"Six-Five Special" Remembered Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1957

Until 1957, British television closed down between 6 and 7pm every night for what was known as "The Toddlers Truce". This was to enable parents to put their children to bed without the distraction of television.

In February 1957 that ended when "Six-Five Special" exploded on to our screens at five minutes past six one Saturday night. The first television programme in Britain specifically aimed at a youth audience it was broadcast live, with a young audience who danced in the studio.

Never before had such a thing been seen on the BBC.

Answer: Don Lang

For the first show Kenny Baker and His Jazzmen played the show in and out, but Don Lang and His Frantic Five quickly became the regular "house band" and recorded the theme song. This was not however their best known record. That accolade goes to "Witch Doctor" which made number five on the Official UK Singles Charts.

Answer: Freddie Mills

European Light Heavyweight Champion Freddie Mills was brought in to do a sport related item, and this led to him making regular appearances. This may seem a strange thing for a rock and roll show, but there were comedy sketches, sports items and pre-recorded reports on things other than music every week, making it more of a magazine type show. Television shows that were devoted just to the music did not come until later.

Answer: Josephine Douglas

Neither Pete Murray or Josephine Douglas were known for their devotion to rock and roll, nor were they of the same generation as the teenagers the programme was aimed at. Pete Murray was 29 and Josephine Douglas 27, and both were better known for their film appearances.

In keeping with the times Pete Murray presented the early shows in a suit, complete with tie, although later in the run he did relax a bit into sweater and slacks. Josephine Douglas dressed slightly more informally, but had the "jolly hockey sticks" mannerisms typical of female presenters in the 1950's.

Answer: 6 weeks

Because the BBC were so uncertain of the reception the programme would receive they originally planned only 6 programmes. They quickly realised that the show was far more popular than they had anticipated, and the run was extended. It finally ran for just over a year until it lost viewers to "Oh Boy", which concentrated just on music.

Answer: Jim Dale

Jim Dale's early ambition was to be a comedian, and he was employed as a warm up man for the "Six-Five Special" audience. He wrote and performed "Piccadily Line" a spoof of the Lonnie Donegan hit, "Rock Island Line", which was well received, and this led him into a singing career. His second release, "Be My Girl", made number two in the UK Singles Chart in 1957, and was his most successful record.

By the end of the 1950's his popularity as a singer had faded and he turned his attention back to comedy and acting, and is best remembered for his roles in the "Carry On" series of films.

Answer: Its time slot

The show went out at five minutes past six (after the news) on a Saturday night. Hence "Six-Five Special".

Answer: Lonnie Donegan

Lonnie Donegan was a regular on "Six-Five Special". From his beginning with Chris Barber's Jazz Band, where he played with a skiffle group who performed when the main band took a break, he quickly became a big star in his own right, and made regular appearances performing both his own material and covers of American songs.

Answer: True

The BBC bosses were keen to emphasise the magazine format of the show. Jack Good had a different view of how the show should be presented, so although he had sets built, as the show started these were wheeled out of the way, allowing the audience to dance and generally wander around and mix with the performers and presenters. Because the show was live, once it had started the Producer could do exactly as he pleased. Even the running order was only sketched out in general terms and was not decided until shortly before the show went on air.

Answer: £1,000

Even in 1957 £1,000 was not very much money with which to create a television show. This lack of money meant that Jack Good was restricted to mainly British Artists singing cover versions of American songs. The Mudlarks, The King Brothers, Jim Dale, who later became one of the presenters, Tommy Steele, Vince Eager and Marty Wilde all made career helping appearances.