Record Breakers was a British children's TV show, themed around world records and produced by the BBC. It was broadcast on BBC1 from 15 December 1972 to 21 December 2001.

Format The programme was a spin-off series from Blue Peter which had featured record breaking attempts overseen by the McWhirter twins. 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, e.g. including actor Duke London.

Presenters It was originally presented by Roy Castle with Guinness World Records founders twin brothers Norris McWhirter and Ross McWhirter. Other hosts during this period included Dilys Morgan in 1973, Fiona Kennedy (1983–1986), Julian Farino (1985–1986), Cheryl Baker (1987–1997) and Kriss Akabusi (1993–1997). Ross was murdered by a Provisional IRA gunman in 1975, but his brother continued to appear on the show in the "Norris on the Spot" feature. Norris carried on as the book's sole editor until he left the show in 1985.

After Castle died in 1994, the show continued to be hosted by Baker and Akabusi, alongside newcomers Mark Curry in 1995 and later Ronald Reagan Jr. (1996–1997) who presented a report from the USA each week. The programme was revamped in 1998 and returned as Linford's Record Breakers, hosted by Linford Christie with new co-presenters Jack Lattimer, Kate Gerbeau and Jez Edwards. Lattimer and Gerbeau left after one series and were replaced by Sally Gray for the next two series. The show's original title returned for the final series in 2001; this was hosted by Edwards, alongside Fearne Cotton and Shovell.

Production The closing theme was "Dedication", performed by Roy Castle, who broke nine world records on the show himself.Norris Mc Whirter – 1994 Roy Castle tribute special Producers of the series over the years were, Alan Russell (its creator), Michael Forte, Eric Rowan, Greg Childs, Annette Williams and Jeremy Daldry.

By the time Record Breakers was cancelled, it had been on air for 29 years, 7 days and was one of the longest-running TV programmes in Britain.

Specials All Star Record Breakers, which ran annually from 1974 to 1982, was a special Christmas edition of the show. 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 Original series Series Start date End date Episodes 1 15 December 1972 19 January 1973 6 2 5 October 1973 9 November 1973 6 3 5 November 1974 17 December 1974 7 4 30 September 1975 11 November 1975 7 5 27 October 1976 1 December 1976 6 6 7 October 1977 18 November 1977 7 7 24 October 1978 12 December 1978 8 8 6 November 1979 18 December 1979 7 9 22 October 1980 7 January 1981 12 10 21 October 1981 23 December 1981 10 11 27 October 1982 22 December 1982 9 12 25 October 1983 20 December 1983 9 13 8 January 1985 5 March 1985 9 14 1 November 1985 20 December 1985 8 15 21 October 1986 16 December 1986 9 16 27 October 1987 22 December 1987 9 17 21 October 1988 16 December 1988 9 18 20 October 1989 15 December 1989 9 19 28 September 1990 14 December 1990 10 20 27 September 1991 13 December 1991 10 21 25 September 1992 11 December 1992 10 22 24 September 1993 10 December 1993 10 23 7 October 1994 23 December 1994 12 24 29 September 1995 22 December 1995 13 25 23 September 1996 16 December 1996 13 26 26 September 1997 19 December 1997 13 27 16 October 1998 18 December 1998 10 28 1 October 1999 19 November 1999 8 29 20 October 2000 8 December 2000 8 30 2 November 2001 21 December 2001 8

All Star Record Breakers Air Date 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

Specials Entitle Air Date Japan Domino Toppling 10 April 1981 The Big Jump 25 October 1985 Dominoes 17 February 1988 Roy Castle Tribute 30 September 1994 Roy Castle – Personality Plus 28 December 1994

Record Breakers Gold Series Start date End date Episodes 1 1 January 1997 24 March 1997 13 2 5 January 1998 30 March 1998 13

See also Guinness World Records Smashed

References

External links British Film Institute Screen Online