AP Archive has secured an exclusive worldwide deal with Moving Image Communications to manage the archive for iconic 1980s breakfast show TV-am.

The collection, which comprises 10,000 hours of footage including some of the most infamous moments in UK television history, is available from AP Archive from this week.

AP plans to publish the TV-am database on its website in due course and will digitise some key elements of the collection.

AP director of international archives Alwyn Lindsey said: “The breadth of the collection is staggering. This deal adds an entire decade of iconic celebrity and news-related footage.” 

The deal also gives AP the rights to market other collections owned by Moving Image Communications, including the Drummer Films Collection of vintage travel documentaries.

From 1983 to 1992, TV-am was the flagship morning programme on the ITV network, fronted by well-known presenters that included Sir David Frost (pictured), Anne Diamond and Anna Ford. 

The programme is best remembered for its interviews with celebrities. 

Examples include an interview with a 15-year old Naomi Campbell as well as chats with A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Elton John, John Travolta, Muhammad Ali, George Best, George Michael and David Bowie.

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