OTD in 1987. There's another chance to see Three Up, Two Down on BBC1. Adrian Mole continues to grow on ITV.

Shelley (5th January 1984). Max Wall guests.

Radio Times and TV Times listings (5th January 1983)

'What is being kept for posterity - how and why'. The Stage and Television Today (5th January 1978).

'It's a bare cop'. John Thaw talks Sweeney. Sunday Mirror (5th January 1975)

'Why Macnee came back'. Patrick Macnee interviewed in The Stage and Television Today (5th January 1961)

Quatermass and the Pit - Imps and Demons (5th January 1959). "It's all right, they're dead. They've been dead for a long time".

The first episode of the television version of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy was originally broadcast on this day in 1981.

On this day in 1962, the fourth episode of Comedy Playhouse (The Offer) was broadcast. Galton & Simpson didn't think it could be developed into a series but the Head of Light Entertainment, Tom Sloan, thought otherwise.

The first episode of Paddington was broadcast on this day in 1976. Adapted from the books by Michael Bond, the narration was provided by Michael Hordern.

Coronation Street – written by Julian Roach (5th January 1977). An ailing Hilda is forced to send Stan in her place to clean at the Rovers.

Coronation Street – written by Ron McDonnell (5th January 1970). Elisabeth Sladen debuts as Anita Reynolds, a barmaid at The Flying Horse (she would appear in a total of six episodes during January 1970).

Remembering Jack Haig, born this day in 1913.

OTD in 1986. Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and The Two Ronnies are on BBC1. There's a chance to see some of the best bits of Saturday Night Live over on ITV.

The Comedy Playhouse pilot of Last of the Summer Wine was originally broadcast on this day in 1973.

Radio Times and TV Times listing (4th January 1983)

Nine faces to watch out for in 1969 (Daily Mirror, 4th January 1969).

Doctor Who: The Krotons - Episode Two (4th January 1969). The Doctor is tested by the Teaching Machine.

The Two Ronnies (4th January 1986). Ronnie C in the chair.

Colditz - Murder? (4th January 1973). The second of Ian Kennedy Martin's two scripts for the series, saw John Savident guest as Captain Meegeren.

Last of the Summer Wine - The Bandit from Stoke-On-Trent (4th January 1978). Compo and Clegg's old friend Amos (Timothy Bateson) breezes back into town for the day.

Coronation Street - written by H.V. Kershaw (4th January 1984). Elsie leaves the Street for the last time.

Coronation Street - written by Brian Finch (4th January 1978). Hilda, having camped out all night in order to be first in the queue for the January sales, has a brief moment of glory with radio reporter Ted Thomas (David Calder). But that proves to be her downfall ....

Radio Times listing (4th January 1978)

OTD in 1985. TOTP's 21st birthday party and Paul Daniels are on BBC1. ITV has Morecambe & Wise's last hurrah - Night Train to Murder.

'Hardly an adequate substitute for Star Trek, and by comparison rather childish. But time will tell, and it's good enough in its own way'. The Great British Public passes judgement on Spearhead from Space episode one.

The first episode of The Brittas Empire was broadcast on this day in 1991. Starring Chris Barrie, it ran for seven series and 52 episodes.

Rising Damp (3rd January 1975). Rigsby pops in to see Spooner (Derek Newark) - one of his more belligerent lodgers ...

Crown Court - The Dogs (3rd January 1974). Ian Marter cross examines Cheryl Hall.

Steptoe & Son - Wallah, Wallah Catsmeat (3rd January 1963). John Laurie guests as a vet who's come to look at the apparently ailing Hercules.

TV Times listing (3rd January 1986)

Radio Times listing (3rd January 1986)

TV Times listing (3rd January 1983)

Radio Times listing (3rd January 1983)

On this day in 1976, part one of The Brain of Morbius was broadcast.

Terry-Thomas and Arthur Lowe in Armchair Theatre - Lord Arthur Savile's Crime (3rd January 1960)

I've a feeling that John Stirling didn't really enjoy the Christmas repeat of The Green Death. The Stage and Television Today (3rd January 1974)

Matthew Coady wasn't delighted to see the Daleks back. Daily Mirror (3rd January 1972)

Roy Clarke interview (Reading Evening Post, 3rd January 1977)

On this day in 1970, Jon Pertwee and Caroline John made their debuts as Dr Who and Liz Shaw in the first episode of Spearhead from Space by Robert Holmes.

The Daily Mirror previews It Ain't Half Hot Mum (3rd January 1974)

'Meet the Gang', the first episode of It Ain't Half Hot Mum, was originally broadcast on this day in 1974.

The first episode of Trumpton was originally broadcast on this day in 1967.

The first episode of Camberwick Green was originally broadcast on this day in 1966.

Coronation Street - written by Leslie Duxbury (3rd January 1979). Hilda continues to indulge her artistic whims.

Radio Times listing (3rd January 1978)

Remembering John Thaw, born this day in 1942.

Minder - It's A Sorry Lorry Morrie (2nd January 1989). The seventh and final series to feature Dennis Waterman kicked off with this Tony Hoare script.

Brian Murphy and Maureen Lipman as Arthur Lucan and Kitty McShane in On Your Way Riley by Alan Plater (2nd January 1985) youtu.be/yUzqa-ZEnPg?...

The man behind The Good Old Days. The Stage and Television Today (2nd January 1969)