Hold Tight

1 9 8 2 – 1 9 8 7 (UK)
70 x 25 minute episodes

Granada Television produced this quiz game show for kids which was broadcast from Alton Towers adventure park in Staffordshire during the summer months, making use of the park’s boating lake and other amenities.

Contestants from schools around the country competed in a quiz game set on a giant three-dimensional snakes and ladders board, with star guests helping with the questions. Other members of the teams could pick up bonus points by performing various practical tests around the park.

Pauline Black from The Selecter initially presented the show along with Colin Crispen. Successive hosts included Bob Carolgees, Sue Robbie, Janette Beverley, Jacqueline Reddin, Peter Simon, Michael Waterman, Barbie Wilde and Debbie Shaw.

Musical guests on the show included Iggy Pop, Cliff Richard, Paul Young, Bananarama, The Communards, Spandau Ballet, The Housemartins, Nik Kershaw, Talk Talk, The Damned, Haysi Fantayzee, Fuzzbox, The Woodentops, Toyah, Kim Wilde, Ultravox, Shakin’ Stevens, Depeche Mode, Danny Wilson, Dexys Midnight Runners, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Wang Chung, Bad Manners, Prefab Sprout, Swing Out Sister, Bucks Fizz, Musical Youth, The Christians, Erasure, Amazulu, Bronski Beat, Madness, ABC, Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Proclaimers, Westworld, Hipsway, Tracey Ullman, Lone Justice and Owen Paul.

In its sixth and final year, the show changed beyond all recognition. The quiz and games were gone with the entire show given over to music and a forgettable spoof soap opera – The Altons – starring John Gorman as Lord Noze and Graham Stark as his butler, Gruffbottom.

Hold Tight did not survive the format change and was not brought back in 1988.

Presenters
Pauline Black (1982)
Colin Crispen (1982)
Bob Carolgees (1983 – 1985)
Sue Robbie (1983 – 1984)
Janette Beverley (1985)
Jacqueline Reddin (1986)
Michael Waterman (1986)
Peter Simon (1986)
Barbie Wilde (1987)
Debbie Shaw (1987)

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