Children's ITV 1987 studio

Children's ITV - 1987

By Keith McDonald

Published on: 22nd February 2010

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A review of Children's ITV in 1987, particularly the autumn months when Knightmare Series 1 was broadcast.

About Children's ITV

The Children's ITV studios were based at Central Television in Birmingham. Central had delivered Children's ITV for most of its run since January 1983.

The 1987 Children's ITV presenters, Gary Terzza and Debbie Shore.

In 1987, a live service with regular presenters were introduced for the first time. The two new presenters were Gary Terzza and Debbie Shore.

Children's ITV presenter Debbie Shore peers over the mailbag in 1987.

The role of the presenters included engaging with fans (e.g. reading fan mail) and driving interest in competitions.

Sample the show

We have some sound clips from Children's ITV on the day that Knightmare began - Monday 7 September 1987.

DownloadBefore the commercial break (35.38kB)

DownloadIntroducing the first episode (110.54kB)

Debbie gets slightly tongue-tied while saying: "The Dungeon Master leads four friends through the hazards of the perils of the castle of confusion..."

She is interrupted by Gary so they can cut to the break.

An ident for Children's ITV in 1987.

After the adverts, there are a few teaser trailers:

You can also watch a trailer for Knightmare, broadcast two days before the first episode.

Adverts from 1987

What sort of commercials were shown around the time of Children's ITV in 1987?

They include the Oracle Teletext and Look In magazine, which ran two double-page spreads on Knightmare in 1991 and 1993.

An advert for Look In magazine in 1987, featuring Kylie Minogue.

Iconic presenter Timmy Mallet introduces the current edition of 'Look In' magazine.

"TV and sports stars. BRILLIANT competitions. Terrific picture strips." And Kylie Minogue on the cover. All for 30p.

DownloadAdverts, followed by Debbie in the studio (1.58MB)

TV Schedules

See the TV schedules from Monday 7 September 1987, the date of the first ever episode of Knightmare.

A television schedule for BBC One on 7 September 1987, the day of the first episode of Knightmare.
The schedule for BBC One

A television schedule for BBC Two on 7 September 1987, the day of the first episode of Knightmare.
The schedule for BBC Two

A television schedule for ITV on 7 September 1987, the day of the first episode of Knightmare.
The schedule for ITV (London)

A television schedule for Channel Four on 7 September 1987, the day of the first episode of Knightmare.
The schedule for Channel 4

It was also the first day of morning programmes on ITV, as the usual schools' programmes were moved to Channel 4.

How did CITV look in 1988 during Series 2 of Knightmare?

Further credits:

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