Opportunity Knocks

Host

Hughie Green (original host)

Bob Monkhouse

Les Dawson

Broadcast

BBC Light Programme (radio), 1949-?

Radio Luxembourg, 1950s

ITV (Associated-Rediffusion), 20th June-29th August 1956

ITV (ABC), 11th July 1964-27th July 1968

ITV (Thames) 7th August 1968-20th March 1978

BBC1, 1987-90 (1987-89 as Bob Says Opportunity Knocks)

Synopsis

Infamous talent show featuring the infamous "clap-o-meter", which apparently was just a man moving a pointer around on a whim.

Nevertheless, it was the home audience that decided who the winner of each week was by writing in on postcards. The winning act got to come back as a returning champion of sorts.

The BBC revival saw a return of the clap-o-meter (which we'd assume was a bit more scientifically measured) with the act receiving the biggest applause of the evening coming back for the live final, decided by telephone vote. Although the starometer did seem to leap forward far more for cheers than for applause.

Key moments

The TV muscle man who performed to the tune of Wheels Cha Cha was Tony Holland - see http://www.maxalding.co.uk/holland/holland.htm

Catchphrases

"Tonight, Opportunity Knocks for..."

"And I mean that most sincerely, folks."

"Remember, the clapometer is just for fun."

Monkouse era: "When opportunity comes your way, don't knock it!"

Inventor

Hughie Green devised the original format. When the BBC came back with Bob Says...', there was a legal wrangle in 1987 when Green tried to prove he held the copyright. The matter was resolved by putting his name on the credits as "programme advisor".

In 1989, the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand (NZBC) filmed a talent show called Opportunity Knocks. This had several similarities including the identical title, contestants were judged via a clapometer', and catchphrases including "For (contestant’s name)... opportunity knocks". The case was dismissed, on the grounds that Green couldn't conclusively prove that he invented these elements (the clapometer was used on other formats, for instance), particularly as there were no scripts. The incident is still quoted as a key point of case law in format disputes.

Theme music

1960s version: Music performed by Bob Sharples and the Oppor-tunes with the ABC Television Showband.

Bob Monkhouse version: Star by Kiki Dee.

Trivia

Acts discovered through the programme include Mary Hopkin, Bonnie Langford, Les Dawson, Pam Ayres, Little and Large, Bobby Crush, Peters and Lee, Lena Zavaroni, Tom O'Connor, Frank Carson, Stan Boardman and Freddie Starr. Many of them appeared on the very final show.

Collectively, by 1978 Opportunity Knocks winners had appeared on 400 network primetime shows and won 46 Gold and Silver discs for record sales.

Su Pollard (see Take the Plunge) once appeared on the show, only to be beaten by a singing dog. Her big break came somewhat later.

The pop group New World were tried at the Old Bailey for trying to fix the outcome of the show on which they appeared. They had asked friends to send in bogus votes.