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
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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
