Brain of Britain About Brain of Britain

Brain of Britain, the longest-running of all the broadcast quiz shows open to the public in Britain, started life as part of the series What Do You Know?, hosted by Franklin Engelmann on the BBC Light Programme in 1953. It has been on air under its current title since 1967.

For the past three decades Robert Robinson has chaired the series in his inimitable style, with Russell Davies and, in 2007, Peter Snow, stepping in on rare occasions when he has been unwell.

Occasional Brain of Britain champions have enjoyed long broadcasting careers. Irene Thomas, the 1961 champion, soon became doyenne of Round Britain Quiz. Bob Crampsey, who won the title in 1965, was a well-loved sports broadcaster in Scotland for many years.

The 1964 champion, Ian Gillies, became question-setter for both Brain of Britain and Counterpoint, and adopted the role of Robert Robinson’s taciturn but oracular sidekick, ‘Mycroft’. His place was taken, on his death in 2002, by the 1996 champion, Kevin Ashman.

Brain of Britain is now produced by BBC Factual Radio in Manchester, the team which also makes Counterpoint and Round Britain Quiz for Radio 4.