Am I making this up re. Kirsten O'Brien?

[ThomasRichard]

This is going back a good 20 years to when she was chosen to present CBBC on BBC1. I seem to remember that they had a line-up of wannabe presenters, who did a spiel each and then the viewers at home had to tap their TV screen. The taps equalled votes, which showed on a live bar graph. The one with the most votes got to be the presenter.

There's no way that this could have worked, is there? It's a very vivid memory though!

Are you sure it wasn't press the red button...this does sound familiar though

It was before the days of the red button. I'm 90% sure it happened but would love to know because it was so odd.

I vaguely remember something like this on SMTV Live. The only reason I remember is because I was once watching tv from the top bunk in my bedroom and tried to rush down to the tv so I could join in. Didn't get there in time though, I was gutted

:o How would I word a FOI request? I really want to know this but if I've dreamed it up they're going to think I'm bonkers.

Doing some more Googling I've just found out about Mark Speight How utterly, tragically awful. I was living abroad at the time and missed it completely. He was a staple of my childhood.

Ah yes that was incredibly sad poor man.

I actually remember this OP! Not a figment of your imagination.

How would they have done that before touch screens?!

Yes Metal! If I'm not making it up, I voted for the chap with the beard and my brother voted for Kirsten.

MyFavouriteName I don't think they could. Did the Beeb scam x-million kids?!

Michael Underwood was awarded a presenting contract by public vote.

I am sure I remember this too

Although I also remember Andi Peters in the broom cupboard telling people to do things at their tv screens and as a result, I really thought that he could see hundreds of tiny squares on a big screen right in to people's living rooms.

Andi peters is a massive fan of pineapple. Random fact for you which has stuck in my head for always for some reason.

Yeah but not by pressing a 'button' on the tv screen

I think it's fair to assume it was a load of nonsense. I doubt they could do this now what with LED screens and what not. Can you imagine the complaints from irate parents who's kids have damaged their to screens as a result?