I Ask the Questions Around Here Quiz

Answer: Derek Batey

'Mr and Mrs' was a long-running television game show that tested how well married couples knew each other. Originally based on a Canadian format, it first aired in 1965 and ran on ITV through the 1970s and 1980s. The show featured various regional versions before becoming nationally syndicated, with Derek Batey as its host.

Each episode featured couples answering personal questions about their relationship, home life, and preferences. One partner would wear headphones and sit behind a screen while the other answered questions. Then, the roles reversed. The goal was to match answers, each correct match earned points, and couples who matched all six questions won a jackpot prize.

Answer: Tom O'Connor

First hosted by Tom O'Connor, 'Name That Tune' was a music-based game show where contestants competed to identify songs as quickly as possible. The format involved a live band playing short snippets of popular tunes, and players had to buzz in to name the song correctly. The faster they recognised the melody, the better their chances of winning.

The show often featured multiple rounds, including a 'Melody Roulette' or 'Bid-a-Note' segment, where contestants wagered on how few notes they needed to identify a song. For example, one might boldly claim, 'I can name that tune in three notes!' The tension built as the notes were played and the contestant tried to deliver the correct titles. Winners earned cash prizes and sometimes advanced to bonus rounds for larger rewards.

Answer: Nicholas Parsons

'Sale of the Century' aired in several iterations between 1971 and 1998. It was originally based on the American format. The show first launched on ITV in 1971 and was hosted by Nicholas Parsons. It quickly became a national favourite. Its opening line: 'And now, from Norwich, it's the quiz of the week', became a cultural catchphrase.

The gameplay revolved around three contestants answering general knowledge questions to earn money. Correct answers added to their score, while wrong ones deducted from it. At intervals, players were tempted with 'Instant Bargains', luxury items offered at heavily discounted prices, which they could buy using their accumulated winnings. This blend of quiz and shopping made it very popular.

Answer: Bruce Forsyth

'The Generation Game' was shown on BBC One from 1971 to 2002, with brief revivals in 2005 and 2018. Its central concept revolved around family fun: four teams of two people, each pair from different generations of the same family, competed in a series of light-hearted challenges to win prizes. These pairs were often mother/son, father/daughter, or other generational combos like aunt/nephew.

The show involved physical tasks and quizzes. In early rounds, contestants watched professionals perform a skill, such as pottery, dancing, or cake decorating, and then tried to replicate it. Their efforts were scored, often with humorous results. Other rounds included music identification or general knowledge quizzes. The highest-scoring pair advanced to the final round, which featured a theatrical or musical performance, sometimes deliberately chaotic for comic effect.

The 'conveyor belt' finale saw contestants memorising and recalling a series of prizes as they passed by, leading to the famous catchphrase, 'Didn't he/she do well?' Popular hosts included Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson, and Jim Davidson, each bringing their own flair and catchphrases to the show.

Answer: Stuart Hall

'It's a Knockout' was a very popular game show that aired primarily during the 1970s and early 1980s. It featured teams from different towns competing in absurd, slapstick challenges involving oversized costumes, foam obstacles, and buckets of water. The show was part of the larger European franchise 'Jeux Sans Frontières', which brought an international flair to it. Its appeal lay in its sheer silliness and physical comedy, often resembling a live-action cartoon.

Stuart Hall was the show's original presenter and was known for his theatrical commentary and infectious laughter. His voice became synonymous with the show's madcap energy, and he often struggled to contain his giggles during the more ridiculous stunts.

Hall had a long career with the BBC, also presenting regional news and reporting on football. However, his legacy was deeply tarnished when he was convicted in 2013 of multiple sexual offences against children, dating back decades. This led to the end of his broadcasting career and the stripping of his OBE.

Answer: Robin Ray

'Call My Bluff' was a panel game show that first aired in 1965. Based on an American format, the show revolved around obscure English words. It was hosted by Robin Ray, a classically trained actor and music enthusiast, from its debut in 1965 until 1966. Robert Robertson was also a host from 1967 onwards.

There were two teams of three people, each with a captain and two guests. They competed by offering three definitions for a rare word: one true and two bluffs. The opposing team had to guess the correct definition. The charm of the show lay in its witty banter, clever bluffing, and arcane vocabulary, with words like 'queach' and 'ablewhacket' making regular appearances.

Answer: Hughie Green

'The Sky's the Limit' (1970 to 1974) was produced by Yorkshire Television (ITV). Hosted by Hughie Green, it was a travel-themed spin on his earlier hit 'Double Your Money'. Contestants answered questions based on their specialist subjects, with each correct answer increasing their prize fund. The format escalated in difficulty, finishing with a five-part question in the final round. Winners could earn up to 21,000 miles of travel and £600 in spending money, which was an enticing prize in its day.

Green was known for his strong personality and desire for creative control. He famously clashed with executive producer Jess Yates, eventually ousting him from the show. Green reinstated his preferred co-hosts, including Monica Rose and Audrey Graham, rejecting Yates' idea of glamour model hostesses.

Despite its popularity, most episodes were wiped from the archives, with only a few filmed specials, shot in Jamaica, Florida, and Canada, still surviving.

Answer: Gordon Burns

Gordon Burns is best known as the host of 'The Krypton Factor', which that ran from 1977 to 1995. The show involved a mix of mental agility, physical challenges, and general knowledge. It was often described as 'the toughest quiz on television'. He wasn't just the face of the programme, as he also wrote scripts and helped devise many of the challenges, shaping its distinctive format and tone.

At its peak, it drew up to 18 million viewers. Burns guided contestants through rounds like Intelligence, Observation, Response, and Physical Ability, all while remaining composed, which contrasted with the high-pressure nature of the tasks. His delivery gave the show a sense of seriousness and credibility.

Answer: Jimmy Tarbuck

'Winner Takes All' aired on ITV from 1975 to 1988, with Jimmy Tarbuck hosting its original run from 1975 to 1986. It was created by Geoffrey Wheeler. The show blended quiz questions with betting-style gameplay, making it a unique hybrid of trivia and gambling.

Contestants began with a set number of points and faced multiple-choice questions, each answer paired with betting odds ranging from 2-1 to 10-1. Players wagered points on their chosen answer, winning or losing based on the odds and accuracy. The format added strategic tension, as players had to balance risk and knowledge to advance.

Winners could return to defend their title and build up cash prizes, with the risk of losing most of their winnings if defeated.

Answer: Fred Dinenage

Fred Dinenage was the original host of 'Gambit', which was shown on ITV from 1975 to 1983. It was adapted from the American format, 'Gambit' and combined general knowledge questions with the gameplay of blackjack. Two married couples competed to build hands as close to 21 as possible without busting, earning cards by correctly answering trivia questions. The show's mix of strategy and quiz elements made it a daytime favourite for nearly a decade.

Beyond 'Gambit', Fred Dinenage built a long and varied career in British television. He was a familiar face on Southern Television and TVS, presenting shows like 'Tell the Truth' and the beloved children's science series 'How', which he co-hosted across multiple generations, from its original 1966 run to its 2020 revival. He also explored darker themes in later years, hosting true crime documentaries such as 'Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook'. His contributions to broadcasting earned him an MBE in 2010.