Welcome to a very special edition of the My 70s TV Childhood Quiz! This Christmas, we’ve done something truly magical—handed the reins over to you, our wonderful listeners. That’s right, every single question in this quiz was submitted by our brilliant audience, making it a true celebration of our shared love for 70s television.
From the sci-fi thrills of Blake’s 7 and Sapphire and Steel to the unforgettable laughs of Fawlty Towers and The Good Life, these questions capture the essence of what made 70s TV so iconic. Whether you’re gathering friends and family or flying solo with a glass of mulled wine, this quiz is the perfect way to relive the nostalgia of a bygone era.
So, grab your pens, turn up the Christmas lights, and dive into this listener-powered festive quiz.
Let’s see how well you know your 70s TV trivia!
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?
- Apart from The Squirrels, which other famous ITV sitcom did Eric Chappell create?
- Ron Ellis also starred in The Squirrels, but which popular children’s comedy programme did he appear in?
- In the 1973 children’s comedy Robert’s Robots, what was the name of the robot played by Brian Coburn?
- In the BBC2 drama series The Expert (1976), the great Marius Goring played Doctor, then later Professor, John Harding. What was his profession?
- In the BBC sci-fi show Blake’s 7, what was the name of the ship’s onboard computer?
- Still with Blake’s 7, Supreme Commander Servalan was head of the Terran Federation. Who played Servalan?
- In Rumpole of the Bailey, what was Rumpole’s nickname for his wife?
Round Two – Space 1979 (Submitted by Lee C)
- Which American series debuted this year, starring Gil Gerard in the title role?
- Doctor Who did its first overseas filming in 1979, but which European city did Tom Baker visit in City of Death?
- Blake’s 7 began its second series in 1979. What was the name of the crew’s supercomputer that looked like a plastic crate?
- Sapphire and Steel debuted this year. Who played the title characters?
- ITV launched its slightly grim film version of Quatermass, starring John Mills in 1979. Who wrote all the Quatermass stories?
Round Three – Captain’s Corner (Submitted by Robert M., Neath)
- Where did Captain Blue, Captain Black, and Captain Scarlet originally come from?
- What were the real names of Captain Blue, Captain Black, and Captain Scarlet?
Round Four – Russell’s Round (Submitted by Russell C.)
- In Fawlty Towers, what was the Major’s surname?
- Which actor voiced Captain Blue and also appeared as Ed Straker in UFO?
- Who played Peter Barnes’ wife Sheila in the David Jason ITV comedy series A Sharp Intake of Breath?
- What was the name of the ship in the BBC series Warship?
- Which two members of the Monty Python team wrote Ripping Yarns?
- 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?
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?
- Still with The Intruder, what item did the main character wear to give his character menace?
- Where was The Intruder shot?
- In the Timeslip story Time of the Icebox, Peggy Thorpe Bates played Dr. Edith Joynton. In which legal drama was she a regular?
- 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?
Round Six – Budgie (Submitted by Mark D)
- In the LWT series Budgie, starring Adam Faith, what type of shop did Charlie Endle run?
- For the second series of Budgie, the theme tune was changed. What was it called, and who sang the vocals?
- Which ITV sports presenter appeared as himself in the Budgie episode The Outside Man?
Round Seven – Unfinished Business (Submitted by Lee C.)
- Who played the Gemini Man?
- What was the name of the ape played by Roddy McDowall in the TV version of Planet of the Apes?
- Which aquatic hero did future Dallas star Patrick Duffy play?
- Which short-lived show featured the character Varian, who could heal people with a crystal tuning fork?
- In the TV version of Logan’s Run, what was the name of the android played by Donald Moffat?
Round Eight – Quick Singles (Submitted by Various Contributors)
- (Submitted by Mark): Billy Liar was a sitcom about a young man bored with his mundane life. What was the character’s actual name?
- (Submitted by Danny P): 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?
- (Submitted by Michael B: What was the name of the funny-talking youngest member of G-Force in the cartoon Battle of the Planets?
- (Submitted by Michael B): What was the name of the Mayor’s chauffeur in Trumpton?
- (Submitted by Me!): 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?
What a fantastic collection of questions! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this Christmas quiz special—from comedies and dramas to quirky characters and unforgettable moments, this quiz captures the spirit of a generation that grew up with the TV as their window to the world.
Stay tuned for the answers, which we’ll reveal in the next blog— And don’t forget to share your scores with us on social media or by email. Most importantly, enjoy the festive fun and keep the 70s TV nostalgia alive this Christmas!
Take care,
Oliver
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