Nothing to watch on the box? You must be joking, says the legendary comedy presenter

Why do people moan that there’s nothing on TV? I simply cannot understand how some viewers fail to appreciate the depth and breadth of broadcasting available, 24/7, in their living rooms.

When I was young there was no TV. I remember gathering around our wireless on a Saturday night for the In Town Tonight chat show and Music-Hall, featuring variety acts of the day. When TV did begin there was just the BBC, but when ITV came along in 1955, the competition inspired more and better programmes.

During the 1950s and 60s, I performed a great deal on live radio and TV, in comedy actor Eric Barker’s shows and for ten years in Arthur Haynes’s top comedy show on ITV. I also had three years with The Benny Hill Show. In the 1970s, when I was on Sale Of The Century, there was no autocue and I had to memorise the details of all the contestants. The show went out as recorded.

Now, with so many technological innovations, the standard of TV is very impressive across the genres and channels. I love watching sport, comedy and current affairs as well as nature programmes such as Countryfile. When it comes to drama, I was thrilled with The Night Manager and War And Peace – both terrific series.

As comedy is my lifeblood, I hugely enjoy watching Live At The Apollo, which features comedians such as Michael McIntyre and John Bishop, who guested on my show at Edinburgh as unknowns and now, because of their talent, are stars. And Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You? are both fantastically amusing. I can also watch vintage comedies such as Dad’s Army, Morecambe And Wise and The Vicar Of Dibley which are still enjoyable when they’re repeated.

As a former game show host I admire The Chase with Bradley Walsh, which has drama and tension but is also informative. Pointless with Alexander Armstrong is excellent too.

Sports coverage is amazing, with so many camera angles and graphics to enhance viewer’s experiences. If I have a niggle, it is that my beloved cricket isn’t on the main channels as much as it was when the BBC had the rights. But Channel 5 does a great job with the highlights.

So, when people complain about TV, I really do wonder why they can’t appreciate the quality available. We’re living in an era where television is delivering very high-quality productions on every level and with great diversity in a way that we should all be grateful for.

Nicholas Parsons’ Happy Hour is at Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Fringe, 5-14 August. See pleasance.co.uk or tel: 0131 556 6550.