Hundreds of TV shows have come and gone in Britain over the past hundred years of broadcasts. Some passed through with little fanfare, while others made an indelible mark on culture going forwards, often thanks to remarkable leading figures. Here are some of the most iconic TV personalities on British TV that we’re unlikely to see again.
David Attenborough
Even outside the UK, few people in the world have spread knowledge of our natural world quite like Sir David Attenborough. As the biologist approaches 100 years, he can look back on a lifetime of incredible TV work covering everything from bird life to the far-reaching cultures depicted in The Tribal Eye.
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Taking that last example, the episode of the show titled ‘The Sweat of the Sun’ brought awareness of the Aztec culture to much of the world, and that alone has inspired a huge amount of future media. In online casinos alone, there are now dozens of big slots focused on lost jungle cultures like these such as the Temple Tumble online slot. These slots draw more from the mystical and mythological side but the design and theme inspiration is certainly there.
Terry Wogan
Although he only gained British citizenship in 2005, Sir Terry Wogan has been claimed as a national treasure by both the English and Irish for many years. Known to many as a voice inseparable from BBC Radio 2 in the morning for decades, Wogan also had many memorable forays into television, including his own eponymous chat show.
He was the voice, if not usually the face, of the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast in the UK for well over 30 years and is permanently linked to the competition. He was famous for his varyingly enthusiastic approach to presenting, and after his passing in 2016, many publications like The Guardian have celebrated his life through Eurovision quotes. While Graham Norton has made an admirable effort, Eurovision hasn’t been the same without Sir Terry.
Michael Parkinson
If ever there was a famous figure to talk to from around the world, you can bet that Michael Parkinson got first dibs on the interview. Everyone from massive athletes like David Beckham, blockbuster movie stars like John Wayne and political figures like Tony Blair lined up to appear on his self-titled show. Indeed, many of the biggest names directly requested interviews even when they had nothing to promote.
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He had an amazing ability to make his guests really open up on their thoughts and beliefs in a way few others could, such as his legendary interviews with Muhammad Ali at the peak of his career. While we have no shortage of talk show hosts and interviewers today, it’s hard to imagine finding another name that could truly measure up in the same way.
There will always be new names and faces appearing on our screens, and some will naturally be there for less time than others. Time will tell if any of today’s stars can ever reach the same level as the legends we mentioned above, though.