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On This Day...20th October
Channels
2021
BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four idents/presentation elements featuring the Gill Sans BBC blocks logo are used on air for the final time in the early hours of the morning.
The three TV channels would then start their new broadcasting day with updated presentation packages, featuring the new Reith BBC blocks logo.
The three TV channels would then start their new broadcasting day with updated presentation packages, featuring the new Reith BBC blocks logo.
Programmes
1946
The first episode of Muffin the Mule airs on BBC TV.
1955
The Miss World competition first airs on BBC TV.
1957
The first episode of Pinky and Perky airs on BBC TV.
1961
The first episode of US series Dr Kildare airs on BBC TV.
1970
The first episode of US series The Perils of Penelope Pitstop airs on BBC One.
1978
The final episode of The Rag Trade (LWT series) airs on ITV.
1981
The first edition of Barbara's World of Horses and Ponies airs on BBC One.
1982
The final episode of Strangers airs on ITV.
1986
The first episode of Executive Stress airs on ITV.
1987
The final edition of Floyd on France airs on BBC Two.
1988
The first episode of The River airs on BBC One.
1989
The first Friday edition of Coronation Street airs on ITV.
1991
Screen One: A Question of Attribution airs on BBC One. Written by Alan Bennett. Starring James Fox as Sir Antony Blunt and Prunella Scales as HM The Queen.
1993
The first edition of Thatcher: The Downing Years airs on BBC One.
1993
The final edition of Pot Black airs on BBC One. Presented by David Vine. With commentary by Ted Lowe.
1994
The 1,600th edition of Top of the Pops airs on BBC One.
1995
A Question of Sport: The First 25 Years airs on BBC One.
1996
The first episode of Prime Suspect 5 airs on ITV.
2019
The final edition of Great Canal Journeys airs on Channel 4.
2021
The final episode of Hollington Drive airs on ITV.
2022
The first edition of Ros Atkins on the Week airs on BBC One.
2024
Joan Bakewell Night airs on BBC Four.
2025
The final episode of Frauds airs on ITV 1.
Crime drama. Starring Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker.
Crime drama. Starring Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker.
2025
The first episode of The Forsytes airs on Channel 5.
Written by Debbie Horsefield. Starring Stephen Moyer, Jack Davenport, Danny Griffin, Joshua Orpin, Eleanor Tomlinson, Millie Gibson, Tuppence Middleton and Francesca Annis.
Susan Hampshire, who appeared in the 1967 BBC Two production of The Forsyte Saga, made an appearance as Lady Carteret.
Written by Debbie Horsefield. Starring Stephen Moyer, Jack Davenport, Danny Griffin, Joshua Orpin, Eleanor Tomlinson, Millie Gibson, Tuppence Middleton and Francesca Annis.
Susan Hampshire, who appeared in the 1967 BBC Two production of The Forsyte Saga, made an appearance as Lady Carteret.
Test Card/Teletext In-Vision Music
1990
BBC One tape Hollywood and Daydreams airs for the first time.
2012
BBC Two server compilation Eye Candy airs for the final time.
2012
BBC Two server compilation Moments in Love airs for the final time.
On This Day...20th October
Births
1922
Former TV/radio presenter and BBC director-general, Sir Ian Trethowan.
1927
Former actor and TV announcer, Brian Nissen.
1929
Actor and TV presenter, Colin Jeavons.
1949
Actress, singer, songwriter and TV presenter, Jane Tucker.
1958
TV announcer/presenter, Pamela Ballantine.
1967
Former actress and TV presenter/director, Sue Tully.
1971
Singer and TV presenter, Dannii Minogue.
Deaths
1999
Former TV/radio presenter, Tom Salmon.
2013
Former TV announcer, Bruce Beeby.
2022
Former musician and TV presenter, Atarh Ben-Tovim.
Research for On This Day in TV History is by Paul R. Jackson.
Details about test card/teletext in-vision music and BBC trade test films are available as a result of decades of research and logging by members of the Test Card Circle.
Details about test card/teletext in-vision music and BBC trade test films are available as a result of decades of research and logging by members of the Test Card Circle.
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