Image: Frances Day, Jerry Desmonde, Elizabeth Allan, Gilbert Harding on the panel in 29 August 1951.
The light hearted panel game What's My Line began on 成人快手 television on 16 July 1951. In the programme a team of four celebrities had to guess the often unusual occupation of a contestant. The Radio Times preview said it "looks like being a lot of fun", and so it proved to be. The first chairman was Gilbert Harding, but he proved unsuitable and was replaced by the affable Eamonn Andrews.
What's My Line started life in America, where contestants signed in by writing their name on a board. In the British version they also mimed their profession, and if they defeated the panel they received a certificate. On the first programme the panel comprised Barbara Kelly, Ted Kavanagh, and Jerry Desmonde. The irascible Gilbert Harding became a regular panellist, and his clashes with Andrews became a popular element of the show.
What's My Line ran until 1963, with Andrews at the helm. It proved to be a durable format, returning in 1973 with David Jacobs as host, and later on ITV with Andrews. On the 成人快手 Andrews went on to present This is Your Life, on which he was surprised to find himself the first guest.
July anniversaries
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Investiture of the Prince of Wales
1 July 1969 -
Masterchef
2 July 1990 -
成人快手 Television News and Newsreel
5 July 1954 -
To the Ends of the Earth
6 July 2005 -
Hancock's Half Hour television show
6 July 1956 -
London Calling Europe began
6 July 1941 -
The Old Man of Hoy
8 July 1967 -
The first episode of The Office
9 July 2001 -
Andy Pandy
11 July 1950 -
It's That Man Again
12 July 1939 -
Watchdog
14 July 1985 -
What's My Line
16 July 1951 -
Toytown first transmitted
19 July 1929 -
Pot Black first transmitted
23 July 1969 -
Countryfile first broadcast
24 July 1988 -
Start of the Light Programme
29 July 1945 -
Olympic Games from Wembley first televised
29 July 1948 -
The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
29 July 1981 -
The World Cup Final
30 July 1966 -
Dad's Army
31 July 1968