Just two days into the job and Charles Allen, the new chief executive at Granada Television, was already making staff quake in their boots. Tell-tale signs of nervousness included dramatic changes in eating habits by top management.

Not only did Allen spurn the executive dining room at the Manchester headquarters in favour of the staff canteen, but his very presence inspired curious acts of copy-catting from some executives. The next day, for instance, Steve Morrison, director of programmes, was also spotted in the canteen.

Some staff were sceptical. 'He must have had a map to show him where to go, because the last time I ever saw any management in the canteen was in the days of Denis Forman, and that must be 10 years ago,' said one canteen regular.

Morrison had been one of the front-runners for the top job himself, but at least the lunch 'was superb that day'.