 The Good Old Days ( 1953 to 1983 ) was a popular BBC television light entertainment programme recorded live at the Leeds City Varieties which recreated an authentic atmosphere of the Victorian – Edwardian music hall with songs and sketches of the era performed by present @-@ day performers in the style of the original artistes . The audience dressed in period costume and joined in the singing , especially the singing of Down at the Old Bull and Bush which closed the show . The show was compered by Leonard Sachs who introduced the acts . In the course of its run , it featured about 2000 artists . The show was first broadcast on 20 July 1953 . The Good Old Days was inspired by the success of the Ridgeway 's Late Joys at the Players ' Theatre Club in London : a private members ' club that ran fortnightly programmes of variety acts in London 's West End . 
