Bradley Walsh on Blankety Blank but who were the hosts before him
TV

Bradley Walsh Blankety Blank: Previous hosts and Bradley’s history on the show before he was famous

Bradley has deep connections to the show

Bradley Walsh is host for a new one-off Christmas version of Blankety Blank on Christmas Day (Friday December 25).

The Chase star, 60, takes over presenting duties for the venerable gameshow.

It began in 1979, and has seen four different hosts throughout the years.

But who were they? And what is Bradley’s connection to the show?

Sir Terry Wogan was the original host of Blankety Blank
Sir Terry as Blankety Blank host (Credit: YouTube)

Who hosted Blankety Blank before Bradley Walsh?

The gameshow started in 1979, with Sir Terry Wogan as host.

Famous for his dry wit, long, thin stick-like microphone and his hilarious interaction with guests, Sir Terry hosted the show for four years.

In one memorable moment, comedian Kenny Everett bent his microphone in half during one episode.

Read more: Bradley Walsh reveals incredible weight loss after taking up hobby

Sir Terry went on to host his own primetime chatshow on BBC One in the 1980s, and became a broadcasting legend with his Radio 2 breakfast show.

He sadly died in 2016, aged 77.

Les Dawson daughter presented Blankety Blank
Comedian Les was a great fit for Blankety Blank (Credit: YouTube)

Les Dawson

Comedian Les Dawson took over from Sir Terry in 1984.

To signify a changing of the guard, Les snapped Sir Terry’s microphone in two and said he felt “about as comfortable as a lame turkey sat on a pile of Paxo listening to Christmas carols”.

Les became an instant hit with his surreal sense of humour and comedy characters.

He also delighted in rubbishing the prizes on offer, most notably the Blankety Blank cheque book and pen.

Les presented the show until 1990.

He died in 1993 from a heart attack, aged 62.

Lily Savage (aka Paul OGrady) presented Blankety Blank in the 1990s
Paul as Lily on Blankety Blank (Credit: YouTube)

Lily Savage

Blankety Blank was revived in 1998, this time with Paul O’Grady’s alter-ego, Lily Savage, as the presenter.

Lily was often savage to the guests and often forgot their names.

She hosted the show for four years until it ended in 2002.

The others

There have been two other hosts of Blankety Blank.

Recent I’m A Celeb campmate Vernon Kay hosted a Gameshow Marathon version on ITV in 2007.

Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams also presented a one-off Christmas special in 2016.

Bradley Walsh on Blankety Blank
Bradley has deep connections to the show (Credit: BBC)

What did Bradley say about Blankety Blank?

Bradley said: “I’m not feeling the pressure so much.

“[It’s] just the fact that I love bit of nostalgic telly and to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry Wogan and one of my heroes Les Dawson, having worked on the show as a studio warm-up for Les a few times, it’s a thrill for me.”

Has Bradley been on the show before?

Yes.

After being the warm-up man on the show when Les Dawson was host, Bradley ended up being a guest during the Lily Savage years.

He said: “Lily Savage hosted the show fantastically well.

Read more: Blankety Blank reboot: Bradley Walsh takes on iconic role in first look at Christmas special

“Little did I know having sat next to Liz Dawn that six years later I’ll be working with her on Coronation Street.

“What goes around, comes around.”

Blankety Blank in on Christmas Day (Friday December 27) at 7pm on BBC One

Blankety Blank Christmas Special: Trailer | BBC Trailers

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor