We Were The Champions - Introduction

[@Useaname]

I try to believe in good Karma, but sometimes I have my doubts. Alexander Bastedo devoted the last 30 years of her life to caring for unwanted animals. It's so sad that she could never have children, despite taking fertility drugs that she blamed for her cancer in later years. Then her husband suffers a long illness and dies. Then 9 months later she is also dead from the aforementioned cancer, having suffered with it during some of her husband's illness and death. She deserved a long life in return for her devotion to nature and her generous spirit. RIP to a beautiful woman, inside and out.

[@edwardjohnson7059]

I'd tend to agree re the fertility drugs.. A dear friend of mine spent years on fertility treatments only to develop cancer during her dream pregnancy. She tragically died within weeks of her daughters birth.

[@paulyflyer8154]

Well said. We are already witnessing how lethal the most recent injections that were rolled out in 2021 are too.

[@007JHS]

Very sad.

[@LOrealHardly]

One of the first super-heroines, but with real actual human conflict, so sorry to hear she was so troubled.

[@gary1961]

@@paulyflyer8154 ..... responsible for many more deaths than the thing it is supposed to guard against.

[@maninthestreet01]

I take it I'm not the only man to have falled madly in love with Alexandra Bastedo when still a little boy?

[@BLUEsurf63]

Yes you weren't alone watching The Champions in 1967 as a ten year old on my local itv station Border tv on sunday afternoons after The Big Match, she was stunningly beautiful.

[@bencornish6910]

No...she was , and remains one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.....recognised than even as a small boy !

[@adespade119]

yes but I saw her first...

[@charlestownley981]

@@BLUEsurf63 It's down as being first shown on ITV 1968/9 and in the evening???

[@davidwhyman1189]

Ohhh me too! So flawlessly stunnung.

[@dandare2586]

From watching this as a child I wanted to see the fountain at Geneva, took 50 years to get there in 2022!!!

[@davey2363]

I’m 67….totally fell in love with Alexandra Bastedo……loved her. Genuine glamour.

[@FiveLiver]

"As Roger Moore says, 'there aren't too many of us left'". Poignant words then, even more so now.

[@gkprivate433]

The cerebral nature of these shows, The Champions, the Prisoner shaped me. I am crying now for their reunion and for the decades that have passed as I am now 63

[@sheilagill8385]

Me too,where did that time go to?

[@penman1289]

No need to cry the 1970s and 80s were the best decades to be young , there has never been a better time since, and I would not swop it for any other, (I am 62)

[@sheilagill8385]

@@penman1289 I think it's just a where. has the time gone, type of sadness. You are right,we did have the best years to grow up in.

[@penman1289]

@@sheilagill8385 I have just got back from the library club, and they played some 70s and 80s music ,and dance like I was like beening back in my prime years.it was fantastic, I have no regrets, and would not swop it for anything, sorry for any spelling mistakes I am a bit pisted ,but it's nice of you to reply,

[@penman1289]

@@sheilagill8385 all I can say is put on the record Drift away. Enjoy.

[@nickmorrow5216]

Alexandra was the most beautiful woman I d ever seen.. from when I first saw her at 7 years old in 1968, til now..RIP sweet lady.

[@swanvictor887]

July 2022 and the first time I've seen this brief clip. Great that they all got to meet one last time but also, in a way rather sad, as it reminds me just how bloody old I am! When I adored the Champions in the UK, I was just 6 years old...but madly in love with Alexandra: what a woman; gorgeous, clever, strong....forty years before 'Woke' ! This clip is itself, what, 15 years old now...how quickly time flies past, seemingly faster, the older we get... I thank all three of them for keeping me mesmerized as a kid... and to Alexandra for showing me what a real woman can be....

[@pauldoree3967]

I used to record the theme music on a reel to reel. One of my all time favourites. I now have the complete series on my media server, along with many other classic series from that era.

[@swanvictor887]

@@pauldoree3967 The Theme music sets up the show perfectly, doesn't it: Tony Hatch really captured the excitement and optimism of the time, when Britain seemed to have a future and life was much simpler! Have you noticed how good those old shows looked? All shot on film of course, by perhaps some of the best film-makers and technicians in the world at the time.

[@pauldoree3967]

@@swanvictor887 younger, simpler times. The film quality is superb, and let’s not forget Alexandra.

[@bjbell52]

I saw a recent poll on Facebook where they asked to name the most beautiful actress in TV history and even though Alexandra Bastedo acting career was shorter than most - she made the top 10 list of most beautiful actresses. From what I've read, she was as beautiful inside as she was outside.

[@nigelknight6688]

Remember the series well another brilliant one of many in the late 60's early 70's God bless them all❤

[@robharding4028]

Its great seeing this reunion after all those years, I'm a bit late to the party, But we really did have the best TV shows back in the 60's.

[@MrDavey2010]

What wonderful memories! I loved The Champions as a kid.

[@jacqueswaller6642]

THE AVENGERS & THE CHAMPIONS WERE BAD - ASS BRITISH TV 📺 SERIES BACK IN THE DAYZ 1960's - 1970's 🙂👍👏❤

[@janiegiroux]

Oh TY for posting, I was 5 yrs old when I started watching it. Today I still watch it... bought the whole series on DVD

[@SantiagoBernebeu]

I came across this video by accident and was so delighted to know that all 3 were able to see each other after such a long time. I do not know if this was to be the very last time, and if it was, it was wonderful for them to reacquaint with each other. It was sad to hear of the passing of Stuart and Alexandra as I do hope that William is keeping well. Many thanks for posting.

[@haydoncooper3744]

Remember watching this a little kid.My Mum always told us my dad was in this,William Gaunt and looking at his photo back then there was more than a passing…I loved this programme then and I still love it today.So sad they only made one series. Sad that Stuart and Alexandra are sadly no longer with us. They were all stunning people and man fine actors.

[@BB-mv9wl]

About 30 years ago, out with my running club one night, and a pal cut his leg on a spiked fence. Bleeding everywhere, we knocked on a nearby home to call for an ambulance, & they invited us in. We were kids and he was really bleeding all over their sofa. The couple never even gave their home any concern, just totally trying to help my pal. I knew I recognised him, and was only later when I saw a re run of the champions I realised it was William Gaunt. Him and his wife were incredibly kind.

[@stevemack60]

Love The Champions. Alexandra was my first Love. ;)

[@judithmartyn4276]

Just back from Geneva...this series was so much my childhood ..thanks for posting 😊

[@BLUEsurf63]

Alexandra a lovely caring lady who will be sorely missed.

[@TheTimeBeing613]

So poignant to see this today, the day of Stuart Damon's passing. We're fortunate in Fandom that we have so many wonderful and permanent memories of him, and this is one of the happiest.

[@rw8733]

What? Oh, no! So sad.

[@jrmetmoi]

Oh no he died??

[@dwightlove3704]

I remember Stuart Damon from the '80s on the TV show called General Hospital

[@dwightlove3704]

@@jrmetmoi 10-29-21

[@jrmetmoi]

@@dwightlove3704 oh no RIP

[@Frenic1]

I am watching The Champions on ITV4 now as i write this. I love it. ❤

[@liza8423]

It was fantastic for all of them to meet again after all these years! I watched The Champions and loved the programme...I was happy too watching them changed physically especially the men! So sad Stuart Damon and Alexander Bastedo have since passed away 😢 rip ⚘️

[@davidevans4089]

Love 60s TV programmes and the .music from that great decade.

[@samclinton874]

My favourite show from this era..was only 14, but absolutely loved this….plus Man in a Suitcase, the Baron, the Persuaders, and many more. All great, but this was my favourite.

[@suzielynne9421]

The persuaders 😍 Tony Curtis, Roger Moore. Fantastic programmes,

[@peternicholls6532]

The Champions were part of my upbringing & remember the series with great fondness! :)

[@bryanpalmer9660]

Wonderful to see a reunion of these three,Alexandra Bastedo was a beautiful, classy looking woman💎

[@aqkjack]

One of my favourite TV shows as a boy. I was madly in love with Alexandra Bastedo.

[@kurtsnyder4752]

With you there. Was a bit jealous of Stuart as he'd with Cinderella( Lesley Ann Warren 💋💋💓💓) and then this with Alexandra.

[@claudebylion9932]

So was I and thousands of others ❤️😊

[@bluecat798]

I was a little girl back then and remember thinking Alexandre Bastedo was a stunning beauty!

[@lovemetu]

Oh just wonderful,bought a tear to my eye !! Missed the most of the series first time round, its on ITV4 everday now. Itsso good that I watch that and randall and hopkirk every day,then watch them again when they come round again,just love it !! They are such great people Alexandra Bastedo still looks great ,I notice that Stuarts voice sounds softer,different to when he was in the series but the other 2 sound much the same. Wish they could come back in an 'Older Champions' series !!

[@deanhumphries7878]

Was a Great Show, and it still stands up even now. GREAT MEMORIES.

[@michaelloughlin7108]

So sad Alexander has gone but her legacy lives on in her animal sanctuary r.i.p.....

[@bb22602]

I always liked Richard best...

[@tremayne3]

Alexandra...

[@Bpl541]

So sad and a loss to this world.

[@MichaelRowe-cv3oq]

Greetings from the UK....its July 15th 2023 and I only recently found this little gem.I am 62 now and I loved The Champions back in the day,still do in fact I'm watching the series on the ITVX app on my smart (?)-certainly smarter than me-tv....pity they all couldn't meet after all those years in a better place than what looks like a basement.

[@MrUnmutual2014]

The obvious affection they had for each other is wonderful.

[@youjoker9647]

God was she beautiful. Omar Sharif courted her for a short while & even Steve Mc Queen hit on her! She wasn't just a pretty face though. Worked as a translator at 'No 10 Downing St.'.

[@Useaname]

She could speak 5 languages

[@davidmilligan9211]

Loved the show and the title music takes me back to my childhood. Great to watch this interview 👍after so many years. Nostalgia is wonderful thing.

[@GA-1st]

Sad to see Damon died today, June 29, 2021. I was shocked when I learned of Alexandra's passing in 2014. Only Gaunt is left. R.I.P.

[@trevormoses5061]

So sad to hear that but thank you.

[@rw8733]

Terrible news. Very sad to hear.

[@hookbeak3516]

I only remember William Gaunt in U.K sitcom No Place Like Home (its on Y.T) originally aired BBC 1983-87 with a very young Martin Clunes as Arthur Crabtree's (Gaunt) son Nigel.

[@markstahle874]

So nice that they had a reunion so many years later! Sad that Alexandra Bastedo passing away in January 2014 and now Stuart Damon in June 2021.

[@simonmoves]

always thought they had a 6th sense bond on the show like their characters-on and off stage--wonderful reunion--those who havent seen this show--it was superbly made--one of the last best shows uk produced of that genre...thanks for posting--all of them look well...

[@darrenplumpton1801]

One of my all time favourite television series . One of those that I will always remember sitting around the television and watching The Champions on itv(for us it was itv Yorkshire.)every week without fail I fell MADLY in love with Alexander Bastedo but then again which straight man didn't? She was UNBELIEVABLELY GORGUOUS. So sorry to hear of the passing of Stuart Damon this week(June2021) who played his part really, really well as did all three of them of course. To top it all off and a stand out feature for me was the magnificent theme music written by ultrabrilliant songwriter Tony Hatch (who wrote most of Petula Clark's greatest hits)and MUST go down of one of the greater ever theme tunes of all time. I did notice that in this follow up that Stuart had grown to look and talk like an American Bob Monkhouse... Or is it just me?

[@densalbeach1]

As a kid I loved the Champions, great to see them together. My first crush was on Alexandra, such a stunningly beautiful woman.

[@wataboutya9310]

I loved that show as a boy. It put a smile on my face watching and listening to their reunion.

[@terrybaby6146]

William Gaunt looks the same, just older. Alexandra Bastedo is still quite beautiful.

[@alfching2499]

He Always Looked Miserable

[@madunwagbo4769]

You’re probably thinking of him as the dad in No Place Like Home…where misery was part of his character’s stock in trade

[@theonlybuzz1969]

A brilliant cast for a brilliant show, pity that they might have had another few seasons at the least. Well done to them all!!

[@kurtsnyder4752]

Way too few episodes. Maybe a respectful reboot or a continuation in the same world.

[@carliem9494]

I remember this series (not just because it’s currently enjoying a rerun in the UK at the moment) I also have fond memories of William Gaunt over the years, his timing across so many genres is amazing. I saw him on stage at the Old Vic a couple of years ago - odd to think what a heart-throb he was during The Champions; one of the few actors who easily make the transition from small screen to live stage

[@montyzumazoom1337]

Alexandra was a beautiful woman, she lived in Hove, Sussex about 2 miles away from where I live now. She had an animal sanctuary near Chichester in West Sussex. I would have loved to have met her.

[@allenjones3130]

I'll always remember Stuart Damon for his portrayal of Prince Christopher Rupert in the 1960s remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA. Rest in peace, Stuart.

[@0scartheCat]

I am 57 now and remember having a crush on her, I grew up with this show, it made me a champion through life ......

[@TheBarnacleBlimp]

This was a fantastic TV show. An absolute must watch. I loved it.

[@julianbristow4793]

Stuart Damon reminded me a lot of James Darren, the actor who appeared with Robert Colbert in the Time Tunnel...... The Champions appeared on NBC I think , when I was only 7 or 8 years old. The 1960’s were a time when the TV networks were bringing in some shows from England. Those were the days. ......I suppose we mostly think of our youths and the TV shows that we watched in those days. I remember if you wanted to make a movie, you would have to buy an 8 mm film camera, along with the film and a projector. If you made a mistake while filming, you couldn’t correct it. Then there was the processing costs of developing the film. Very expensive in those days. You had to have a good knowledge of how to work with film. It’s not like today where you have VCR tapes, DVD’s, Flash drives, etc..You can easily erase them if you make any mistakes..... Oh, well that’s technology for you! ..... . HERES TO THE CHAMPIONS and the 1960’s! 👍🏻😀

[@gkprivate433]

I was 10 and was ecstatic when I could catch some of the episodes on UHF channel 56 out of Cambridge Mass

[@craigbatleth]

Your right he does but I doubt he's got a singing voice like him

[@stephenm6100]

@@craigbatleth stuart damon passed away 29/6/21🙏🏻 84

[@theonlybuzz1969]

be, you guys and Girls,. I’m sorry but you said that you were the champions, to me you ARE the CHAMPIONS !!!! And always will be, god bless you all.

[@Batman111-q3r]

My favourite of all times when I was young , loved it . Used to love to see there powers . I really believe they could jump many feet in the air,

[@catherinetelford847]

I loved the champions great actors

[@charlesneely]

it does my heart to see good old tv stars of yesteryear reunite before they pass on ,as we all must do before our time i was crying just to see them. i was only a boy back then and i barley remember that show but now i done caught up

[@craigbatleth]

I know what you mean I saw a surprise reunion with Tony Curtis and Roger Moore that was very touching rip to them both

[@christinemary7101]

I loved the champions , i remember phoning atv studios when they took it off air , i was so upset .

[@gkprivate433]

In the USA no major network carried this show. I got to see it on a UHF channel on an old black and white TV. Never really knew when it was on. The schedule in the newspaper was far from accurate and we rarely go the TV guide magazine. I watched it on channel 56 out of Boston, Massachusetts and I lived in Providence Rhode Island so the distance made reception less than good. Not the digital age back then

[@karenross9888]

One of my most fave shows ever! Recently saw re-runs popping up and am currently watching again. Love the cast and sad to hear that Stuart Damon recently died and that Alexandra also, such great chemistry between them all.

[@soniavadnjal7553]

Loved the show, good to see (or hear) that their voices are the same.

[@SiBanstead89]

Alexandra was the youngest of the trio by some 9 years but sadly died at the young age of 67.

[@stephenwood2216]

Just watching this March 2022 and I could cry I loved The Champions so much We all wanted to be a super human Many thanks Sturat,Alexandre and Willian Up North we'd say " Champion"

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

0:13 The 'buddies' you haven't seen for nearly 40 years...

[@jacksugden8190]

Hardly would have recognised Stuart Damon, such shame about Bastido dying, thinking back then to how wonderful she was, and to see her now/then isa fitting tribute to her beautiful charms.

[@bronzegrass2011]

so so so loved this series my childhood the first of super heroes never ever forget this my fav program of all time

[@SoniaRichards19]

Loved this programme. Still do! 💛

[@richard10661066]

the 60s shows in the UK were Brilliant...William Gaunt ...great voice.. I liked jason King...and Hilda Baker...aka I must get a little hand on this watch...Oh and Richard O sillivan...man about the house...I could go on and on...Brill

[@arthurdeth7646]

I was 13 years old when I use to watch this. Sadly they do not make programmes like these anymore. Why? COST CUTTING. A TV Licence here in the uk in 1990 cost around £80. It now costs £160. Double waht it was back in 1990. Whats worst is that here in the UK Both BBC and ITV started making cheap junk tv programmes in the early 90's. How to bake a cake how to mow your lawn. The list is endless. The 1st bbc junk program I can remember was BBC's Changing rooms with Carol smiley. Brilliant programmes like The Champions and many others were relegated to the history books in order to save money. Just look at the BBC and the salaries they cough up for the payroll.

[@ArchieFatcackie]

Lovely to see that they all seemed really nice people. It was a good show she still looked good then, she was absolutely beautiful in the show.

[@stevepashley795]

Couldn't agree more, Alexandra still is a very attractive woman. but she was gorgeous!!

[@thomasmills99]

i still remember imitating the champions on the primary school playground wonderful memories.

[@MARTIN-lp7zu]

Muchas gracias por compartir, saludos desde Perú. Me emocioné tanto!!

[@bluefalconcrest5632]

I LOVE, LOVE this show, smart, interesting... no shows like this anymore.

[@gilliankingston8259]

Sad, but true, I don't think any of us realised at the time just how good the quality of the shows were and how many of them were at that level - we were spoilt for choice. Even the childrens television was good quality and the theme tunes properly orchestrated.

[@jamesfortune243]

That was one of my favorite TV shows as a little boy. I really liked the scene where their boss, who didn't know they had powers, watched one toss a disposable cup into the trash can, face up in the center of the bottom. The other one flicked the bottom of the other cup so that it flipped through the air and landed perfectly inside the first cup. Priceless.

[@paacer]

My goodness me, was looking at this and didn't know who the American was, thought he must be the producer or director . Then when he was talking further in the car I realized it was the handsome Stuart Damon . He's changed beyond recognition .Alexandra and William have aged rather well .

[@Fatima502]

Still handsome, it's just that he's filled out a little

[@leeeastwood6368]

Danny62, dad bod? or grandad bod?

[@tonofdynamite]

I still love all three of them!

[@davidedwards76]

Thank you so much for posting this fantastic reunion of the Champions. I was and still am a huge fan and thanks to ITV4, I still watch at least 3 episodes every week. Of course I have the box set as well. All three look very well 40 years after the series finished in 1968. Please post more.

[@crazydavedisco]

Alexandra Bastedo still looks fantastic !

[@wwickedsunnyy]

It's always wonderful to see such reunions. I always wonder what people are doing once they've finished a particular movie or a series and if they keep in touch etc. Thank you for uploading this.

[@juliemiranda8900]

Loved this show way back then!

[@gracepeynado6607]

Loved this series...so overwhelmed to be able to see it!

[@ricko3k]

Absolutely wonderful series.

[@andrewjsmith4585]

What a great show The Champions was!

[@SteveHigginsWriterBloggerPoet]

What a fabulous little reunion video. Pity it seemed to cut off too early

[@alisonmez6713]

Awesome amazing beautiful people amazing beautiful places

[@markjolley3768]

I once every mailed alexandra and she sent me a very nice reply she was running a animal sanctuary in Sussex!! so sad she's gone what a lovely lady too reply!!! all the animals she cared for must miss her like we do!! really rip alexandra!!

How did she die? She is lovely....

[@Bpl541]

I agree Mark. She was a wonderful animal loving lady.

[@Bpl541]

@ I believe she died of cancer. 🐴🐾

[@graemekornicki6810]

So sad to hear of the death of stuart damon seemed a genuine nice guy loved the champions.rip mate.

[@crystalawen]

That was delightful ! Thankyou.. Would have enjoyed seeing more...

[@catherinekeller4230]

I loved this show so much 💜 i was in love with Stuart Damon and great cast 😁

[@shelleylyme6402]

It was a wonderful programme. Stylish escapism par excellence! 🤗

[@gk10002000]

Episode 25. desert journey. At the beginning she dives from the platform into the pool, swims a few laps under water. Gosh great legs

[@pxlbarrel]

If you're wondering about the Gene Barry remark. Stuart was supposed to be a regular on the ITC show "The Adventurer" but the story is that Gene Barry had Stuart fired after 2 episodes because Stuart was taller than he was.

[@raychambers3646]

Apparently G B was a bit of tosser.

[@rainbowqueen1872]

I’m really surprised that the first thing Stuart didn’t say to Alexandra was how wonderful she looked. He was meeting her again after an absence of all those years and yet she was still such a gorgeous and elegant looking lady. How could he fail to notice???

[@tvretros]

I thought exactly the same thing she was still a beauty, with those amazing cheekbones and had aged well without cosmetic surgery and yet he failed to notice. Perhaps he was just nervous at seeing them again.

[@fozziebear26]

I remember catching it on Saturdays in the 80s on ITV

[@namesake-mx9nl]

Graet to see them all together again , i loved that series .

[@Carmilla5]

Adored this show, my all time favourite, taped it all and fell in love with Stuart Damon but these days more likely to fall in love with Alexandra! Thanks for a wonderful catch up!

[@barryh.4220]

Am watching this in July 2022, and there's only William Gaunt (who played Richard) left alive now, so sad ...... Stuart (Craig Stirling) hadn't half put some weight on over the years, hadn't he?

[@bradshawvincent]

I didnt know she'd died, im gutted! Any guy my age (mid 60s) was in love with her.

[@WinChun78]

Alexandra Bastedo was brilliant in The Aphrodite Inheritance, which is loaded on KZbin, from back in 1978. Watch the series, listed as ep 1 to ep 8, rather than the mashup "film" version, which just has huge chunks edited out. Brian Blessed was in it also, a brilliant story and a truly great series, the likes of, which sadly, we never see any more.

[@darrenwilson8042]

Great show - sadly only William Gaunt is still with us. I still watch this on various niche channels when it is on

[@RedcoatsReturn]

I loved this series as a kid! They were such attractive people. I was surely in love with Alexandra Bastedo😻

[@martinplatt5928]

Incredibly sad to lose Alexandra so soon. My god she was exceptional. A beautiful and intelligent woman. All three were just such lovely people to see. How they communicate with each other shows how polite and well-mannered they all are. An example to us all in this world of today.

[@mitch49ok]

remember them coming to salford and opening salford precinct in the early 70s still got the signed photo

[@danieldand7639]

this was an outstanding tv show in its time