Jay Blades: The West End Through Time S01E02 - Episode 2

In episode two, Jay learns how the West End went from an area for the very wealthy, to a place for all. His first stop is the West End's most iconic junction, Piccadilly Circus. Busy around the clock, Jay uncovers the origins of its world-famous lights, an advertisers dream dating back to the end of the 19th century.

Next, Jay visits London's oldest hotel, Browns, where he has a snoop around their most exclusive suite. He hears how people flocked from all over the world to the luxurious hotels on offer in the West End.

Jay takes a ride on the London Underground, getting off at Baker Street, one of the first stations. Opening in 1863, the world's first ever underground railway line was a game-changer for the West End, opening it up to the masses, and the area flourished like never before.

On Oxford Street, Jay learns about the history of the world-renowned department store, Selfridges, that revolutionised shopping, making the West End the destination for spending your cash, and also spending a penny in the first ladies' toilets in a shop!

When WW2 struck, even the West End had to blackout, but at the Dorchester Hotel, Jay discovers how the glitz and the glamour carried on despite the bombs dropping, and he hears how a group of East Enders protesting at Savoy hotel, opened up bomb shelters in the East End.

Over his favourite Chinese meal, Jay makes the shocking discovery that London's Chinatown was originally in the East End, and only set up home in the West End after the docks had been heavily bombed. And finally, retracing his steps as a teenager out on the town in Soho, Jay finds out that the area saw the birth of the very first British night clubs.