Give Us a Clue is a British televised game show version of charades, which was broadcast on ITV from 1979 to 1992. The original host was Michael Aspel from 1979 to 1984, followed by Michael Parkinson from 1984 to 1992. The show featured two teams, one captained by Lionel Blair and the other by Una Stubbs. Later editions of the programme had Liza Goddard as captain of the women's team. Norman Vaughan stood in for Blair for four episodes in the second series, and Joyce Blair stood in for Stubbs for the 1981 Royal Wedding special.
Originally, each team consisted of the captain, two fellow celebrities and one non-celebrity, but the non-celebrity participants were soon dropped, another celebrity being added in their place. In the second episode of Series 2 (broadcast on 5 November 1979), the non-celebrity contestant, London fashion designer Leslie Dean, read the wrong side of the card handed to him and as a result started miming his own name rather than the specified film. In his autobiography, Lionel Blair stated that it was this incident that led to the dropping of non-celebrity participants.'Stage Struck'. Blair, Lionel. Littlehampton Book Services Ltd (14 March 1985).
A revived version was broadcast by BBC One in 1997 over 30 episodes, hosted by Tim Clark. Teams were captained by Christopher Blake and Julie Peasgood, and the show introduced a lateral thinking puzzle (which the host could "give clues to"). Give Us a Clue returned for a special Comic Relief episode in March 2011 with Sara Cox, Christopher Biggins, Lionel Blair, Una Stubbs, Holly Walsh, Jenni Falconer and David Walliams.
Format The game is based on charades, a party game in which players use mime rather than speaking to demonstrate a name, phrase, book, play, film or TV programme. Each player was given roughly two minutes to act out his/her given subject in front of his/her team, and if the others were unsuccessful in guessing correctly, the opposing team would have a chance to answer for a bonus point.
Episode list The coloured backgrounds denote the result of each of the shows: – indicates Una's team won – indicates Lionel's team won – indicates the game ended in a draw
Series 1 (1979) EpisodeFirst broadcastUna's teamLionel's team1x01Liz FraserJudy GeesonKenneth WilliamsDavid Wilkie1x02Diana DorsLiza GoddardEd StewartColin Baker1x03Miriam KarlinWendy RichardNorman VaughanNicholas Parsons1x04Judy CarneTessa WyattRichard O'SullivanPeter Jones1x05Joyce BlairKaren DotriceRoy DotriceNorman Rossington1x06Libby MorrisSuzanne DanielleDon MacleanTony Selby1x07Barbara WindsorJenny HanleyJimmy YoungGeorge Layton1x08Gemma CravenLinda ThorsonMax WallBrendan Price1x09Nina Baden-SemperFrançoise PascalKenny LynchBernie Winters1x10Janet BrownLynsey de PaulPeter ButterworthDerek Griffiths1x11Aimi MacdonaldJudith ChalmersAlfie BassRobin Askwith1x12Julie RogersCheryl HallDickie DaviesBill Oddie1x13Amanda BarrieMaureen LipmanMelvyn HayesDavid Nixon
Series 2 (1979–80) EpisodeFirst broadcastUna's teamLionel's team2x01Julia McKenzieLorraine ChaseRoy KinnearGeorge Layton2x02Liza GoddardJill GascoineRobin NedwellGeorge Sewell2x03LuluKatie BoyleBernie WintersJim Davidson2x04Barbara WindsorAnna DawsonAlfred MarksGareth Hunt2x05Anthea RedfrenPatrica BrakeGraeme GardenBarry Cryer2x06Shirley Anne FieldPrunella GeeDavid JasonBob Todd2x07Yootha JoyceElizabeth EstensenDave Lee TravisRichard O'Sullivan2x08Faith BrownSuzanne DanielleJohn JunkinNorman Rossington2x09Paula WilcoxClodagh RodgersBeryl ReidNyree Dawn PorterKenneth WilliamsSpike MilliganRuss AbbotDickie Davies2x10Libby MorrisFenella FieldingGraham DeneRoy Hudd2x11Liz FraserJuliet Hammond-HillWarren MitchellKenny Everett2x12Angela RichardsLinda BellinghamNicky HensonDerek Waring2x13Judy GeesonLinda HaydnJimmy JewelNorman Eshley2x14June WhitfieldGeorgina HaleDaniel AbineriDick Emery2x15Dinah SheridanStacy DorningChristopher BeenyPatrick Cargill2x16Sheila SteafelBarbara MurrayLance PercivalPete Murray
Series 3 (1980) EpisodeFirst broadcastUna's teamLionel's team3x01Nerys HughesYootha JoyceMoira ListerJohn ContehWayne SleepBernie Winters3x02Maureen LipmanSusan StranksBarbara WindsorWindsor DaviesMelvyn HayesMick McManus3x03Jan HuntAnnie RossJosephine TewsonJimmy LoganKenny LynchPete Murray3x04Barbara KellyBeryl ReidMadeline SmithBernard BradenRoy KinnearAndrew Sachs3x05Floella BenjaminShirley Anne FieldDilys WatlingPeter BlakeFrancis MatthewsTony Selby3x06Maria CharlesLiz FraserCyd HaymanChristopher BigginsKenny EverettShaw Taylor3x07Lynda BaronSally JamesJenny Lee-WrightDickie DaviesAlvin StardustJack Douglas3x08Jenny HanleyNyree Dawn PorterJanet Street-PorterBarry CryerGareth HuntBernie Winters3x09Anita HarrisLibby MorrisHilary PritchardArthur EnglishDon MacleanNicholas Parsons3x10Joyce BlairIrene HandlKaren KayJimmy JewelBobby MooreRobin Nedwell3x11Diana CouplandCheryl KennedySheila SteafelRodney BewesNorman RossingtonSimon Williams3x12Paddie O'NeilLiza GoddardAnn SidneyRoy KinnearAlfred MarksVictor Spinetti3x13Rachael Heyhoe FlintJulia McKenzieSheila WhiteRay AlanBilly DaintyDavid Hamilton3x14Gabrielle DrakeJean RookBarbara WindsorDerek FowldsHarry FowlerBernie Winters3x15Yootha JoyceAmanda BarrieMuriel OduntonTim BarrettRobert LindsayVictor Spinetti3x16Sandra DickinsonJill GascoineJune WhitfieldJim DavidsonDerek GriffithsGeorge Sewell3x17Patricia BrakeAnna DawsonMiriam KarlinIan LavenderGeoff LoveWayne Sleep3x18Barbara WindsorMollie SugdenJulia MackenzieJim DavidsonKenny EverettAlfred Marks3x19Janet BrownKatie BoyleSuzanne DanielleChristopher BigginsBryan MarshallHugh Paddick
Royal Wedding Special (1981) EpisodeFirst broadcastJoyce's teamLionel's teamSp.Anna DawsonRuth MadocSandra DickinsonBrian MurphyDerek GriffithsRoy Kinnear
Series 4 (1981–82) EpisodeFirst broadcastUna's teamLionel's team4x01Michele DotriceLucinda Prior-PalmerJill GascoineRolf HarrisGlenn HoddleEdward Woodward4x02Faith BrownRula LenskaClaire RaynerRoy KinnearRobin NedwellDuncan Goodhew4x03Pam AyresGabrielle DrakeDonna HartleyGeoff CapesPaul EddingtonKenny Everett4x04Sandra DickinsonLesley JuddBeryl ReidPeter DavisonGeoffrey HayesJon Pertwee4x05Anna QuayleSusan PenhaligonSharron DaviesJohn InmanAlex HigginsVictor Spinetti4x06Maureen LipmanMaria CharlesJenny HanleyKenneth WilliamsGriff Rhys-JonesShaw Taylor4x07Lynsey de PaulMolly ParkinAnna DawsonAndrews SachsChristopher BigginsJohn L. Gardner4x08Jackie CollinsAngela RipponJenny Lee-WrightHenry CooperWindsor DaviesBernie Winters4x09Sally JamesAnnie RossMadeleine SmithDenis KingIan LavenderHenry McGee4x10Jenny Lee-WrightSuzi QuatroJune WhitfieldNigel DavenportDavid JacobsTom O'Connor4x11Cheryl KennedyMadge HindleVictoria BurgoyneRodney BewesBarry MasonBrian Marshall4x12Susan AntonBeryl ReidDebbie LindenDudley MooreJimmy JewelSimon Williams4x13Pat CoombsStacy DorningJoanna Van GyseghemTerry ScottJoe BrownNicholas Lyndhurst4x14Mollie SugdenPatricia BrakeNanette NewmanKenneth WilliamsGareth HuntLonnie Donegan4x15Katie BoyleAngela DouglasLyn PaulDudley MooreHarry H. CorbettBrian Cant4x16Suzanne DanielleBonnie LangfordJulia McKenzieRoy KinnearPete MurrayShaw Taylor4x17Liz FraserVictoria WoodDenise NolanRichard O'SullivanWayne SleepLance Percival4x18Judith ChalmersLeslie AshNerys HughesNicky HensonKenny BallJustin Fashanu
Series 5 (1982) EpisodeFirst broadcastUna's teamLionel's team5x01Honor BlackmanLorraine ChaseAngela DouglasMichael BarrymoreDanny la RueGeorge Sewell5x02Maureen LipmanAnna DawsonDebbie ArnoldKenneth WilliamsBernard BresslawMike Berry5x03Sylvia SymsJoanne WhalleyBarbara WindsorChristopher BigginsMartin JarvisSpike Milligan5x04Julia McKenziePatricia HayesSuzanne DandoEdward WoodwardMike ReidRobin Cousins5x05Sheila WhiteJenny LindenSu PollardNigel DavenportLennie BennettRay Alan5x06Ruth MadocIsla BlairAvril AngersRolf HarrisChristopher TimothyVince Hill5x07Gemma CravenSusan HansonBonnie LangfordKenneth WilliamsFrazer HinesNorman Collier5x08Lorraine ChaseClaire RaynerAnnie RossMarty FeldmanMartin JarvisFelix Bowness5x09Carol WhiteDanaJoyce BlairGeoffrey BayldonRoy CastleGlyn Houston5x10Shirley Anne FieldSue LloydLibby MorrisBernie WintersJeffrey HollandSimon Cadell5x11Patricia BrakeLorna DallasAnna QuayleJon PertweeChristopher TimothyDavid Janson5x12The Beverley SistersThe Bachelors5x13Anna DawsonSuzanne DanielleJenny Lee-WrightDerek GriffithsRoy KinnearFreddie Starr5x14Angela DouglasBarbara MurrayTracey UllmanDavid JacobsJohn InmanBrian Jacks5x15Susan PenhaligonSabina FranklynJulia McKenzieBarry CryerWilliam FranklynDuggie Brown5x16Leslie AshLucinda GreenDilys WatlingRolf HarrisTom O'ConnorShaw Taylor5x17Carol DrinkwaterHazel O'ConnorVictoria WoodLeslie CrowtherMichael BarrymoreThe Great Soprendo5x18Susannah YorkElaine PaigeSuzanne DandoFreddie StarrPatrick MowerChristopher Biggins
Series 6 (1983–84) EpisodeFirst broadcastUna's teamLionel's team6x01Cheryl BakerAnna QuayleGillian RaineLeonard RossiterTerry ScottDavid Jensen6x02Dawn AddamsAnneka RicePaula WilcoxIan OgilvyRichard MurdochRoy Kinnear6x03Leslie AshHonor BlackmanAngela RipponWayne SleepHank MarvinJeffrey Holland6x04Joyce BlairMadeline SmithAnne DiamondGraeme GardenJim DavidsonBill Beaumont6x05Prunella GeeJudy GeesonGloria HunnifordChristopher TimothyDon MacleanHubert Gregg6x06Lynda BaronRuth MadocDeborah WatlingKenneth WilliamsMark WynterDerek Waring6x07Anna DawsonStephanie LawrenceGayle HunnicuttBernie WintersFreddie TruemanJoe Brown6x08Julia McKenzieMaureen LipmanStephanie BeachamMichael BentineBarry CryerDavid Kernan6x09Rosalind AyresIsla St ClairPaula YatesMartin JarvisBilly DaintyTommy Boyd6x10Su PollardJulie WaltersTessa WyattRichard O'SullivanAlan MinterStubby Kaye6x11Pam AyresJenny Lee-WrightCarol DrinkwaterLance PercivalCharlie DrakeWilliam Franklyn6x12Bonnie LangfordSonia LannamanJune WhitfieldMike ReadBrian MurphyMalcolm Macdonald6x13Debbie ArnoldSuzi QuatroAnnie RossDerek GriffithsMichael CraigJess Conrad6x14Angela RipponVictoria WoodSylvia SymsGerald HarperStu FrancisLeslie Crowther6x15Jane AsherTracey UllmanJilly CooperBob GeldofRussell GrantTim Brooke-Taylor6x16Elspet GrayKaren KayIris WilliamsBrian RixJohn JunkinChristopher Biggins6x17Joyce BlairPatricia HayesJudy LoeFrank CarsonWindsor DaviesRichard Stilgoe6x18Katie BoyleMichele DotriceDiane SolomonVidal SassoonWilliam RushtonAiden J. Harvey6x19Janet BrownSheila FergusonFiona FullertonPeter GordenoGareth HuntFreddie Starr6x20Faith BrownAngela DouglasAimi MacdonaldHenry McGeeAcker BilkLennie Bennett
Transmissions Series Start date End date Episodes 1 2 January 1979 27 March 1979 13 2 29 October 1979 11 February 1980 16 3 25 August 1980 29 December 1980 19 Special 29 July 1981 1 4 1 September 1981 20 April 1982 18 5 4 May 1982 26 December 1982 18 6 6 September 1983 17 April 1984 20 7 4 September 1984 1 January 1985 16 8 28 May 1985 2 July 1985 6 9 12 September 1985 26 December 1985 15 10 3 July 1986 21 August 1986 8 11 4 January 1988 18 March 1988 55 12 1 November 1988 2 December 1988 20 13 14 February 1989 10 March 1989 16 14 5 December 1989 19 January 1990 16 15 15 January 1991 8 March 1991 32 16 3 September 1991 4 May 1992 33 17 10 November 1997 19 December 1997 30
DVD release The first six series of Give Us a Clue have been released on DVD by Network, but only 98 out of the first 105 episodes were included. The seven episodes that are not in the collection had appearances of three celebrities with sexual abuse offences that were investigated in Operation Yewtree.
DVD titleDiscsYearEpisodesRelease dateGive Us a Clue131979–19849828 November 2022
International versions