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TV Pop Diaries
Pop Music on British Television 1955 - 1999

Hosted by singer Billy J Kramer and backed up by his band The Factory / The Remo. Kramer was supported by regular ‘Disc Dolly’ actress Dianne Greaves, who would later be replaced by actress / singer Ayshea. Talking ahead of the show's debut Muriel Young said "As soon as I saw Diane's photo, I knew she was the little blonde disc dolly we wanted." Singer Billie Davis had appeared in the pilot edition, taped in September 1968.


From the TV Times “Pop into the Discotheque where your hosts Billy J Kramer and the Remo, Ayshea and The Four Spots invite you to meet their guests.” They also claimed the show was aimed at "eight to fourteen year olds."


Unknown and just signed bands were usually hired to provide the music, giving rare airtime to new acts The Idle Race and Elton Johns (sic), while Ken Martyne provided the dance troupes Sons and Lovers and The Four Spots. He would also perform the same role in Lift Off.


From 10th January 1969 the show became Discotheque but had lost its ITV network status for a few weeks. Singer Graham Bonney joined the show, hosting when Kramer wasn’t available, while Ayshea Brough joined the series on 19th March 1969, having previously appeared on the show plugging her new 45. The series would re-launch as Lift Off, then Lift Off with Ayshea.








THE DISCOTHEQUE  / DISCOTHEQUE


Granada

1st November 1968 - 23rd April 1969