Continuity Announcers

[bhowells]

ITV continuity announcers when I were a lad I thought they were a bit naff, but now they are tv history I look back on them with fondness.

I would like members of the forum to post reminiscinces about their favourite announcers.

Many of these announcers were actors, Bernard Youens at Granada , Ivor Roberts at TWW.

Quite a few worked for more than one region, I recall Peter Tomlinson being at HTV and then going elsewhere.

I love all things that they had to do , close down the station make witty comments after a horror film had been shown, look embarassed when they made a cock up,.

My personal favourite was when there was some time to fill between programmes and they would trail forthcoming programmes by saying,"I have just been looking through the Tv Times."

Great Stuffc!

[Rob Compton]

Probably my favourite was Brian Nissen of Southern, mentioned recently on this site - always gentlemanly and such a professional.

Brian Nissen (I)

rgds
Rob

[bhowells]

The late Michael ST John (think that was hiis name) is fondly remembered, he was on HTV west, we ocasionally saw him on HTV Wales at the weekend when the welsh announcers were off duty. I loved his tongue in cheek approach.

[Steve Crook]

But are any as good as Charlotte Green on Radio 4?

Steve

[bhowells]

Sexy gal, they impersonate her on Dead Ringers.

Who was the Irish lady on Radio Three, who was a constant on there for a while always the announcer on the proms.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by bhowells Sexy gal, they impersonate her on Dead Ringers.

Sally Philips did a great impersonation of her in a sketch in Smack the Pony.
They had her in the continuity booth smoking a spliff and talking really rough. Then the light came on and she went into a perfect impersonation of Charlotte in her slightly posh and very sexy voice

Charlotte and the other Radio 4 announcers also do a stint reading the headlines on The News Quiz. Once when Charlotte was doing it they played one of her rare goofs on air, when she was meant to read out about a cross-channel ferry and it came out as a "cross flannel cherry".

As Andy Hamilton asked, "How would you describe that shade of red that Charlotte's just gone?"

Steve

[Husky]

I think Diddy David Hamilton was a continuity announcer in the London TV area. And a man called Philip, whose surname I'm afraid I can't recall. I think the BBC discontinued in-vision continuity announcements long before ITV did.

[glyn horton]

Margaret Pritchard and Arfon Haines Davies on HTV Wales. Arfon still does stuff for Welsh TV now.

[bhowells]

Margaret Prichard is now Cheif Executive of the Gerorge Thomas Hospice. I attended a concert at St Davids Hall in aid of this worthy charity. Margaret introduced the concert I didnt recognise her, but the voice was eerily familliar. I didnt realise it was her until the conductor mentioned at the end of the concert.

Arfon Haines Davies was in attendance as well.

[bhowells]

Not sure when BBC dropped the in vision annuncers, I was born in 1960 I can only recall announcers being out of vision hiding safely behind the globe. Monty Python did a great skit with John Cleese as a conitiuity announcer talking over the globe he is joined by a Woman who turns out to be his wife, they have a domestic arguement on air.

David Hamilton once told a story about the time he was on duty at Thames on New Years Eve a friend was with him in the continuity suite. Hamilton closed down the station and forgot to turn off his mike. Not sure if it was David or his matet that could be cleary heard to say"Is that it now we can go out and get p******.

If anyone can verify that story I will be most grateful just in case I got it wrong.

BARRIE

[francesgumm]

Originally Posted by Husky I think Diddy David Hamilton was a continuity announcer in the London TV area. And a man called Philip, whose surname I'm afraid I can't recall. I think the BBC discontinued in-vision continuity announcements long before ITV did.

Philip Elsmore.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by bhowells Margaret Prichard is now Cheif Executive of the Gerorge Thomas Hospice. I attended a concert at St Davids Hall in aid of this worthy charity. Margaret introduced the concert I didnt recognise her, but the voice was eerily familliar. I didnt realise it was her until the conductor mentioned at the end of the concert.

It can be odd when you finally see a continuity announcer or newsreader where you've only known them by their voice.

From her voice you might expect Charlotte Green to look more like this


In fact, she looks like this

Quite normal really.

But even if she looked like

she'd still be lovely to my ears

Steve

[bhowells]

charlotte Green in that picture you have posted looks like a loan advisor for a building society,or a cardboard cut out assistant from BOOTS.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by bhowells charlotte Green in that picture you have posted looks like a loan advisor for a building society,or a cardboard cut out assistant from BOOTS.

I know, but this is how we still think of her


Steve

[byebyebadman]

can anyone remember if michael aspell was one in the eighties on itv/tyne tees? or was i daydreaming?