Did you see The One Show last Friday? They were revisiting the famous talent show, Opportunity Knocks. While I was watching the interview with former child star, Neil Reid, and listening to some of the acts who had won in the 70s and 80s, I had to pause and rewind the programme to take a photo of the presenter Hughie Green beside the scoreboard.
With 86 on the clap-o-meter, there was the name Eileen Brennan. My mum.
I think I once mentioned this in a post a couple of years ago that Mum, as well as appearing on TV in 1959 singing Habanera from Carmen, sang on Opportunity Knocks in 1971. So when I saw her name suddenly flash up on the TV, I rang her to see if she was watching. We reminisced about the whole event and laughed about how I had been told, as a 7 year old, to keep it a secret that Mum was going to appear on the show, yet I happily wrote about it in ‘My News’ at school, so informing the teaching staff of my mother’s forthcoming appearance.
I asked Mum to write down her memories of the occasion and here they are, complete with some photographs which were taken in front of the TV screen in 1971, just as I did last Friday.
” It all started when my husband, John, wrote to Opportunity Knocks, without my knowledge, to try and get me an audition – which was successful!
In January 1971 auditions were held in a ballroom in Whitley Bay, on the North East coast. The place was packed: singers, dancers, bands, novelty acts. What a buzz. Halfway through the day, they ran out of film for their camera so John kindly stepped forward and offered to go out and buy more (clever move).
A couple of months later I received a letter to say I had been chosen and was to appear on 4 December 1971. Wow. I had to take two dresses so they could choose one for lighting purposes. After all the songs from the audition, Habanera, Ave Maria, musical theatre numbers, they chose a Northumbrian ballad, Blow the Wind Southerly, a song which Kathleen Ferrier made famous.
We travelled by train to London, then a taxi to Thames Television at Teddington Lock. The recordings were made on Saturdays so we started rehearsing on the Friday. I must say I loved rehearsing with a large orchestra: standing in front of them was fantastic. During the show itself the music was piped through a box on the stage; the orchestra were in another part of the studio. A little off-putting, but we coped.
The Saturday was a full and exciting day: rehearsals, make-up, microphone testing. Everyone was so friendly, all the contestants lapped up the excitement. My set was shaded in green and turquoise so my dress was chosen to blend in with those colours. On the set was a rowing boat they had brought in from the river. Oh my God, I thought, I might have to sit in it and pretend to row. No, I just sang with an upright mike.
The star of the show, a young boy called Neil Reid, who had won previous shows, sang ‘Sunshine of Your Smile’. I think the rest of knew then we didn’t stand a chance of winning but it didn’t deter any of us from giving our best.
John enjoyed the experience too as he was my sponsor and had to chat and introduce me to Hughie Green. They chatted about architecture and what our children would be getting from Santa Claus. John was very eloquent and looked great on TV. Being introduced as a ‘wife and mother’ from Newcastle, I was neatly put in my place. I imagine someone in their 30s now wouldn’t be pigeon-holed as a housewife.
It didn’t take long for the results to be shown on the clap-o-meter, none of the waiting and heart-stopping carry-on they do on shows now. Show over, it was off to the Green Room for drinks before heading home.
After the show I was invited to become part of a Northumbrian group of singers and dancers who performed locally on TV and for civic occasions (entertaining a group of Russian visitors, for example). A highlight of my time with the group was in 1975 when we were invited to America to perform at the Iowa State Fair.
Looking back I am grateful that opportunity knocked for me; it was an experience I will never forget.”
Agh – I remember this might as my mum was watching it avidly. Unfortunately I had a ballet lesson at the same time, but I remember telling my ballet teacher with great pride that your mum was on the show that night! I did actually see it but I'm not sure how as we couldn't have had a video recorder at that point could we?
Expat Mum -I wonder whether you have heard a tape recording instead? I know mum has this somewhere as I've heard it, but don't know who recorded it. Will find out.
What a fantastic story. Thanks so much for sharing your mum's memories.
Takes me right back to my childhood… there's something endlessly comforting about Opportunity Knocks!
Oh wow I saw that on the one show. How amazing that your mum was on Op Knocks
Sarah – it was great just saying to Mum to write it down for me: she did and I was able to just type it out. Great to share with everyone.
Steve – Doesn't seem that long ago, does it.
The Mad House – I really didn't expect her scoreboard to appear on last Friday's show – of all the shows over so many years!
What a lovely memory for you! (ps your mum was a looker too!)
How funny that that very episode should pop up on the One Show! What a lovely surprise! Emma 🙂
Curry Queen – I shall tell her, she'll like that!
Bavarian sojourn – I know, very unexpected. Makes me wonder if they have a copy of the show somewhere. Would be great to see it again.
I remember your first post about this and it's a wonderful second chapter to the story. The very first album I bought was "opportunity knocks winners". I remember it very well.
What a brilliant experience, beautifully shared. Hubby was on Masterchef..wonder if he will be so eloquent about it in years to come!
Great story, good memories. You must have been very proud to see her name up there on the Clap-o-meter!
Kelloggsville – That was your first album?! Brilliant. Nice tht you remember the first post, it seems years ago I slipped the info into a blog post.
Hearth Mother – Hello and welcome! That's fab your husband was on Masterchef. You should get him to write it all down so he doesn't forget. Ot is it on your blog? I shall go and have a look.
Asproulla – I have very clear memories of sitting in front of the TV in 1971 watching it. It's still exciting now just remembering it all.
What a wonderful account – your mother was a great beauty. Opportunity Knocks bring back such good memories for me…part of my Kiwi childhood
That's amazing that you saw that by chance!
About Last Weekend – it must have been an international phenomenon? And yes, she's lovely is my mum!
Andrea – I know, of all the thousands of shows they must have broadcast over the years, they should show that particular scoreboard.
That is such a fabulous dress too – well-prepared. Amazing you should just be watching and happen to see that! There must be a tape of the show somewhere surely…? We had a similar thing a couple of years ago – my brother was watching Imagine – about the electric guitar – and they showed a clip of Denmark St (ie Tin Pan Alley) in the good ol' days and there was my grandad right there on the screen – so he rang mum who wasn't watching but just happened to be taping it (for my brother in case he'd want to see it…. ) Wot are the chances eh? Some things are meant to be!
What a great story, that is wonderful stuff.
You've reminded me how much fun shows like Opportunity Knocks, and The Golden Shot etc., were enjoyed by my grandmother (and the whole family to be honest).
Madame SG – I love coincidences like that- funny your mum should be recording the show!
I really must try and email someone who might know if the Thames programmes are still available.
Vinogirl – I'm so glad you added that bit about the rest of the family enjoying it too. You mentioning your grandmother loving the shows was making me feel very old !! 😉
I can't think how I missed this post – must be a glitch in Google reader – but I loved it – what a fabulous coincidence, and obviously a fantastic experience for her. And I agree with Madame Smoking Gun – that dress she's wearing is gorgeous!
Your next assignment is to figure out how to get a copy of the tape and make an mp3 out of it so we can hear the performance as well…
I think you're right- will try and sort that. There must be a way to get it onto the computer.
What a great story. I most likely watched that particular show too as I can remember the name of Neil Reid. Well done your Mam. Great stuff.
🙂
I still remember quite clearly watching the programme – it was so exciting and I was so proud of her x