The children’s Saturday morning show Live and Kicking went on air on 2 October 1993. Over three hours of entertainment was presented by Andi Peters – fresh from the Broom Cupboard – and Emma Forbes – promoted from the cookery slot - alongside rising star John Barrowman. As the successor to Going Live! it offered continuity, with "Run the Risk" and the ever popular Trevor and Simon, but lots of new features too.
"Famous for Five Minutes" allowed a family the chance to shine. "It’s My Life" looked at people with unusual lifestyles; in the first week a new age traveller. Guests on programme one were Michelle Gayle and Linford Christie, with music from Take That.
Live and Kicking went up a gear in 1996 with the introduction of new presenters Zoe Ball and Jamie Theakston, following an emotional farewell from Peters and Forbes. The show’s success was such that a Friday show - L&K Friday - was introduced. Proceedings were further enlivened by the antics of puppets Mr Sage and Mr Onion and Mr Blobby.
Live and Kicking came under pressure from SM:TV, upsetting the BBCs dominance of Saturday mornings and so - despite several changes of presenters – it ended in 2001. Today, with two dedicated channels and a comprehensive online presence, children can access entertaining programming whenever they want.
October anniversaries
Winston Churchill's first wartime broadcast
1 October 1939
Songs of Praise
1 October 1961
Live and Kicking
2 October 1993
Points of View
2 October 1961
The Trials of Life
3 October 1990
Pick of the Pops
4 October 1955
Monty Python's Flying Circus
5 October 1969
Poldark
5 October 1975
You and Yours
6 October 1970
Woman's Hour
7 October 1946
DIY SOS
7 October 1999
Later... with Jools Holland
8 October 1992
In Touch
8 October 1961
Make Yourself At Home - Programmes for Immigrants
10 October 1965
Grandstand
11 October 1958
Around the World in 80 Days
11 October 1989
On The Move
12 October 1975
First edition of Any Questions
12 October 1948
First edition of Omnibus
13 October 1967
Bombing of Broadcasting House
15 October 1940
Play For Today
15 October 1970
First televised Party Election Broadcast
15 October 1951
Birds of a Feather
16 October 1989
Blue Peter first broadcast
16 October 1958
The Magic Roundabout
18 October 1965
The formation of the BBC
18 October 1922
BBC Symphony Orchestra first broadcast
22 October 1930
Captain Pugwash
22 October 1957
Terry and June
24 October 1979
Launch of daytime television
27 October 1986
The Wednesday Play first broadcast
28 October 1964
First edition of Today
28 October 1957
Maida Vale opens
30 October 1934
