Pencil and Paper

1 9 6 0 – 1 9 6 1 (UK)
52 x 30 minute episodes

This Tuesday evening quiz show from ATV pitted two teams of contestants in the studio against each other and viewers at home who could play along with just “a pencil and paper” (hence the title) to test their IQ and general knowledge.

In the first part of the show, genial Dotto host Shaw Taylor – assisted by Irish model Gwynneth Tighe – asked questions on general knowledge, observation and music directly to viewers and gave the answers at the end of each round.

In the second part of the show, two teams of contestants pitted their wits against each other in the studio. The contest was run on a knock-out basis, with the winning team going on to the following week’s programme. There were no prizes.

Viewers were invited to answer a “hangover” question, with the senders of the first five correct postcards each receiving a £5 gift voucher. Around 75,000 entries were received each week (with around 40,000 of them being correct)..

The first episode aired at 7:00 pm on Tuesday 28 June 1960, with a team of three beauty queens competing against three office cleaning “Mrs Mopps”. The episodes were broadcast from the ATV studios in Birmingham.

In September, the show was moved – amidst much complaint – from its 7:00 pm timeslot to 10:35 pm in the Midlands region, but remained in the 7:00 spot for the rest of the ITV network.

Shaw Taylor became the chairman of a returning Tell The Truth on Friday 23 June 1961, bringing Pencil and Paper to an end.

Gwynneth Tighe and Pencil and Paper producer John Irwin jumped ship to the BBC and a new Tuesday evening quiz show called Pick Your Wits with host Barry Westwood. The familiar new show asked general knowledge questions of the viewers at home and even had a “hangover” question . . .

Taylor died at his home on the Isle of Wight on 17 March 2015, aged 90.

Host
Shaw Taylor
Assistant
Gwynneth Tighe