The Big Fat Quiz of the Year
| # | Original airdate | Edition | U.K. ratings
(millions) [1] [2] |
|---|
| 1 | 27 December 2004 | 2004 | 2.14 |
| 2 | 26 December 2005 | 2005 | 2.52 |
| 3 | 27 December 2006 | 2006 | 3.07 |
| 4 | 30 December 2007 | 2007 | 3.59 |
| 5 | 28 December 2008 | 2008 | 3.53 [nb 1] |
| 6 | 1 January 2010 | 2009 | 4.24 [nb 2] |
| 7 | 3 January 2011 | 2010 | 3.85 [nb 3] |
| 8 | 27 December 2011 | 2011 | 4.35 [nb 4] |
| 9 | 30 December 2012 | 2012 | 4.11 [nb 5] |
| 10 | 26 December 2013 | 2013 | 3.70 [nb 6] |
| 11 | 26 December 2014 | 2014 | 3.49 [nb 7] |
| 12 | 26 December 2015 | 2015 | 3.72 [nb 8] |
| 13 | 26 December 2016 | 2016 | 3.09 |
| 14 | 26 December 2017 | 2017 | 3.65 |
| 15 | 26 December 2018 | 2018 | 3.64 |
| 16 | 26 December 2019 | 2019 | 3.61 |
| 17 | 26 December 2020 | 2020 | 3.95 |
| 18 | 26 December 2021 | 2021 | TBC |
| 19 | 26 December 2022 | 2022 | TBC |
| 20 | 26 December 2023 | 2023 | 3.17 |
2006
In 2006, the show was broadcast on 27 December. Guest questioners in the studio included Boy George, Myleene Klass and Matt Willis. The mystery guest was Guy Goma, famous for mistakenly appearing as a guest on BBC News 24. Pre-recorded questions were asked by Lily Allen, Carol Vorderman, Courtney Love, Girls Aloud, and Sacha Baron Cohen (in character as Borat). Channel 4 News reporter Jon Snow returned to give fake news reports about songs of the year, reporting on "Patience" and "America". The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out The Da Vinci Code plagiarism claim and parents rebelling against Jamie Oliver's school dinners campaign. Ian McKellen gave dramatized readings from the autobiographies of Jade Goody and Kerry Katona.
Russell Brand and Noel Fielding spent much of the show giving deliberately wrong – and surreal – answers, leaving them trailing far behind the other two teams. This was until towards the end when Jimmy Carr bowed to the pressure of the studio audience and gave them 22 points for answering one question correctly, which was the amount needed to bring them back into contention at the time and ensuring that they subsequently won the quiz. This led Walliams and Brydon, who came last as a result, to exaggerate their chagrin at the turn of events that had seen Brand and Fielding emerge on top.
During a discussion about the Bob Skeleton event at that year's Winter Olympics, the suggestion arose that a character with that name could be the star of Brand and Fielding's next show together. The pair subsequently became known as the Goth Detectives (opposed to their original name, which arose from a joke Jimmy Carr made about their supposed parentage), which was suggested for the show's title. Though it began as a joke, the pair eventually performed a Goth Detectives sketch for the Teenage Cancer Trust event at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 March 2007.
2009
The 2009 show was recorded on 7 December and aired on 1 January 2010. [3]
Peter Andre appeared in-studio as a guest questioner. Newsreader Jon Snow again appeared with news reports on "Poker Face" and "Bonkers" and the children of Mitchell Brook Primary School also reprised their regular slot, acting out the Parliament expenses scandal and Kanye West invading the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards. Pre-recorded guest questions came from Tim Minchin (asking a question in song about Google Street View), Sir David Attenborough, Stuart Broad, David Tennant and 50 Cent. Swansea cagefighters Daniel Lerwell and James Lilley, who successfully fended off a homophobic attack in a nightclub when they were dressed in drag for a stag night, were the mystery guests.
Ross and Brand made a number of references to the Sachsgate scandal of 2008 which occurred last time they appeared together. There was also a discussion about changing Brooker and Mitchell's team name to The Curmudgeons after they refused to dance to the Lady Gaga song "Poker Face".
Mitchell and Brooker were the eventual winners and were asked by Jimmy Carr after their victory if they wanted to do a dance. Despite pressure from the audience, they kept up their premise of not dancing.
2010
The 2010 show was recorded on 13 December and aired on 3 January 2011. [4]
Guest questions were provided by Nicole Scherzinger, Jack Black, Simon Pegg, Russell Brand, Seth Rogen, the cast of Misfits and Will Ferrell. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School made their annual appearance acting out news stories, which included The Stig scandal and the Icelandic volcano eruption, as did Jon Snow with his fake news report of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé's "Telephone". Lola, the cat put in a wheelie bin in August by Mary Bale appeared as a mystery guest. Louie Spence posed a question in the form of a dance routine representing the story of the trapped Chilean miners.
Ross and Jones' team name "Wagner" was in reference to Wagner Fiuza-Carillho, known mononymously as Wagner, who had appeared in series 7 of The X Factor that year and had progressed to the quarter final as part of the Over 28s category mentored by Louis Walsh.
2011
The 2011 show was recorded on 14 December and aired on 27 December 2011. [5]
Guest questions were provided by Cee Lo Green, Michael Sheen, Tulisa, Lee Evans, Muppet drummer Animal, Rastamouse, Downton Abbey star Jim Carter, Lenny Kravitz, and Professor Brian Cox. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the arrival of Larry the Cat at 10 Downing Street and Cheryl Cole's firing from The X Factor , and Jon Snow gave his news reports on Rebecca Black's "Friday" and Jessie J's "Price Tag". "Supergran" Ann Timson, who was seen in a February 2011 viral video fending off four burglars with just her handbag, appeared as a mystery guest. The Only Way Is Essex cast members Lydia Rose Bright, Lauren Goodger, and Kirk Norcross appeared to present a question about the show.
Hart and Walliams hold the record for first team to not reach double digits and the lowest score of any team in the show's run.
David Mitchell and Eddie Izzard were that year's winners.
2012
The 2012 edition aired on 30 December 2012. The teams did not take team names. [6] The in-studio final bonus questions were provided by Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes Nicola Adams, Natasha Baker, Sophie Christiansen, Hannah Cockroft, Helen Glover, Ed McKeever, Etienne Stott, and Peter Wilson. The Great British Bake Off finalists Brendan Lynch, James Morton, and John Whaite provided a live guest question. Recorded guest questions were provided by PSY, Gerard Butler, Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis, Felix Baumgartner, Kylie Minogue, Cheryl Cole, Simon Callow, Jenson Button, Tom Daley, Warwick Davis, and Charles Dance (doing a dramatic reading from Fifty Shades of Grey ). The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School once again made an appearance acting out the Diamond Jubilee Concert. Providing the song lyric as news story segment was Jon Snow, reporting on "Call Me Maybe". The mystery guest was Gary Connery, the stunt-double for the Queen, who skydived out of a helicopter during the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
During the show, Whitehall and Corden had pizza delivered and ate it with red wine.
2013
The 2013 edition was recorded on 10 December and aired on 26 December 2013. [7] The teams did not take team names.
Danny Dyer appeared in the studio to provide a live guest question. Pre-recorded guest questions were provided by Russell Brand, Anchorman 2 stars Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, and Paul Rudd; Olly Murs, Christine Ohuruogu, Louis Walsh, Richard Osman, The Great Gonzo (promoting Muppets Most Wanted ), Harry Hill, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Educating Yorkshire teachers Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Burton, The Great British Bake Off series 4 runner-up Ruby Tandoh, Rizzle Kicks, and astronaut Chris Hadfield. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School returned to act out Edward Snowden's spy leaks. Jon Snow reported on "Wrecking Ball" and Charles Dance read from the autobiography of Lauren Goodger. The mystery guest was Natalie Holt, [8] who threw eggs at Simon Cowell on the final of Britain's Got Talent .
The show was dedicated to comedy agent and producer Addison Cresswell, who died on 22 December 2013.
Jonathan Ross brought most of a turkey, a loaf of bread and champagne. He ended up making sandwiches for the others.
2015
The 2015 edition was recorded on 14 December 2015 [12] and aired on 26 December 2015. The teams did not take names. [13]
Pre-recorded guest questions came from Quentin Tarantino, Rita Ora, Simon Pegg, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, Josh Groban, Olly Murs, Katie Price and Heston Blumenthal. The Great British Bake Off winner, Nadiya Hussain, provided the in-studio guest question. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out Jeremy Clarkson's dismissal from Top Gear. Jon Snow reported on Drake's "Hotline Bling". Charles Dance read from List of the Lost , the debut novel by Morrissey. The mystery guest was Cecilia Bleasdale, who took a photo of a black and blue dress which appeared white and gold to some people on the photo, leading to the dress becoming an internet meme. Davies and Ayoade's early answer "Bad Dong" becomes a running joke throughout the episode.
One of the running gags is the panelists deciding to make an alliance against Jimmy by helping Richard & Greg with getting their answers deliberately wrong. Rob even goes so far as becoming the host of the program for two minutes however the alliance breaks down after a debate about The Dress.
2016
The 2016 edition was recorded on 5 December 2016 and aired on 26 December 2016. [14] The teams did not take names.
Pre-recorded guest questions came from Professor Green, Bryan Cranston and James Franco, The Vamps, Sadiq Khan, Ryan Tedder and Zach Filkins from OneRepublic, Miranda Hart, Gemma Chan, Michelle Keegan and Rick Astley. In-studio guest questions were provided by Mark-Francis Vandelli from Made in Chelsea and Pamela Anderson. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out Traingate. Jon Snow reported on Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling". Charles Dance read from Rylan's autobiography. The mystery guest was Zac Alsop, who posed as a fencer and blagged his way on to one of Team GB's 2016 Olympics victory parade floats in Manchester.
A running gag on the episode was formed when, as Romesh discussed a new programme featuring his mother, Jimmy asked what Romesh's father thought of the programme, not realising that he had died, leading to the other contestants repeatedly chiding Carr about not checking beforehand. There was also a running "gag" with Mel Giedroyc's obsession with the Crossrail project currently going on in and around London.
2018
The 2018 edition was recorded at BBC Elstree Studios on 5 December 2018 [15] and aired on 26 December 2018.
Pre-recorded guest questions came from Simon Callow, George Ezra, Alex Jones, Jonas Blue, Joe Sugg, Sheridan Smith, Emma Willis and Georgia Toffolo. In-studio guest questions were asked by Love Island finalists Megan & Wes, Great British Bake Off finalist Kim-Joy Hewlett and Lord Mayor of Sheffield Magid Magid. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the England football team's progress in the World Cup for a related question. Jon Snow reported on George Ezra's "Shotgun". Charles Dance read from the new novel by The Only Way Is Essex 's Gemma Collins. The mystery guest was Leo Murray, creator of the Trump Baby blimp.
Assisting Jimmy with the final question were the Stan Lee-created Marvel characters Thor, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Black Panther and the Hulk for the teams to guess their aliases. The Hulk then proceeded to rip up the trophy and throw it at the winners before knocking down the wall at the back of the set.
2020
The 2020 edition aired on 26 December 2020.
No celebrity guests appeared in studio to ask questions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-recorded questions came from Joe Wicks, Bob Odenkirk, Carole Baskin, Laura Whitmore, Craig David, Keith Lemon, KSI, Chris Kamara, Nicola Coughlan, and LadBaby. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the Dominic Cummings scandal for a related question. Jon Snow reported on Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo's "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)". Charles Dance read from The Meaning of Mariah Carey . The mystery guest was Billy McLean, whose joke WhatsApp voice memo started a false rumour that the British government was planning to combat hunger during lockdown by making a lasagne the size of Wembley Stadium.
The final question was a round named "Trump or Gump" in which the teams had to guess if quotes were said by US President Donald Trump or another notable figure. London wax museum Madame Tussauds lent its figure of Trump as a prop for the round.
2022
The 2022 edition aired on 26 December 2022.
Pre-recorded questions came from Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Luke Evans, the Sugababes, Ellie Goulding, Kate Hudson, Layton Williams, Sigrid, and Jamie Oliver. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the Wagatha Christie court case for a related question. Millie Bright appeared in the studio to ask a question. Subwoolfer also appeared in the studio in relation to a question. Charles Dance read an extract from the autobiography of Rylan Clark. The mystery guest was Jerry Dyer, the creator and narrator of the YouTube channel Big Jet TV, whose livestream of planes attempting to land at Heathrow Airport during Storm Eunice went viral.
The Big Fat Question was a three part question asked by Johannes Radebe, who was dressed as a US Air Force pilot and 'parachuted' into the studio in honour of Top Gun: Maverick being the year's highest grossing film.
2023
The 2023 edition aired on 26 December 2023.
Pre-recorded guest questions came from Self Esteem, Anyone but You stars Sydney Sweeney & Glen Powell, Robbie Williams, The Vivienne, Big Brother presenters AJ Odudu & Will Best, Micah Richards and Sophia Di Martino. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the coronation of King Charles for a related question. Charles Dance read an extract from Spare , the memoir of Prince Harry. Krishnan Guru-Murthy appeared in the studio to ask a question. The mystery guests were Hobbycraft Wimbledon employees Andrew, Jacqui, Annie and Sharon, whose TikTok video of Kylie Minogue's hit "Padam Padam" went viral, earning praise from Kylie herself.
The Big Question was asked by noted Love Island and Love Island Games contestants Megan Barton-Hanson and Toby Aromolaran, entering the studio in a pink open top car dressed as Barbie and Ken in tribute to Barbie being the highest grossing film of 2023.
2024
The 2024 edition is scheduled to air on 27 December 2024. [17]
The Big Fat Quiz of Everything
The Big Fat Quiz of Everything is a spin-off series to the annual. These quizzes ask questions based on various subjects including history, geography, films, television, music, science, technology, art, literature, sports and games.
| No. | Original airdate | Ratings
(millions) [1] |
|---|
| 1 | 5 January 2016 | 2.47 [nb 10] |
| 2 | 15 August 2016 | 1.40 |
| 3 | 22 August 2016 | 1.44 |
| 4 | 28 August 2016 | 1.46 |
| 5 | 6 January 2017 | 2.08 |
| 6 | 12 January 2018 | 1.94 |
| 7 | 4 January 2019 | 2.44 |
| 8 | 7 January 2021 | 2.24 |
| 9 | 3 April 2022 | 1.22 |
2016 series
A three-part series of The Big Fat Quiz of Everything was recorded in June and July 2016 at The London Studios.
2019 special
The fourth New Year special was recorded at BBC Elstree Studios on 21 November 2018 [24] and aired on 4 January 2019. [25] The teams did not take team names.
Pre-recorded guest questions came from Brendan O'Carroll, Stacey Solomon, Eric Idle, Asim Chaudhry (in character as Chabuddy G from People Just Do Nothing ), Basil Brush, Clara Amfo and Boyzone. The in-studio guest questions were provided by This Morning's Dr. Ranj who asked the teams to identify different muscles and bones in the body, and First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths who asked the teams to identify the cocktails he was mixing. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the construction of the Channel Tunnel. Charles Dance read terrible online film reviews. Jon Snow reported on "Milkshake" by Kelis. The mystery guests were Alex and Sue Tatham, the first Blind Date wedding couple. Doppelgangers of Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr., Emma Watson, Dwayne Johnson and Julia Roberts appeared for the Big Fat Question for the teams to put in order of highest-grossing film stars.
2021 special
The fifth special aired on 7 January 2021. [26]
Pre-recorded questions came from Paloma Faith, Billy Ocean, Ralph Macchio, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Clare Balding, Tim Minchin, and Roman Kemp. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the theft and recovery of the 1966 World Cup for a related question. Jon Snow reported on Radiohead's "Creep". Charles Dance reads book reviews from Jane Eyre, Twilight, and Moby Dick. The special guest was Barbadian British voice-over actor Redd Pepper, who offered to read Taglines from four famous movies. The mystery guest was Jessica Smith, the Sun Baby in Teletubbies. The final question was a round in which The London Street Band played 4 different longest number one tracks from 70s-00s, and the teams had to guess the songs in their respective decades.
2022 special
The sixth special aired on 3 April 2022.
Pre-recorded questions came from Katie Piper, Daniel Mays, Gemma Whelan, Annie Mac, Kye Whyte, Paul Hollywood and Hannah Cockroft. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the Cottingley Fairy hoax. Charles Dance read bad online reviews of The Lord of the Rings , Fifty Shades of Grey and Animal Farm . Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper appeared in the studio to ask a question about animals. The mystery guests were Ben Cooke, Mark Higgins and Bobby Hanton, who were all stunt doubles for Daniel Craig in various James Bond films. The Big Fat Question involved lookalikes of Elton John, Diana Ross, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Lady Gaga, with the teams having to place them in order of most weeks spent at number one in the UK Singles Chart.
2025 special
The seventh special is scheduled to air on 2 January 2025. [27]
The Big Fat Quiz of the Decade
In 2012, three Big Fat Quizzes were recorded as part of Channel 4's 30th anniversary celebrations, each representing one of the past decades. The shows were recorded on 30 August, 12 September and 19 September. [28]
| No. | Original airdate | Edition | Ratings
(millions) [1] |
|---|
| 1 | 16 September 2012 | 1980s | 2.27 [nb 11] |
| 2 | 23 September 2012 | 1990s | 2.14 [nb 12] |
| 3 | 30 September 2012 | 2000s | 2.04 [nb 13] |
| 4 | 22 September 2013 | 1980s | 1.88 |
| 5 | 29 September 2013 | 1990s | 1.84 |
| 6 | 2 January 2020 | 2010s | 2.86 |
The Big Fat Quiz of the '80s
The show was recorded on 12 September 2012 and aired on 16 September 2012. [29] The teams did not take team names for this special.
In-studio guest questions were provided by Kriss Akabusi and Samantha Fox, who presented the final bonus question. Recorded guest questions were provided by Su Pollard, Michael Fish, Clare Grogan, Roland Rat, Nik Kershaw, The Proclaimers, Anne Charleston, Charles Dance (doing a dramatic reading from the autobiography of The Krankies), and Sonia. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School made an appearance acting out Live Aid . Providing the song lyric as news story segment was original Newsround anchor John Craven, reporting on "Thriller". Bunty Bailey, the actress who played the female love interest in a-ha's "Take On Me", appeared as a mystery guest. The four winners were "presented" a Sinclair C5 by Samantha Fox.
2013 specials
Due to the success of the decades specials in 2012, Channel 4 commissioned two additional specials to air in the autumn of 2013.
The Big Fat Quiz of the '90s (2013)
The show aired on 29 September 2013. The teams did not take team names for this special.
Diane Youdale (the one-time Gladiator Jet) provided a live guest question. The mystery guest was Todd Watkins, who gained fame for kissing a 77-year-old woman on a The Word segment called "The Hopefuls". Recorded guest questions were provided by Mr. Motivator, Goldie, Andi Peters, Tony Mortimer, Melinda Messenger, Daniela Nardini, Sally Gunnell, The Shamen's Mr. C, the members of Hanson and Charles Dance (doing a dramatic reading from the autobiography of Vanilla Ice). The children of Goldsmith Community Hall made an appearance acting out the cloning of Dolly the sheep played by Hannah MacDonald. Providing the song lyric as news story segment was Martyn Lewis, reporting on "Livin' la Vida Loca". In the penultimate round, Carr announced that he had hired the gunge tank from Noel's House Party and the losers would be gunged, however Ross convinced Carr himself to go in it and was gunged by Jet.
