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Witness History: Osmondmania

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Osmondmania

20/10/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Osmondmania

Donny Osmond shares his memories of teen hysteria in 1973

On 21 October 1973, 10,000 fans waited for The Osmonds to land at London's Heathrow Airport. A crowd surge caused a viewing balcony to collapse. Donny Osmond recalls the scenes.

On 21 October 1973, American heartthrobs The Osmonds were met by hysterical crowds when their plane landed at London's Heathrow Airport. 

A surge by some of the 10,000 fans caused a viewing balcony to collapse. 

Eighteen people were injured. Four fans were treated in hospital. The term "Osmondmania" was used across the newspapers.

Donny Osmond shares his memories of it with Josephine McDermott.

(Photo: Fans wait for The Osmonds on the viewing balcony at Heathrow Airport before the collapse)

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