Record Breakers
Encyclopedia
Record Breakers was a British
children's TV show, themed around world records and produced by the BBC
and originally presented by Roy Castle
with twin brothers Norris McWhirter
and Ross McWhirter
. It was broadcast on BBC1
from 15 December 1972 to 21 December 2001. Producers of the series over the years were, Alan Russell (its creator), Michael Forte, Eric Rowan, Greg Childs
, Annette Williams and Jeremy Daldry.
The closing theme was "Dedication", performed by Roy Castle, who broke at least three world records on the show himself.
As well as interviews with people who held British or World records, early editions of the programme would include a feature in which the studio audience would test the McWhirter brothers on their (almost infallible) knowledge of records, and the climax of each show would usually be a world record attempt in the studio. Ross, the quieter of the two, was shot dead by a Provisional IRA assassin in 1975, but his brother continued to appear on the show in the "Norris On The Spot" feature.
Other hosts included Fiona Kennedy
, Cheryl Baker
, Fearne Cotton
, Kriss Akabusi
and Ronald Reagan Jr. After Castle's death in 1994, the show was hosted by Baker and Akabusi, then Linford Christie
took over in 1999.
By the time Record Breakers was cancelled, it had been on air for 29 years and was one of the longest-running TV programmes in Britain.
"All Star Record Breakers" was a special Christmas edition of the show, which ran annually from 1974 to 1982. Castle was joined for this extended edition by virtually all the BBC's children's TV presenters for music and dance numbers, which generally culminated with the ensemble cast performing a classic story.
m|British]] Guinness Book of Records
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
children's TV show, themed around world records and produced by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and originally presented by Roy Castle
Roy Castle
Roy Castle OBE was an English dancer, singer, comedian, actor, television presenter and musician. He attended Honley High School, where there is now a building in his name...
with twin brothers Norris McWhirter
Norris McWhirter
Norris Dewar McWhirter, CBE was a writer, political activist, co-founder of the Freedom Association, and a television presenter. He and his twin brother, Ross, were known internationally for the Guinness Book of Records, a book they wrote and annually updated together between 1955 and 1975...
and Ross McWhirter
Ross McWhirter
Alan Ross Mayfield McWhirter , known as Ross McWhirter, was, with his twin brother, Norris McWhirter, co-founder of the Guinness Book of Records and a contributor to Record Breakers...
. It was broadcast on BBC1
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
from 15 December 1972 to 21 December 2001. Producers of the series over the years were, Alan Russell (its creator), Michael Forte, Eric Rowan, Greg Childs
Greg Childs
Greg Childs is a British Children's Media consultant. He was the producer of the British television show, Record Breakers, for ten years from 1988 to 1998....
, Annette Williams and Jeremy Daldry.
The closing theme was "Dedication", performed by Roy Castle, who broke at least three world records on the show himself.
As well as interviews with people who held British or World records, early editions of the programme would include a feature in which the studio audience would test the McWhirter brothers on their (almost infallible) knowledge of records, and the climax of each show would usually be a world record attempt in the studio. Ross, the quieter of the two, was shot dead by a Provisional IRA assassin in 1975, but his brother continued to appear on the show in the "Norris On The Spot" feature.
Other hosts included Fiona Kennedy
Fiona Kennedy
Fiona Kennedy is a Scottish singer, actress and broadcaster, and the daughter of Scottish and Gaelic singers Calum Kennedy and Anne Gillies. As a child she appeared with her parents as they performed as a family, and this developed into a successful solo career.Kennedy has moved on to other areas...
, Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
, Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
, Kriss Akabusi
Kriss Akabusi
Kriss Kezie Uche Chukwu Duru Akabusi MBE is a former sprint and hurdling athlete from the United Kingdom. During his career, he won the gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1990 European Championships, a gold in the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 1991 World Championships, and a silver medal in...
and Ronald Reagan Jr. After Castle's death in 1994, the show was hosted by Baker and Akabusi, then Linford Christie
Linford Christie
Linford Cicero Christie OBE is a former sprinter from the United Kingdom. He is the only British man to have won gold medals in the 100 metres at all four major competitions open to British athletes: the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games...
took over in 1999.
By the time Record Breakers was cancelled, it had been on air for 29 years and was one of the longest-running TV programmes in Britain.
"All Star Record Breakers" was a special Christmas edition of the show, which ran annually from 1974 to 1982. Castle was joined for this extended edition by virtually all the BBC's children's TV presenters for music and dance numbers, which generally culminated with the ensemble cast performing a classic story.
Transmission guide
- Series 1: 6 editions from 15 December 1972 - 19 January 1973
- Series 2: 6 editions from 5 October 1973 - 9 November 1973
- Series 3: 7 editions from 5 November 1974 - 17 December 1974
- Series 4: 7 editions from 30 September 1975 - 11 November 1975
- Series 5: 6 editions from 27 October 1976 - 1 December 1976
- Series 6: 7 editions from 7 October 1977 - 18 November 1977
- Series 7: 8 editions from 24 October 1978 - 12 December 1978
- Series 8: 7 editions from 6 November 1979 - 18 December 1979
- Series 9: 12 editions from 22 October 1980 - 7 January 1981
- Series 10:10 editions from 21 October 1981- 23 December 1981
- Series 11: 9 editions from 27 October 1982 - 22 December 1982
- Series 12: 9 editions from 25 October 1983 - 20 December 1983
- Series 13: 9 editions from 8 January 1985 - 5 March 1985
- Series 14: 8 editions from 1 November 1985 - 20 December 1985
- Series 15: 9 editions from 21 October 1986 - 16 December 1986
- Series 16: 9 editions from 27 October 1987 - 22 December 1987
- Series 17: 9 editions from 21 October 1988 - 16 December 1988
- Series 18: 9 editions from 20 October 1989 - 15 December 1989
- Series 19: 10 editions from 28 September 1990 - 14 December 1990
- Series 20: 10 editions from 27 September 1991 - 13 December 1991
- Series 21: 10 editions from 25 September 1992 - 11 December 1992
- Series 22: 10 editions from 24 September 1993 - 10 December 1993
- Series 23: 12 editions from 7 October 1994 - 23 December 1994
- Series 24: 13 editions from 29 September 1995 - 22 December 1995
- Series 25: 13 editions from 23 September 1996 - 16 December 1996
- Series 26: 13 editions from 26 September 1997 - 19 December 1997
- Series 27: 10 editions from 16 October 1998 - 18 December 1998
- Series 28: 8 editions from 1 October 1999 - 19 November 1999
- Series 29: 8 editions from 20 October 2000 - 8 December 2000
- Series 30: 8 editions from 2 November 2001 - 21 December 2001
- All Star Record Breakers
- 27 December 1974
- 30 December 1975
- 24 December 1976
- 28 December 1977
- 27 December 1978
- 27 December 1979
- 24 December 1980
- 27 December 1981
- 26 December 1982
- Japan Domino Toppling Special : 10 April 1981
- The Big Jump Special: 25 October 1985
- Dominoes Special 17 February 1988
- Roy Castle Tribute Special: 30 September 1994
- Record Breakers : Roy Castle Personality Plus: 28 December 1994
- Record Breakers Gold:
- Series 1:13 editions from 1 January 1997 - 24 March 1997
- Series 2:13 editions from 5 January 1998 - 30 March 1998
External links
m|British]] Guinness Book of Records