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Original poster

To think “The Big Breakfast” was the best morning TV show the UK had ever seen?

39 replies

Tillow4ever · 21/02/2026 13:43

So feeling a bit nostalgic today, and I remembered watching The Big Breakfast as a teenager before school every morning without fail. I remember EVERYONE at school watched it, and it was always the talk of morning break (longer when they actually visited our tiny town lol).

I no longer watch morning tv because I find it all a load of bollocks, and it just doesn’t feel natural putting the tv on in the morning before work - whereas no-one wanted to miss it back in the day.

So was that it? Was that the pinnacle of morning tv? Or was it actually just as bad as what we have today and my rose-tinted glasses are mid-remembering?

What other shows do people remember with find nostalgia?

YABU - It was just as bad as what we have now/there’s another show you thought was better (please tell me it!)

YANBU - I remember it exactly as you do and it was the best morning tv show we have ever had.

(hopefully the poll works)

OP posts:
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Pricelessadvice · 22/02/2026 13:40

Lock keepers cottages 😀

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 22/02/2026 13:35

I also remember the 'of the week' section, each with the little song - I can actually remember the words too!

They'll sell you pie and chicken
But while you're finger-licking
Your arteries will thicken
It's the chip shop of the week!

They're on their feet the whole day
Traditionally they are gay
They'll cover your head with hairspray
It's the hairdressers of the week!

They also had one feature where they were trying to put together a boy band with an older demographic of members of the public. They called it an 'elderly man band' - even though the chaps were only about 40!

Notashamed13 · 22/02/2026 09:22

I always remember the time they did a poll on marmite and one of the crew took a bite into a piece of toast that was literally thick with the stuff 😂and the mouldy tea on the intro haha

Sweetbeansandmochi · 22/02/2026 04:52

Well not wanting to bring a joyful thread down by being nerdy BUT it was a moment of change for TV.

It marked Youth TV breaking out of late night slots to the mainstream and we were peak age for it!

It was filled behind the scenes with young people as runners and producers and they were allowed to do things differently- it was a breath of fresh air!! Plus to do innane comedy like that consistently is really hard and so they were also the best at what they did. A lot of round pegs in round holes!!

I want a Time Machine now… to go back for a day or two!!

TheDandyLion · 22/02/2026 04:30

2 Lock Keepers Cottages, Old Ford Lock, London E3 2NN

Can't remember what I had for breakfast but I remember the address of a place I've never been to from over 30 years ago.

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 22/02/2026 00:53

Notashamed13 · 21/02/2026 23:25

Zig and zag lol.....they all love me, they all love me, the girls the girls they all love me! Haha when you know you know!

Considering that they were ostensibly just puppets singing silly novelty songs, they were actually brilliantly done. They could easily have put the singles out with a generic cover design and people would have naturally assumed they were the top current ragga music stars.

I still find myself randomly singing Them Girls and Turn On Your Landing Light all the time! Zig & Zag were amazing. I still remember the interview they did with Michael Parkinson, where Zig interrupted it urgently, almost in a panic, to inform MP that he had hair growing out of his ears; and their 'fun facts' about farting!

pinkdelight · 21/02/2026 23:34

WHERE ARE YOU MARK???
(and later Keith if memory serves)

Notashamed13 · 21/02/2026 23:33

Remember the washing line with clues? (And red herrings lol)

waterbobble · 21/02/2026 23:30

WonderfulSmith · 21/02/2026 23:18

I loved it. Started the day with a bit of lighthearted fun. So much energy for that time of day too.

It seems unreal now to start the morning with such lighthearted fun on TV. I watched it most mornings getting ready for school & uni.

I don’t watch breakfast TV now & haven’t for years!

Flannelfeet · 21/02/2026 23:30

AgnesX · 21/02/2026 14:09

I remember that morning. Paula was all over Michael like a bad rash. Not that he wasn't enjoying it ...The flirting was incredible!

Show quote history

In bed with Paula. I seen that episode, was a bit close to the bone (haha) .

Notashamed13 · 21/02/2026 23:25

Zig and zag lol.....they all love me, they all love me, the girls the girls they all love me! Haha when you know you know!

badgersbadgerseverywhere · 21/02/2026 23:25

Such a wonderful iconic programme! I liked the Johnny and Denise era best. Denise and Paula were fashion icons to me and I loved seeing what they were wearing! All the games, songs, banter and chemistry were spot on, the hand signals and sayings .. mental mental chicken oriental..

CrispySquid · 21/02/2026 23:23

I really miss Zig and Zag :(

joanofaardvark · 21/02/2026 23:18

Woman in a tabard! ooga chacka ooga chacka…

WonderfulSmith · 21/02/2026 23:18

I loved it. Started the day with a bit of lighthearted fun. So much energy for that time of day too.

AWedgeOfLemonAndASmartAnswerForEverything · 21/02/2026 23:18

It was brilliant, as was Chris Evans's Radio 1 breakfast show, and Don't Forget Your Toothbrush, TGI Friday. He let it all go to his head and went off the rails, but he really was an innovator in entertainment in the 90s.

Also, Mark and Lard when they were on the Radio 1 graveyard shift. I was always knackered for school.

Starseeking · 21/02/2026 23:17

Johnny and Denise, Zig and Zag were my favourites. It was a zany madcap programme that everyone at school watched.

BBC Breakfast, which is what I watch now, is like going to the library in comparison.

Notashamed13 · 21/02/2026 23:15

Egg on your faaaaaace egg on your faaaace....... you know you were brainwashed when I do believe it was: TBB, Old Fords Lock, London, EP2NN?

CoffeeAndEnnui · 21/02/2026 23:14

There are a few episodes on YouTube, I'd been telling DD about what a delight it was back then (never been a morning person) and had a watch to see if it (the Johnny and Denise incarnation) held up. I really think it does. The More Tea Vicar song still lives in my head rent-free!

XenoBitch · 21/02/2026 23:12

I remember this! I loved Zig and Zag.

blomr · 21/02/2026 23:11

I loved the Johnny and Denise era, I started getting ready to vital statistics and knew I'd be late for school if I was still at home when pushy mums came on.

rockstarshoes · 21/02/2026 23:10

I loved it with Jonny Vaughn & Denise Van Elton! I used to laugh til my sides ached!

I’ve always watched Good Morning Britain but am finding Susanna Reid & Richard Madely unbearable!
Can’t bear BBC Breakfast so tried Sky but blimey that’s like going back to 1995 honestly I’m stuck!

Would listen to LBC but that’s Nick Ferrari!

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