random retro-spective
ITV franchise Central begins broadcasting to the Midlands
One of three new ITV services, Central Television replaced ATV in the Midlands in 1982.
the retro hour: 2004
We've been through the archive and compiled everything we think you need to know about the year. To make it easier for you to find what you're looking for, everything is organised into categories.
the top stories
An earthquake in the Indian Ocean sent a massive tsunami crashing into Asia and some parts of Africa. An estimated 250,000 people died. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India were worst affected.
George W Bush won the presidential race against John Kerry to stay in the White House for a second term.
The arch was put up at the new Wembley Stadium.
A protestor ran into the House of Commons and threw purple powder at the Prime Minister.
The British hostage, Ken Bigley, was executed in Iraq.
Ten more countries joined the EU
on the chart
Britney Spears married her childhood friend, Jason Alexander, in Las Vegas. The marriage lasted 55 hours. Later in the year she married dancer Kevin Federline.
Brian McFadden announced that he was leaving Westlife.
Janet Jackson had her wardrobe malfunction during the half-time performance at the Super Bowl.
The first official download chart saw Westlife take the number one spot with a special version of Flying Without Wings.
The Christmas number one was the new version of the Band Aid song “Do They Know It’s Christmas”.
John Peel and Ray Charles died.
on the tv and at the cinema
Kerry Katona won I’m A Celebrity. Jordan and Peter Andre got together while they were contestants on the series.
Steve Brookstein won The X Factor.
Ricky Gervais became the first UK actor to win a TV comedy acting prize at the Golden Globes.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams became the toast of the comedy world following the success of Little Britain.
The final part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy The Return of the King swept the board at the Oscars, winning eleven statues including Best Picture.
Julia Roberts became a mother for the first time when she gave birth to twins.
Michael Moore’s controversial anti-Bush movie Fahrenheit 9/11 won the presitigious gold award at the Cannes Film Festival.
sports achievements and milestones
The Olympics were held in Athens. Great Britain won 30 medals of which nine were gold. Kelly Holmes won both the 800m and the 1,500m and was later named BBC Sports Personality of the Year. However, Paula Radcliffe crashed out of the Olympic marathon because of the soaring temperatures… she also failed to finish the 10,000 metres.
Wayne Rooney made England proud during Euro 2004 when he scored against Switzerland twice and netted two more to beat Croatia.
Serena Williams was beaten by 17-year-old Maria Sharapova in the ladies’ final at Wimbledon.
Arsenal kicked their way into the record books after going 49 Premiership games unbeaten.
and finally
New words included metrosexual, phishing and wardrobe malfunction
A video of David Beckham sleeping was screened at a London art gallery.
Richard Branson cruised across to France in one hour and 40 minutes in a floating car.
A grilled cheese sandwich fetched £15,000 on an internet auction site because its owner claimed that it had an image of the Virgin Mary on it.