Challenge Anneka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Challenge Anneka | |
|---|---|
 Opening title |
|
| Genre | Game show/Reality |
| Creator(s) | Anneka Rice, Malcolm Heyworth |
| Starring | Anneka Rice, Dave Chapman (sound) |
| No. of episodes | 62 (to 26 December 2006) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Mentorn |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC One, ITV1 (from 2006) |
| Original run | 1989 – 1995, 2006- |
Challenge Anneka is a British television programme, produced by the independent production company Mentorn for the BBC, which aired on Friday or Saturday evenings on BBC One for several series between 1989 and 1995. It was announced in 2006 that the series is returning, but this time on ITV1. The first of the three specials was shown on Boxing Day 2006.
The format of the programme involved the presenter, Anneka Rice, being given a task to accomplish within a certain period of time, usually two or three days. She would have no knowledge of what the task of each particular episode would be before it began, and would have to organise its accomplishment by persuading companies and people to contribute their time and resources for free. The task would usually be in aid of a charitable cause, for example building a play area for children within the local community, or something similar.
The format was tested in 1987's Children in Need.
Rice would be based during the 'challenges' in a large blue mobile home, and for her frequent trips to persuade companies and people to take part employed a small blue 'four-by-four' buggy. She was also distinguished by her frequent use of her mobile phone to organise the projects, years before they became common everyday objects for people in Britain.
Another trademark aspect of the series would be the frequent on-screen presence of Rice's soundman, Dave Chapman, part of the camera team who followed her around as she attempted to accomplish the challenges and who often found himself having to lend a helping hand.
Most of the popularity of the series came from the tension of whether Rice and her teams of volunteers would accomplish their tasks before the deadlines set. Sometimes they would fail, but usually on such occasions those who had agreed to help out would carry on the following day to complete the work.
Challenge Anneka returned in 2006 with a 'one-off' special on ITV1, on Boxing Day and featured the team helping World Vision to rebuild a maternity clinic, a cricket pavillion and a children's play centre in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami disaster.
There are plans for two more UK specials in 2007. Recently Anneka walked on stage, along with television crew, during a McFly concert in Cambridge, and asked the band if they would record a single for charity; this may form part of one of these planned specials.
