Remembering ‘The Hitman & Her’
Decades before reality TV took over our screens, there was one place on ITV which gave the public a chance to glimpse into British nightlife without even leaving their homes. Back then, many television channels stopped showing programs altogether in the early hours of the morning – however, at weekends viewers were able to watch The Hitman and Her, a dance music show which visited various nightclubs – particularly those in northern England, the English Midlands and Scotland. The concept itself was simple but intoxicating: play some music and then film the clubbers dancing, playing party games, and waving at the camera.
Today, if you go out dancing, there is a good chance it will be captured on a phone by an eager friend and posted online for others to see, hence all of this now sounds quite dull and boring. But back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, things were very different…
Produced for Granada TV and airing on ITV’s Night Network, the Hitman & Her has now gained almost legendary status amongst those who watched or appeared on it. Many search out uploaded YouTube videos in the hope that they may see themselves on the screen again or re-live the sights, sounds and fashions of a club from a lost era. Sadly, it is true to say that most of the popular venues featured on the program no longer exist, hence these online videos are often the only way of seeing and enjoying these establishments again.
Presented by Michaela Strachan and Pete Waterman. The Hitman and Her was often recorded on a Saturday night and then hastily edited and aired early on in the hours of Sunday morning. Clubbers would arrive at the featured club hoping to appear on television. Often members of the crowd would be plucked out to participate in games such as “Pass The Mic!”, “Showing Out”, and “Clothes Swap”. The Hitman and Her also featured regular dancers, including Clive (also known as ‘Wiggy’ due to his famous white Tina Turner wig) and future stars such as Take That’s Jason Orange and Jimmy and Spike of the boy band 911. Each week the show would also include a performance from a pop star eager to promote their latest release.
Running from 1988 until 1992, the first ever Hitman and Her show came from Mr Smiths in Warrington and the final show was filmed from The Discothèque Royale in Manchester. During its time, the show filmed in over 50 clubs and night spots. Just don’t mention the Hacienda episode…
..Hey, come on – B’have!
Michaela Strachan on Instagram Michaela Strachan on X
A full list of all of the clubs and venues visited by the Hitman & Her between October 1988 and December 1992:
A list of some of the acts and performers who appeared on the Hitman & Her between October 1988 and December 1992:
Kylie Minogue : Boney M : Hazell Dean : Sonia : Milli Vanilli : Sinitta : Dee-Lite : 808 State : Jive Bunny : Jason Donovan : Kym Mazelle : Rebel MC : Big Fun : Jermaine Jackson : Sydney Youngblood : The London Boys : Army of Lovers : Sybil : Guru Josh : E-zee Posse : Adamski with Seal : D-Mob with Cathy Dennis : Jocelyn Brown : Take That : Alison Limerick : Technotronic : Rozalla : Oceanic : Kenny Thomas : 2 Unlimited : Art of Noise : The Farm : Undercover : The 49ers : Altern8