Season 6 • Episode 30
LatestGoing Live! was a Saturday morning magazine show, broadcast on BBC1 between 1987 and 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Peter Simon, Emma Forbes, and puppet Gordon the Gopher. The show was broadcast during the autumn to spring seasons, with other shows such as the 8:15 from Manchester and Parallel 9 taking over during the summer months. It was preceded by Saturday Superstore, and succeeded by Live & Kicking. In 1988, when the second series started, Greene was hurt in a helicopter crash with her then boyfriend, Mike Smith. Guest presenters stood in for her including T'Pau's Carol Decker. Similarly, in 1992-93 during the final series, Schofield was starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was unable to present the show. A third presenter took his place. Originally, Neighbours actor Kristian Schmid took the role but soon left after problems with his work permit. Various other celebrities to stand in included Shane Richie and Robbie Williams during his Take That days.
Acting
Phillip Schofield's impossibly wholesome early career energy.
Practical Effects
Gordon the Gopher: a puppet that somehow became iconic.
Production
Genuine live TV danger—no safety net, total unpredictability.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Going Live! bridged the gap between Saturday Superstore's innocence and Live & Kicking's ironic detachment, capturing British childhood at its most unguarded pre-internet moment.
The 'Run the Risk' segment hosted by Peter Simon became so popular it spawned its own standalone series—proof that British children will watch absolutely anything involving slime and humiliation.
GB
