THE PERFECT HOST

AS ANNE ROBINSON BECOMES THE NEW FACE OF COUNTDOWN, MARION McMULLEN LOOKS AT THE TV HOSTS WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS

1984

Come on down! Former Crackerjack presenter Leslie Crowther was the original host of ITV’s The Price Is Right and presented 100 episodes from 1984. It was based on a long-running American show and enthusiastic contestants had to guess the correct price of items to win.

1980

The answer is on the tip of my tongue. Nicholas Parsons hosted ITV’s long-running Sale Of The Century for 12 years from 1971, but the tables were turned on him when he took part in a special celebrity edition which saw him and fellow quizmasters Tom O’Connor and Mr And Mrs host Derek Batey answer questions to win prizes for their favourite charities.

1989

Are you stuck? Comedian Julian Clary dressed to impress on the set of his Channel 4 game show Sticky Moments. He devised and wrote the show with Paul Merton.

1960

Time is running out. Beat The Clock was part of the popular television variety show Sunday Night At The Palladium. Bruce Forsyth, above, hosted the game show for two years before handing over the reigns to new compere Don Arrol.

1998

Can I call a friend? Chris Tarrant, launched ITV’s new quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, offering the biggest cash prize ever for a game of skill on British TV.

1983

Can I have a P please Bob? Bob Holness became a familiar face to school children across the country as the host of Blockbusters. He presented 11 series from 1983.

1964

American comedy star Groucho Marx headed to London to make his first exclusive British television appearance in a new quiz show titled The Celebrity Game. The cigar-lover also hosted his own US radio and TV quiz in the 1940s and 1950s called You Bet Your Life. He once joked: “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”

1999

Let’s Go For a Spin. Nicky Campbell and Angela Ekaette hosted the show based on the US game show of the same name. Contestants spun a wheel for the chance to reach the final and play for top prizes like a luxury holiday, a car or cash.

1963

Lost for words? Una Stubbs joined in the fun on ITV game show Don’t Say A word hosted by Roman O’Casey. It saw two teams of four trying to convey a message in the shortest possible time without uttering a word.

1990

Put your thinking caps on. Comedian Rory McGrath hosted a TV version of popular board game Trivial Pursuit on BBC1.

2000

Not so weak! Anne Robinson was dubbed the ‘Queen of Mean’ when she presented The Weakest Link, but is now keeping score on Channel 4’s Countdown.