Showbiz
Quiz shows are a piece of cake these days. On Deal Or No Deal, for instance, the only real challenge is being able to put up with listening to Noel Edmonds's mumbo jumbo for an hour. Similarly, Davina McCall's Million Pound Drop appeared to be based on the idea that we love watching idiots throwing away cash on questions that 99% of viewers at home know the answers to. There was a time when quiz shows were fronted by distinguished men with class and an air of sophistication. Sadly, those days passed when William G. Stewart called it a day on the toughest quiz of them all - Fifteen To One - back in 2003.
Stewart was a director, producer and host without compare during his 15-year stint on the Channel 4 quiz. Richard Whiteley may have been more cheeky, Bob Monkhouse more popular, but Stewart was the real star for all quiz purists. His tone was always serious and banter, laughs and one-liners were rare and unintentional. The show was so serious that they even sued a winner when they found out he actually appeared on an earlier series. And what did William award the victors after all their hard work? It was usually some bizarre classical artifact (was it always a Greek vase?), but that was irrelevant. The real pride came in meeting William G. and taking part in one of the best TV shows of all time.
Click along our gallery below for some classic snaps of William G. Stewart:
Stewart was a director, producer and host without compare during his 15-year stint on the Channel 4 quiz. Richard Whiteley may have been more cheeky, Bob Monkhouse more popular, but Stewart was the real star for all quiz purists. His tone was always serious and banter, laughs and one-liners were rare and unintentional. The show was so serious that they even sued a winner when they found out he actually appeared on an earlier series. And what did William award the victors after all their hard work? It was usually some bizarre classical artifact (was it always a Greek vase?), but that was irrelevant. The real pride came in meeting William G. and taking part in one of the best TV shows of all time.
Click along our gallery below for some classic snaps of William G. Stewart:
Copyright: Rex Features
Related Stories
Ten Things About...
Ten Things About... Ridley ScottWe find out ten fast facts about the English producer and director.
Interviews
'Angels' Share' Ken Loach interviewKen Loach, Paul Laverty and Paul Brannigan on their whiskey-soaked comedy.
Fashion & Beauty
Duchess of Cambridge's memorable momentsFlick through a gallery of Kate Middleton's stand-out public appearances.
Celeb Birthdays
Marilyn Monroe: Life and career in picsFlick through our gallery on what would have been Marilyn's 86th birthday.
