Record Breakers

Record Breakers
Also known as Linford's Record Breakers (1998–2000)
Created by Alan Russell
Developed by BBC
Presented by
Judges
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series 30
No. of episodes 276
Production
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 25 minutes
Release
Original network BBC1
Original release 15 December 1972 (1972-12-15) – 21 December 2001 (2001-12-21)
Chronology
Related shows Blue Peter

Record Breakers is a British children's TV show, themed around world records and produced by the BBC. It was broadcast on BBC1 from 15 December 1972 to 21 December 2001. It was originally presented by Roy Castle with Guinness World Records founders twin brothers Norris McWhirter and Ross McWhirter. The programme was a spin-off series from Blue Peter which had featured record breaking attempts overseen by the McWhirter twins. Producers of the series over the years were, Alan Russell (its creator), Michael Forte, Eric Rowan, Greg Childs, Annette Williams and Jeremy Daldry.

The closing theme was "Dedication", performed by Roy Castle, who broke nine world records on the show himself.[1]

As well as interviews with people who held British or World records, early editions of the programme would include a feature in which the studio audience would test the McWhirter brothers on their (almost infallible) knowledge of records, and the climax of each show would usually be a world record attempt in the studio. Ross was murdered by a Provisional IRA gunman in 1975, but his brother continued to appear on the show in the "Norris On The Spot" feature.

Hosts

Other hosts included Dilys Morgan (1973), Fiona Kennedy (1983–86), Julian Farino (1985–86), Mark Curry (1995) and Ronald Reagan Jr. (1996–97).[2] After Castle died in 1994, the show was hosted by Baker and Akabusi, then Linford Christie took over in 1998 with co-presenters Jack Lattimer, Jez Edwards (1998–2001), Kate Sanderson (1998), Sally Gray (1999–2000). Fearne Cotton was the host for the final series in 2001 with Edwards and Shovell.

Specials

All Star Record Breakers, which ran annually from 1974 to 1982, was a special Christmas edition of the show. Castle was joined for this extended edition by virtually all the BBC's children's TV presenters for music and dance numbers, which generally culminated with the ensemble cast performing a classic story.

Longevity

By the time Record Breakers was cancelled, it had been on air for 29 years, 7 days and was one of the longest-running TV programmes in Britain.

Transmission guide

Original series

SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodes
115 December 197219 January 19736
25 October 19739 November 19736
35 November 197417 December 19747
430 September 197511 November 19757
527 October 19761 December 19766
67 October 197718 November 19777
724 October 197812 December 19788
86 November 197918 December 19797
922 October 19807 January 198112
1021 October 198123 December 198110
1127 October 198222 December 19829
1225 October 198320 December 19839
138 January 19855 March 19859
141 November 198520 December 19858
1521 October 198616 December 19869
1627 October 198722 December 19879
1721 October 198816 December 19889
1820 October 198915 December 19899
1928 September 199014 December 199010
2027 September 199113 December 199110
2125 September 199211 December 199210
2224 September 199310 December 199310
237 October 199423 December 199412
2429 September 199522 December 199513
2523 September 199616 December 199613
2626 September 199719 December 199713
2716 October 199818 December 199810
281 October 199919 November 19998
2920 October 20008 December 20008
302 November 200121 December 20018

All Star Record Breakers

Air Date
27 December 1974
30 December 1975
24 December 1976
28 December 1977
27 December 1978
27 December 1979
24 December 1980
27 December 1981
26 December 1982

Specials

Entitle Air Date
Japan Domino Toppling Special10 April 1981
The Big Jump Special25 October 1985
Dominoes Special17 February 1988
Roy Castle Tribute Special30 September 1994
Record Breakers: Roy Castle Personality Plus28 December 1994

Record Breakers Gold

SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodes
11 January 199724 March 199713
25 January 199830 March 199813

See also

References

  1. ↑ Norris Mc Whirter - 1994 Roy Castle tribute special
  2. ↑ screenonline: Record Breakers (1973-2001)
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