The Continuity Booth
ITV 1 - ATV
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ATV London announcer.
Well known ATV continuity announcer from the 1950s until the early-1970s who is particularly remembered for his role as one of the presenters of regional children's programme The Tingha and Tucker Club. His son, Gordon Astley, also became one of the presenters of ATV's Saturday morning children's spectacular, Tiswas.By passing the 11-Plus, Greg gained entry to his local grammar school in North London, but education seemed to gain little purchase on his mind, which was focussed on tuning around the short-wave, discovering the existence of off-shore radio and determination to escape as soon as possible.
As a DJ on off-shore radio, Greg could be heard on Radio Essex from early-1966, then Radio 270, Radio 390 and briefly, before its demise, on Radio Caroline North. He has been a DJ and presenter at several local radio stations, including Breeze AM (as was), Beacon Radio (ditto), Two Counties Radio (ditto), LBC and, for four-and-a-half years in the late-1970s, at Radio Orwell.
As well as playing at gramophones, a presenter in those days needed to know all about meaningful speech, at which Greg, in hindsight, reckons he was particularly adept. At the time, he was perceived as 'esoteric' and even 'abstract' but he expresses in 2008 - and as 'technically' still a freelance voice-over, presenter and writer - a firm belief that radio was made for qualities such as his.
As Roger Scott (no relation to another broadcaster of the same name, who came to prominence in the UK in the early-1970s), Greg appeared in-vision as an announcer at Harlech from March 1968 to c. January 1969. His style of presentation - developed previously on off-shore radio - was deemed too risky and he received marching orders to the out-of-vision-only department. He remained there until his departure a couple of months later.
Freelance continuity (including at Granada) and voice-over work was Greg's professional occupation until reaching the announcer's desk at Anglia, where local news bulletins and presentation of the Birthday Club were delivered to the regional audience, some of whom objected to the long-haired 'object' on their screen!
Greg prides himself in being probably the only TV announcer to have been bought a short hair wig by his employer, as well as wishing his viewers "peace" at closedown. Surprisingly, he lasted a full year in Norwich, until October 1970, when the call came from the North East. His entertainment value was diluted again at Tyne Tees, due to all continuity being OOV. But this was rectified eventually, as an early-evening glory spot was introduced, featuring the announcer on camera revealing highlights of viewing ahead.
In Newcastle, in line with the policy of having the promos scripted and arranged by the announcers themselves, Greg quickly learned and perfected the art of sculpting imaginative and highly-creative blurb, which often had little to do with programme content. His association with the ITV company lasted until the lure of another spell of off-shore radio became irresistible in early-1972.
During his television days, Greg freelanced as an announcer at ATV and Southern, as well as revisiting Granada. Promotional trail voice-over work proved more sustainable and more successful. As the voice of Anglia for a few years in the 1980s, he travelled weekly (sometimes more) to Norwich. There was a weekly appointment in the voice-over booth at HTV for three years in the late-1980s and throughout the '80s and '90s, few weeks elapsed when Greg did not put his voice to LWT promos.
Voice-over work of all kinds had been a staple of his entire professional journey until the early-twenty-first century, when styles changed and his received pronounciation and great voice could no longer be disguised.
Greg's radio ambitions are not over yet! Tying-in with an interest in modern - i.e. twentieth and twenty-first century 'classical' music - he aims to interest before long a programme controller who really, really wants to incorporate into the schedule a regular, if not daily, excursion into the world of 'unlistenable' but actually highly intoxicating arrangements of sound. Mixed with Greg's intoxicating arrangement of words and intelligent, humourous world-view, large audiences are guaranteed!
He realises that by divulging this idea, to which he holds intellectual copyright, the concept could go walking. But nobody could execute it as well!
Best known for his long stint as a BBC Radio 1 DJ and radio presenter on several other stations. Simon Bates was also an in-vision continuity announcer for ATV in the early-1970s. Simon Bates' career spans several decades covering all genres of broadcasting. He started his international broadcasting career on-air in America during the 1960s. He continued to work abroad in New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia before returning to the UK to take up residence as a presenter at the BBC's news, arts and entertainment station, BBC Radio 4. In the late 70s he moved to BBC Radio 1 and became a top 'pop' disc jockey, presenting the morning show for 17 years and creating the famous 'Our Tune' slot. He has won several Sony Awards for radio programming including an in-depth look at musician Eric Clapton and his 'Round the World' series. In 1993 he was voted Radio Personality of the Year. Simon Bates has broadcast from over 50 countries in the last 20 years and his interest in third world issues has led him to recently make television programmes on India and Pakistan. More at this own website - http://www.simonbates.com.
David Bennett, a continuity announcer with Grampian Television, stayed in Aberdeen after retiring from the company and he is a frequent correspondent to local newspaper letters pages. David has announced on many other ITV stations, including Anglia, HTV and ATV.
Image courtesy of Paul R Jackson.
One of the early Grampian announcers; Lesley was an in-vision announcer during the 1960s and 70s. Lesley also worked with ATV.Former ATV Midlands announcer.John was an announcer with ABC Television and ATV London. He also worked as a Network announcer with the BBC from 1969 until 1974 and voiced BBC TV presentation trails from 1972 to 1990.
ATV and Central in-vision continuity announcer, who went on to head up Central's own in-house training company, and has since produced many audio cassettes covering subjects such as how to speak confidently in public. She has also announced for the BBC, and was also one of the Royal Shakespeare Company's players.
ATV London weekend in-vision continuity announcer between 1955 and 1959.In-vision continuity announcer and regular regional news bulletin presenter for ATV in the Midlands during the 1960s.Former ATV Midlands announcer.
Long serving ATV Network and Central TV in-vision continuity announcer, who is now a regular regional weather presenter on ITV 1 Central and ITV 1 Wales. Su also freelanced as an out-of-vision announcer for Central after it became part of the Carlton group in the late-1990s and into 2000/2001. Sue also did relief announcing on Southern Television in the 1970s.ATV and Anglia Television announcer who went on to voice presentation trailers for the BBC in the late-1960s. 
An accomplished actor and BBC TV in-vision relief announcer from 1952 to 1953 and in 1955. He later announced at ATV in London at the weekends. Gray also provided the voice of Colonel White in the cult 1960s children's television classic, 'Captain Scarlet'. Donald Gray died on 7 April 1978.
Image courtesy of Paul R Jackson.
Started his television career as a continuity scriptwriter for ATV, but soon moved to the glamorous side of the camera as an announcer and programme presenter. His first in-vision job was as a relief announcer for North and Midlands weekend contractor, ABC Television, and he remained there for three months before landing a permanent job with Tyne Tees TV in the North East.
His innovative approach to continuity, which included donning a white coat and stethoscope before introducing Emergency Ward Ten or a stetson before Wagon Train secured him a large fan base, and he was voted TTTV's personality of the year within 12 months of landing the job. Later, he moved to ABC Television as one of its permanent announcers, and then when ABC joined with Rediffusion to form Thames Television in 1968, he continued as a continuity announcer and programme presenter. He could also be seen down the road at Southern Television at weekends when Thames was off air. National fame followed with a stint as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 and presenter on BBC Radio 2, and several television game shows.
David continues in broadcasting to this day; in more recent times he has had spells with Saga FM and Classic Gold radio.
ATV in-vision continuity announcer who hit the big time as the presenter of ATV's successful New Faces talent contest from 1973 to 1978. This was his best known role, but he has hosted several other ITV gameshows over the years, including That's My Dog for TSW.ATV daytime voice announcer in the 1970s who also presented a show for BRMB Radio in Birmingham. David went on to become Head of Presentation at ATV's successor, Central Television in 1986 and remained in that role until Carlton Television took over in the mid-1990s. He now lives in Andalucia. David told TTVRP: "The regular daytime announcer was Peter Davies, an old friend with whom I'd worked in BBC local radio in Leicester. When he was on leave, or there were other gaps in the roster, I would fill in from sign-on at 9.25am (no breakfast telly then) until 6pm, when the evening announcer (usually Kevin Morrison or Peter Tomlinson) came on duty. Daytime was out of vision, which suited me fine! 9.25am to 12 noon was Schools Programmes which ATV networked to the rest of ITV, so suddenly I was speaking to the nation! Frightening stuff!! After the shift, I'd scoot off and do my radio programme. I have to say that working at ATV was wonderful, and a part of my career which I treasure."ATV London announcer.Former ATV Midlands announcer.
Former actor who joined Tyne Tees Television as announcer in 1959 and then joined ATV in 1961. He left to join BBC Birmingham's 'Midlands Today' as presenter/news reader. In 1964, a meeting with the Spinners gave him his long-term interest in folk music which led him to join BBC Radio 2 in 1969 as a presenter.
Image courtesy of Paul R Jackson.
ATV London's man in the continuity hot seat in the 1960s. A bit of a smoothy, Trevor received stacks of fan mail, and also had the honour of making the last announcement on the station before it was replaced by London Weekend Television in 1968. Trevor moved to ATV in the Midlands from 1968 when the station won its seven-day franchise there.
Continuity announcer for Ulster TV (1967 to 1969), Anglia TV (1970 to 1973), Southern, Thames Television, ATV, and, on occasions, HTV West. Also recognised nationally as the host of the 'TV Times Awards' and 'Miss United Kingdom' on the ITV network in the 1970s and 1980s. He also presented the BBC's 'Come Dancing' from 1980 to 1983, and has regularly reported for ITV's 'Wish You Were Here'. Marshall originally trained as a teacher, and then an actor with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, before joining a Bournemouth rep company.
Former offshore pirate radio broadcaster who moved into television announcing, and, since then, has appeared on many ITV regional stations, including long stints at ABC TV, the North and Midlands weekend contractor until 1968. Keith also announced for ATV, Yorkshire Television, Anglia TV, Television South and LWT in the 1970s/1980s. Announcer for Southern TV, 1959 - 1961; ATV and ABC Television. BBC TV announcer, 1965 to 1972; BBC Radio External Services announcer 1975 onwards. Keith went on to specialise in voice coaching - his clients include former Prime Minister John Major.
Image courtesy of Paul R Jackson.
ATV London announcer.Best known nationally for his time on BBC Radio 2, Ray Moore was a voice only continuity announcer with Granada TV in Manchester between 1962 and 1964 (although he did appear in-vision as a news bulletin reader on Granada's news magazine programme). During this period, he also freelanced as an in-vision presenter at Tyne Tees TV during the weekend (when Granada went off-air for ABC Television). He also spent a short while in-vision for ATV before returning to the BBC in Manchester in 1965. In the 1980s, Ray regularly voiced trailers for BBC TV. Ray died in January 1989.
ATV in-vision continuity announcer in the 1970s. Kevin was also a well known radio presenter - his claim to fame being that he presented the first show on Birmingham's BRMB Radio in 1974.
ATV continuity announcer from the beginning, who is particularly fondly remembered for her role as presenter of the station's birthday greetings programme for children The Tingha And Tucker Club. Jean was married to Bobbie Daniel who sadly passed away a few years ago. She lives in Ibiza and has done since the early-1970s.Former Associated Rediffusion and ATV Midlands announcer.Announcer for Southern TV, 1959 - 1961; also, ATV and ABC Television. BBC TV voice only announcer, 1965 to 1972. BBC Radio External Services announcer 1975 onwards.ATV London announcer.
Veteran ATV continuity announcer who joined the company in the 1960s and stayed with its successor, Central, until the mid-1980s. Mike also announced, occasionally, for HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames and Southern Television.
Since leaving the world of continuity announcing, Mike has become a successful television producer and businessman. In the independent production sector, notably with Winchester Entertainment Plc, he was the co-creator and executive producer of 'Jellabies' and 'The Snow Children' and he was also executive producer for 'The Wheels On The Bus'.
In 2003, Mike founded Shangers Ltd, a multimedia and consumer licensing company. He also recently made a brief return to ITV screens in the Midlands, helping to promote the ITV 50 features on 'Central News'.
In-vision announcer for ATV in the Midlands in the early-1970s who went on to become a BBC TV announcer in the mid-1970s. In-vision announcer at Anglia between 1975 and 1989.
Image courtesy of Paul R Jackson.
One of the first continuity announcers on ATV, Shaw went on to present his regional crime-busting Police Five slot on London Weekend Television and ATV for 25 years, and, at other times, on several other ITV regional stations. As a result he, and his his sign-off catchphrase 'keep 'em peeled', became well known nationally.Long serving ATV continuity announcer and also one of the original four presenters of the children's Saturday morning hit show 'Tiswas' when it was a Midlands only programme. Before moving to Birmingham, Peter was a regular announcer on Harlech/HTV West from 1968. He is also believed to have been an announcer with Granada (TBC).
Peter founded and managed Saga FM, a West Midlands radio station with the more mature listener in mind; it launched in October 2001. He announced his retirement from the station in May 2004.
Former ATV Midlands announcer.Norman started in television in 1954 as a BBC OB stage manager. He joined ATV for the opening of commercial TV in 1955. In 1961, he moved from a senior floor manager position at ATV to being one of the station's London on-screen announcers. The other announcers were Shaw Taylor and Arthur Adair. Norman replaced Peter Cockburn.
He continued announcing and presenting programmes for ATV London until April 1965. He then went on to become a radio and TV presenter and reporter, and advisor on consumer affairs. In the early-1980s, he moved into video directing.
In 2001, Norman became the director of William Poel Events for the Society for Theatre Research.
ATV London announcer.
Stewart's broadcasting career began with a very short pre-programme announcement on the BBC World Service. He went on to work at BBC Radio Brighton and later BBC Radio Derby, where he produced and presented various news and entertainment programmes. He then moved to BRMB Radio in Birmingham where he presented the daily mid morning programme.
Then came the move to television. He was an ATV in-vision announcer, 1979 until 1981, and then a Central TV continuity announcer until he left the company in 1984 to co-present the BBC's 'Look East' from Norwich, where he remains today.
Stewart continues his links with radio, presenting a weekly programme for BBC Radio Norfolk.
Other TV/radio credits: 'Star Soccer' (Central); 'Something Different' (Central); football commentary (BBC Radio 5 Live).
Image courtesy of Paul R Jackson.
Former ATV Midlands announcer.
