Toyah Willcox – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Children in Need – Allo Allo

These photos are from a Children in Need evening show. There is a definite French theme, with ‘Allo ‘Allo actress, Vicki Mitchell, accompanied by Floor Manager, Mick Murphy, sporting beret and garlic!

Thanks to Mick Murphy for sharing the photos.

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Rachel Broomfield: ‘Was it around1989? [Actually the photos are from 1990]. I think this was one of the ones I worked on as a humble studio assistant for Radio WM. If I remember rightly Toyah Willcox also topped the bill and Sue Beardsmore fronted for Midlands Today.’

Children in Need – Simon Bates

Simon Bates, Cathy Houghton, Mick Murphy

Children in Need photos dating from the late 1980s/early 1990s, with Midlands Today’s Cathy Houghton briefing presenter Simon Bates on the evening’s proceedings, in Studio C – the Foyer. Mick Murphy tickling the ivories!

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Siobhan Maher Kennedy: Mick Murphy I remember him! I got my CBBC job from being a presenter for the Children in Need from Pebble Mill in 1986.

Rosalind Gower: Yes it was 1990, one of the years I produced it with Simon Bates and Toyah Willcox presenting. That year all the production team, crews etc all wore fancy dress and I remember Mick getting that snazzy outfit from wardrobe.

Signature tunes: Look Hear, Second City Firsts, Gangsters

These Pebble Mill signature tunes are for:
1) Look Hear – Regional studio based entertainment show, presented by Toyah Willcox.
2) Second City Firsts – 30 minute studio A drama series, featuring new writers to television.
3) Gangsters – 1976 Play for Today, and later series.

Thank to Peter Poole for sharing the signature tunes.

Look Hear

Gangsters 1976

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook group:
Stuart Gandy:’I certainly remember all these, and Look Hear was one of this first programmes I worked on as a TA in Studio Ops back in 1980.’

Children in Need Evening Show briefing

Merrick carries out the director’s briefing for the evening show for ‘Children in Need’ in the Studio C, foyer.

Left to right: Louise Willcox ? seated, James French, Dave Farline, Wilf Welch, Dave Brazier, Sue Beardsmore presenter, Merrick Simmonds dir, Roz Gower prod, Simon Bates presenter, Toyah Willcox presenter.

Look! Hear! Toyah Willcox & Duran Duran

These grabs are from the Pebble Mill regional youth entertainment programme, ‘Look! Hear!’. The programme was presented by Toyah Willcox, and regularly hosted performances by well known bands, like Duran, Duran.

Thanks to Ian Collins for making them available.

The following comments were posted on the Pebble Mill Facebook Group:

Stuart Gandy: ‘Yes I certainly remember working on this show with Duran Duran in it. It was I suppose unusual for a regional opt out programme to have such a big production as this. Each show would have 3 bands on at least and they always as far as I can remember played live, unlike TOTP where they usually didn’t. One of the first programmes I worked on in 1980 when I joined as a TA in opps, this was exciting stuff to get to see all these bands live.’

David Ackrill: ‘Don’t remember the actual show, but would have watched Toyah and Duran Duran on Look! Hear! if Mum and Dad had let me (until I left home and got married and no time to myself at the time). Strange to think a queen of punk would end up doing voice overs for the children’s program called Brum !’