The borough waved goodbye this month to the historic studios that hosted stars such as Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise and Sir David Jason.
Film studios first arrived on the Teddington Studios site in 1910 and it later became the main production centre for Thames Television's entertainment programming.
Aerial view of the studios from circa 1965, photo courtesy of Marcus Payne
Planning permission was granted to Haymarket media group, which owned the site from 2004, for a 213-flat development in October 2014, and the site was sold to Singaporean developers City Developers for a reported £80million.
Demolition began at the end of January, so we spoke to the people who helped form part of television history about their fond memories of the studios.
Terry Foster in the print room, 1987
Terry Foster, 59, worked in the print room and as a DJ at Teddington Studios between December 1973 and January 1992 and recalled a classic Tommy Cooper moment he will never forget.
Mr Foster said: “I arrived at work one Saturday morning at about 8.15am and the reception was closed.
“I was there when Tommy Cooper came in and had to sign in. He turned to his cab driver, put a wodge into his top pocket and said ‘have a drink on me.’
“Tommy went off and the driver, who was so excited because he thought it was about £50, took it out of his pocket and realised it was a teabag.
Tommy Cooper's plaque hung outside the studios
“He laughed about it and said ‘I will never, ever use this teabag.’
“It was an absolutely fantastic place to work.”
Geoffrey Hayes, 73, was the star of children’s programme Rainbow for about 20 years from the 1970s to 1990s.
Mr Hayes said: “When I was there you could feel the history of the place in the fabric of the building.
The demolition in process (Credit: Andy Butterfield)
“It is quite a small site but it’s a really friendly family atmosphere at the studio. Everyone used to know each other and though I wouldn’t say everyone got on, we all knew each other and would meet in the bar in the canteen.
“It was a very happy time. Our show was very well received and we all enjoyed doing it.”
Geoffrey Hayes with Zippy, George and Bungle on the Rainbow set (Youtube)
Comedian Tim Vine said he was very sad to hear the studio was to be demolished and referred to his time there as a “ridiculous adventure.”
He said: “I have so many happy memories of filming there.
“The sketch show, Not going Out, and the excitement of making my own comedy gameshow series Fluke in 1997 in the same studio Kenny Everett gave us Sid Snot.
Comedian Tim Vine described working at the studios as "a ridiculous adventure"
“Not forgetting the fun of being on Des and Mel and Night fever and lots of others, having lunches and wrap parties in that amazing canteen and bar overlooking the river.
"They were all exciting, sunny days when just being in a TV studio felt like a ridiculous adventure.”
An event remembering the studios will be held at Teddington’s Normansfield Theatre on April 15. For more information call 0207 410 2266 or email oralhistory@mola.org.uk.
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