Family Affairs is Channel 5’s five nights a week soap
The Beginning
The show began at the same time as Channel 5, and began as being based around the lives of one family, the Harts. In an attempt to raise the programmes profile Brian Park (ex-Coronation Street) was brought in as a new Producer and in one of the most radical revamps in Soap history killed off the entire family. The show is now Executive Produced by Corinne Hollingworth and Produced by Vivian Adam and Mike Hudson.
Production
The production schedule has varied in the past, but now consists of three long location days and four studio days to make five episode. Made initially at HDS Studios in Hayes, and using locations nearby, the programme moved in with “The Bill” in Merton in May 2000 and now has it’s own backlot.
Further Information
The above was written in 2000. I was to work on Family Affairs regularly untll 2003, when a new Producer took over. The show lasted a couple more years after that. The Bill lasted many years more, but finally the Merton base became Wimbledon Studio and are now owned by Manoto TV, where I have spent much time recently. The old Familay Affairs backlot has been redressed many times and is still used regularly for commercials and more.