COME on, be honest, how long is it since you sat down to enjoy a Saturday evening in front of the television set?

I can't even remember when I last looked in the Radio Times to see what was on, because it got to the point where one glance at the schedules sent me off to find some drying paint to watch instead.

Certainly Parkinson has never tempted me. I'm in Emu's gang there.

His departure to ITV because the BBC has chosen to worship the great god football in his preferred Saturday night spot won't tempt me to switch on either channel.

It didn't used to be like that.

I remember a monumental Saturday evening series on the Second World War which went on for ever and was unmissable, as school history in those days stopped at 1914.

Before soap operas took over every night, we had horse operas on Saturday nights - Tenderfoot and Bronco Lane. Then there was Dixon of Dock Green and Perry Mason, of course. I know all those were on Saturdays because we hadn't got a set at home and it was the only night I ever saw television.

That could account for fond memories, I suppose, as could the fact that I'd have watched the test card provided I was sitting on the boyfriend's mother's sofa in the warm and dry after freezing on the terraces at Feethams on winter afternoons with her son, watching the Quakers.

But from tomorrow, the golden days are on the way back, or so the Beeb hopes.

It's bringing back Come Dancing, with septuagenarian Bruce Forsyth as host, which is at least one in the eye for yoof culture.

Fear not, it won't be "and here's Trish, a receptionist from Spondon, whose mum has hand-sewn 2,500 green sequins on to the 100 yards of purple net in her skirt".

In line with today's love of celebs, it'll be the likes of "cheap as chips" David Dickinson and Lady in Red Lesley Garrett who'll foxtrot across your screens, all with professional dance partners. They've been practising like mad.

Also in line with current TV fashion, you'll be able to vote for the winners, with the money raised - presumably from premium phone numbers - going to the charity Sports Relief. Will it generate the voting fever of Pop Idol? I wouldn't risk folding money on it.

Even better -or worse - it won't be limited to Saturday evening. Those of you with BBC3 can get a daily dose of dancing doings by watching rehearsals, interviews and other ballroom-related features.

If you're tempted to try a twirl or two yourself and lack the vital accessory, a dance partner, don't worry. Dance Mate on digital will find you one.

Maybe a new craze for ballroom dancing will be triggered. It used to be said that the majority of couples first met on the dance floor, though I have to say that Sir and I managed to attend the same Saturday night hop for years without being aware of each other and eventually got our act together through a mutual friend long after the Saturday dances had ceased.

By the same token, the ballroom dance club partner of my student days was never more than that, though neither of us ever danced with anyone else. Bring back the Palais? I doubt it.