John Benson
Encyclopedia
John Benson was a British television announcer, best known for saying "And Now ... from Norwich
, it's the quiz of the week" at the start of each edition of the UK
's long-running Sale of the Century
, which ran on ITV
from 1971 to 1983.
Although he spent most of his career working as an announcer
for Anglia Television
, he was also the chief staff announcer for ABC Television
between 1957 and 1966. He was also a relief announcer for Rediffusion London and freelanced at Westward
, Thames
and TVS
. During the 1960s, he presented the weekly Top Twenty Show, a one-hour British pop music charts count-down broadcast in Northern Germany every Saturday on the BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service).
Amongst his other game show
credits are Strike It Lucky
, Gambit
, What's My Line and the long-running 3-2-1
. He also acted as the in-vision announcer and "comedic foil" to Jonathan Ross
on The Last Resort, an irreverent, late night talk show (broadcast on Channel 4
) and modelled on America's Late Show with David Letterman
. He also made sporadic appearances as an actor in shows such as the BBC sitcom, Birds of a Feather
.
He died in Norfolk
in 1995 at the age of 67.
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, it's the quiz of the week" at the start of each edition of the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's long-running Sale of the Century
Sale of the Century
Sale of the Century is a television game show format that has been screened in several countries in various incarnations since 1969. The show found its biggest success in Australia, where it aired weeknights from 1980 to 2001...
, which ran on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
from 1971 to 1983.
Although he spent most of his career working as an announcer
Announcer
An announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
for Anglia Television
Anglia Television
Anglia Television is the ITV franchise holder for the East Anglia franchise region. Although Anglia Television takes its name from East Anglia, its transmission coverage extends beyond the generally accepted boundaries of that region. The station is based at Anglia House in Norwich, with regional...
, he was also the chief staff announcer for ABC Television
Associated British Corporation
Associated British Corporation was one of a number of commercial television companies established in the United Kingdom during the 1950s by cinema chain companies in an attempt to safeguard their business by becoming involved with television which was taking away their cinema audiences.In this...
between 1957 and 1966. He was also a relief announcer for Rediffusion London and freelanced at Westward
Westward Television
Westward Television was the first ITV franchise holder for the South West of England from 29 April 1961 until 31 December 1981. After a difficult start, Westward provided a popular, distinctive and highly regarded service to its region, until public boardroom squabbles led to its franchise not...
, Thames
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
and TVS
Television South
Television South was the ITV franchise holder in the south and south east of England between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1992. The company operated under various names, initially as Television South plc and then following reorganisation in 1989 as TVS Entertainment plc, with its UK...
. During the 1960s, he presented the weekly Top Twenty Show, a one-hour British pop music charts count-down broadcast in Northern Germany every Saturday on the BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service).
Amongst his other game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
credits are Strike It Lucky
Strike It Lucky
Strike It Lucky was a popular British television game show from 1986 to 1999, originally produced by Thames Television for ITV, and presented by the British comedian Michael Barrymore...
, Gambit
Gambit (game show)
Gambit is a television game show, created by Wayne Cruseturner and produced by Heatter-Quigley Productions, that originally ran on CBS from September 4, 1972 to December 10, 1976. A slightly retooled version, Las Vegas Gambit, aired on NBC from October 27, 1980 to November 27, 1981, originating...
, What's My Line and the long-running 3-2-1
3-2-1
3–2–1 was a popular British game show that was made by Yorkshire Television for ITV. It ran for ten years, between 29 July 1978 and 24 December 1988. Throughout its run, the show was hosted by former Butlins Redcoat Ted Rogers. It was based on a Spanish gameshow called Un, dos, tres.....
. He also acted as the in-vision announcer and "comedic foil" to Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross (television presenter)
Jonathan Stephen Ross, OBE is an English television and radio presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross from 2001 until he left the BBC in 2010. Ross began hosting a new chat show on ITV1 starting 3 September 2011...
on The Last Resort, an irreverent, late night talk show (broadcast on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
) and modelled on America's Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
. He also made sporadic appearances as an actor in shows such as the BBC sitcom, Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather was a British sitcom that was broadcast on BBC1 from 1989 until 1998. Starring Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, it was created by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who also wrote some of the episodes along with many other writers.The first episode sees sisters...
.
He died in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
in 1995 at the age of 67.