Welcome back, 70s TV fans, to the big reveal! Our Christmas quiz special, powered entirely by you, our fabulous listeners, brought together some of the best and trickiest questions from the golden era of 1970s television.
Whether you breezed through the sci-fi round or got stuck on the sitcoms, this quiz has been all about celebrating the TV shows, characters, and moments that made the 70s so memorable. Now it’s time to see how you did!
So, sit back, relax as we unveil the answers to this festive feast of trivia. You’ve earned your eggnog after this one!
Round One – On Your Marks (Submitted by Mark D)
- Which lead actress in The Squirrels had a semi-regular lead in the Carry On films and also starred in Bless This House? Answer: Patsy Rowlands
- Apart from The Squirrels, which other famous ITV sitcom did Eric Chappell create? Answer: Rising Damp
- Ron Ellis also starred in The Squirrels, but which popular children’s comedy programme did he appear in? Answer: Pardon My Genie
- In the 1973 children’s comedy Robert’s Robots, what was the name of the robot played by Brian Coburn? Answer: Katie (KT)
- In the BBC2 drama series The Expert (1976), the great Marius Goring played Doctor, then later Professor, John Harding. What was his profession? Answer: Pathologist
- In the BBC sci-fi show Blake’s 7, what was the name of the ship’s onboard computer? Answer: Zen
- Still with Blake’s 7, Supreme Commander Servalan was head of the Terran Federation. Who played Servalan? Answer: Jacqueline Pearce
- In Rumpole of the Bailey, what was Rumpole’s nickname for his wife? Answer: She Who Must Be Obeyed
Round Two – Space 1979 (Submitted by Lee C)
- Which American series debuted this year, starring Gil Gerard in the title role? Answer: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
- Doctor Who did its first overseas filming in 1979, but which European city did Tom Baker visit in City of Death? Answer: Paris
- Blake’s 7 began its second series in 1979. What was the name of the crew’s supercomputer that looked like a plastic crate? Answer: Orac
- Sapphire and Steel debuted this year. Who played the title characters? Answer: David McCallum and Joanna Lumley
- ITV launched its slightly grim film version of Quatermass, starring John Mills in 1979. Who wrote all the Quatermass stories? Answer: Nigel Neale
Round Three – Captain’s Corner (Submitted by Robert M)
- Where did Captain Blue, Captain Black, and Captain Scarlet originally come from? Answer: Captain Blue – Boston, Captain Black – Manchester, Captain Scarlet – Winchester
- What were the real names of Captain Blue, Captain Black, and Captain Scarlet? Answer: Captain Blue – Adam Svenson, Captain Black – Conrad Turner, Captain Scarlet – Paul Metcalf
Round Four – Russell’s Round (Submitted by Russell C.)
- In Fawlty Towers, what was the Major’s surname? Answer: Major Gowan
- Which actor voiced Captain Blue and also appeared as Ed Straker in UFO? Answer: Ed Bishop
- Who played Peter Barnes’ wife Sheila in the David Jason ITV comedy series A Sharp Intake of Breath? Answer: Jacqueline Clarke
- What was the name of the ship in the BBC series Warship? Answer: HMS Hero
- Which two members of Monty Python wrote Ripping Yarns? Answer: Michael Palin and Terry Jones
- Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw (aka Bodie and Doyle from The Professionals) were both in ITV sitcoms earlier in the 70s. What were the two programmes? Answer: Martin Shaw – Doctor in the House, Lewis Collins – The Cuckoo Waltz
Round Five – The Intruder (Submitted by Mark D)
- In the 1972 ITV children’s drama series The Intruder, who played the intruder of the title? Answer: Milton Johns
- Still with The Intruder, what item did the main character wear to give his character menace? Answer: Eye Patch
- Where was The Intruder shot? Answer: Cumbria village Ravenglass
- In the Timeslip story Time of the Icebox, Peggy Thorpe Bates played Dr. Edith Joynton. In which legal drama was she a regular? Answer: Rumpole of the Bailey
- During daytime test card transmissions on BBC2, what was the name of the daily bulletins shown four times a day, and who were these broadcasts aimed at? Answer: Service Information for the Television Trade
Round Six – Budgie (Submitted by Mark D)
- In the LWT series Budgie, starring Adam Faith, what type of shop did Charlie Endle run? Answer: Adult bookstore in Soho
- For the second series of Budgie, the theme tune was changed. What was it called, and who sang the vocals? Answer: Nobody’s Fool, sung by Cold Turkey
- Which ITV sports presenter appeared as himself in the Budgie episode The Outside Man? Answer: Dickie Davies
Round Seven – Unfinished Business (Submitted by Lee C.)
- Who played the Gemini Man? Answer: Ben Murphy
- What was the name of the ape played by Roddy McDowall in the TV version of Planet of the Apes? Answer: Galen
- Which aquatic hero did future Dallas star Patrick Duffy play? Answer: The Man from Atlantis
- Which short-lived show featured the character Varian, who could heal people with a crystal tuning fork? Answer: Fantastic Journey
- In the TV version of Logan’s Run, what was the name of the android played by Donald Moffat? Answer: REM
Round Eight – Quick Singles (Submitted by Various Contributors)
- Billy Liar was a sitcom about a young man bored with his mundane life. What was the character’s actual name? Answer: Billy/William Fisher (Submitted by Mark, A)
- In The Good Life Christmas special, Tom made homemade Christmas crackers with paper hats and a joke. Inside Margo’s cracker, which didn’t go bang, the joke was: “The oo-ah bird is so called because it lays…” What does it lay? Answer: Square eggs (Submitted by Danny P)
- What was the name of the funny-talking youngest member of G-Force in Battle of the Planets? Answer: Keyop (Submitted by Michael B)
- What was the name of the Mayor’s chauffeur in Trumpton? Answer: Philby (Submitted by Michael B)
- What phrase did Mike Yarwood use to warn us he was about to go into full cabaret mode and sing a song in his own voice? Answer: “And this is me!” (Submitted by us truly)
What a journey through the world of 70s television! A huge thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this special listener-generated quiz. Your creativity and passion truly made this a Christmas treat to remember.
Whether you aced every round or stumbled over a few, we hope you’ve enjoyed revisiting the TV shows and moments that shaped a generation. Keep the festive spirit alive by sharing this quiz with friends and family—and don’t forget to let us know how you scored!
From everyone here at My 70s TV Childhood, have a wonderful Christmas filled with nostalgia, laughter, and perhaps a little TV magic. Until next time, take care and happy quizzing!
Take care,
Oliver
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