December 2019

A Question Of Sport At 50

On 5 January 1970, David Vine presented the first edition of what was to become a British television institution. In January 2020 that iconic quiz show, A Question Of Sport, turns 50 and is now the longest continuously-running quiz show on British TV. This special hour-long documentary celebrates the programme's half century.

Sporting greats including Jessica Ennis-Hill, Denise Lewis, Sebastian Coe, Tom Daley, Alex Scott and Alan Shearer share their memories of the show.

Celebrity fans including Paddy McGuinness, Nick Knowles, Dan Walker and Richard Osman also chat about the show's enduring appeal. HRH the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, reminisces about when she joined much-loved team captain Emlyn Hughes to appear as a guest on the 200th episode in 1987, with her appearance attracting a huge audience of 19 million viewers.

There will be a look back at some of the earliest shows, fronted by David Vine, as well as remembering how the much revered host David Coleman made this show his own, even introducing the ritual of eating a Sunday dinner before every studio record. A 50th celebration would not be complete without an interview with current presenter Sue Barker, who has been in the quizmaster's chair for over 20 years, recording almost 800 shows.

Some of the sporting legends who have become team captains will be recalled, including Henry Cooper, Cliff Morgan, Willie Carson, Bill Beaumont, Ian Botham and Ally McCoist - to name a few. Plus there will be a chance to see behind the scenes with current cohorts Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, as they show what a day in the life of A Question Of Sport captain really involves.

Plus viewers will learn how favourite rounds such as Mystery Guest, What Happened Next and the dreaded Home Or Away questions have kept fans entertained week after week, helping to make A Question Of Sport the world's longest running TV Sports quiz show.

Confirmed for BBC One on 27 December at 8.30pm to 9.30pm
A BBC Studios Production with Post Production from dock10

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