Shot on location at Alton Towers funfair Stoke-on-Trent, this was one of Granada's
last tea-time pop shows. It was a part of the Children's ITV strand, replacing Granada's
popular Get It Together. Running from late summer to early autumn this one followed
the familiar plot with teams of kids representing their school in various quizzes
and challenges, but this time the prize was worth winning as the winners got the
run of the park for free.
The first shows were hosted by ex-Selecter singer Pauline Black, accompanied by Bob
Carolgees and Spit The Dog with Bad Manners providing the theme tune. Dexy's Midnight
Runners, Toyah, Toto Coelo, Shakin' Stevens were among the first guests. Thankfully,
unlike earlier Granada tea-time pop shows, this one didn't feature new up and coming
talent in an attempt to save money.
The following summer saw indie favourites like Paul Haig and The Farmers Boys in
amongst The Thompson Twins, Musical Youth and the like, while the 1983 season also
saw Musical Youth compete against their old school Duddeston Manor. The 1986 finale
show in December saw Hull's forth finest The Housemartins host their own special.
Hold Tight came to an end in 1987, probably in response to the Late Late Breakfast
Show tragedy the previous winter. For the final series the producers had decided
to ditch the games aspect and just re-tool it as a pop-only show. Featuring a new
theme by the band Westworld it went out blazing with surprising appearances by Iggy
Pop (his first kids' show since his Number 73 incident a year earlier) and Public
Image Limited.
The show had hosted a full range of representative pop and indie from the mid-eighties
and is worth tracing shows or clips for.
