Catchphrase (UK Game Show) - Production History

Production History

Catchphrase was originally made by TVS in association with Action Time at their Northam studios in Southampton from 1986 to mid-spring 1988. The show was subsequently moved to their Maidstone facility, now known as The Maidstone Studios in Kent in late 1988. In 1994, the format was picked up by Carlton Television and fully produced by Action Time Productions, In 1996, the show moved to Carlton's (formerly Central Independent Television) Studios in Lenton Lane, Nottingham.

Roy Walker left in 1999 and was replaced by Nick Weir, whose first moments as host saw him tripping on the stairs; the next moments were from when the taping resumed some time later, with Weir using a cast and crutches. After two years of presenting and three seasons, Weir was dismissed due to unpopularity and was replaced by ex-Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry. This was a move from weekly nighttime to a daytime series.

Catchphrase ended on 19 December 2002 after nearly 17 years (one series with Curry) due to declining ratings, and many viewers felt that Walker's departure had seen the quality of the show suffer. In 2003 and 2004, ITV aired some Weir episodes recorded for his final series in late 2001, often on Sunday evenings or Bank Holiday Mondays; this was followed by a Curry episode in early 2005. In Summer 2006, Challenge began showing Weir's first two series but its return is yet to be announced.