The Sooty Show (7th January 1987). Sweep - upset that the others have been ignoring him recently - decides to pretend he's very, very depressed (writing everything down in a book entitled 'Sweep's master plan for more ATTENTION').

OTD in 1989. Bob's Full House, 'Allo! 'Allo!, Paul Daniels and Columbo are on BBC1. Or there's Thunderball, Tales of the Unexpected and Aspel & Company on ITV.

Steptoe & Son - Homes Fit for Heroes (7th January 1964). Harold has the opportunity of a lifetime - spending two years helping to crew a ship travelling around the world. The only downside is that his father will have to go into an old people's home for the duration ...

The Liver Birds - The Wedding (7th January 1971). Paula Wilcox, Barrie Rutter and Cyril Shaps feature in this one.

The Liverpool Echo on Elisabeth Sladen's Coronation Street role (7th January 1970)

Dandy Nichols profiled in the Daily Mirror, 7th January 1967, along with a selection of readers letters about Till Death Us Do Part (some people loved it, some others ... not so much).

Colditz - Arrival of a Hero (7th January 1974). Major Mohn (Anthony Valentine) arrives at Castle Colditz.

Tompkinson's Schooldays' the first episode of Ripping Yarns, was broadcast on this day in 1976. Written by Michael Palin and Terry Jones, the series ran for nine episodes between 1976 and 1979.

The first edition of World in Action was broadcast on this day in 1963. ITV's flagship documentary series for 35 years, it finally came to an end in 1998.

The Forsyte Sage reviewed by Alice Frick in The Stage and Television Today (12th January 1967)

'A Family Festival', the first episode of The Forsyte Saga, was originally broadcast on this day in 1967.

Coronation Street - written by Leslie Duxbury (7th January 1974). Nellie Harvey is convinced that her husband and Mrs Walker are having an affair ...

Remembering Geoffrey Bayldon, born this day in 1924.

Remembering Arnold Ridley, born this day in 1896.

The Two Ronnies (6th January 1979). Ronnie Corbett is Rupert Baird.

OTD in 1988. Wogan, Dallas and Q.E.D. are on BBC1. Over on ITV, Robert Powell stars in Hannay.

'A Lot Depends On Who!' Jon Pertwee in conversation (Dublin Sunday Independent, 6th January 1974)

Forthcoming BBC drama and comedy highlights. The Stage and Television Today (6th January 1972)

Radio Times and TV Times listings (6th January 1983)

Inspector Morse - The Dead of Jericho reviewed in The Stage and Television Today

'The Dead of Jericho', the first episode of Inspector Morse, was originally broadcast on this day in 1987.

'What I Don't Understand Is This ...', the first episode of The Beiderbecke Affair was originally broadcast on this day in 1985.

'Swiftnick', the first episode of Dick Turpin, was originally broadcast on this day in 1979.

The first episode of Rentaghost was broadcast on this day in 1976.

Give Us A Clue (6th January 1982). A tricky one for Brian Cant to tackle.

Coronation Street - written by Kay McManus (6th January 1975). Bet and Eddie's quiet night in doesn't stay quiet for long ...

Coronation Street – written by Tony Warren (6th January 1961). Ena reminisces about Elsie (although fond memories they're not). She follows that up by continuing to give Martha the coldest of cold shoulders.

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 ....