BBC Breakfast has celebrated 40 years on screen
(Picture: BBC)BBC Breakfast has marked its 40th anniversary by looking back on some of its best and most memorable moments from the last four decades.
During Tuesday morning’s episode, hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay shared their memories of watching the first episode of the show’s predecessor, Breakfast Time, which launched on January 17 1983.
“I can remember what I was doing,” said Nugent.
“I was getting up, getting ready for school, put the TV on and couldn’t believe the news was on television.”
Do you remember the first episode of Breakfast TV?
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) January 17, 2023
40 years ago the UK’s first morning television programme Breakfast Time was launched – watch to take a trip down memory lane 📺⬇️#BBCBreakfasthttps://t.co/TqGV95TlAx pic.twitter.com/UwiHVl3ilR
“Because we’ve never had morning telly – telly started at lunchtime,” added Kay.
Kay then produced an old childhood diary, sharing his entry written on January 17 1983.
“I talked about what you tell me – having cornflakes, not quite believing this opportunity… and here we are today, 40 years on,” he said.
“Dear diary, I woke up at 6am to watch the most publicised and now criticised breakfast TV. It was good – but all news!” young Kay wrote.
The #BBCBreakfast clock has gone retro - for one day only!
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) January 17, 2023
Here's a taste of 1983 with our original on-screen clock to celebrate our big 40th birthday ⏰🎉https://t.co/NT6Dt3GE9P pic.twitter.com/uQit0NjAyv
When it first aired, Breakfast Time was revolutionary, mixing hard news with showbusiness, gossip, health and even a daily astrology segment.
The presenters’ attire was also different, with cosy jumpers favoured over the more formal wear of modern BBC Breakfast hosts.
The original programme was recorded at Lime Grove Studios in west London, which was also home to Grandstand, Panorama, and Doctor Who.
Tuesday’s show also saw a return of the Breakfast Time on-screen analogue clock, and Kay was using a special retro-branded mug.
From presenters falling over to mischievous animals on the sofa, sometimes live TV can go wrong! 📺
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) January 17, 2023
We’ve gone back through the archives to find 40 years of Breakfast bloopers ⬇️#BBCBreakfasthttps://t.co/TqGV95TlAx pic.twitter.com/AlvUQu0Zgs
Special guests included former weatherman Francis Wilson and the so-called “Green Goddess” – health and fitness guru Diana Moran.
One segment featured videos sent in by viewers, wishing the programme happy birthday and telling stories of their experiences of waking up early to watch it.
Some described their “shock and excitement” of watching a news and entertainment show in the morning for the first time.
