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The John Hannam Archive

  • John Hannam Meets Annette Badland

    Back in 1981 when Bergerac first came to BBC TV, it was no surprise when John Nettles received sack loads of fan mail. I, like millions of other men, rather fell for the more rubenesque charms of the Bureau receptionist Charlotte, played by the gorgeous Annette Badland.

  • When John Hannam Met Jane McDonald

    There are days in your life that you will never forget. One of mine was September 26th, 2006, when I met up again with Jane McDonald. Her welcoming hug and comforting words were just what I needed

  • John Hannam meets Bill Wyman

    Fifty one years after I first saw Bill Wyman appearing at a Rolling Stones concert at Ryde Pavilion, I finally managed to meet him.

  • When John Hannam Did the Corrie Tour

    Back in 2001 I took an exciting 21 hour day trip to Weatherfield. I was expecting to undertake a couple of interviews with two of Coronation Street’s lesser known characters. Thankfully, it didn’t go to plan. Once the two interviews were completed and the press office girls had left, I was told to sit tight for a few minutes and see who might come in. Over the next hour, six of the most famous faces in Britain came in and were all eager to chat.

  • A Day to Remember with Sheridan Smith

    Saturday June 30th, 2012, was rather special in my 47 year career as a showbiz writer and broadcaster. I still call it my Sheridan Smith day.

  • A Day to Remember with Barbara Windsor

    Back in 1988, John Hannam interviewed Barbara Windsor – and this was long before Albert Square.

  • John Hannam meets Shaun Williamson

    When Shaun Williamson was filling shelves in a Maidstone supermarket his ambition was to be like Richard Burton. Eventually, via Pontins in Wootton, 1986, he became Barry Evans, who for eight years was one of EastEnders’ most popular characters.

  • John Hannam meets Joe McFadden

    Life has been wonderfully unpredictable for Scottish actor Joe McFadden. Before winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, he’d been a rock star in Sex, Chips & Rock ‘n’ Roll, cast as maverick cop, Joe Mason in Heartbeat and surgeon Raf di Lucca in Holby City.

  • Gwen Taylor: An interview with Beacon's John Hannam

    Gwen Taylor is one of those actors known for a wide variety of names — Amy Pearce from Duty Free, Barbara Liversidge in Barbara, Heartbeat’s Peggy Armstrong, Rita Simcock from A Bit Of A Do or even murderer, Anne Foster, from Coronation Street.

  • David Calder tells John Hannam why he loves the Isle of Wight

    Over the years, top actors like Celia Imrie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Penelope Keith and Geoffrey Hughes have all fallen in love with the Island. The latest to join them is David Calder, whose credits include The World Is Not Enough, The Hatton Garden Job and The Lady In The Van.

  • Tessa Peake-Jones: An interview with John Hannam

    During the final ten days before the lockdown, I’d been lucky enough to have pre-arranged five interviews. It was in Guildford on a very wet and miserable March day. Would she be like Raquel in Only Fools And Horses or Mrs Maguire in Grantchester?

  • Celia Imrie: An Interview with John Hannam

    John caught up with the star of stage and screen, who talks of recent film projects and fond memories of when the Island was her home.

  • Fred Dinenage: An Interview with John Hannam

    Famous radio DJ Annie Nightingale has helped numerous popstars enhance their careers by playing their music.

  • Dame Judi Dench meets John Hannam

    On July 7th, completely out of the blue, I received an unexpected email from a guy called Neil Chandler, the venue and artistic director of the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, which was re-opening following a £42 million redevelopment.

  • Call the Midwife's Helen George meets John Hannam

    Helen George has millions of fans as Trixie Franklin in hit television series, Call The Midwife. She's just been seen in the show's Christmas Special and is all set to appear later this year in the ninth series.

  • Marti Pellow: An Interview with John Hannam

    Back on Sunday, February 17th 1991, I had the thrill of having the Beverley Sisters live on IW Radio's John Hannam Meets. At the end of their slot, I asked them to choose a record by their favourite current singer. In total harmony, they all said Marti Pellow and predicted a long and successful career for him. At that time he was the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet. How right they were.


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  • Five Feel-Good 80s Shows We'd Love To See Again

    From heart-warming sitcoms to adventurous dramas, the 80s brought us a plethora of feel-good TV that continues to evoke nostalgia and fond memories. In an era of reboots and revivals, here are five feel-good 80s shows that we'd love to see again:

  • Five Greatest Glastonbury Headliners

    Glastonbury Festival, often dubbed as the crown jewel of the UK music scene, has played host to some of the most iconic musical acts of all time. Every year, hundreds of thousands of music lovers flock to the fields of Somerset to witness performances from a diverse range of artists across various genres. With this year's line-up now announced, here's five of our favourites over the years:

  • Eight Epic Film Soundtracks We Could Listen To Forever

    Film soundtracks have the remarkable ability to transport us to different worlds, evoke powerful emotions, and enhance the cinematic experience in profound ways. From sweeping orchestral scores to memorable pop anthems, the music of movies has a lasting impact on audiences long after the credits roll. Here's some which we could listen to forever:

  • Five Favourite Films Which Won Best Picture

    In the illustrious history of the Academy Awards, the Best Picture category has always been the pinnacle of cinematic achievement. Each year, the Oscars honour the finest films that have captivated audiences, pushed boundaries, and left an indelible mark on the landscape of cinema. Off the back of Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' this year, here are five Best Picture winners that have stood the test of time and continue to be celebrated for their excellence:

  • Five Classic Biscuits You Could Eat A Whole Pack Of

    Whether you enjoy them as a snack, dessert, or a guilty pleasure, there are certain biscuits that are so irresistibly delicious, you could easily devour an entire pack in one sitting. From childhood classics to sophisticated indulgences, here are five favourite biscuits that have a tendency to disappear faster than you can say "more please":


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