The real reason why the much-loved Pebble Mill at One was mysteriously axed has just emerged thanks to papers released under the 30-year rule. The program which ran from 1972 to 1986 featured presenters sat in a studio in front of a large picture window discussing current affairs and issues of the day. One presenter, whos name escapes me but who looked a bit like a cross between Archie McPherson and the bearded gentleman on the front of the classic board game MasterMind, often commented about the snowy weather outside, much to the dismay of the producers who were coming under more pressure to push the line that the climate was becoming warmer.
With Birmingham being over 160m above sea-level the snowey backdrop was much more common than other television studios. And with the global warming fraternity taking over as the powers that be in government the decision was taken to axe the show and move it a much-less snowey London and other regional studios.
The format was transferred to another program Daytime Live, minus McPherson, but it never enjoyed the same popularity.