1 9 7 7 (UK)
7 x 60 minute episodes
Liverpool comedian Tom O’Connor – who came to fame as a three-time winner on Opportunity Knocks – acted as host for this variety show from Thames Television, with guest artists including Tommy Cooper, Norman Wisdom, Cilla Black, Frankie Howerd, Twiggy, Roger de Courcey, Mike and Bernie Winters, Guys and Dolls, Ted Rogers, Lorna Luft, Dana and Sacha Distel.
The Lionel Blair Dancers provided dancing with music from Alan Braden.
The show also featured a musical game of “Name That Tune” with prize money of up to £1,000 for contestants who knew their popular music.
The Wednesday night series premiered on 20 July 1977.
Tom O’Connor eventually turned the “Name That Tune” segment into a successful self-contained television show for Thames, which he hosted from 1983 to 1987.
In 2007, O’Connor was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and, six years later, with bowel cancer. He died on 18 July 2021, aged 81.
Host
Tom O’Connor