Catchphrase (British game show)
A revived British game show of animated phrase guessing.
Catchphrase is a British game show derived from a short-lived American series of the same name. It originally aired from 1986 to 2004, then was revived in 2013 and continues as of 2026. The programme features contestants identifying familiar phrases represented by animated sequences.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Game show
- Based on
- Catch Phrase, Steven Radosh
- Presenter
- Roy Walker
- Nick Weir
- Mark Curry
- Stephen Mulhern
- Theme music
- Ed Welch (1986–92)
- Simon Etchell (1994–2004)
- Marc Sylvan (2013–)
- Richard Jacques (2013–)
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Series
- 17 (Original); 13 (Revival)
- Episodes
- 348 (Original); 121 (Revival)
Facts from the source article.
Format
In the main game of the most recent series, a contestant stops a randomiser of money amounts by hitting a button; the value landed on is earned for correctly guessing catchphrases in that round. Potential prizes increase over the rounds. During the first round, a large screen slowly draws a visual representation of the catchphrase using CGI, accompanied by background music. When most of the catchphrase is revealed, contestants can buzz in to guess. If the buzzing player guesses incorrectly, the other player gets a chance. A correct guess wins the predetermined amount and a chance to solve a bonus catchphrase hidden behind nine squares. The contestant selects a square by hitting the buzzer; that square is removed, and the contestant has five seconds to answer. If correct, they win the accumulated bonus bank; if wrong, another catchphrase is played and the rounds cycle. After a set number of standard rounds, a quickfire round follows where all catchphrases are worth a fixed amount (originally £50) and contestants can buzz in at any time until the puzzle is solved or time runs out. The player with the most money after this round wins and plays the Super Catchphrase; other contestants keep their winnings but do not advance.
Notable moments
A famous incident occurred on 30 December 1994 during a Bonus Catchphrase: the puzzle was uncovered in a way that made Mr. Chips and a snake appear to be performing a sexual act, causing uncontrollable laughter from the audience, contestants, and host Roy Walker. The original ITV broadcast was edited, but the uncensored version appeared two years later on the out-take show It'll Be Alright on the Night. A similar event happened on a 2014 Mother's Day celebrity special, where a Bonus Catchphrase revealed a hand moving rapidly near a person's waist, appearing to depict masturbation, again causing studio laughter. Another celebrity edition broadcast on 12 January 2019 featured a Bonus Catchphrase where the first selected square showed a dog's head shaking vigorously with a large grin, prompting grimaces from contestants and host Stephen Mulhern as the audience reacted.
Theme music
The original theme and incidental music for Catchphrase were composed by Ed Welch and used for the TVS incarnation until 28 October 1994, also appearing on Family Catchphrase in 1994. The show returned on 4 November 1994 with a new look produced by Action Time for Carlton Television; the theme was re-tuned and composed by Simon Etchell, used from 1994 to 1999 with slight alterations in late 1998. From 2000 to 2002, a third version was used: a remixed, jazzed-up version of the previous theme by Simon Etchell, rearranged by Tim Laws, accompanying a revamped title sequence and new studio set. From 2013 onward, a fourth version based on Ed Welch's original theme was composed by Marc Sylvan and Richard Jacques, with a new title sequence, logo, and studio set.
Mr Chips & other mascots
The original mascot is a golden robot called Mr Chips, repurposed from the US version where it was known as Herbie. Mr Chips often appeared in catchphrase animations; its design changed over time, transitioning from a taller figure to a much smaller one. Variations sometimes appeared, such as Mr Chips with a lemon head for the catchphrase 'lemonheads'. After Nick Weir became presenter and graphics changed, Mr Chips was semi-retired and replaced by the 'Catchphrase Family'—a father, mother, son, and two other men—featured in the opening sequence. The family was less popular but appeared until the series ended in 2002. Mr Chips returned for the Mark Curry series in 2002 and for the revival hosted by Stephen Mulhern in 2013, where it is animated in 3D computer animation.
More in British Television Series Revived After Cancellation
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