Family Fortunes

The British version of the popular American Game Show Family Feud. It is very similar in format to the American version, and almost as long-lasting. It was re-named because Bob Monkhouse thought that "feud" sounded too aggressive.

It was originally presented by Bob Monkhouse from 1980-83, when Max Bygraves took over. After taking a hiatus in 1986, the show returned in June 1987 and gained its most famous host, Les Dennis, who would host until it ended in 2002. Andy Collins hosted a short-lived daytime version in 2002 as well, and Vernon Kay has hosted the Celebrity Edition since 2006.

One of the most famous bloopers from this version is the "turkey" incident, where a contestant gives "Turkey" for three consecutive answers in the show's equivalent of Fast Money.


 * Bonus Round: "Big Money", played identically to the Feud's Fast Money round, but with one addition: any family that claimed all five #1 answers won a car. Reaching 200 points wins the top cash prize; anything less won £2 a point.
 * Losing Horns: The distinctive "EHH-URHH!" sound when a wrong answer is given, which has achieved Memetic Mutation in the UK and is often imitated when someone makes an Epic Fail in a conversation.
 * Celebrity Edition: All-Star Family Fortunes.
 * Personnel:
 * The Announcer: Steven Rhodes (1987-99), Peter Dickson (2000-01/2006-Present), and Roger Tilling (2002).
 * Game Show Host: Bob Monkhouse, Max Bygraves, Les Dennis, Andy Collins, Vernon Kay.
 * Studio Audience: Surveyed for the questions.
 * Sound Proof Booth: As in the American version, the second contestant wears noise-canceling headphones while the first one plays Big Money.


 * Catch Phrase: "(Our) survey said", as in the American version.
 * If a contestant gave a particularly stupid answer, Les Dennis would sometimes say "If that answer's there, I'll give you the money meself!" Humorously, this backfired at least once.
 * Companion Cube: The computer that ran the show's electronic board was named Mr. Babbage. It was replaced with a more traditional scoreboard when Les Dennis took over, but quickly reverted to Mr. Babbage after only a few episodes.
 * Deadpan Snarker: Les Dennis.
 * Foreign Remake: One of the more notable instances.
 * Long Runners: The show ran uninterrupted from 1987-2002.
 * Strange Minds Think Alike: "Name a way you would toast someone." The buzz-in response given was "Over a fire." Les promised to give the contestant the money out of his own pocket if it was up there. It was (though it came up "Grill" and was worth 12), and he promised to pay her £12.
 * Uncanceled: The show ended in 1985 and was brought back in 1987.
 * Arguably, the current reincarnation as All Star Family Fortunes after a few years' hiatus may also count.