What we were watching

Do you remember these shows that were on TV this week ten, 20, 30 and 40 years ago?

1977

David Frost’s interviews with former US President Richard Nixon on BBC1 elicited fascinating detail – such as Chairman Mao having ultra-soft hands – and Frost, who funded the project, made a fortune from the broadcast rights.

1987

Larry Grayson’s ITV game show Sweethearts, where a panel had to guess which of three couples was being truthful about how they met, lasted just one series. ‘It was up against EastEnders and made in Norwich, miles from anywhere,’ said Larry.

1997

The lead role of chirpy Donna in ITV comedy My Wonderful Life proved to be the TV swansong for Emma Wray, who’d earlier starred in sitcom Watching with Liza Tarbuck and drama Stay Lucky with Dennis Waterman. She’s since worked as a teacher and a nanny.

2007

Stephen Fry’s mother had encouraged him to become a lawyer – and in ITV drama Kingdom he played one. ‘She said being a barrister involved the same public-speaking skills as those employed by an actor, which she knew I wanted to become,’ Stephen recalled.