TV Pop Diaries
Pop Music on British Television 1955 - 1999

One of Granada's forgotten tea-time pop shows, originally hosted by singer Billy J Kramer and backed up by his band The Factory/The Remo. Kramer co-hosted with ‘Disc Dolly’ actress Dianne Greaves, who would in turn would be replaced by actress/singer Ayshea Brough.

Talking ahead of the show's debut show producer Muriel Young said "As soon as I saw Diane's photo, I knew she was the little blonde disc dolly we wanted." However, it could have been different as singer Billie Davis had appeared in the pilot edition, taped in September 1968.

Unknown and just-signed acts were usually hired to provide the music, giving rare airtime to new acts The Idle Race, The Iveys 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 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 made to claim that the show was aimed at "eight to fourteen year olds."

Only a few ITV stations showed it at first with Thames, Harlech, Anglia, Tyne Tees, Westward, Channel and Ulster taking it.

From 10th January 1969 the show dropped the definite article and became 'Discotheque'. 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