Surprise Party Episode #1.1 (1993– ) Online

This programme was broadcast on the first day that Meridian took over from TVS as the ITV television channel in the South of England.

A very funny programme where Richard Branson was set up by friends and family and put into various humorous situations with hidden cameras. The highlight being in a taxi cab with Phil Collins posing as the cab driver trying to get him to visit his ageing mother who was a fan of Branson.

To his credit, and adding to the consensus that he's a thoroughly decent guy, Branson seemed up for it - and then Phil had to back off! Ironically Branson later said that he had an idea for the television programme in that cab where he would use the driver to interview celebrities whilst driving them around.

After this one programme it was never seen again. A shame.