BBC Television Centre’s Star Terrace: A Tribute to Broadcasting Legends
The BBC Television Centre’s Star Terrace, a once vibrant space in London, honored the connection between the BBC and its audience. In 1999, 24 commemorative plaques, installed by the Heritage Foundation, dotted the terrace, engaging visitors as they awaited entry to the studios.
Initially, a comprehensive history trail celebrating on-screen and behind-the-scenes talent was planned but later abandoned due to the Television Centre’s impending closure. Each plaque featured clapping hands, symbolizing the audience’s appreciation for celebrated BBC personalities like Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. One plaque even featured lyrics from their theme song: “Bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love.”
By 2012, the BBC Television Centre was listed for sale, raising concerns about the Star Terrace plaques’ future. Relocation plans for memorials, including those from the Blue Peter Garden, were considered as part of the BBC’s move to Salford. Despite the BBC’s 2013 departure and subsequent redevelopment, the plaques were confirmed to remain in 2019.
One plaque, originally honoring Eric Morecambe, now resides at the Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden. Donated by a local resident, the now-blue plaque is displayed in the theatre foyer alongside portraits of Eric and his wife Joan. This relocation highlights the enduring legacy of the BBC Television Centre’s Star Terrace plaques. The plaque’s blue color signifies a change from its original appearance in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
