New online music show fronted by Fareham presenter to feature 80s stars Toyah, Paul Young, Sonia and more

POP legends from the 80s will perform classic hits and new tracks in an online music show fronted by a Fareham presenter.
Fareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Paul Young, Mike Read, Marty Wilde and Hayley Palmer Fareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Paul Young, Mike Read, Marty Wilde and Hayley Palmer
Fareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Paul Young, Mike Read, Marty Wilde and Hayley Palmer

Some of the biggest British pop stars of the decade appear on That Was Then… This Is Now!, the new programme which sees Hayley Palmer join DJ Mike Read to chat to stars and enjoy some well-known songs.

Artists appearing on the first series include Sonia, Limahl, Paul Young, Right Said Fred, Chesney Hawkes, Steve Harley, The Vapors and Toyah.

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Sky TV presenter Hayley, a former Neville Lovett School and Fareham College student, said: ‘I just had to pinch myself. I have grown up with that kind of music and to interview them all was just a dream come true.

Fareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Hayley PalmerFareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Hayley Palmer
Fareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Hayley Palmer

‘I loved being backstage and chatting away to everyone and being in the mix of it all. I didn’t want to leave.

‘There’s a big demand for 80s artists - I think people like it so much because they listen to it and it brings back really good memories.’

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Featuring studio performances alongside interviews, the series will be available to stream online by purchasing tickets, providing a platform for artists who are unable to tour due to the pandemic.

Fareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Hayley Palmer with SoniaFareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Hayley Palmer with Sonia
Fareham presenter Hayley Palmer fronts new music show That Was Then... This Is Now! featuring 80s artists. Pictured: Hayley Palmer with Sonia
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Hayley, 39, said: ‘I’m surrounded by people in the entertainment business and they have all been kind of forgotten about. Everyone has had all of their gigs cancelled and that’s all of their income.

‘Most aren’t doing it for money, they’re doing it because it’s their absolute passion. That’s why I think it’s really important to support the entertainment industry to get back on its feet.’

That Was Then… This Is Now! was produced by Mike Stock, best known for his work in hit-making team Stock Aitken and Waterman in the 80s and 90s.

On creating the show to support artists who rely on touring, Mike said: ‘These artists are still making great music and we wish to showcase their classic hits alongside their still exciting new material.’

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Each edition of the five-part weekly series will be made available from 7pm on Thursday evenings - a nod to the classic Top of the Pops timeslot.

The debut episode will be available from November 5, featuring Toyah, Chesney Hawkes and The Fizz, formerly Bucks Fizz.

For more information about buying tickets, visit thisisnow.tv

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