Only Fools On Horses
Contents |
Host
Angus Deayton and Kirsty Gallacher
Co-hosts
Commentator: Mike Tucker (with Clare Balding on later shows)
BBC Three coverage: June Sarpong and Dave Berry
Trainer: Tim Stockdale
Judges: Robert Smith, Jessica Kurten and Jodie Kidd
Broadcast
Endemol UK (for Comic Relief) BBC1, 7 to 14 July 2006
Synopsis
12 celebrities learn showjumping in aid of Sport Relief and are voted off day by day.
The nuts 'n' bolts of the show were as per Strictly Come Dancing and its imitators, distinguished mainly by an almost psychopathic determination to employ every single reality show elimination mechanic ever devised (scores on the night plus audience votes; judges' vote-to-save; "jump-off" without voting; other contestants' vote-to-save; straight audience vote) in dizzying succession over the course of a 25-minute results show. The main problem was that we've seen any number of similar series in the last few years and though this was yet another perfectly solid addition to the genre, it was nothing more than that.
Participants
- Matt Baker (Blue Peter presenter)
- Nicki Chapman (something showbizzy)
- Sara Cox (broadcaster)
- Josie d'Arby (actress and presenter)
- Diarmuid Gavin (garden designer and broadcaster)
- Sally Gunnell (athlete and broadcaster)
- Jenni Falconer (broadcaster - winner)
- Matt Littler (actor)
- Paul Nicholas (actor)
- Suzi Perry (skyrunner)
- Anna Ryder Richardson (designer and broadcaster)
- Ruby Wax (comedienne)
Trivia
Duncan Bannatyne of Dragons' Den was originally to have taken part, but broke his elbow during training. Comedian Felix Dexter also had to pull out after injury, and was replaced by Josie d'Arby.
When challenged by a Radio Five listener that Only Fools On Horses was simply ripping off The Games (another Endemol format, to be fair), BBC chairman Michael Grade replied: "I haven't seen it. What's it about?"