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''Seaside Special'' is a European
light entertainment Light entertainment encompasses a broad range of television and radio programming that includes comedies, variety shows, game shows, quiz shows and the like. In Great Britain In the early days of the BBC virtually all broadcast entertainment wou ...
show broadcast from 1975. It was an outside broadcast filmed at a big top around numerous British seaside resorts. Originally the big top belonged to various circuses (mainly
Gerry Cottle Gerald Ward Cottle (7 April 1945 – 13 January 2021) was a British circus owner and the owner of the Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset. He presented the Moscow State Circus and Chinese State Circus in Britain, founded Gerry Cottle's Circus, and co- ...
's Circus), but in later seasons, the BBC bought its own to be the venue. The programme was developed by producer Michael Hurll. The series was developed after a short-lived, 6 part 'trial' aired on
BBC2 BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream an ...
in 1973, under the title ''Show of the Week: The Young Generation Big Top'', starring the dance troupe
The Young Generation Douglas William Squires (born 1932) is an English choreographer, known best for his work in television from the mid-1950s. He was born in Nottingham. Choreography The groups he has choreographed for television include: *The Young Generation *The ...
and hosted by various personalities. The series was broadcast from various Pontin's Holiday Camps around the UK under the Gerry Cottle Big Top. The first show, airing on 6 August 1973, was hosted by Clodagh Rodgers. While this show was originally made in the United Kingdom, it was also co-produced in France,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
and Belgium. The format was revived by the BBC as ''Summertime Special'' with all eight episodes broadcast on BBC1 from Brighton, starting on 25 July 1981. The following year a further six episodes of Summertime Special were commissioned, this time broadcast from Eastbourne starting on 17 July 1982. A final series was shown on BBC1 on 25 July 1987, this time called ''Seaside Special '87'', all six episodes were broadcast from Jersey and hosted by Mike Smith.


The show

It was essentially a variety show, hosted by
Radio 1 Radio 1 or Radio One most commonly refers to: *BBC Radio 1, a music radio station from the BBC ** BBC Radio 1Xtra, a digital radio station broadcasting black music *CBC Radio One, a talk radio station operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporatio ...
and Radio 2 DJs, consisting of a music act, a comedy act, and dancers New Edition. The 1977 series featured a beauty competition. Typical acts were Little and Large, Keith Harris and Orville,
Lena Zavaroni Lena Hilda Zavaroni (4 November 1963 – 1 October 1999) was a Scottish singer and a television show host. At ten years of age, with her album ''Ma! (He's Making Eyes at Me)'', she was the youngest person in history to have an album in the top ...
, The Jimmy Brown Dancers, Bernie Clifton,
Showaddywaddy Showaddywaddy are a rock and roll group from Leicester, England. They specialise in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, while also issuing original material. Showaddywaddy spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and had 10 T ...
,
The Wurzels The Wurzels are an English Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset, England, best known for their number one hit " The Combine Harvester" and number three hit "I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976. They are known for using British West Country phrases ...
, Sacha Distel, Peters and Lee, Val Doonican, Ronnie Corbett, The Goodies and Nana Mouskouri. Some segments of the show were shot outside the big top, including one occasion when the Brotherhood of Man sang "My Sweet Rosalie" sitting in a particularly unstable-looking lifeboat. The show's theme, "Summertime City", written and sung by Mike Batt, was a UK Top 10 hit in 1975.


History

Very successful in its day, the show was briefly revived in the 1980s as Summertime Special, but by then the tastes of the viewing public had moved on (see Variety shows history).


1975

5 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...
.
The first of a new series of variety shows featuring artists appearing at Britain's seaside resorts starring Ken Dodd with The Diddymen. Special guests Dana and Wild Honey. Introduced by David Hamilton and featuring New Edition. 12 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth (), often called Yarmouth, is a seaside town and unparished area in, and the main administrative centre of, the Borough of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England; it straddles the River Yare and is located east of Norwich. A pop ...

Starring Peters and Lee with special guests
Billy Dainty William Hooper Frank John Dainty (22 February 1927 – 19 November 1986) was a British comedian, dancer, physical comedian and pantomime and television star. Early life Dainty was born in Wolverhampton Street, Dudley, Worcestershire. His ...
, Alan Randall,
Frank Carson Hugh Francis Carson KSG (6 November 1926  – 22 February 2012) was a Northern Irish comedian and actor from Belfast. He was best known for being a regular face on television for many years from the 1970s onwards, appearing in series su ...
, Stu Francis, Cool Breeze and introduced by Noel Edmonds featuring New Edition. 19 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

guests –
Mike & Bernie Winters Mike and Bernie Winters were an English comedy double act, consisting of brothers Mike Winters, born Michael Weinstein (15 November 1926 – 24 August 2013) and Bernie Winters, born Bernard Weinstein (6 September 1930 – 4 May 1991). The act ...
,
The Three Degrees The Three Degrees is an American female vocal group formed circa 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although 16 women have been members over the years, the group has always been a trio. The current line-up consists of Helen Scott, Valerie Holi ...
, Peter Gordeno & New Edition. With hosts David Hamilton and Paul Melba (Mike and Bernie Winters were in the 'Mike and Bernie Winters Show' at the ABC Theatre. Blackpool: Paul Melba was in ' Showtime 75 ' at the North Pier, Blackpool) 26 July 1975
Location – Big Top of Jerry Cottle 's Circus which this week visited
Poole Poole () is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. Since 1 April 2019, the local authority is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Counc ...
, Dorset.
guests – starring
Cilla Black Priscilla Maria Veronica White (27 May 1943 – 1 August 2015), better known as Cilla Black, was an English singer, actress and television presenter. Championed by her friends the Beatles, Black began her career as a singer in 1963. Her ...
and her guests Paul Jones, Don MacLean, the Brother Lees, and, from clubland, Ronnie Dukes and Ricki Lee. Introduced by
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
and featuring New Edition 2 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth (), often called Yarmouth, is a seaside town and unparished area in, and the main administrative centre of, the Borough of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England; it straddles the River Yare and is located east of Norwich. A pop ...

guests – Dick Emery and featuring Sacha Distel with Clodagh Rodgers, Little and Large, Norman Caley and introduced by Noel Edmonds and featuring New Edition 9 August 1975
location – Gerry Cottle's Circus, Torbay
hosts – Noel Edmonds and Val Doonican, guests – Windsor Davies and
Don Estelle Don Estelle (22 May 1933 – 2 August 2003) was an English actor and singer, best known as Gunner "Lofty" Sugden in ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum''. Early life Born Ronald Edwards in Crumpsall, Manchester (historically part of Lancashire), he wa ...
, Ronnie Corbett,
Lynn Rogers Lynn Leroy Rogers (born 1939) is an American biologist who studies wild black bears and is known as the ''Jane Goodall of bears''. He is the founder of the North American Bear Center. He teaches a yearly black bear field study course for the W ...
,
Peter Hudson Peter John Hudson AM (born 19 February 1946) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and for the New Norfolk Football Club and Glenorchy Football Club in the Ta ...
, Ian Lavender, Bill Pertwee (both from Dad's Army), John Inman, Mike Read and
Radio 1 Radio 1 or Radio One most commonly refers to: *BBC Radio 1, a music radio station from the BBC ** BBC Radio 1Xtra, a digital radio station broadcasting black music *CBC Radio One, a talk radio station operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporatio ...
DJs David Hamilton,
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
(and his then wife Tessa Wyatt) featuring New Edition. 16 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week visited Torbay
guests – New Edition sing & dance to "The Main Attraction", "Be A Clown" & "
Funky Gibbon "The Funky Gibbon" is a novelty song very recently recorded by Bill Oddie and The Goodies. It was arranged by Tom Parker ("with interference from Bill Oddie") with the musical backing provided by members of the R&B band Gonzalez and released as a ...
", Dailey & Wayne "Keep The Customer Satisfied" "Hey There", Des Lane "Yellow Rose of Texas" & "Long Way to Tipperary", Lulu "I Was Raised on Rock" & "Boy Meets Girl", ABBA "Waterloo" "S.O.S.", Janet Brown "The Pleasure of Your Company", Kimberley Clarke "Call The Preacher", Kenneth McKellar "Without A Song" & "O Sole Mio", Mike Batt "Summertime City",
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
"Tie A Yellow Ribbon" (Kenneth McKellar was in Summer Spectacular at the Festival Theatre. Paignton; Dailey and Wayne and Des Lane were in the Val Doonican Show at the Princess Theatre, Torquay) From ABBA on TV websit
source
23 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Poole Poole () is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. Since 1 April 2019, the local authority is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Counc ...
, Dorset
guests – Rolf Harris and The Bachelors with Stuart Gillies and Bernie Clifton, Johnny More, Rita Morris and
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
featuring New Edition. 30 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week in Torbay
guests –
Roy Hudd Roy Hudd, OBE (16 May 1936 – 15 March 2020) was an English comedian, actor, presenter, radio host, author and authority on the history of music hall entertainment. Early life Hudd was born in Croydon on 16 May 1936 to Evalina "Evie" (née ...
and Keith Harris with Tessie O'Shea,
Lena Zavaroni Lena Hilda Zavaroni (4 November 1963 – 1 October 1999) was a Scottish singer and a television show host. At ten years of age, with her album ''Ma! (He's Making Eyes at Me)'', she was the youngest person in history to have an album in the top ...
, Derek Dene, Jon Britain and
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
and featuring New Edition.


1976

19 June 1976
location – Gerry Cottles Circus,
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

guests – Wendy Richard, Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton, John Inman, (all from '' Are You Being Served?''),
Showaddywaddy Showaddywaddy are a rock and roll group from Leicester, England. They specialise in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, while also issuing original material. Showaddywaddy spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and had 10 T ...
and The Goodies, with hosts
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, Dave Lee Travis. 26 June 1976
location Burniston Road car park next to the army barracks Scarborough ?
guests – Dana, Jim Davidson, with host David Hamilton 3 July 1976
Location – Scarborough (American Bicentennial edition)
guests
The Three Degrees The Three Degrees is an American female vocal group formed circa 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although 16 women have been members over the years, the group has always been a trio. The current line-up consists of Helen Scott, Valerie Holi ...
, Kenneth McKellar, Brother Lees, Dailey and Wayne, New Edition 10 July 1976
Location – Southsea
guests Lulu,
Mike & Bernie Winters Mike and Bernie Winters were an English comedy double act, consisting of brothers Mike Winters, born Michael Weinstein (15 November 1926 – 24 August 2013) and Bernie Winters, born Bernard Weinstein (6 September 1930 – 4 May 1991). The act ...
, Janet Brown, Dream Express, Ron Martin, host
Paul Burnett Paul Burnett (born 26 November 1943) is an English radio disc jockey. Early career Burnett began his radio career while in the Royal Air Force in the Persian Gulf in 1964. In 1966 he joined offshore radio station, Radio 270, broadcasting off S ...
, and New Edition 17 July 1976
Location –
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

guests Al Dean, Kate T. Fields Rod Hull and Emu, Little and Large, New Edition 24 July 1976
Location – Southsea
featured acts from Gerry Cottles Circus.
guests
Tony Monopoly Tony Monopoly (3 December 1944 – 21 March 1995) was an Australian-born cabaret singer and actor who enjoyed success in the United Kingdom. Born Antonio Rosario Monopoli in Adelaide, he was a regular on the national radio show, ''Kangaroos on P ...
, Paul Daniels, Cannon and Ball, Surprise Sisters,
Mary Chipperfield Mary Rose Cawley ( Chipperfield, 26 November 1937 – 30 November 2014) was a 1970s British circus entertainer who specialised in a chimpanzee act. She was also known as an animal trainer, providing numerous animals for various BBC productions and ...
– chimpanzee act, Jacko Fossett and Little Billy, Cimarro Brothers, host Mike Reid, New Edition 31 July 1976
Location – Weymouth
guests The Bachelors, Sacha Distel, The Grumbleweeds, Keith Harris and Orville, Kenny Lynch,
Jimmy Tarbuck James Joseph Tarbuck (born 6 February 1940) is an English comedian, singer, actor, entertainer and game show host. He was a host of ''Sunday Night at the London Palladium'' in the mid-1960s, and hosted numerous game shows and quiz shows on ITV ...
, New Edition 7 August 1976
Location – Weymouth and
Cherbourg Cherbourg (; , , ), nrf, Chèrbourg, ) is a former commune and subprefecture located at the northern end of the Cotentin peninsula in the northwestern French department of Manche. It was merged into the commune of Cherbourg-Octeville on 28 Feb ...
(Anglo-French edition)
guests Brotherhood of Man,
Frank Carson Hugh Francis Carson KSG (6 November 1926  – 22 February 2012) was a Northern Irish comedian and actor from Belfast. He was best known for being a regular face on television for many years from the 1970s onwards, appearing in series su ...
, Alan Randall, Child (Dave Cooper, Graham Bilbrough, Tim Atack & Keith Atack), Santus Julian troupe, Sacha Distel, New Edition 14 August 1976
Location – Torbay
guests Vince Hill, Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, Patton Brothers, Fivepenny Piece, Jodie Grey, Alan Stewart, Peters and Lee, New Edition 21 August 1976
Location – Torbay
guests
Roy Hudd Roy Hudd, OBE (16 May 1936 – 15 March 2020) was an English comedian, actor, presenter, radio host, author and authority on the history of music hall entertainment. Early life Hudd was born in Croydon on 16 May 1936 to Evalina "Evie" (née ...
, Moira Anderson, Don Maclean, Black Abbots, Sidney Devine, Wayne King, hosts
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, Dave Lee Travis, David Hamilton,
Paul Burnett Paul Burnett (born 26 November 1943) is an English radio disc jockey. Early career Burnett began his radio career while in the Royal Air Force in the Persian Gulf in 1964. In 1966 he joined offshore radio station, Radio 270, broadcasting off S ...
, New Edition 28 August 1976
Location – Torbay
guests Nicky Benton, Peters and Lee, Larry Grayson, Frankie Vaughan,
Roy Hudd Roy Hudd, OBE (16 May 1936 – 15 March 2020) was an English comedian, actor, presenter, radio host, author and authority on the history of music hall entertainment. Early life Hudd was born in Croydon on 16 May 1936 to Evalina "Evie" (née ...
, Diane Solomon,
Wurzels The Wurzels are an English Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset, England, best known for their number one hit " The Combine Harvester" and number three hit "I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976. They are known for using British West Country phrases ...
, Fiddlygig, Terry Turner, New Edition 7 September 1976
Location – Southsea
David Hamilton, Boney M and New Edition – a highlights show.


1977

11 June 1977
Location Eastbourne
First heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests Ronnie Corbett, Anne Hart,
Nolans The Nolans are an Anglo-Irish girl group who formed in Blackpool in 1974 as the Nolan Sisters, before changing their name in 1980. Often referred to as Ireland's ''First Family of Music'', they were the first Irish performing family to achiev ...
, Janet Brown, Patton Brothers, Dick Sheppard, host
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, New Edition 18 June 1977
Location Eastbourne
Second heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
Roy Hudd Roy Hudd, OBE (16 May 1936 – 15 March 2020) was an English comedian, actor, presenter, radio host, author and authority on the history of music hall entertainment. Early life Hudd was born in Croydon on 16 May 1936 to Evalina "Evie" (née ...
, Diane Traske, Don Maclean, Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, Jeff Phillips, host
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, New Edition 25 June 1977
Location
Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth (), often called Yarmouth, is a seaside town and unparished area in, and the main administrative centre of, the Borough of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England; it straddles the River Yare and is located east of Norwich. A pop ...

Third heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests John Inman, Ronnie Dukes, Ricki Lee,
Berni Flint Bernard Flint (born 26 May 1952, in Southport, Lancashire, England)IMDb.com – accessed July 2009
, Miquel Brown, Mike Hope, Albie Keen, host David Hamilton, New Edition 2 July 1977
Location
Lowestoft Lowestoft ( ) is a coastal town and civil parish in the East Suffolk district of Suffolk, England.OS Explorer Map OL40: The Broads: (1:25 000) : . As the most easterly UK settlement, it is north-east of London, north-east of Ipswich and sou ...

Fourth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests Les Dawson, Dana, Bernie Clifton, Brother Lees, Stuart Gillies, host David Hamilton, New Edition 9 July 1977
Location – Great Yarmouth
Fifth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Cilla Black Priscilla Maria Veronica White (27 May 1943 – 1 August 2015), better known as Cilla Black, was an English singer, actress and television presenter. Championed by her friends the Beatles, Black began her career as a singer in 1963. Her ...
(performed "I Wanted To Call It Off"), Vince Hill,
Frank Carson Hugh Francis Carson KSG (6 November 1926  – 22 February 2012) was a Northern Irish comedian and actor from Belfast. He was best known for being a regular face on television for many years from the 1970s onwards, appearing in series su ...
, Dream Express, Jeff Phillips, Lennie Bennett, host
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, New Edition 16 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth Bournemouth () is a coastal resort town in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area of Dorset, England. At the 2011 census, the town had a population of 183,491, making it the largest town in Dorset. It is situated on the Southern ...

Sixth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests Little and Large, Bachelors,
Showaddywaddy Showaddywaddy are a rock and roll group from Leicester, England. They specialise in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, while also issuing original material. Showaddywaddy spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and had 10 T ...
, Dave Ismay, James Boys, Shades of Love, host
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, New Edition 23 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth Bournemouth () is a coastal resort town in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area of Dorset, England. At the 2011 census, the town had a population of 183,491, making it the largest town in Dorset. It is situated on the Southern ...

Seventh heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests Peters and Lee, Stu Francis,
Michael Barrymore Michael Ciaran Parker (born 4 May 1952), known by his stage name Michael Barrymore, is an English actor, comedian and television presenter of game shows and light entertainment programmes on British television in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Th ...
, Bobby Crush, Jodie Grey, host David Hamilton, New Edition 30 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth Bournemouth () is a coastal resort town in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area of Dorset, England. At the 2011 census, the town had a population of 183,491, making it the largest town in Dorset. It is situated on the Southern ...

Eighth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests Val Doonican, Fiddlygig,
Stan Boardman Stanley Boardman (born 7 December 1937) is an English comedian. Early life and career Boardman was evacuated with his family to Wrexham during the Second World War, and after the family returned to their Merseyside home mistakenly thinking the ...
, Les Wilson
Van Buren & Greta
host
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, New Edition 6 August 1977
Location
Honfleur Honfleur () is a commune in the Calvados department in northwestern France. It is located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine across from le Havre and very close to the exit of the Pont de Normandie. The people that inhabit Honf ...

First of two programmes from France
guests Cliff Richard, Claude Francois, Half Wits, Norman Caley, host
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
13 August 1977
Location
Honfleur Honfleur () is a commune in the Calvados department in northwestern France. It is located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine across from le Havre and very close to the exit of the Pont de Normandie. The people that inhabit Honf ...

Second of two programmes from France
guests Mireille Mathieu, Boney M, Marie Myriam, host
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
20 August 1977 8pm to 9pm BBC1
Location Torbay
The Final of the Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests Jeff Phillips,
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
, Vera Lynn, Jim Davidson,
Wurzels The Wurzels are an English Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset, England, best known for their number one hit " The Combine Harvester" and number three hit "I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976. They are known for using British West Country phrases ...
, Tony Selby, Patton Brothers, host David Hamilton, New Edition 27 August 1977
Location Jersey
Features the first colour TV transmission of the 'Battle of the Flowers'.
guests Johnnie and Roy, Mission Hall Jazz Band, Des O’Connor, Jack Douglas, George Truzzi, Roger Kitter, Brian Taylor, Shades of Love, Californians, Page Three, host David Hamilton, New Edition 30 September 1977 6:55pm to 7:40pm BBC1
Special end of Summer edition.


1978

24 March 1978
''Snowtime Special''
Location Leysin,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

The first of two holiday programmes recorded on location in the Swiss winter sports resort of Leysin and inside the Seaside Special Big Top 4,000 ft up in the Alps. Presented by
Andy Williams Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...
with his guests Sacha Distel and Demis Roussos with Rod Hull and Emu, Boney M, Sheila with Black Devotion, Katja Ebstein, Jan Madd Magic Show. Jacqueline Harbord, and featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition. This may have been the infamous outside broadcast where the snow melted the night before and was replaced by Leysin Fire Brigade fire suppressing foam in the town streets. 27 March 1978
''Snowtime Special''
Location: Leysin, Switzerland
The second of two holiday programmes recorded in Switzerland featuring music, song and dance combined with winter sports. Presented by Petula Clark with her guests Charles Aznavour, Manhattan Transfer, The Three Degrees, Claude Francois, Udo Jurgens, Wolfgang Danne and Jillian featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition. 8 July 1978
Location Torbay
guests Little and Large, Caterina Valente,
Sheila B. Devotion Sheila (alternatively spelled Shelagh and Sheelagh) is a common feminine given name, derived from the Irish name ''Síle'', which is believed to be a Gaelic form of the Latin name Caelia, the feminine form of the Roman clan name Caelius, meanin ...
, Brotherhood of Man,
Showaddywaddy Showaddywaddy are a rock and roll group from Leicester, England. They specialise in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, while also issuing original material. Showaddywaddy spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and had 10 T ...
, Hoppe's Unrideable Mules 15 July 1978
Location Torbay
guests Clive Webb, Boney M, Joe Dassin, Plastic Bertrand, Matia Bazar, Ian Dury, Roy Walker, Peter Hudson 22 July 1978 7:35pm to 8:25pm BBC1
Location Torbay
guests Marti Caine, Roy Castle, Jean Vallee, Brother Lees, Black Gold, Colin 'Fingers' Henry, Inarros Sisters 29 July 1978 8:20pm to 9:10pm
Location Torbay
guests Rolf Harris, Nicole Croisille, Smokie, Bernie Clifton, Stu Francis, Paul Nicholas, Charivari. Rolf sang a variation of ' Flogging Molly' with the chorus 'Come day go day, Wish in my hearty it was Sunday, Drinking buttermilk all the week, And whiskey on a Sunday.' 5 August 1978 8:30pm to 9:20pm
Location Torbay
guests Jim Davidson, Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, Berni Flint, Larry Parker, Samson and Delilah, Udo Jürgens, Annie Cordy 12 August 1978 8:30pm to 9:20pm
Location St Malo
guests Joe Dassin, Chantal Goya, Laurent Voulzey, Était Une Fois, Café Crème, Arlene, Tony Crosse, Grace Jones 19 August 1978 8:15pm to 9:05pm
Location St Malo
guests Band a Basile, Chris Woodward, Arthur Scott and his Sealions,
Dionne Warwick Marie Dionne Warwick (; born December 12, 1940) is an American singer, actress, and television host. Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest U.S. hit makers between 1955 and 1999, based on her chart history on ''Billboards Hot 100 pop singles cha ...
, Baccara, Alain Souchon, Annie Cordon, Patrick Juvet, Jeane Manson, Martin Circus 26 August 1978 8:10pm to 9:00pm
Location Jersey and features the 'Battle of the Flowers' (again)
guests Jackie Hall, Terry Wogan,
Wurzels The Wurzels are an English Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset, England, best known for their number one hit " The Combine Harvester" and number three hit "I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976. They are known for using British West Country phrases ...
, Stuart Gillies, Black Abbots,
Tony Hatch Anthony Peter Hatch (born 30 June 1939) is an English composer for musical theatre and television. He is also a songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer. Early life and early career Hatch was born in Pinner, Middlesex. Encouraged by his mus ...
, Jackie Trent, Bobby Bennett 2 September 1978 8.10pm to 9.00pm
Location Jersey
guests Charlie Daze, Memory Lane, Peters and Lee, Mike Burton,
Dooleys The Dooleys were a British male–female pop group comprising at its peak eight members – six of them in the Dooley family. The group achieved several UK chart hits between 1977 and 1981, including top-ten hits " Wanted", "Love of My Life" a ...
, Brian Marshall, Californians, Good Vibrations, Ron Martin. City Boy. 9 September 1978 8.20pm to 9.10pm
Location Weymouth
guests Mike Carter, Lenny Henry, Mike Hope, Albie Keen, John Inman, Dana Gillespie, Salena Jones,
Norman Collier Norman Collier (25 December 1925 – 14 March 2013) was a British comedian who achieved popularity following television appearances in the 1970s. He was best known for his 'faulty microphone' routine and for his chicken impressions. Career and ...
, Bobby Crush 22 September 1978
Location Weymouth
guests Lennie Bennett, Jerry Stevens, Allan Stewart, Valerie Masters, Diane Cousins, Bobby Knutt, Turnstyle 18 December 1978
''Christmas Snowtime Special''
A Yuletide Spectacular! Including ski-ing, ice-skating and Alpine sports, recorded on location in the BBC Big Top, 4,000 feet up in the Swiss Alps with international stars Andy Williams, Petula Clark, Boney M, Manhattan Transfer, Sacha Distel, Charles Aznavour, The Three Degrees, Sheila B Devotion, Jacqueline Harbord. Introduced by Demis Roussos and featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.


1979

This series was more of a
Eurovision The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...
production with French, Dutch and Swiss TV companies involved as well as the BBC. Disco in the Snow
Monday 9 April 1979, BBC1 at 6:55pm to 8:10pm
A non-stop musical show featuring the world's top disco artists, recorded inside the BBC1 Big Top and on the ski slopes at Leysin in the Swiss Alps. Starring and introduced by Boney M and Leo Sayer. Featuring from the USA: The Jacksons, Curtis Mayfield, Leif Garrett, Amii Stewart. From the UK: Bonnie Tyler. From Canada: The Raes, Rozalind Keene. From Switzerland: Patrick Juvet. From Germany: Eruption. Also featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition. ''ABBA in Switzerland''
Monday 16 April 1979, BBC1 at 7.45pm to 8.40pm
Abba star in their first-ever European television special, recorded on location in the Swiss Alps, in which they mime to many of their million-selling hits together with some brand-new songs: "Take A Chance on Me" (with First Edition), "The King Has Lost His Crown" (with First Edition), "Hole in Your Soul", "The Name of the Game", "Eagle", "Mamma Mia", "Kisses of Fire", "Lovers (Live A Little Longer)", "Chiquittita", "Does Your Mother Know?" and "Thank You for the Music" . Also featuring their guests Kate Bush performing "Wow" and Roxy Music performing "Dance Away". With Geoff Richer's First Edition singing and dancing to "Jump Shout Boogie". Location Leysin,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
(The skiing scenes were filmed 25 minutes away at Les Diablerets. The ice-skating scenes were filmed at 9pm one evening at the Leysin village ice-rink.) (Music tracks sourced from ABBA on TV websit
source
14 July 1979 at 8:15 to 9:05pm
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

Introduced by Peter Powell with guests Little and Large with guests Mick Miller, Peters and Lee and
Showaddywaddy Showaddywaddy are a rock and roll group from Leicester, England. They specialise in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, while also issuing original material. Showaddywaddy spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and had 10 T ...
,
Chas and Dave Chas & Dave (often billed as Chas 'n' Dave) were a British pop rock duo, formed in London by Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock. Hodges died in 2018. They were most notable as creators and performers of a musical style labelled ''rockney'' (a port ...
and First Edition 21 July 1979 at 8:25pm to 9:15pm
Location Bruges
Introduced by Jeane Manson with guests Boney M,
Amii Stewart Amy Paulette "Amii" Stewart (born January 29, 1956) is an American disco and soul singer and dancer who found prominence with her 1979 U.S. Billboard number 1 hit cover of Eddie Floyd's song " Knock on Wood", often considered a classic of the ...
, Clive Webb, Chantal Goya, Patrick Hernandez, and Gerard Lenorman 28 July 1979 at 8:25 to 9:15pm
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

Introduced by Peter Powell with guests Tony Brutus, Angels, Ken Dodd and his Diddymen, Brother Lees 4 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top in
Poole Poole () is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. Since 1 April 2019, the local authority is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Counc ...

Introduced by Peter Powell with guests
Cilla Black Priscilla Maria Veronica White (27 May 1943 – 1 August 2015), better known as Cilla Black, was an English singer, actress and television presenter. Championed by her friends the Beatles, Black began her career as a singer in 1963. Her ...
who sang Bright Eyes with some kids holding rabbits. Cliff Richard and Don MacLean, Jerry Stevens, Keith Harris, Lenny Henry and Antonia Rodriguez 11 August 1979
Location
Honfleur Honfleur () is a commune in the Calvados department in northwestern France. It is located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine across from le Havre and very close to the exit of the Pont de Normandie. The people that inhabit Honf ...

Introduced by Peter Powell with guests Rod Hull and Emu, Plastic Bertrand, Eruption, Gibson Brothers, Santos 'Loonies', Amanda Lear 18 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

Introduced by Peter Powell with guests Les Dawson,
The Krankies The Krankies are a Scottish comedy duo who enjoyed success as a cabaret act in the 1970s and on television in the 1980s, featuring in their own television shows and making pop records. Since this period, they have also regularly appeared in pant ...
, Stu Francis, Les Dennis, Roy Barraclough and from the world of pop music
The Dooleys The Dooleys were a British male–female pop group comprising at its peak eight members – six of them in the Dooley family. The group achieved several UK chart hits between 1977 and 1981, including top-ten hits " Wanted", "Love of My Life" a ...
, Berni Flint, Dollar 25 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top, Isle of Man
Introduced by Peter Powell with guests Petula Clark, The Grumbleweeds,
The Wurzels The Wurzels are an English Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset, England, best known for their number one hit " The Combine Harvester" and number three hit "I Am a Cider Drinker" in 1976. They are known for using British West Country phrases ...
,
Frank Carson Hugh Francis Carson KSG (6 November 1926  – 22 February 2012) was a Northern Irish comedian and actor from Belfast. He was best known for being a regular face on television for many years from the 1970s onwards, appearing in series su ...
, Bobby Knutt, Diane Cousins, Tony Kent, Greg Bonham,
Iris Williams Iris Williams OBE (born 20 April 1944) is a Welsh singer. Williams reached the peak of her popularity during the 1980s. Early life and education Williams was born in Rhydyfelin. Brought up in a children's home in Tonyrefail, and later adopted ...
1 September 1979
Location BBC Big Top from
Poole Poole () is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. Since 1 April 2019, the local authority is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Counc ...

Introduced by Peter Powell with guests Rolf Harris, Roy Castle, Amii Stewart, Bernie Clifton, Candlewick Green, Neil Martin and First Edition 8 September 1979
Location Big Top from the Isle of Man
Introduced by Peter Powell with guests Lennie Bennett, Ruby Winters and Boney M Snowtime Christmas Special Saturday 22 December 1979 BBC1 6.35pm to 7.25pm Location Leysin,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

This show used a mixture of previously recorded and broadcast segments from the Snowtime Easter Special plus additional guests hosted by Dame Edna Everage. Songs performed in this show: - ABBA – Chiquitita ***(1)
- Boney M – Mary's Boy Child ***(2)
- Leo Sayer – When I Need You (3)
- The Jacksons – Destiny (4)
- Bonnie Tyler – It's a Heartache (5)
- Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again (6)
- Wolfgang Danne and Jillian Denise Biellmann skate to "I Wonder (Departure)" (7) * with Geoff Richer's First Edition dance troupe doing their thing behind them from ABBA on TV websit
source


References


External links

* *{{IMDb title, id=2604252, title=Summertime Special 1975 British television series debuts 1979 British television series endings 1970s British television series BBC Television shows British music television shows English-language television shows