Quick Summary
Grace Dent examines the TV schedules of 40 years ago
About This Program
Grace Dent travels back in time through the BBC's archives for a light-hearted look at the TV schedules of 40 years ago. Things not going to plan on Noel Edmonds' Christmas Day Live, Live Breakfast Show, while BBC Breakfast had an epic pantomime that ran longer than most regular drama episodes. Soaps fans were looking forward to Dynasty's wedding of the year between Amanda Carrington and Prince Michael of Moldova, little realising that they were in for a bloodbath with the marriage turned into a massacre, while there are festive moments from Rik Mayall, Kenny Everett, Peter Cook and David Jason, whose Only Fools and Horses special was the most-watched show of the season
What We Were Watching: Christmas 1985 broadcasts on BBC Four at 7:00pm, Sunday, 21 December 2025. (Subtitles, repeat)


