Celebrity Fifteen to One

Celebrity Fifteen to One is a celebrity version of the Channel 4 game show Fifteen to One. William G. Stewart presented the first two episodes, which were Christmas specials that aired on 27 December 1990 and 30 December 1992. Adam Hills has hosted subsequent episodes on 20 September 2013, 6, 13, 20 and 27 June 2014, a Christmas special on 23 December 2014 and 7, 14, 21 and 28 August 2015.

Richard Whiteley, Anna Raeburn, Sally Jones and Rory McGrath appeared on both 1990s episodes, with Alex Brooker, Jimmy Carr, Johnny Vegas, Rhod Gilbert and Gyles Brandreth also having made appearances on more than one Hills episode. Of these, Brandreth is the only person to have made appearances on episodes presented by both hosts.

Episodes

William G. Stewart era The first episode was broadcast on 27 December 1990. The format is largely the same as that of Fifteen to One, though with the Barry Cryer rule: Those who get both questions wrong may still play round 2 with one life remaining, with Cryer being the only one to miss both questions. Cryer was also the first contestant to be eliminated. The programme is extended to 45 minutes from 30, with an extra advert added between the first and second rounds.

Contestants Richard Whiteley Nicholas Parsons Barry Cryer Jayne Irving Claire Rayner Jan Leeming David Hamilton Anna Raeburn Carol Vorderman Bob Holness Nigel Rees Sally Jones Rory McGrath Matthew Parris Nicholas Owen

A second celebrity special aired on 30 December 1992. In his book "A Matter of Facts: An Insider's Guide To Quizzing", contestant Marcus Berkmann, who had previously appeared on a civilian episode of the show two years prior, explained that he was asked to appear on the programme after Vincent Hanna pulled out and noted that "clearly some barrels had been scraped for this, and [he] was at the bottom of the very last barrel". The winner, Patrick Stoddart, won by taking a step back from the rest of the semi-circle, resulting in no one nominating him in round 2. This would be the last Celebrity Fifteen to One for over twenty years.

Contestants Rory McGrath Lionel Blair Jim Bowen Matthew Kelly Sue Carpenter John InmanJudi Spiers Richard Whiteley Gyles Brandreth Austin Mitchell Anna Raeburn Sally JonesLesley Joseph Patrick Stoddart Marcus Berkmann

Adam Hills era The show was revived on 20 September 2013 as part of a 1980s night. This version was hosted by Adam Hills and was 1 hour long rather than 45 minutes and did not reprise what UKGameshows.com termed as the Barry Cryer rule; "just one life away for each incorrect answer in round one". It did, however, slash the number of questions in round three down to 25, and eliminated the need for three correct answers to start question or nominate. Money was awarded for getting to the final: £1,000 for getting there; £5,000 for coming second; £10,000 for coming first + £1,000 for however many lives they have left + £1,000 for getting any of the questions right after both the other finalists have been eliminated + £100 for every life they entered the round with. Jo Brand won this episode, winning £21,100 for her charity.

Contestants Jonathan Ross Krishnan Guru-Murthy Kim Woodburn Stephen ManganJo Brand Richard Bacon Eamonn Holmes Arlene Phillips Colin Jackson Konnie HuqFern BrittonAlex Brooker Dawn Harper Ulrika Jonsson Danny Wallace

After the first show aired, it was announced by Channel 4 that the show would be revived for four more celebrity specials featuring Hills and for twenty daytime episodes featuring Sandi Toksvig. Changes were made; money was not awarded for lives left at the end of the round two, and for the last celebrity standing, the last five questions are worth £2,000 each. The winners of these programmes were Josie Long, who raised £25,000, Stephen Mangan and Dave Gorman, who both raised £23,000, and Sian Williams, who raised £22,000. These episodes were transmitted on 6, 13, 20 and 27 June 2015 respectively.

Contestants Dara Ó Briain Ann Widdecombe Johnny VegasHeston BlumenthalKate Garraway Anton du BekeJosie Long Tony Blackburn Carley Stenson Jon Culshaw Rosemary Shrager Christian Jessen Marcus Brigstocke Janet Street-Porter Dom JolyJason Manford Germaine Greer Jimmy Carr Andrea McLeanMatthew Crosby Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Thelma Madine Neil Morrissey Roger Black Alex Brooker Anna Richardson Rick EdwardsStephen Mangan Sharron Davies Warwick DavisFrank Skinner Hilary Devey Ade Edmondson Diane Abbott Chris Ramsey Greg Rutherford Zöe Salmon Tim Vine Ben Foden Jameela Jamil Mark Watson Chris Hollins Ollie LockeLucy PorterDave Gorman Jimmy Carr Paul Hollywood Rachel Riley Romesh Ranganathan Pixie McKenna John Craven Cheska Hull Josh WiddicombeSian Williams Steve Pemberton Dave BerrySusan Calman Matthew WrightPatsy Kensit Phil Tufnell

A Christmas special was broadcast on 23 December 2014. Rufus Hound raised £11,000 after a particularly tight final round in which all three contestants were standing at the end of 25 questions, and Hound opted to take two questions from 71–82 down with only one life left.

ContestantsRufus Hound Mariella FrostrupJohnny Vegas Shappi Khorsandi Jenny Eclair Spencer Matthews Katherine Ryan Phill Jupitus Tina Malone Mark Foster Roisin ConatyJohn Thomson Iwan Thomas Sunetra Sarker Alex Horne

Four more episodes of Celebrity Fifteen to One were broadcast on 7, 14, 21 and 28 August 2015. Winners of these episodes were Alex James, who raised £11,000, Kate Humble, who raised £26,000, Gary Delaney, who raised £11,000 and Tanni Grey-Thompson, who raised £13,000.

ContestantsSean Lock Kay BurleyAlex James Sally Phillips Tony HadleyBill Oddie Emily Atack Christian O'Connell Charlie Brooks Joe Lycett Nicky Clarke Alison Hammond Hugh Dennis Brian McFadden Michael Vaughan Ken Livingstone Meera Syal Jim Moir Rebecca FrontKate Humble Milton Jones Amanda Lamb Ed Byrne Natalie CassidyCharlie Condou Una FodenRussell Kane Jenny Jones Isy Suttie Dave Spikey David Baddiel David Haye Sara Pascoe Rhod Gilbert Cathy NewmanBruno Tonioli Matt FordeShobna Gulati Sam Thompson Rob Beckett Claire Richards Olivia Lee Greg Rusedski Eve PollardGary DelaneyRhod GilbertCaroline Quentin Julian Clary Gareth Thomas Donna Air Tyger Drew-Honey Nina Wadia Henning WehnTanni Grey-Thompson Gyles Brandreth Zoe Lyons Naga Munchetty Ellie Taylor Paul Chowdhry Louie Spence

William G. Stewart hosted two celebrity specials across 35 series. The revival shows include ten celebrity specials across four series of the main daytime show. The fourth series began on 18 September 2015.

References