Jigsaw (UK TV series)

Jigsaw
Format Children's Game Show
Created by Clive Doig
Country of origin  United Kingdom
No. of seasons 6
No. of episodes 45
Production
Running time 25 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel BBC1
Picture format 4:3
Original run 16 July 1979 – 24 May 1984

Jigsaw was a Children's BBC show, combining elements of puzzle solving & entertainment, which was broadcast from 16 July 1979 until 24 May 1984.

Written and directed by Clive Doig, the show was presented by Adrian Hedley, Janet Ellis and "Jigg" - a giant floating orange Jigsaw piece, voiced by John Leeson.

Ellis would leave in 1983 to become a Blue Peter presenter, at which point, she was replaced by Dot, aka Julia Binstead.

Featured supporting cast also included Paul Clayton, Biggum the giant and Wilf Lunn who appeared as a mad inventor. Other unusual characters included Pterry, a Pterodactyl, Hector The Hedgehog, Dot (played by Julia Binstead) - a pixel-come-to-life, the O-Men (Sylvester McCoy and David Rappaport), And Mr. Noseybonk, Performed by Headley in a dinner suit and a white face mask with a prominent nose and toothy grin, Mr. Noseybonk was included for light comic relief and to guide viewers through a puzzle that would contribute to the ongoing puzzle throughout the show.

Throughout the show, the presenters and supporting characters came together to solve a number of puzzles; these puzzles would then contribute to one larger conundrum that would be revealed at the end of the show. The viewer was encouraged to take part & solve the puzzles at home.

Jigg was a puppet - a lump of painted rubber that was manipulated from behind (to move his mouth & eyes) and was superimposed over the action.

Transmissions

Series Start date End date Episodes
1 16 July 1979 20 August 1979 6
2 20 May 1980 24 June 1980 6
3 21 September 1981 14 December 1981 13
4 10 January 1983 21 February 1983 7
5 17 January 1984 21 February 1984 6
6 12 April 1984 24 May 1984 7

External links