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Crossroads - The 1980s
 

Courtesy of ITV Global Entertainment Ltd

Main image of Crossroads - The 1980s
 
ATV/Central Television for ITV to 4/4/1988
1,249 x 30 min eps, colour
 
ProducersJack Barton
 Phillip Bowman
 William Smethurst
Writers includePeter Ling
 David Garfield
 Edward F. Barnes
 Raymond Bowers
 Margaret Phelan
Theme TuneTony Hatch

Cast: Jane Rossington (Jill Harvey/Chance); Ann George (Amy Turtle); Susan Hanson (Diane Parker/Hunter); Noele Gordon (Meg Mortimer); Elisabeth Croft (Miss Tatum); Roger Tonge (Sandy Richardson); Ronald Allen (David Hunter); Jack Haig (Archie Gibbs); Edward Clayton (Stan Harvey); Joy Andrews (Tish Hope); Paul Henry (Benny Hawkins); Freddie Foot/Stephen Hoye (Chris Hunter); Sue Lloyd (Barbara Brady/Hunter); Carl Andrews (Joe Macdonald); Tony Adams (Adam Chance)

Show full cast and credits

The guests and staff of Crossroads motel adjust to life without Meg, and venture into the glitzy world of the 1980s.

Show full synopsis

If the 1970s had seen Crossroads at its peak, with massive ratings and a plethora of increasingly demented storylines, then the 1980s saw the programme suffer a number of body blows, ultimately leading to its cancellation. At the start of the decade the Independendent Broacadcasting Authority once again enforced a reduction of episodes per week in the hope of improving quality, and the position of the series was further undermined when ATV became Central Television and the new regime showed a distinct lack of enthusiasm for past productions. But it could be argued that the dismissal of Noele Gordon in June 1981 was the greatest blow of all; controversy still surrounds this incident even today. The sacking made headline news, and led to much keening and wailing from the show's devotees, but also offered producer Jack Barton an opportunity to give the show a desperately needed face-lift.

The burning down of the motel and the subsequent departure of Meg on the QE2 changed the emphasis of the show in a number of ways. New cast members, like the glamorous and scheming Pollards, were introduced, and the new, very 1980s motel bar became the centre of the action. But the show seemed to struggle, despite highlights such as Adam and Jill's wedding, and new producer Philip Bowman was brought in to further separate the show from its past. His arrival led to the high-profile departure of characters David and Barbara Hunter, and the equally high-profile introduction of icy businesswoman Nicola Freeman.

Despite these changes, and the fact that the production team was finally allowed adequate rehearsal and filming time, the show seemed to lose its way and was seemingly unable to attract the audience demographic that Central demanded. Bowman was subsequently replaced by William Smethurst, who, after axing more old favourites like Benny and Diane, attempted with some success to revamp the programme, and even had advanced plans to rename the series Kings Oak. All these plans were to no avail, however, and Central finally wielded the axe in 1988. After 23 years of constant struggle and controversy, Crossroads ended quietly, with Jill driving into the sunset with plans for her own hotel. It would be over a decade before fans found out that this wasn't quite the end of the long and torturous story.

John Williams

Click titles to see or read more

Video Clips
1. Sacrifices (1.13)
2. Meg talks to Adam (3:05)
3. Meg's Departure? (2:44)
Complete 1981 episode part 1 (9:08)
Complete 1981 episode part 2 (11:57)
GALLERY / SCRIPTS / AUDIO
SEE ALSO
Crossroads (1964-88, 2001-03)
Crossroads - The 1960s
Crossroads - The 1970s
Crossroads - The 2000s