Blankety Blank

- Season 6

(1983)

"And they said that Blankety Blank could not be better this year," states Terry, "They said it couldn't possibly be as funny or as witty or as fast-moving as last year - they were right."

"Make the most of it," Terry warns viewers, "this is as funny as it gets." Featuring the panel debut of Russell Grant, along with clashes with "Grievous Bodily Hunniford" and "the worst joke in the history of television".

Terry has his work cut out for him when Freddie Starr joins the show and organises a walk out. Also new to the panel is Kathy Staff.

The first appearance of Leslie Ash on the show, and the sole appearance of Mike Read. However, Terry's got more problems on his mind, in the form of a contestant who won't stop flirting or plugging her parents' hotel.

"What a truly cheap and nasty show this is!" exclaims Terry after witnessing the weeks' prizes and juddering set. Sadly for Terry, the winning contestant is in agreement, and doesn't want their prize.

Terry is unable to get contestants excited in the star prize of a CD player, but generates a round of applause by getting Patrick Moore to smile.

"My brain's beginning to atrophy!" says Terry, as he repeatedly forgets what's happening in the game. Joining him in the confusion are new panellists Patricia Hayes and Jan Leeming, while Larry Grayson makes his final appearance.

Future regular Joe Brown makes his first appearance on the show in a lively edition.

The sole appearance of Roger Kitter on the panel, along with the debut of Sabina Franklyn.

A rowdy panel is suspected of cheating, Derek Nimmo claims it's a "very deeply depressing show", and Terry breaks out his Richard Burton impression.

The return of Keith Harris, the final appearance of Lenny Henry and the sole showing of Cilla Black. Terry battles with a contestant who makes his kids watch the show as a punishment, and the backchat of Orville the Duck.

"And this week," declares Terry, "they said it couldn't be done, but the prizes are even worse." A panel of relatively fresh faces make up the show, including Wayne Sleep and Sheila Steafel making their debuts.

Terry tries to keep some kind of order over a chaotic episode, where bits of the set begin to fall apart, and the edit suite saves viewers from the full antics of Roy Hudd and Freddie Starr.

Two new panellists join the show, but only Cleo Rocos gets introduced as being there for the first time. After Paul Shane is welcomed back to the programme, he has to remind Terry "I've never been here before."

Terry Wogan hosts his last edition of Blankety Blank with this Christmas Special. Included among the contestants is Tom Moore, a man who would raise over £30 million for the NHS in 2020.