- Born
- Died
- Birth nameEdgar William Podmore
- Bill Podmore was born on August 15, 1931 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England, UK. He was a producer and director, known for Nearest and Dearest (1968), Coronation Street (1960) and Sam (1973). He was married to Gillian Podmore. He died on January 22, 1994 in Cheadle, Cheshire, England, UK.
- SpouseGillian Podmore (divorced, 2 children)
- In 1988, amid dwindling audiences, the UK press speculated that Podmore had been sacked as producer of Coronation Street, claiming that his long reign had left the programme stale. Bill himself, however, always maintained that his departure was mutually amicable.
- Twice married and divorced. At the time of his death in January 1994, he was in a relationship with television worker Millie Preece.
- Following his retirement from television, Podmore penned his memoirs, "Coronation Street: The Inside Story" (1990 Mcdonald & Co), a book which contained some caustic criticisms of former cast members, in particular Peter Adamson (Len Fairclough) and the late Fred Feast (Fred Gee).
- In 1975, he was appointed producer of the UK soap opera, Coronation Street, and remained at the helm for thirteen years, making him the most enduring producer in the programme's history. During this period, Podmore was credited with introducing more humorous plotlines into the serial, which eventually saw the Street regain its mantle as Britain's most watched programme. Certainly, in its halcyon days (1976-1984), the soap's ratings dominance was seemingly unassailable.
- Podmore's no-nonsense approach, intolerance of cast members' wayward behaviour and penchant for axing key characters led to him acquiring the nickname Cecil B De Pod; an affectionate reference to the Hollywood autocrat, Cecil B De Mille.
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