Search For Lost New Faces Talent Show

Today Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor make their fortunes out of promoting the talentless and seemingly barmy alongside amateur wannabes. But back in the 1970s and 80s ATV’s New Faces was all about bringing the best new TV talent to the screen. One episode in particular – wiped by ATV – is now being sought for a star of the show.

The edition in question is from February 8th 1975, which showcases Kenny Windsor’s routine. Kenny – real name Kenneth Elcocks – was placed forth on the scoreboard and was at the time watched by up to 10 million viewers.

A search for the lost episode has been undertaken by Kenneth’s son Lee who hopes a viewer may have taped the edition in question at the time of broadcast. While video recorders were scarce in the 1970s many lost shows in recent years have turned up on domestic home recordings.

“Dad has never seen a recording of the show as it went out on air. I had hoped that this year I would be able to get him a copy from the ITV archives but this is proving a little more difficult than I at first thought. Back in the early to mid-70s, ITV and BBC recorded over TV shows as film was expensive.” Lee said.

The show was produced in Birmingham at the ATV Centre on Broad Street in front of a live studio audience and became notorious for regular panellist – musician – Tony Hatch’s scathing critique of some acts. Other regulars judges included Terry Wogan, Shaw Taylor, Noel Edmonds and Arthur Askey. Kenneth – now 73 – isn’t the only star turn from New Faces to have been wiped from the television archives, Victoria Wood’s appearance on the show was also erased – however a VHS copy of her routine survives and Lenny Henry’s appearance was saved by being recorded by Bob Monkhouse.

If you have a copy of Kenny Windsor’s performance on New Faces, which also starred pop group The Honeycombes’ lead singer Dennis D’ell, you can contact Lee on 07790 779792.