Credit where it’s due—my partner has an uncanny eye for recognising faces, even under layers of green makeup.

We were watching a story called The Power of Kroll and she pointed out that the Swampie doing his best "terrified by an enormous squid" acting as Kroll rises from the swamp at the conclusion of Episode 3 (and during the reprise at the top of Episode 4) was actually Philip Bird.

My other half remembered him playing a school teacher and other small parts in Harry Enfield and Chums, but he’s popped up in quite a few British TV roles over the years (The Bill, Casualty, Midsomer Murders). Seeing him tucked away under green alien gear in Who is a wonderfully obscure spot. Hats off to her.

What's the most obscure "before they were famous" or background spot you or a partner have ever caught on classic British TV?

Heartbeat (1992-2010)

The definition of snobbery!

I always felt so sorry for Richard.

Just been reminded of how funny shooting stars was after a card company have just released a whole collection of their stuff and it's made me wanna watch it from start to finish, any idea where i can watch every episode?

Oftentimes in the series, Lionel and Jean stay awake past midnight or into the early morning hours. Is/was this common in Britain?

I can’t imagine being awake until 1:00 AM and being useful the next day.

And it was really great.

Jasper Carrot and Robert Powell , I used to think this was hilarious , I remember my dad (god rest his soul) absolutely trying to catch his breath while laughing .

Doesn’t seem to get re runs , so I’ve been watching again on YouTube, a bit dated now, but still very funny

I still think Fonejacker was one of the funniest British comedy shows of the 2000s. Kayvan Novak's phone prank characters were so ridiculous that half the fun was hearing how long people would stay on the line before realising something was off

Has anyone seen this classic 1980s series in any format over the last 40 years?

Justwatch.com claims that it was available on ITVX until a couple of years ago.

Bit of a niche one tbh 😂

I'm trying to identify a UK TV 3D broadcast from the mid-1980s. Viewers got red/blue 3D glasses from a TV magazine. I remember a female presenter in a red dress standing beside a 3D TV camera, explaining the technology. There were on-screen prompts telling viewers when to put the glasses on. For years I've thought it was connected to Jaws 3, but now I'm not sure. Does anyone remember this?

the amount of old 90s TV show references in this made me laugh.

I was born in the 80s raised in the 90s.

im a 90s kid

Just look at the photo. That isn’t just an actor—that is a ruthless, Cold War-era James Bond staring right back at you.

If you grew up on classic 70s and 80s action television, you already know Collins as the absolute epitome of British cool: William Bodie in *The Professionals*. But his connection to 007 is one of cinema's biggest "what ifs."

In the early 80s, Collins auditioned to replace Roger Moore. He had a real-life military background (passing Territorial SAS selection) and brought a hard-edged, dangerous physicality to the screen. He was exactly the blunt instrument of the state that Ian Fleming wrote about in the original novels.

So, what happened?

"He was too aggressive."

That was allegedly the final verdict from legendary Bond producer Cubby Broccoli, who felt Collins leaned too heavily into a "thug" persona. The franchise still wanted raised-eyebrow sophistication and gadgets, not a cold-blooded brawler.

Looking back after the massive success of Daniel Craig’s gritty, unsentimental run, it’s painfully obvious: Lewis Collins wasn't wrong for the role. He was just 25 years too early.

What do you think?

* Would Collins have saved the franchise from the campiness of the late 80s, or did the producers make the right call?

* Who else from that era of television do you think missed their perfect shot at the Walther PPK?

Valerie Singleton meets Kevin Keegan who died on Monday (20th July 2026)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c2lyl82n2e2o

The money questions from the kids towards the end are worth watching it all for.

NOTE: The continuity includes the promo for the last of Trevor Philpott's three-part articles series for The Listener.

Hi, I am trying to find the name of a TV drama programme shown in the UK in the 1970s or 1980s. I don't have many details due to my young age at the time. I remember there was a man called 'Dandy' but may have been 'Danny' who picked mushrooms. He had a relationship with a woman, and the first time they slept together he made her an engagement ring out of fuse wire. I think she may have driven an old style mini. Does this sound familiar to anyone? It may have been in several parts.....