Saturday 21 November 2020 marks World Television Day; a day that has been celebrated since 1996 and stands as a reminder of the power of visual media and how it helps in shaping public opinion and influencing world politics.
Not only does television play a vital part in the way we see the world, but it provides a platform for arts and culture. Whether we watch TV live, or stream catch up shows, our screens provide us with access to learn new things, escape reality and be entertained by our favourite creatives, from musicians to actors, comedians and more.
West End Centre (the Westy) in Aldershot has welcomed a whole host of TV stars over the years and we're very lucky to share that with you. To celebrate World Television Day and those who entertain us, here's a look back at snaps taken of stars behind the Westy bar in 2013 before some made it BIG...!
Katherine Ryan
The same year that Katherine was a star behind our bar, she finished in fourth place on BBC One's Let's Dance for Comic Relief. Since then she's been spotted on Channels 4's Taskmaster and 8 Out of 10 Cats, Comedy Central's Your Face or Mine and Roast Battle (alongside Jimmy Carr who, like Katherine, has also gigged at the Westy's monthly Hecklers Comedy Club!), plus her very own Netflix show The Duchess...and more!
The 1975
Since 2002 The 1975 have been gracing us all with their bundles of energy and musical talent. The same year their star behind the bar shot was taken, their surprise set on BBC's Introducing Stage at Reading Festival was televised. Fast forward six years to 2019 and they headlined the festival's main stage! We wonder what other musicians we'll see walk through the Westy doors and go on to headline some of the world's most EPIC festivals...?
Milton Jones
You will have spotted this deadpan, one-liner pun master on the likes of Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. Well now you've seen him stood behind our beloved bar at the Westy! Earlier this year Milton also toured the UK with his Milton Impossible show and stopped by our sister Hampshire Cultural Trust arts venues - Forest Arts Centre in New Milton and Ashcroft Arts Centre in Fareham.
There's more...
Other stars spotted behind the bar include comedian Andrew Lawrence (who gigged at the Westy last month), Rob Newman, Pete Firman and comedian Tony Law, who is returning to the Westy stage in February 2021 - keep an eye out for the booking link!
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