1981 in British television

List of years in British television (table)
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This is a list of British television related events from 1981.

Events[]

January[]

• 1 January – The Channel Four Television Company is established in preparation for the launch of Channel 4.^[1]
• 5 January
  • Debut of the BBC1 soap Triangle,^[2] a twice-weekly series set aboard a North Sea ferry, and filmed on location using outside broadcast cameras.^[3] The website TVARK describes the programme as being chiefly remembered as "some of the most mockable British television ever produced" owing to its clichéd storylines and stilted dialogue. It is axed after three series.^[4]
  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the television version of Douglas Adams' radio comedy of the same name debuts on BBC2.^[5]
• 20 January – BBC2 airs live coverage of the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as the 40th President of the United States.^[6]

February[]

• 10 February – Alan Rogers' cutout animation Pigeon Street begins on BBC1.^[7] The series runs until December before repeats on BBC1 and BBC2 throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

March[]

• 21 March – After an unprecedented seven years starring in Doctor Who, Tom Baker makes his final appearance as the Fourth Doctor in Part 4 of Logopolis. Peter Davison makes his first appearance as the Fifth Doctor at the conclusion of that story.
• 29 March – BBC1 airs highlights of the first London Marathon under the International Athletics strand.^[8] Live coverage of the event begins the following year.^[9]
• March – TV-am purchases a former car showroom in Camden as its headquarters. The building is subsequently is renovated to create the Breakfast Television Centre.^[10]

April[]

• 4 April – The UK wins the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up", sung by Bucks Fizz.
• 30 April – The long running British science fiction series Doctor Who starts airing for the first time in Sri Lanka with the first part of the first serial of the seventh season Spearhead from Space. Doctor Who will be broadcast on Independent Television Network.

May[]

• 17 May – Sunday Grandstand launches. It broadcasts during the summer months on BBC Two.^[11]

June[]

• 2 June – Razzamatazz debuts on ITV. The British music-based series for children runs for 6 years.

July[]

• 27 July – In a specially timed event by the show's writers, Ken Barlow marries Deirdre Langton on Coronation Street, just two days before the real-life wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. The wedding of Ken and Deirdre is watched by over 24 million viewers in Britain.
• 29 July – The marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer takes place at St Paul's Cathedral. More than 30,000,000 viewers watch the wedding on television – the second highest television audience of all time in Britain.^[12]

August[]

• 1 August — The issue of Radio Times following the Royal Wedding souvenir edition is not published, due to a printing dispute.
• 11 August – TSW takes over Westward Television but continues to use the Westward name until 1 January 1982.
• 27 August – Moira Stuart, aged 29, is appointed the BBC's first black newsreader.
• August – Southern sells its studios to TVS but Southern continues to use them until its franchise runs out at the end of the year.

September[]

• 5 September – The BBC1 Mirror globe changes colour from yellow on blue to green on blue.
• 7 September
  • News After Noon is launched as a 30-minute lunchtime news programme, replacing the much shorter Midday News.^[13]
  • BBC1 airs a two-part adaptation of the Stephen King novel Salem's Lot with Part 2 being shown on 9 September.
• 8 September – BBC One airs the first episode of the popular comedy series Only Fools and Horses starring David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.^[14]
• 9 September – Rediffusion launches a movie channel called Starview.^[15] It is allowed to launch the channel following a decision by the Home Office granting several experimental licences to broadcast subscription television and Rediffusion has won one of these licenses.
• 16 September – Debut of a children's stop motion series about a rural postman with a black and white cat written and created by John Cunliffe and voiced and narrated by Ken Barrie, Postman Pat on BBC One. Episode 8 introduces a more authentic look to the Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd logos and more storybooks produced after 13 episodes being broadcast repeating on BBC1 and BBC2 make the programme (Postman Pat) more popular than usually expected to be (starting from Christmas 1981 along with Pigeon Street).
• 28 September – Thames Television broadcasts the first episode of Cosgrove Hall Films' children's animated series, Danger Mouse, with the lead character voiced by David Jason; later this day ATV broadcasts the first episode of the gameshow Bullseye.

October[]

• 3 October – TVTimes is rebranded as TVTimes Magazine, the premise for the change of name being it contains more than simply television listings.
• 8 October – ITV airs the British television premiere of Steven Spielberg's 1975 thriller Jaws which is watched by an estimated 23 million viewers making it the most watched film of the year.
• 12 October – Brideshead Revisited, a television adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel of the same name, begins on ITV.
• 18 October – BBC1 airs season 5 of the US drama series Dallas.
• 23 October – The last ever teatime block of Open University programmes are transmitted today. From the 1982 season, only a single Open University programme is aired, at 5.10pm ahead of the start of BBC2's evening programmes.
• October – Scottish Television becomes the first ITV station to operate a regional Oracle teletext service, containing over 60 pages of local news, sport and information.^[16]

November[]

• November – BBC2 starts its weekdays at the earlier time of 3:55pm.
• 2 November – The TV licence increases in price from £34 to £46 for a colour TV, and £12 to £15 for black and white.
• 12 November – Noele Gordon, eight times winner of the TVTimes award for best actress, leaves Crossroads after playing Meg Richardson since the series began in 1964, having been sacked from the programme.

December[]

• December – BBC1 and the BBC's Open University broadcasts begin using computer generated clocks.
• 31 December – The final day on air for the ITV regional stations ATV, Southern and Westward.

Unknown[]

• Radio Rental Cable Television launches the UK's first pay-per-view movie channel, 'Cinematel', for cable viewers in Swindon. The channel later expands to Chatham, Kent. As well as showing movies, the channel also broadcasts some local programming, including one-off documentaries and shortly after a live news-magazine format programme, called launches. Also provided is a local teletext service, with pages about film information, horoscopes, recipes, local bus times and job vacancies.

Debuts[]

BBC1[]

• 4 January – The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island (1981)
• 5 January – Triangle (1981–1983)
• 6 January – Seconds Out (1981–1982)
• 10 January – Nanny (1981–1983)
• 11 January – Solo (1981–1982)
• 15 January – (1981)
• 23 January – (1981)
• 29 January – (1981)
• 1 February – Sense and Sensibility (1981)
• 10 February – Pigeon Street (1981)
• 11 February – Break in the Sun (1981)
• 20 February – Finders Keepers (1981–1985)
• 4 March – The Life and Times of David Lloyd George (1981)
• 12 March – Sorry! (1981–1982, 1985–1988)
• 25 March – (1981)
• 2 April – (1981)
• 30 April – The Chinese Detective (1981–1982)
• 1 May – The Nightmare Man (1981)
• 1 July –
  • The Olympian Way (1981)
  • Three of a Kind (1981–1983)
• 10 July – (1981)
• 7 August – (1981)
• 7 September –
  • Blood Money (1981)
  • News After Noon (1981–1986)
• 8 September – Only Fools and Horses (1981–1983, 1985–1993, 1996, 2001–2003, 2014)
• 10 September – The Day of the Triffids (1981)
• 14 September – Willo the Wisp (1981)
• 16 September – Postman Pat (1981–1982, 1991–1992, 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 2004–2008)
• 24 September – Fanny by Gaslight (1981)
• 4 October – Great Expectations (1981)
• 18 October – Bergerac (1981–1991)
• 22 October – Tenko (1981, 1984–1985)
• 11 November – (1981)
• 13 November – Kessler (1981)
• 8 December – Codename Icarus (1981)
• 16 December – (1981)
• 24 December – The Kenny Everett Television Show (1981–1988)

BBC2[]

• 4 January – The History Man (1981)
• 5 January – The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
• 8 January – (1981)
• 14 January – Sons and Lovers (1981)
• 17 February – Maggie (1981–1982)
• 5 April – (1981)
• 6 May – Private Schulz (1981)
• 9 May – (1981–1983)
• 17 May – Sunday Grandstand (1981–2007)
• 21 May - Chock-A-Block (1981)
• 21 September – A Kick Up the Eighties (1981–1984)
• 22 September - Look and Read: Dark Towers (1981)
• 24 September – (1981)
• 29 September – Timewatch (1981–present)
• 1 October – World's End (1981)
• 2 October – (1981)
• 14 October – The Borgias (1981)
• 3 November – The Last Song (1981–1983)

ITV[]

• 1 January – Wood and Walters (1981–1982)
• 3 January – Punchlines (1981–1984)
• 4 January –
  • Barriers (1981–1982)
  • (1981)
• 6 January – (1981)
• 9 January – The Gaffer (1981–1983)
• 13 January – (1981)
• 18 January – (1981)
• 20 January – (1981)
• 21 January – Honky Tonk Heroes (1981)
• 23 January – (1981)
• 10 February – Bognor (1981–1982)
• 16 February – (1981)
• 19 February – The Incredible Mr Tanner (1981)
• 22 February – Doctors' Daughters (1981)
• 27 February – Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)
• 6 March – (1981)
• 8 March – (1981)
• 31 March – (1981)
• 1 April – (1981)
• 5 April – (1981)
• 9 April – Get Up and Go! (1981–1983)
• 15 April – The Good Soldier (1981)
• 23 April – Funny Man (1981)
• 27 April – (1981)
• 28 April – (1981)
• 13 May – Into the Labyrinth (1981–1982)
• 22 May – Till Death... (1981)
• 2 June – Razzamatazz (1981–1987)
• 3 June – (1981)
• 5 June – (1981)
• 12 June – Get Lost! (1981)
• 15 June – Sorry I'm a Stranger Here Myself (1981–1982)
• 22 June – (1981)
• 4 July – (1981)
• 24 July – (1981)
• 23 August – Miss Morison's Ghosts (1981)
• 24 August – (1981)
• 29 August – Stay with Me Till Morning (1981)
• 1 September –
  • The Flame Trees of Thika (1981)
  • Frankie Howerd Strikes Again (1981)
• 2 September – (1981)
• 4 September – Kinvig (1981)
• 5 September – Take a Letter, Mr. Jones (1981)
• 6 September – Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981)
• 7 September – Never the Twain (1981–1991)
• 9 September – Diamonds (1981)
• 11 September – (1981)
• 24 September – Taff Acre (1981)
• 26 September – Game for a Laugh (1981–1985)
• 28 September –
  • Bullseye (1981–1995, 2006)
  • Danger Mouse (1981–1992, 2015–present)
  • Stig of the Dump (1981)
• 29 September –
  • Rod, Jane and Freddy (1981–1991)
  • (1981)
• 12 October – Brideshead Revisited (1981)
• 13 October – (1981)
• 17 October – The Stanley Baxter Series (1981)
• 23 October – That's My Boy (1981–1986)
• 26 October – Astronauts (1981–1983)
• 27 October – It Takes a Worried Man (1981–1983)
• 1 November –
  • (1981)
  • A Fine Romance (1981–1984)
• 2 November –
  • Marmalade Atkins (1981–1984)
  • (1981)
• 8 December – Freetime (1981–1985)
• 13 December – (1981)

Channels[]

New channels[]

Date	Channel
Unknown
9 September	Starview

Television shows[]

Returning this year after a break of one year or longer[]

• 1 March – Open All Hours (BBC2 1976, BBC1 1981–1982, 1985, 2013–present)
• 9 April – Are You Being Served? (BBC1 1972, 1973–1979, 1981, 1983, 1985)

Continuing television shows[]

1920s[]

• BBC Wimbledon (1927–1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present)

1930s[]

• The Boat Race (1938–1939, 1946–2019)
• BBC Cricket (1939, 1946–1999, 2020–2024)

1940s[]

• Come Dancing (1949–1998)

1950s[]

• The Good Old Days (1953–1983)
• Panorama (1953–present)
• Crackerjack (1955–1984, 2020–present)
• What the Papers Say (1956–2008)
• The Sky at Night (1957–present)
• Blue Peter (1958–present)
• Grandstand (1958–2007)

1960s[]

• Coronation Street (1960–present)
• Songs of Praise (1961–present)
• Animal Magic (1962–1983)
• Doctor Who (1963–1989, 1996, 2005–present)
• World in Action (1963–1998)
• Top of the Pops (1964–2006)
• Match of the Day (1964–present)
• Crossroads (1964–1988, 2001–2003)
• Play School (1964–1988)
• Mr. and Mrs. (1964–1999, 2008–2010, 2012–present)
• World of Sport (1965–1985)
• Jackanory (1965–1996, 2006–present)
• Sportsnight (1965–1997)
• Call My Bluff (1965–2005)
• It's a Knockout (1966–1982, 1999–2001)
• The Money Programme (1966–present)
• ITV Playhouse (1967–1982)
• The Big Match (1968–2002)
• Nationwide (1969–1983)
• Screen Test (1969–1984)

1970s[]

• The Goodies (1970–1982)
• The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971–1987)
• The Two Ronnies (1971–1987, 1991, 1996, 2005)
• Clapperboard (1972–1982)
• Crown Court (1972–1984)
• Pebble Mill at One (1972–1986)
• Rainbow (1972–1992, 1994–1997)
• Emmerdale (1972–present)
• Newsround (1972–present)
• Weekend World (1972–1988)
• We Are the Champions (1973–1987)
• Last of the Summer Wine (1973–2010)
• That's Life! (1973–1994)
• Tiswas (1974–1982)
• Wish You Were Here...? (1974–2003)
• Arena (1975–present)
• Jim'll Fix It (1975–1994)
• Multi-Coloured Swap Shop (1976–1982)
• Rentaghost (1976–1984)
• One Man and His Dog (1976–present)
• The Mighty B! (1977–1982)
• The Professionals (1977–1983)
• Strangers (1978–1982)
• Butterflies (1978–1983, 2000)
• 3-2-1 (1978–1988)
• Grange Hill (1978–2008)
• Dick Turpin (1979–1982)
• Friday Night, Saturday Morning (1979–1982)
• Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979–1982)
• Only When I Laugh (1979–1982)
• Sapphire & Steel (1979–1982)
• Terry and June (1979–1987)
• The Book Tower (1979–1989)
• The Loud House (1979-1988)
• Blankety Blank (1979–1990, 1997–2002)
• The Paul Daniels Magic Show (1979–1994)
• Antiques Roadshow (1979–present)
• Question Time (1979–present)

1980s[]

• Into the Labyrinth (1980–1982)
• The Gentle Touch (1980–1984)
• Juliet Bravo (1980–1985)
• Cockleshell Bay (1980–1986)
• Children in Need (1980–present)
• Postman Pat (1981–2008)

Ending this year[]

• 1 March – Agony (1979–1981)
• 15 March – The Muppet Show (1976–1981)
• 31 March – Robin's Nest (1977–1981)
• 21 April – When the Boat Comes In (1976–1981)
• 29 April – The Life and Times of David Lloyd George (1981)
• 1 August – You're Only Young Twice (1977–1981)
• 3 September – It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974–1981)
• 10 October – Take a Letter, Mr. Jones (1981)
• 31 October - Microscopic Milton (1975-1981)
• 29 November – To the Manor Born (1979–1981, 2007)
• 12 December – Worzel Gummidge (1979–1981)
• 17 December – Pigeon Street (1981)
• 21 December – Blake's 7 (1978–1981)
• 29 December – Pipkins (1973–1981)
• 30 December - The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island (1981)

Births[]

• 19 January – Thaila Zucchi, singer and actress
• 31 January – Gemma Collins, television personality
• 8 February – Helen Pearson, journalist and presenter
• 10 February
  • Max Brown, actor
  • Holly Willoughby, television presenter
• 1 April – Hannah Spearritt, actress and singer (S Club 7)
• 3 May — Charlie Brooks, actress
• 9 May — Sally Carman, actress
• 5 June – Jade Goody, reality show contestant and media personality (died 2009)
• 25 June – Sheridan Smith, actress
• 2 July – Angela Hazeldine, actress and musician
• 12 July – Rebecca Hunter, actress and singer
• 3 September – Fearne Cotton, radio and television presenter
• 5 September – Elize du Toit, actress
• 21 September – Jack Ryder, actor
• 25 September – Sarah Jayne Dunn, actress
• 29 September – Suzanne Shaw, actress and singer (Hear'Say)
• 10 October – Laura Tobin, broadcast meteorologist
• 19 December – Sam Bloom, actor and singer

Deaths[]

Date	Name	Age	Cinematic Credibility
15 April	Blake Butler	56	actor
24 May	Jack Warner	85
27 October	Val Gielgud	81	pioneer director of broadcast drama
3 December	Joey Deacon	61	author and television personality

See also[]

• 1981 in British music
• 1981 in British radio
• 1981 in the United Kingdom
• List of British films of 1981

References[]