Funnyman takes a trip down memor y lane PICK OF THE WEEK

It’s been a sad year for fans of iconic t’s been TV a studios. sad year Back for fans in of March, the BBC bid a fond iconic TV studios. Back in March, the BBC bid a fond farewell to famous Television Centre, and now ITV is vacating farewell to the famous Television Granada Studios in Manchester Centre, and now ITV is vacating for Granada a shiny Studios new home in Manchester down the road for a in shiny Salford’s new home Media down City. the road But in before Salford’s you write Media off City. Britain’s TV But executives before you as write a heartless off Britain’s bunch TV executives with no sense as a heartless of history, perhaps bunch with you no should sense watch of history, perhaps you should watch Goodbye Granadaland (Saturday,

ITV, 8.30pm), which sees Peter Kay giving the which Granada sees building Peter the Kay send-off giving the it deserves. Granada building the The send-off comedian it deserves. is certainly well aware The comedian of the studio’s is certainly legacy. He well says: aware “For of the me studio’s Granada legacy. television He had says: always “For me felt Granada like the factory television in Willy had always Wonka felt and like the the Chocolate factory in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Nobody really knows Factory. Nobody really knows what goes on inside and nor what goes on inside and nor should they as that's the magic, but tonight we finally shine should they as that's the magic, daylight upon the magic of but tonight we finally shine Granada daylight upon one last the time magic and of bid farewell to a magnificent era.” Granada one last time and bid farewell Granada to was a magnificent formed in era.” 1954 by

Granada brothers Sidney was formed and Cecil in 1954 Bernstein, who had a clear vision by brothers Sidney and Cecil for their new venture – and Bernstein, who had a clear vision certainly for their new didn’t venture see being – and based outside certainly of didn’t the capital see being as a based disadvantage. outside of the capital as a disadvantage. They said: “We still want the best, They what’s said: good “We still enough want for the London best, what’s will be good good enough enough for for the London north, will but be they good want enough for something the north, but in addition. they want What Manchester something in sees addition. today, What London will Manchester see eventually.” sees today, London will see eventually.”

The brothers were as good as their The word. brothers Over were the years, as good as Granada their word. produced Over the a years, staggering array Granada of much-loved produced series. a staggering array The most of much-loved famous is series. probably Coronation Street, but

The most famous is the probably studio also Coronation brought Street, us but everything the studio from also acclaimed brought us dramas everything like The from Jewel acclaimed in the Crown dramas and like Prime The Jewel Suspect in the to Saturday Crown and night Prime light Suspect to entertainment Saturday night hits light such as Stars in entertainment Their Eyes. hits such as Stars

in It’s Their not just Eyes. musical tribute acts who It’s have not just appeared musical at tribute Granada acts either. who have Kay discovers appeared that at Granada the Beatles, either. Kay the discovers Sex Pistols, that the the

Beatles, the Sex Pistols, the Happy Mondays and Take That

Happy Mondays and Take That all made their TV debuts at the

all made their TV debuts at the studios.

studios. The list of comedians who have worked

The list of comedians there is equally who impressive – from local talents

have worked there is equally like Steve Coogan, Caroline

impressive – from local talents Aherne and Victoria Wood to

like Steve Coogan, Caroline visiting superstars such as

Aherne and Victoria Wood to Woody Allen, who filmed his only

visiting superstars such as UK stand-up appearance there

Woody Allen, who filmed his only in UK 1965. stand-up appearance there

in Many 1965. of the stars who have passed Many through of the stars Granada’s who have doors pay passed their respects through Granada’s here, including doors Charles pay their Dance, respects Michael here, including Parkinson, Charles Dance, Jeremy Michael Irons, numerous Parkinson, residents Jeremy of Irons, Weatherfield, numerous residents and Helen of Mirren, who Weatherfield, points out the and impact Helen Prime Mirren, Suspect who points had out on her the career. impact Prime

Suspect had on her career.

End of an era Peter Kay bids farewell to Granada Studios