National Lottery shows
Synopsis
Hard to imagine now, but when the National Lottery launched in 1994, it was just about the most exciting thing ever. Of course its appeal waned somewhat once we all realised we were never going to win the thing. Anyway, being stuck with it, the BBC has deigned to build a few game show formats around the draws, which is nice - or would be, if they were any good. Here they are, in chronological order, and if you click on the links you can read all about them.
- The National Lottery Live (1994)
- The National Lottery Big Ticket (1998)
- We've Got Your Number (1999)
- Winning Lines (1999-2004)
- The Third Degree (midweek, 1999-2000)
- Red Alert (1999-2000)
- On the Spot (2000)
- Jet Set Departure Lounge (midweek, 2001)
- Jet Set (2001-2007)
- In It to Win It (2002-)
- Wright Around the World (2003-5)
- Come and Have a Go (2004-5)
- Millionaire Manor (2005-6)
- Everyone's a Winner (2006, one off)
- 1 vs 100 (2006-9)
- People's Quiz (2007)
- The National Lottery Big 7 (annual specials, 2007-9)
- Who Dares Wins (2007-)
- This Time Tomorrow (2008)
- Guesstimation (2009)
- Secret Fortune (2011-2)
- Break the Safe (2013-)
There was also an unofficial lottery-related show on ITV:
- The Big Call (2005)
Trivia
Among the gameshow celebrities who've presented non-gameshow lottery formats are Anthea Turner, the great Bob Monkhouse ("I know I'm a sinner, but make me a WINNER!") and Ulrika Jonsson. Shauna Lowry and Claudia Winkleman have both hosted the midweek show. For a while Carol Vorderman was a regular on the main Saturday night show, giving advice on mathematical strategies for winning, none of which were any of use at all as it's a lottery, for crying out loud. You'd think she might have noticed that.
