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The on-screen BBC caption card for
It's A Knockout
Image ©
BBC Television, 1981 |
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1981 saw the last run of the Interneige competition until the end of
1991, when a similar version was revived for one year only. It was also Eddie
Waring's last year with It's A Knockout before retiring, but Eddie made
one final return for the British International at Washington. Sadly,
throughout the year, Eddie seemed rather out of it, unable to keep up with
Stuart Hall's banter. His commentary became slurred and unfocused and, for
long-time fans of the series, this was painful to watch.
Some solace however, could at least be found in a marvellous series of new
costumes on display this year, including the ‘Wasbees’ (half wasp, half bee),
the ‘Budgies’ and the ‘Rabbits’ (both of which featured in the previous year’s
British International at Walberton). These three creations were at the centre
of much hilarity.
This year, the Domestic series saw the scoreboard receive an
overhaul - the team names were set against the colours of the respective teams
(red, yellow and green), and hand-held cameras were used for the first time,
to give better close-up shots of the games and competitors.
The International Final saw British team Dartmouth
end the year on a high, leaving as joint trophy winners with Portuguese team
Lisboa. |
