Rep followed, and Noele's performnce as Sadie Thompson in Rain
was watched by TV pioneer John Logie Baird. Baird was impressed by Noele, and asked her to take part in some experiments
into colour TV. She was collected by a Rolls-Royce, and sat in front of a camera for hours whilst technicians tried
out various techniques. "You're the first actress to appear on colour TV," Baird told her.
The part that really established Noele as a West End star was that of Meg Brockie in the musical Brigadoon,
in 1947. She went on to give almost 1,000 performances in that role.
By the early fifties, Noele realised that TV was about to have a great impact, superseding the theatres
and music halls. She didn't want to slip into obscurity, so took the positive step of going to New York, to learn all
she could about television production and presentation. Her efforts paid off, for on her return to England she was offered
a job as trainee director and advisor on women's programmes with ATV.
But she didn't stay behind the cameras for long. First came a theatre chat show, Tea With
Noele Gordon, then Lunch Box, then Crossroads, as the new daily serial was to be called.
The part posed problems for Noele. Up to now she had appeared on the screen as herself
- would viewers accept her in the role of Meg Richardson?
The answer was a resounding yes, and the show's popularity mushroomed as viewers from as far away
as Australia and Hong Kong voted Crossroads a monster hit. For Noele Gordon the series has also been a resounding
personal success, and a very satisfying one.
