Steve Leahy originally joined Granada as an assistant transmission controller but two years later successfully applied to be a researcher, initially in local programmes. Following a period in children’s programmes he became Granada’s Head of Entertainment in 1987 where he developed his passion for quiz shows, with ITV network productions including The Krypton Factor, Busman’s…
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Steve Leahy describes how he joined Granada
I was studying Law at Leeds and I’d scraped through my first year and hated it. My brother was a solicitor, that’s why I went into it. I didn’t know what the hell to do, so they nudged me that way, hoped I might make a barrister. I absolutely hated being a student. And I…
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Steve Leahy describes his move to being a researcher
Got into Granada, arrived very green, as a trainee assistant transmission controller, which was a nine-month training programme. And I did it in three months, which is astonishing because it was mind over matter, I can’t push buttons and do things, I really can’t, I had to just learn it. I was determined to learn…
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Steve Leahy’s pride in working at Granada
I was born at Granada and you grow up the Granada way, don’t you? I think I learned a lot for future life through Granada. I loved the way the Stables worked, and before that, Film Exchange. While I was an assistant transmission controller I was talking to Peter Eckersley in the evenings and really…
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Steve Leahy on the success of Busman’s Holiday
One of the best moments for me was, we’d done a pilot of Busman’s Holiday, and it was accepted by Granada, by Mike Scott and co., to go to series. And in those days they would dictate and tell the network, “We’ve got a new series for you.” It wasn’t a question of going…
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Steve Leahy on the creation of The Krypton Factor
Which other shows did you create? Well, the first one I was ever involved in creating was Krypton Factor, which was Jeremy Fox’s idea. This was while we were on regional programmes, but Mastermind had started, and ITV wanted to counteract that. It was deemed that the right calibre show would play as adult education…
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Steve Leahy remembers his shared role with David Liddiment
At the time David Plowright had two of everything. So Liddiment and myself were heads of entertainment, which we carved down the middle and he did the Street which counted under that at time, and he did all comedy, which I had no interest in whatsoever, and correctly, he should do that. And he did…
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Steve Leahy on the importance of entertainment
Do you think that entertainment was given enough respect in Granada? No, but I don’t mind that, because that made you fight your corner more. We were the grotty dustbin in the corner that somebody had to do. I don’t think anyone in drama or World In Action or whatever was ever proud of entertainment…
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Steve Leahy reflects on the strengths of Granada
Looking back on your Granada years, what are the strengths and weaknesses of Granada as a company? I can’t think of weaknesses. I thought it was cocky and it did the hell what it wanted and it fought the network on everything, but they meant it, and they were great. Certainly working for Granada I…
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Steve Leahy recalls the great individuals at Granada
Looking back at the time you were at Granada, which individuals would you single out at as having impressed you or having been great role models for people working there? Well, I think leadership from (David) Plowright, and Mike Scott was very good to me. Very good to me. I remember several times I went…
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