During Barty's Party in the TV Times

For many ITV regions, including my area Granada, During Barty's Party was the first episode of Beasts shown. To launch the new series the listings magazine TV Times carried an interview with writer Nigel Kneale. However, the issue covering 15th - 22nd October 1976 reserved it's cover slot for the series The New Avengers which also debuted on the same night.

Inside the magazine pages two and three contained an interview with Kneale promoting his new series. Written by Stewart Knowles the article was titled The Great Utility Monster, a reference to the monster featured in the episode The Dummy.

Page two of the interview featured a tantalising first glimpse of the creature, which ignited my imagination and ensured I would be tuning in. 

The listing for Friday provided an episode synopsis which was both enticing and exciting. "The most terrible and irrational beast of all, is the one that hides within ourselves."

"An invasion of poison-proof super rats with human intelligence." To complete the coverage the magazine also provided a boxout with an image of Angie and Roger dressed in some kind of protective gear. Just what was happening? There was no way I was going to miss this. I wasn't disappointed...