ITV1 · Ended

Family Fortunes

1980

Last aired: S9 E17, Episode 17: Christmas Special · 1989-12-22

Family Fortunes is a British television game show based on the American game show Family Feud. The programme ran on ITV from 6 January 1980 to 6 December 2002 before being revived by the same channel in 2006 under the title of All Star Family Fortunes. The game involves two families providing answers to 'everyday questions' that were surveyed by 100 members of the British public before the show (e.g. 'Name something usually done in the dark') to win cash prizes (and sometimes mystery prizes for giving a correct answer). The top answers to the surveys are displayed on a large electronic board, originally known as "Mr. Babbage", which famously sounds a wrong answer "Duh-uhh" sound effect and its accompanying X to signal the strike, as well as a "ding" for a right answer). Family Fortunes was first hosted by comedian Bob Monkhouse (1980–83) then by singer and entertainer Max Bygraves (1983–85). After being rested for the whole of 1986, the show returned on 27 June 1987 with Les Dennis as presenter, and had a consistently successful run for the next 15 years. It was then moved out of peak time and became a daily daytime show, hosted by Andy Collins, but it only had a short run in this format before being axed. In 2006, the series was revived with Vernon Kay as host, and was renamed All Star Family Fortunes, as each team consisted of a celebrity and four family members. The show was also transmitted back to peak time. Prize money goes to a charity of the celebrity's choice, and contestants being either celebrity families, or a group of actors famous for playing a fictional family. Several Christmas specials of All Star Family Fortunes have aired as well.