That Was the Year That Was - 1997

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    1997 Gas (Petrol) was $1.22 a gallon in the US and 2 Pounds 70 pence in the UK , Great Britain handed back Hong Kong to China and the Dow was at less than 8000 . The first signs of the dreaded Bird Flu in China where the first documented case of the jump to humans causes Hong Kong to kill 1.25 million chickens. In the UK Tony Blair is the prime minister and Princess Diana dies in a car accident. Microsoft becomes the worlds most valuable company valued at $261 billion dollars. Internet Explorer version 4 released. The comet Hale-Bopp has its closest approach to earth. Microsoft buys minority stake in Apple Computers for $150 million. 1997 Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Eurovision victory, Film: Titanic, Friends, Girl Power is born, Harry Potter: J.K Rowling released the first book. Northern Lights: Philip Pullman also began a fantasy series, The X Files, The Nintendo 64 was released, I’m Alan Partridge hit our TV screens, Final Fantasy VII, South Park, Ally MacBeal made its debut, EastEnders: Rickaaaaayyyy and Bianca marry, Britain was walking on sunshine when Katrina and the Waves took us to a long awaited victory in the singing competition with Love Shine a Light. Well played Katrina, for a while Eurovision Fever became a bit of a thing again. Channel 5 started, Robot Wars was built, The Teletubbies entertained all children and Princess Diana's funeral watched by 1.5 billion people around the world. Things You Were Doing on the Computer in 1997 It's easy to complain about the state of current consumer electronics. You may, say, wish your laptop didn't get hot enough to cook a panini. Or that the Wi-Fi in your apartment didn't always have your Netflix buffering. Or maybe that your browser didn't always crash when you opened your 115th tab. As much as you may grumble about your gadgets and services, just know this: We're much better off now than we once were. To illustrate that point, we took a look back at the year 1997 to see how things used to be. Before people were filling their hard drives with MP3s, the best way to hear new music on the Internet was with Real Player. (Napster would be released two years later, and WinAmp was just getting started). Before music blogs, the best you could do was dig through forums to stream new songs, which you would then bookmark to play later. And you're mad that Spotify Premium is $10? In '97, the top three computer (hardware) companies were IBM, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard. (Apple's iMac wouldn't drop for another year.) But what kid wanted an IBM computer? I didn't know any. Everyone who wasn't building their own wanted a HP or a Dell. We're guessing you were the same way. Not only did Microsoft have a near monopoly on computer operating systems, it also made the only word processor that mattered. Sure, you could use Word Perfect and be fine, but your school probably used Word. So, all that formatting you spent the night working on would go to waste if you weren't rocking with the best. For those (like me), who were stuck with the struggle that was Microsoft Works, which also wasn't compatible with Microsoft Office (WTF?), be happy those days are over. If you're parents didn't shell out money each month to keep "You got mail!" ringing throughout the crib, you were more than likely going through a ton of the free discs they mailed to your house unsolicited. If you weren't on that hustle, you were at least using AOL instant messenger to keep stay connected to your friends during your two hours of Internet use a day. Seeing as how by 1997 Microsoft had completely dominated the personal computer industry with the release of 95, there's a great chance that you were using what some still consider the best version of Windows ever made. It introduced some of Windows hallmark features like the Start Menu and the task bar, and set the tone for nearly every release to follow. It was so popular, you probably didn't stop using it until Windows XP dropped in 2001. Now-a-days people complain about smartphones that don't come with a high-speed LTE Internet connection. Back in 1997 some people would have killed for the ability to download files at 18.6 megabits per second on their computer. But no, back then all we had was a 28.8kbps (or, if you were lucky, 33.7kbps) connection that made downloading certain, um, pictures a tiresome experience. Google wasn't founded until September 4, 1998, so in '97 your options for searching the web were limited to the motley crew of crawlers that were jokeying for the top stop. This was a time when, if you asked 10 different people what search engines they used, seven of the people would tell you six different search engines, and the last three would ask you, "What is a search engine?" The good ol' days. Even though Microsoft included a version of Internet Explorer with Windows 95, the superior Netscape Navigator was still the king of the hill, commanding 54% of the browser compared to Microsoft's 39 to 45% (depending on which study you read). The iPhone 5 has a resolution of 1136x640 pixels. The average resolution of CRT monitors, because a flat screen LCD was out of the question, was 640x480. Let that marinate the when you start complaining about not being able to afford the iPhone 5S. Only a few people will relate, as most of us couldn't afford CD burners for at least two more years. But, for those that could afford drop nearly a G on a CD burner, you were, without a doubt, the coolest kid on the block. TV Soaps 1997 was the year that the Battersby clan descended on Coronation Street, shaking up the sleepy soap in a way that angered many viewers. The behaviour of the clan, which included Les headbutting Curly Watts, had viewers outraged but they certainly pulled in some new fans and, since they were toned down, they became fairly likeable characters in their own right. Sir Cliff Richard enjoyed a hearty pint in the Rovers Return with Andy McDonald (played by Nicholas Cochrane) and Liz McDonald (Beverly Callard) as he appeared as an extra on Coronation Street back in 1997. It was a big year for Emmerdale. Not only were they granted a third weekly episode but they celebrated 25 years of being on air in true soap style: with a bit of carnage. Linda Fowler was killed when a drug fuelled Lord Alex Oakwell crashed their car into a tree. EastEnders: Rickaaaaayyyy and Bianca marry. 22–25 September – BBC 1 soap EastEnders airs a series of episodes from Ireland which attract criticism from viewers and the Irish embassy because of their negative and stereotypical portrayal of Irish people. The BBC later issues an apology for any offence the episodes caused. Death of a Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, has died after a car crash in Paris. She was taken to hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning where surgeons tried for two hours to save her life but she died at 0300 BST. In a statement Buckingham Palace said the Queen and the Prince of Wales were "deeply shocked and distressed". Prince Charles broke the news of their mother's death to Princes William and Harry at Balmoral Castle in Scotland where the royal family had been spending the summer. The accident happened after the princess left the Ritz Hotel in the French capital with her companion, Dodi Al Fayed - son of Harrods owner, Mohammed Al Fayed. Criminal investigation: Dodi Al Fayed and the vehicle's driver were also killed in the collision in a tunnel under the Place de l'Alma in the centre of the city. The princess' Mercedes car was apparently being pursued at high speed by photographers on motorbikes when it hit a pillar and smashed into a wall. Mr Al Fayed and the chauffeur died at the scene but the princess and her bodyguard were cut from the wreckage and rushed to hospital. The French authorities have begun a criminal investigation and are questioning seven photographers. Tributes to the princess have been pouring in from around the world. Speaking from his home in South Africa, the princess' brother, Lord Charles Spencer, said his sister had been "unique". While it was not the time for recriminations there was no doubt the press had played a part in her death, the earl added. Hundreds of mourners have gathered at the princess' London home, Kensington Palace and many have laid flowers at the gates. Only Princess Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, survived the crash. Blood tests showed the driver, Henri Paul, had taken both drugs and a large amount of alcohol before the accident. The royal family was criticised for its reserve during a time when there was an unprecedented national outpouring of grief. Around one million people lined the streets to see the princess' funeral cortege as it made its way to Westminster Abbey in early September. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ip3_Fl4KM8" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ip3_Fl4KM8 No charges were brought against the paparazzi who had been pursuing the princess' car. But the behaviour of the press came under close scrutiny and the code governing the British media was tightened in December 1997. An inquest into the princess's death was opened in the UK in 2004. It has been adjourned while the Metropolitan police, led by Lord Stevens, carry out an investigation into the crash. Retired judge Lady Elizabeth Butler-Sloss will conduct preliminary hearings into the inquests in early 2007. "Candle in the Wind 1997" is a re-written and re-recorded version of Elton John's 1973 hit song "Candle in the Wind". It was released on 13 September 1997 as a tribute single to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. In many countries, it was pressed a double A-side with "Something About the Way You Look Tonight". It was produced by Sir George Martin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8gO0Z818j4" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8gO0Z818j4 Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister The Labour Party won the general election in a landslide victory, leaving the Conservatives in tatters after 18 years in power, with Scotland and Wales left devoid of Tory representation. Labour now has a formidable 419 seats (including the speaker) - the largest the party has ever taken. The Conservatives took just 165, their worst performance since 1906. Tony Blair - at 43 the youngest British prime minister this century - promised he would deliver "unity and purpose for the future". John Major has resigned as Conservative leader, saying "When the curtain falls it's time to get off the stage and that is what I propose to do." Many prominent Tories lost their seats. Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown was triumphant on a day that saw his party win 46 seats, the best achievement for a third party in more than 60 years. 1997 Timeline 1 January - 11 VCI children's titles - out now on video. 7 January – Carlton Television presents Monarchy: The Nation Decides, a live studio debate discussing the future of the monarchy in the United Kingdom. The debate quickly descends into a shouting match, while viewers are encouraged to vote on the issue in what is the UK's largest television phone poll. However, Carlton is forced to extend the deadline for calls following complaints from people unable to get through. Of the 2.6million callers who vote, 66% are in favour of retaining a monarch while 34% are against. 15 January - Diana, Princess of Wales calls for an international ban on landmines. The strengthening economy is reflected in a national unemployment total of 1,884,700 for last December – the lowest level since January 1991, although the Conservative government who oversaw it are still behind Labour in the opinion polls as the general election looms. 16 January – The Conservative Party government loses its majority in the House of Commons after the death of Iain Mills, MP for Meriden. 17 January - A jury at the Old Bailey rules that 86-year-old Szymon Serafinowicz is unfit to stand trial on charges of murdering Jews during the Holocaust. East 17 singer Brian Harvey is dismissed from the band after publicly commenting that the drug Ecstasy is safe. 20 January – Death of Labour Party MP Martin Redmond ends the government's minority. On the same day, the party vows not to raise income tax if, as seems likely, it wins the forthcoming general election. 4 February - Moors Murderer Myra Hindley is informed by Home Secretary Michael Howard that she will never be released from prison. Hindley, who has now been in prison for more than 30 years, was originally issued with a whole life tariff by the then Home Secretary David Waddington in 1990, but not informed of the ruling until just over two years ago. 5 February – The first Wednesday edition of the National Lottery is aired with the introduction of a second weekly draw. 6 February – The Court of Appeal rules that Mrs Diane Blood of Leeds can be inseminated with her dead husband's sperm. Mrs Blood had been challenging for the right to use the sperm of her husband Stephen since just after his death two years ago. 9 February – The live final of the 1997 Masters is interrupted by snooker's first ever streaker, 22-year-old secretary Lianne Crofts, who invaded the playing area at the beginning of the third frame. After stewards removed her from the arena, Ronnie O'Sullivan amused the crowd by comically wiping the brow of veteran referee John Street, who was refereeing his final match of his career. 22 February – Scientists at the Roslin Institute announce the birth of a cloned sheep named Dolly seven months after the fact. 27 February – The government loses its Commons majority again after the Labour victory at the Wirral South by-election. 8 March – ITV begins showing the UK television rights to Formula One, after 18 years of coverage shown on the BBC. 10 March – 160 vehicles are involved in a motorway pile up on the M42 motorway at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Three people are killed and 60 injured. 17 March – John Major announces that the general election will be held on 1 May. Despite the opinion polls having shown a double digit lead almost continuously since late 1992, Major is hoping for a unique fifth successive term of Conservative government by pinning his hopes on a strong economy and low unemployment – no incoming government since before the First World War has inherited economic statistics as strong as the ones that Labour will should they win the election. 18 March – The Sun newspaper, a traditional supporter of the Conservative Party, declares its support for Tony Blair and Labour. It condemns the Conservatives as "tired, divided and rudderless" – a stark contrast to its support for them in the run-up to the 1992 election where it waged a high-profile campaign against the then Labour leader Neil Kinnock and, after the Conservative victory, claimed responsibility for the result. 23 March – Unemployed continues to fall and now stands at just over 1,800,000 – its lowest level since December 1990. 30 March – Channel 5, Britain's fifth terrestrial television channel and its first new one since the launch of Channel 4 in November 1982, is launched. 31 March – BBC pre-school children's television series Teletubbies first airs. April – Nursery Education Voucher Scheme introduced, guaranteeing a government-funded contribution to the cost of preschool education for 4-year-olds. 5 April – The 1997 Grand National is delayed after a suspected IRA bomb threat. The race is run on Monday 7 April at 5:00 pm. It is the last of 50 Nationals (including the void race of 1993) to be commentated on by Peter O'Sullevan. 8 April - BBC journalist Martin Bell announces that he is to stand as a candidate against Neil Hamilton in the Tatton constituency on an anti-corruption platform. A MORI opinion poll shows Conservative support at a four-year high of 34%, but Labour still look set to win next month's general election as they have a 15-point lead. 29 April – The last MORI poll before the election tips Labour for a landslide victory as they gain 48% of the vote and a 20-point lead over the Conservatives. 1 May – General Election: The Labour Party under Tony Blair defeat the incumbent Conservatives under Prime Minister John Major to win the election in a landslide result, winning 418 seats. Several high profile Conservative MPs, including seven Cabinet ministers lose their seats, as do all conservative MPs in Scotland and Wales. Michael Portillo, who was tipped by many to be the next leader of the Conservatives, is among those who lose their seats. The Conservatives fail to make any gains. A record 119 women are now in parliament. Mohammad Sarwar, elected for Labour in Glasgow Govan, becomes the first ever Muslim MP. 2 May – Being the leader of the party holding a majority after the General Election, Tony Blair MP is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by The Queen. 3 May – Katrina and the Waves win the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Love Shine a Light, the first time the UK has won the competition since 1981. 6 May – New Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown announces that the Bank of England, central bank of the UK, is to assume independent responsibility for UK monetary policy. 19 May – The new Labour government announces that it will ban tobacco sponsorship of sporting events. June – Ford enters the growing compact coupe market with its Puma, which uses the same chassis as the Ka and Fiesta. 2 June – The Halifax Building Society floats on the London Stock Exchange. Over 7.5 million customers of the Society become shareholders of the new bank, the largest extension of shareholders in UK history. 8 June – Faye Dempsey wins the eighth series of Stars in Their Eyes, performing as Olivia Newton-John. 12 June – Law Lords declare that former Home Secretary, Michael Howard, acted illegally in raising the minimum sentence of the two juveniles who committed the murder of James Bulger, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, to 15 years. They also strip the government of setting minimum terms for prisoners aged under 18 who had received life or indefinite prison sentences. 19 June – The High Court of Justice delivers judgement, largely in favour of McDonald's, in the libel case of McDonald's Corporation v Steel & Morris ("the McLibel case"), the longest trial in English legal history, against two environmental campaigners. 25 June – An auction of dresses owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, in Manhattan raises more than £2million for charity. 30 June – Publication of J. K. Rowling's first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. 1 July – The UK transfers sovereignty of Hong Kong, the largest remaining British colony, to the People's Republic of China as the 99 years lease on the territory formally ends. This event is widely considered by historians and commentators to mark the end of the British Empire, the largest imperial endeavour in the history of mankind. 2 July – Chancellor Gordon Brown launches the first Labour budget for nearly 20 years, which includes a further £3billion for education and healthcare, as well as a £3.5billion scheme to get single mothers, under 25's and long term unemployed people back into work. 4 July – Russian carmaker Lada announces the end of imports to the United Kingdom after 23 years and some 350,000 sales of its low-priced, low-specification cars, which at their peak sold in excess of 30,000 cars a year, but managed just over 6,000 sales last year. 19 July – The IRA declares a ceasefire. 30 July – Sunderland's Stadium of Light, the largest football club stadium to be built in England since the 1920s, is opened by the Duke of York. 31 July – Less than three months after the Labour landslide, Labour loses the Uxbridge by-election to the Conservatives. 2 August – John Major's Prime Minister's Resignation Honours are announced. 14 August – Derby County F.C. move into their new Pride Park stadium, but their inaugural match against Wimbledon in the FA Premier League is abandoned in the second half due to floodlight failure. 21 August – The new Oasis album, Be Here Now, is released – selling a record of more than 350,000 copies on its first day. 27 August – An international survey shows that British rail fares are the most expensive in the world and have risen by 12% since privatisation. Stoke City F.C. move into their new Britannia Stadium, which is officially opened by football legend Sir Stanley Matthews. 31 August – Reports emerge in the early hours of the morning that Diana, Princess of Wales, has been injured in a car crash in Paris which has claimed the life of Dodi Fayed, the Harrods heir. Within four hours, it is confirmed that Diana has died in hospital as a result of her injuries. The United Kingdom and much of the rest of the world is plunged into widespread mourning. 1 September - French investigators reveal that Diana's driver, Henri Paul, was over the drink-driving limit and had been travelling at speeds in excess of 100 mph before the crash that killed her. Lawyers for Mohamed Al-Fayed, father of Dodi Al-Fayed, lay the blame on the paparazzi who were pursuing the vehicle. A new style of fifty pence coin is introduced. Reebok Stadium, the new home of Bolton Wanderers F.C., is opened by deputy prime minister John Prescott. 5 September – The Queen makes a nationwide broadcast in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, following widespread criticism of the Royal Family's response to her death. 6 September – The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place at Westminster Abbey, London followed by a private burial at the estate of the Earls Spencer in Althorp, Northamptonshire. The Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, attacks the Royal Family's treatment of Diana in his funeral eulogy. TV coverage of the funeral is hosted by both BBC 1 and ITV, attracting an audience of more than 32,000,000 which falls just short of the national TV audience record set by the England national football team's victorious World Cup final in 1966. 11 September – Referendum in Scotland on the creation of a national Parliament with devolved powers takes place. On two separate questions, voters back the plans both for a national Parliament and for it to have limited tax raising powers. 13 September – Release of Elton John's Candle in the Wind remade as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. This will be the second best-selling single worldwide of all time. 17 September – Police investigating the death of Diana, Princess of Wales reveal that the car in which she was travelling may have collided with a Fiat Uno seconds before hitting a concrete pillar. 18 September - Welsh devolution referendum on the creation of a national Assembly takes place. Voters in Wales narrowly back the plans. Opening of Sensation exhibition of Young British Artists from the collection of Charles Saatchi at the Royal Academy in London. A portrait of Moors murderer Myra Hindley created from children's handprints by artist Marcus Harvey is removed from display after vandal attacks. 25 September – A Saudi court sentences British nurse Lucille McLauchlan to eight years in prison and 500 lashes for being an accessory to the murder of Australian nurse Yvonne Gilford in December last year. Fellow British nurse Deborah Parry is charged with murder and could face the death penalty if found guilty. Ms Gilford's brother Frank, is reported to be willing to accept £750,000 in "blood money" for Ms Parry's life to be spared if she is found guilty. Foreign Secretary Robin Cook condemns the sentence of flogging against Ms McLauchlan as "wholly unacceptable in the modern world". 29 September – British scientists state that they have found a link between Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and eating of BSE-infected meat. 1 October – The final LTI FX4 London cab is produced after 39 years. 3 October - 14 VCI children's titles all going to Paris. 4 October – The BBC introduces its new corporate logo across the corporation. As well as new idents for BBC1. 15 October – Andy Green driving the ThrustSSC sets a new land speed record of 763.035 mph (1227.99 km/h), the first time the sound barrier is broken on land. 24 October – WPC Nina Mackay, 25, is stabbed to death in Stratford, London, when entering a flat to arrest a Somali asylum seeker who was due to be deported. 4 November – BBC News launches a full-time online news service, having already created special websites for the 1995 budget as well as this year's general election and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. 6 November – Labour hold the Paisley South by-election despite a swing of 11.3% to the SNP. 12 November – Brazil's Supreme Court refuses to extradite the Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs to Britain. 17 November – Six Britons are among the 58 people killed by terrorists in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. 20 November – The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. 24 November – The British Library opens its first public reading room at its new London site on the Euston Road. 3 December – Andrew Evans, who was convicted of the 1972 murder of 14-year-old Judith Roberts in Tamworth, Staffordshire, has his conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal after the hearing is told he was being treated for depression when he confessed to the crime, and there is no other evidence against him. 10 December – John E. Walker wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly with Paul D. Boyer "for their elucidation of the enzymatic mechanism underlying the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)". 11 December – The Royal Yacht Britannia is decommissioned after 44 years in service. 18 December – The bill to establish the Scottish Parliament unveiled by Secretary of State for Scotland Donald Dewar. 19 December - William Hague marries Ffion Jenkins. Moors murderer Myra Hindley loses a High Court appeal against the whole life tariff which was imposed on her by Home Secretary David Waddington in 1990 and later confirmed by Waddington's successor Michael Howard. 22 December - The government announces an independent inquiry into the BSE crisis. Twelve people are arrested during protests by disabled people outside Downing Street. 23 December – Rover Group produces the final Rover 100 after 17 years. 24 December – Will Straw, son of Cabinet minister Jack Straw, is arrested on suspicion of supplying cannabis. 27 December – Ulster Loyalist leader Billy Wright is shot dead in the Maze Prison. Prisoners of the Irish National Liberation Army are believed to have been responsible for Wright's murder. 31 December – Singer Elton John and football legend Tom Finney among the men receiving knighthoods in the New Year's Honours List. Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow (the "armadillo"), designed by Foster and Partners, is completed. The Weare prison ship is berthed in Portland Harbour as a temporary overflow facility. Television 30 March – Channel 5, Britain's fifth terrestrial television channel and its first new one since the launch of Channel 4 in November 1982, is launched. 30 March – Channel 5, the UK's fifth and last terrestrial channel, launches at 6.00 pm. The first faces seen are the Spice Girls, who perform "1-2-3-4-5", a rewritten version of the Manfred Mann song "5-4-3-2-1". The opening night's highlights include the launch of a new daily soap, Family Affairs, and The Jack Docherty Show, a weeknight chat show based on the format of US shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman. 1 April – At 4:40 am, Channel 5 begins a rerun of the Australian soap Prisoner: Cell Block H. This is the series' first networked screening in the UK as, during its earlier run on ITV, scheduling of the programme had varied from region to region. 31 May – Channel 5 airs its first international football coverage, a match between England and Poland. The channel experiments with a new presenting format which attempts to recreate the atmosphere of a bar, with presenters providing coverage against the backdrop of chatter from an invited audience. The format draws criticism, with The Independent‍ '​s Glenn Moore describing it as a "shambles" However, the coverage gives the channel its largest audience so far, with a viewership of five million. 6 January – Channel 4 closes down for the last time after more than 14 years. From 6 am, the channel broadcasts 24 hours a day. Konnie Huq presents her first episode of the UK children's programme Blue Peter. She will go on to be the longest running female presenter and third longest overall in the show's history, presenting for ten years before leaving in January 2008. BBC1 20 February – Chalk (1997) 31 March – Teletubbies (1997–2001) 7 April – 50/50 (1997–2005) 10 May – Jonathan Creek (1997–2004, 2009–2010) BBC2 19 September – Ground Force (1997–2005) 3 November – I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002) December – Robot Wars (1997–2004) BBC News 24 HARDtalk (1997–Present) ITV Power Rangers Turbo (1997) Power Rangers In Space (1997–1998) 23 March – Midsomer Murders (1997–present) 6 April – Where the Heart Is (1997–2006) 12 August – Cadfael The Rose Rent (1997 Season 3 Episode 1) 19 August – Cadfael Saint Peter's Fair (1997) 26 August – Cadfael The Raven in the Foregate (1997) 5 September – Kipper the Dog (1997–2000) 8 September – Noah's Ark (1997–1998) 19 October – Trial & Retribution (1997–2009) Channel 4 29 January – Brass Eye (1997–2001) S4C Y Clwb Rygbi (1997–present). Channel 5 30 March - Family Affairs (1997–2005) The Jack Docherty Show (1997–1999) 31 March - 100% (1997–2001) Whittle (1997–1998) 5 April – Night Fever (1997–2002) Disney Channel UK 1 September – Studio Disney UK (1997–2005) Sky One 14 October – Dream Team (1997–2007) Cartoon Network 14 July – Johnny Bravo (1997–2004) 15 July - Cow and Chicken (1997–1999) I Am Weasel (1997–2000) New channels 3 February - Trouble 30 March - Channel 5 1 September - National Geographic Channel 1 November - UK Arena UK Horizons UK Style 9 November - BBC News 24 Popular Films Titanic The Lost World: Jurassic Park Men in Black Tomorrow Never Dies Air Force One As Good as It Gets Liar Liar My Best Friend's Wedding The Fifth Element The Full Monty Batman & Robin The Rainmaker Music By far the biggest-selling single of the year, came from Elton John. In August, Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in a car crash. At her funeral, John played a rewritten version of "Candle in the Wind" known as "Candle in the Wind 1997", a song originally written about Marilyn Monroe (made #11 in 1974, with a live version reaching #5 in 1988). When released this year, it quickly overtook 1984's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to become the biggest selling UK single ever, selling 4.86 million copies, and the biggest selling in the world, selling 37 million. It continues to hold the record to this day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8gO0Z818j4" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8gO0Z818j4 Charts Number-one singles "2 Become 1" - Spice Girls "Professional Widow" - Tori Amos "Your Woman" - White Town "Beetlebum" - Blur "Ain't Nobody" - LL Cool J "Discothèque" - U2 "Don't Speak" - No Doubt "Mama" / "Who Do You Think You Are" - Spice Girls "Block Rockin' Beats" - The Chemical Brothers "I Believe I Can Fly" - R. Kelly "Blood on the Dance Floor" - Michael Jackson "Love Won't Wait" - Gary Barlow "You're Not Alone" - Olive "I Wanna Be the Only One" - Eternal featuring Bebe Winans "MMMBop" - Hanson "I'll Be Missing You" - Puff Daddy and Faith Evans "D'You Know What I Mean?" - Oasis "Men In Black" - Will Smith "The Drugs Don't Work" - The Verve "Candle in the Wind 1997 / Something About the Way You Look Tonight" - Elton John "Spice Up Your Life" - Spice Girls "Barbie Girl" - Aqua "Perfect Day" - Various Artists "Teletubbies say "Eh-oh!" - Teletubbies "Too Much" - Spice Girls
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    Added by: Peter Smith
    Last modified: 6 years, 1 month ago
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