Fifteen to One host William G Stewart dies at 84
FORMER Butlins redcoat William G Stewart, who found fame presenting the cult television quiz show 15 To 1, died yesterday at 84. He hosted and produced the Channel 4 show for 15 years from its first episode in 1988. The veteran TV executive had wanted Jonathan Ross to present 15 To 1, but took the job himself after failing to find anyone he thought could do it better. Defying the tendency of TV hosts to be matey and chatty with contestants, his stern presenting style made him a favourite with viewers. In what was described as one of the toughest quizzes on television, 15 contestants tried to avoid elimination by answering questions correctly or making other contestants answer first. ‘They always thought I was like a severe teacher,’ Stew- art said in 2009. The fatherof-five, who was married three times, also produced and directed game shows The Price Is Right and Family Fortunes, as well as sitcoms Bless This House, Father Dear Father and Love Thy Neighbour. Channel 4 said Stewart’s ‘inimitable style set 15 To 1 apart from all other quiz shows’, adding: He was a ‘ broadcasting legend.’ Comedian Adam Hills, host of the spin- off Celebrity Fifteen To One series, tweeted: ‘Even if I had three feet, I’d never have filled his shoes.’ In 2014, Stewart told how the idea had originally come from a BT salesman. After receiving a letter from creator John M Lewis in 1986, he wrote in the Daily Mail: ‘It was a good idea, and knowing that it had already been rejected by nine other producers and sensing that John would probably be very keen to make any sort of positive progress, I made him an offer. ‘I’d pay him £200 if he gave me a 12- month option to develop the idea. Well, that £200 was the best money I’ve ever spent in my life.’ During his 15 years on the programme, he made 2,265 episodes, met almost 34,000 contestants and asked at least 350,000 questions. In 2010, he said the BBC vetoed him as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing due to his age. He told The Daily Telegraph his appearance was agreed, but added: ‘Two weeks later my agent got a message. The BBC would not insure me – I was too old.’ However, a BBC spokesman later said Stewart ‘was never offered a formal contract’.