Who wants to be a millionaire voted nation's all-time favourite TV game show... and that's their final answer

 

* Ant and Dec voted nation's top TV game show hosts.
* Crystal Maze is the show most people want to return to screens.

The nation has voted 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' as their favourite TV game show of all time* according to new research. The show's recipe of viewer interaction, celebrity guests under pressure and the million-pound prize fund is the winning combination that keeps viewers tuned in.

The research was carried out by Churchill Insurance who have recently launched new advertisements in the game show format. It reveals that 'Millionaire' topped the charts by achieving 13 per cent of the vote, closely followed by fellow ex-DJ Noel Edmonds' 'Deal or no Deal'.

However, it's Ant and Dec that take the number one spot as Brits' favourite ever TV game show hosts, with one in ten (10 per cent) voting for the Geordie duo. This comes as no surprise as over half (51 per cent)** of the UK watched at least one of Ant and Dec's shows last year, including 'Saturday Night Takeaway', 'I'm a Celebrity...' and 'Britain's got Talent'.

When it comes to game show nostalgia, the UK would petition to have the cult cryptic show 'Crystal Maze' returned to our screens over more traditional studio game shows. The series, which aired on Channel 4 and regularly featured as the channel's most popular show, reached a peak of seven million viewers for the 1993 Christmas special.

The research shows that the most important element of a game show is its ability to be intellectually challenging (35 per cent), followed by watching a charismatic presenter (32 per cent) as game show must-haves. However, only one per cent believes celebrity contestants are essential to a good game show.

Abi Clark, spokesperson for Churchill Insurance says: "TV game shows have always been a great source of entertainment and something for all the family to enjoy. It's great to see modern shows such as 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' topping the charts and proving that the British game show is as popular as ever."

The nation also loves game show catchphrases. The research reveals golden oldie Blockbusters' "Can I have a P please Bob" has managed to stick in the nation's mind as the favourite game show catchphrase over the years (12 per cent). The 1980s darts game classic 'Bullseye' was voted into the top spot for the best-loved game show theme tune (5 per cent).

 

Top ten TV game shows of all time:
1. Who Wants to be a Millionaire (13 per cent)
2. Deal or no Deal (7 per cent)
3. Mastermind (6 per cent)
4. Crystal Maze (5 per cent)
5. University Challenge (5 per cent)
6. Countdown (4 per cent)
7. Saturday Night Takeaway (4 per cent)
8. The Weakest Link (3 per cent)
9. Fifteen-to-one (3 per cent)
10. Catchphrase (3 per cent)

Notes to editors:

* Research conducted by Opinium Research LLP on 8-11th January 2008, polling 2,007 British adults.
** Research compiled by media agency MPG using Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) data, January 2008.

For more information please contact:

Abi Clark / Kate Ellis
RBS Insurance
Tel: 0208 290 3069 / 0208 313 5741
Email: abi.clark@rbs.co.uk / kate.ellis@rbs.co.uk

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