Have a Go

Host

Wilfred Pickles

Co-hosts

Mabel Pickles (1953-67)

At the piano: Jack Jordan (1946-7), Violet Carson (1947-53), Harry Hudson (1953-66), Eric James (1966-7).

Broadcast

Home Service North (as "Have a Go, Joe!"), 5 March to ?, 1946

BBC Manchester for Light Programme, 16 September 1946 to 1967

Synopsis

Britain's very first broadcast quiz to give away money prizes, "Have a Go" was a hugely popular "people show" in which Wilfred Pickles (and his wife, Mabel) travelled around the country, turning up in village halls and asking ordinary folk up on stage to talk about their lives and memories.

Pickles (on the right) and a contestant

This done, the member of the public would then be invited to "have a go" at the quiz, which consisted of four questions worth increasing amounts between 2s 6d and one guinea. In 1953, the jackpot was £1/18s/6d, though it may have varied over time. There would also often be items of local produce awarded in addition to the money, hence the catchphrase "What's on the table, Mabel?"

Catchphrases

"How do, how are yer?"

"Are yer courtin'?"

"What's on the table, Mabel?"

"Give 'im the money, Mabel!" (or "...Barney!", when producer Barney Colehan handed out the cash)

Theme music

By Jack Jordan:

Have a go, Joe, come on and have a go

You can't lose owt

It costs you nowt

To make yourself some dough.

So hurry up and join us

Don't be shy and don't be slow

Come on Joe, have a go!

Trivia

Violet Carson, one of the pianists, went on to become Ena Sharples in Coronation Street.

Violet Carson, before she were famous

Merchandise

A boxed Have a Go party game was produced.

...and here it is.

Web links

Have a Go page at Whirligig-TV

Account of a 1959 edition

Pictures

Mabel gives a contestant the money

Is madam ready to order?

A good time is had by all

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