Goodbye Television Centre: Stars gather to say farewell to London home of BBC

According to a new BBC4 documentary, 'Lights! Camera! Action! Tales of Television Centre' – some Play School presenters even went in front of the camera after smoking "the biggest joint you've ever seen". (GETTY IMAGES)

Familiar faces will gather to say a fond farewell to BBC Television Centre for a two-hour TV special as the corporation leaves one of its most recognisable homes after more than half a century.

Sir David Attenborough, Penelope Keith, Ronnie Corbett, Sir Michael Parkinson and Jeremy Paxman are among the guests who will discuss their memories for the programme Goodbye Television Centre next month.

The building was sold last year for £200 million and is due to close its doors on March 31.

Noel Edmonds, Gary Lineker, Sir Terry Wogan and Sir David Jason will also be at the recording of the BBC4 programme on March 18, overseen by former BBC chairman Michael Grade.

Victoria Coren will act as a roving reporter to show viewers around the building, including the studios that housed Monty Python's Parrot sketch, Del Boy Trotter's living room, Miranda's shop and the path Alan Partridge took while running with some stolen stilton.

The building first opened on June 29, 1960, and has been the TV hub for much of the BBC's output ever since.

PA