8:15 from Manchester, The

1 9 9 0 – 1 9 9 2 (UK)

Debuting on BBC1 on 21 April 1990, the Children’s magazine programme The 8:15 from Manchester was presented by Ross King and professional northerner Charlotte Hindle from a rock video studio set.

Segments included ‘The Wetter The Better’ (a kid-friendly take on It’s a Knockout featuring kids vs. teachers in the watery surroundings of Blackpool Sandcastle’s Leisure Pool,) Laser Quest-inspired scaffolding scramble ‘It’s Tough At The Top’, and the lamentable ‘Rapattack’.

There was also a problem page-influenced multipart weekly drama in which a young Anna Friel and Rachel Egan got caught up in teen-angst and moral dilemmas, requiring viewers to phone in and vote for which dilemma-resolving ending they would prefer to see.

Cartoon segments included Defenders Of The Earth and Rude Dog & The Dweebs, with re-runs of The Jetsons.

Repeats of Grandad and Rentaghost also aired on the show.

Guests in the studio included Blur, EMF, a pre-Fatboy Slim Norman Cook, and Candy Flip.

The catchy theme tune was a re-write of Find Out Why by Inspiral Carpets.