British Television 'T'easers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Andrew Lincoln

The original two series were broadcast in 1996 and 1997 on BBC Two with the characters being recent graduates from law school. The careers of the group are less important in the drama than their personal lives with the focus being on the difficulties of relationships - both those established during university years and new ones. Andrew Lincoln moved on from this series to star as Rick Grimes in 'The Walking Dead' on American television. Jack Davenport played Miles Stewart and progressed to the big screen, notably in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films. Ramon Takarom portrayed Ferdy, and has appeared in many television roles in the UK. Scott Wilson isn't from 'This Life' at all - he acted as Hershel Greene in 'The Walking Dead'.

Answer: Malcolm Tucker

The series was created by Armando Iannucci, who has established a well deserved reputation for satirising the workings of governments. The show began on BBC Four in 2005 before moving to the rather more mainstream BBC Two for its final two series. The Malcolm Tucker character was a spin doctor, said by some to be based on Alistair Campbell who performed that role for Tony Blair. Tucker was known for his bad language, and for being the enforcer of official party policy. Hugh Abbot was played by Chris Langham, Oliver Reeder by Chris Addison and Nick Hanway by Martin Savage. Ionnucci also created 'Veep' for American viewers.

Answer: Cookery

The ladies in question were Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright, who travelled the UK on a motorcycle, driven by Paterson, and sidecar, in which Dickson Wright sat. Their programme began in 1996 and continued until 1999, the year Paterson died - the final series was shown after her death and consisted of only four episodes. Each show was built around a visit to a particular place of interest where each of the presenters cooked a couple of dishes, often involving much use of butter and other fattening ingredients.

Answer: Glasgow

The series began in 1983 with Mark McManus playing the title role of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Taggart. He stayed until his death in 1994 but the show continued under the original name with various lead characters. Set in the Glasgow area of Mayhill, most episodes featured a murder (or several) to be solved by the team of detectives. The show finally ended in 2010.

Answer: Jack Harkness

The character of Jack Harkness was played by John Barrowman and appeared alongside the ninth doctor, Christopher Eccleston, and the tenth, portrayed by David Tennant, in 'Doctor Who'. The character, still played by Barrowman, then became the lead character in 'Torchwood', which appeared on television in the UK from 2006 until 2011.

The only other major character who appeared in both was Martha Jones (actress Freema Agyeman), who was the companion to the tenth doctor.

Answer: Dipsy

Although aimed at the very youngest viewers, 'Teletubbies' became something of a cult show among undergraduates at university. Each character had its own colour - Po was red, Laa-Laa was yellow and Tinky Winky was purple - and had a television screen on its stomach with an aerial, also unique to each of them, on its head. I'm not sure the show could be called educational, as the Teletubbies spoke gibberish most of the time.

Their most recognisable comment was 'ey-oh', which was used as a CD title released in 1997. Unbelievably, it reached number one on the UK Singles charts.

Answer: James May

The first incarnation of 'Top Gear' ran from 1977 until 2001 when it focused on serious motoring topics. It was cancelled by the BBC due to reduced viewing figures but Jeremy Clarkson, who had been a presenter on version one, and Andy Wilman came up with a revamped version which included more comedic aspects.

The trio of Clarkson, Hammond and James May had many successful series but the BBC had to dismiss Clarkson in 2015 after he punched a production assistant. His colleagues left with him. Other presenters were tried, including Matt Le Blanc, with the most recent trio being Flintoff, Harris and Paddy McGuinness, who came together in 2019. So far, the three of them seem to be working well as a team.

Answer: Unexpected

Not only did Dahl provide the source material, he also introduced the programmes for the whole of the first two series and for those based on his stories in the later series. He also gave some insight into what had prompted him to create the tales. Produced by ITV (Independent Television), the shows attracted some well known stars - not just British actors such as Joan Collins and John Mills but renowned Hollywood stars, including Joseph Cotten, Rod Taylor and Elaine Stritch.

Answer: Tracey Ullman

This comedy sketch show proved successful for both Lenny Henry and Tracey Ullman, although David Copperfield (real name Stanley Barlow) did less well. Writers on the show included Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who went on to create 'Red Dwarf', and Ian Hislop, a regular on 'Have I Got News for You'. Lenny Henry has continued as a comedian as well as acting, both serious and comedic. Tracey Ullman had some success as a singer but made her biggest breakthrough in America where she fronted her own show as well as introducing the world to 'The Simpsons'.

Answer: Sport

The show began on television, having first been a radio programme, in 1995 with Nick Hancock as the host. The team captains were two former England internationals in Gary Lineker, from football, and David Gower, from cricket. Each team had two further members, one of whom appeared most weeks and the other a guest. Rounds were designed for amusement rather than needing great sporting knowledge.

The series ended in 2006 after various changes in personnel. The title came from Kenneth Wolstenholme's commentary towards the end of the 1966 World Cup final - 'some people are on the pitch.

They think it's all over - it is now', the last bit being added as England scored the goal which won the match.