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29th March 2012 Ten years on
It's exactly ten years ago today that the epic final show burst forth from Lock Keepers Cottages. Richard Whitley's star turn, a drunk Johnny Vegas, So Solid Crew live on the band stand, Cheggers burying a time capsule and Squeaky McClean sticking two fingers up at Channel 4 with My-Lenny-Um-Gnome. There was a fond farewell from Prince Charles and that tearful final song... and do you know what. Ri:se never did last ten years.
A decade on, The Big Breakfast is still sorely missed. Morning TV has become stale and bland. A choice of kids TV, music, news or ITV still spewing out the same old shit but in a much duller package. In 2012 radio is where it's at. Moyles and Evans - both with a Big Breakfast heritage and both churning out great entertainment every morning. Also news this morning that Johnny Vaughan will be joining Absolute Radio to provide their Olympic coverage.
Despite excitement of a rumoured relaunch back in January it looks like the Big Breakfast will remain in TV's room 101 for now. There is some hope in broadcasters starting to wake up to monetising their archives through the internet, hopefully C4 will see sense and one day add the Breakfast to 4OD. Until then the show lives on in our memories, Youtube and Bowlocks. Luv the show!
29th March...2002 Prince Charles loves the show
"For the last 10 years, The Big Breakfast has amused, entertained and informed a great many people with verve, with wit and with a tremendous sense of fun which very few shows at that hour of the day can match." - HRH Prince Charles 29th March 2002.
29th January 2012 The Big Breakfast: Back Soon?We spluttered into our cornflakes this morning when we read this article over on The Daily Mirror: "The Big Breakfast TV show is coming back, in time for the Olympics. Producers have permission to use the old Big Breakfast house by the East London Olympics site for the show, which will be on Channel 4 or 5.
A source said: “The aim is to be as good as the original – full of fun and frolics.” Insiders say the show will feature favourite features from the past such as Vital Statistics, More Tea, Vicar and The Pun Down.
Producers reckon they will be able to lure viewers from ITV’s struggling Daybreak – and the show could become permanent if they succeed. Former presenter Amanda Byram said she would be glad to return, adding: “There’s a big gap in the market.” Other members of the C4 talent may return – although star presenters Chris Evans and Denise Van Outen are unlikely to be among them."
So what does Bow Locks think? Don't get excited just yet. The fact the article quotes the red tops ever reliable "source" and "insiders" rather than a named TV exec or production company means it's probably wishful thinking.
Dean Piper, the writer of the piece does tend to be more reliable than other tabloid entertainment hacks but we're puzzled that it'll air on either "Channel 4 or 5" This means the show hasn't been commissioned and it's probably just being pitched. Think positive though, there is no alternative on breakfast TV anymore and with Daybreak still dismal the time is right for Lock Keeper's Cottage to re-open its doors.
UPDATE: 29/01/12 11.15am More details have emerged on the Mirror's showbiz editor's blog. It seems to be ITN that are behind The Big Breakfast's revival. Read his post here.
You can discuss this news in the Bow Locks forum.
Image courtesy of Ben Sutherland
10th January 2012: 2001 relaunch producer passes away.
More sad new reaches Bow Locks this morning as we hear of the passing of Richard Hopkins aged 47. Recently Hopkins has been involved in huge TV hits such as Strictly Come Dancing & Big Brother but back in 2001 he was the man that oversaw much of the 2001 relaunch of The Big Breakfast bringing Donna, Amanda & Paul to the show. Before serving as the show's executive producer he oversaw all American produced content for Planet 24's stable of shows including The Word & The Big Breakfast.
Hopkins also produced Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show, which launched the careers of Ricky Gervais and Sacha Baron Cohen.
The TV executive, who had been suffering from cancer, passed away on Saturday and is survived by his wife Katy and his three daughters.
While the 2001 Big Breakfast relaunch wasn't a resounding success with the fans the mere fact that Hopkins is the man that created the huge hit Strictly Come Dancing and its US counterpart Dancing With The Stars means that the world of TV has lost a great talent.
His joint managing director at Fever Media, David Mortimer, commented: "Television is, by its nature, an ephemeral business, so very few of us can hope to have any lasting legacy.
"Richard was a glorious exception to this rule and, as one of the greatest producers of his generation, he quite literally got the world dancing."
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
7th January 2012: R.I.P please Bob
Sad news to start 2012 with as Bow Locks hears of the death of quiz legend Bob Holness. As tribute here's his visit to the Big Breakfast bathroom with Zig & Zag.
2011
13th December 2011: The beast of Bow Locks
As the Olympic Stadium nears completion right next door to The Big Breakfast house it seems there's something strange in the neighbourhood.
Lock Keeper's Cottage & the Olympic Park are surrounded by the River Lea & The Grand Union Canal, waters that apparently hide East London's answer to the Loch Ness Monster.
The Hackney Citizen reports that the as-yet unidentified monster was spotted dragging a 16lb Canada goose under the water "so fast it disappeared without a sound".
The article claims that the "mysterious killer beast" is lying in wait for sprinters and high jumpers somewhere in the River Lea near to the Olympic park in Stratford.
Read the full story here
18th November 2011: Vaughan free
Ex-Big Breakfast host Johnny Vaughan has quit his current role as Breakfast Show presenter on London's Capital Radio.
Vaughan took on the role, replacing popular host Chris Tarrent, nearly 8 years ago and it even saw a brief reunion with his Big Breakfast co-host Denise Van Outen.
On leaving Capital Vaughan commented, "I have just loved doing this job, but after all these years of getting up in the middle of the night, I really think the time is right to hand over the microphone to someone else. It’s been a joy waking up London every morning and a thrill to have been part of the broadcasting tapestry of this great city.”
8th June 2011 RIP Ed Forsdick
It's Bow Locks sad duty to report the death of Big Breakfast executive producer Ed Forsdick. Ed was one of the main driving forces behind the show, particularly prominent during Johnny Vaughan's years. He was often visible in the living room in a smart suit & 'media glasses' urging Johnny & Denise to stop waffling on and get on with the show.
Upon leaving The Big Breakfast after its 2001 relaunch Ed went on to become a giant in the industry. He was one of the big wigs at Ant & Dec's company Gallowgate and behind all their huge ITV Saturday night hits including Ant & Dec's Saturday night takeaway.
Ant and Dec said: "Ed was our managing director, our executive producer, our creative partner but above all our friend. He was so very unique, as anyone who has worked with him will confess.
"We are devastated. We will miss him enormously. Our thoughts are with Louise, their children and his family."
The Big Breakfast creator, Charlie Parsons, who worked with Forsdick on the hit breakfast series and on Parsons' groundbreaking reality show Survivor said: "I gave him his first job in television and it's a devastating loss to all – a loss to all his friends and to television."
It is understood he had a heart attack while on holiday. Bow Locks love goes out to all of Ed's friends & family.
If you would like to make a donation in his memory you can find his Just Giving site here.
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