nw

Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Ep1 | My Late Lamented Friend and Partner | Classic Telly

While private investigator Jeff Randall is away briefly, after collecting evidence for a woman about her adulterous husband, partner Marty Hopkirk visits the...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1984] Look Who's Talking - Talk show hosted by Derek Batey. In this episode he interviews Jon Pertwee. www.youtube.com/watch?v=976i2h5MWTg

Look Who's Talking with Jon Pertwee

An episode of chat show Look Who's Talking Derek Batey interviews Jon PertweeBorder Television18th May 1984

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1980] The Great Egg Race - Problem solving teams are given a challenge to design and build machines using limited resources and time. Here, the teams have three hours, and must weigh one of the judges, or Johnny Ball. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dem1wgSMEQs

The Great Egg Race Series 2 Episode 1 1980

Family show where teams of inventors were challenged to build odd contraptions out of everyday objects.S02E01Episode 1Tue, Mar 25, 1980

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1984] World in Action - Newly elected Tory Matthew Parris thought that unemployment “should be uncomfortable” in order to sharpen the appetites of the jobless for work. He tries to live for a week in Newcastle, on an unemployment benefit of £26.80. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDb4G8ZikHM

Documentary World in Action ITV TV Classics

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Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1978] Monkey - Born from an egg on a mountain top; a stone egg and thus he is a stone monkey, a skilled fighter who becomes a brash king of a monkey tribe, who was "the punkiest monkey that ever popped".

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1969] The Brown Rabbits - Public information film from the Central Office of Information warning of the dangers of Pills And Bottles.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

[1969] Clangers - Stop-motion children's series, created by Oliver Postgate, made of short films about a family of mouse-like creatures who live on, and inside, a small moon-like planet. In this episode the Soup Dragon gets broody, and gains a son.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 04/10/2026

Morning!

From left to right: Bill Oddie in a dark decorated jacket with patches and maroon pants; Graeme Garden in glasses wearing a brown pinstriped suit; and Tim Brooke-Taylor in a navy blue suit with a red tie, posed against a gray background in 1970s styling, with part of their famous 3-seater tandem bike visible at the frame's edge.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1981] Tenpole Tudor - Top of the Pops performance of Wünderbar. It was released by Stiff Records on 17 July 1981, and entered the UK Singles Chart on 1 August 1981, climbing to No. 16 and spending 8 weeks in the charts. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqpJTC1ZV8Y

Tenpole Tudor - Wunderbar (Top Of The Pops) 6th August 1981 (Original Broadcast. HD Quality.

All Punk & New Wave videos on my channel, mainly 1976 - 1981 and mostly in high quality. More to upload, so why not subscribe to my channel so you don't miss...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1985] Who Dares Wins - Comedy sketch show, an adaptation of Radio 4's Injury Time, featuring Jimmy Mulville, Rory McGrath, Philip Pope, Julia Hills and Tony Robinson. It was one of the first outlets for alternative comedy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM8FSxEZeRk

Who Dares Wins (Channel 4) - 1985

An edition of the Channel 4 sketch show starring Rory McGrath, Jimmy Mulville, Philip Pope, Tony Robinson and Julia Hills

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1972] Arthur of the Britons - Arthur is the chief of a small Celt tribe a century or two after the withdrawal of Rome. Arthur struggles to weave the scattered tribes of Celts, Jutes and others into a union that can effectively oppose the Saxon invaders. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeIRp4WMc_I

Arthur of the Britons Series 1 Episode 1: Arthur is Dead

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Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

Yes, she was.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1985] Girls on Top - ITV sitcom starring Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ruby Wax and Tracey Ullman. It focused on four female flatmates and their landlady. It was a female version of The Young Ones. First episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrzR3XRSqCw

Girls on Top S01E01 Four Play

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Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1981 - 1983] The Greatest American Hero - Intro to the series about a teacher who is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control. Starring William Katt and Robert Culp.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1985] Natural Born Smoker - Anti-smoking campaign. Imagines a futuristic world where humans have evolved anatomical features useful for smoking and a resistance to diseases caused by smoking but warns that these evolutionary features have not yet happened.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1979] Feet First - Sitcom penned by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey (The Good Life, Ever Decreasing Circles, Please Sir! and Brush Strokes). A young motor mechanic is signed up to be star player for a Division One football team. First episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEQ7u14iiLM

Feet First Series 1 Episode 1 1979

Harry Turnbull (Lee Montague) is a top football/soccer manager and the talented but dim Terry Prince (Jonathan Barlow) his star striker. Hamilton Defries (Do...

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1971] Granny Gets the Point - Extract from the short film produced to get Britain ready for decimalisation in February 1971.

Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1985] 40 Minutes - "The Outcasts", roaring through the streets in dirty denims and leather, The Outcasts present a menacing appearance to the respectable folk of East Anglia. Theirs is an alternative world of wild parties, arrest and sudden death. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IHyD8tlFHg

The Outcasts 1985

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Old British Telly @oldbritishtelly.co.uk · 03/10/2026

[1979] Friday Night, Saturday Morning - Chat show with a revolving guest host. Here, Peter Cook shares anecdotes from a career in comedy, reflecting on the realities of hosting a chat show and memories involving contemporaries like Lenny Bruce. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKyBJj7CWpQ

Peter Cook interview 1979 (Friday Night...Saturday Morning, BBC2, 16/11/79)

Obtained from a previous contact. The audio was already on youtube, but it seems perhaps not the video. #britishtv #1970s #interview