Pot Black first transmitted

Image: John Pulman, Jack Rea, Rex Williams, Fred Davis, Ray Reardon, Alex Higgins in 1973

Pot Black was a startling demonstration of the benefits of the new BBC Two colour service, and became an immediate success following its launch on 23 July 1969. The game of snooker was ideal for colour television; cameras mounted directly above the table allowed viewers a clear view of the action and enabled them to see the coloured balls potted in the correct order.

In the first programme the rules of the game were explained and some of the player's skills were demonstrated. In the subsequent seven weeks of the series a knockout competition was played between the top eight players in the world: Gary Owen, Jack Rea, John Pulman, Ray Reardon, Fred Davis, Rex Williams, Kingsley Kennerley and John Spencer. The eventual winner was Welsh amateur champion Ray Reardon, who won the Pot Black Trophy and £1000. The presenters were Ted Lowe, who devised the programme, and Alan Weeks.

Pot Black ran until 1986, by which time it had become a victim of its own success, overshadowed by the coverage of professional snooker on television. It was revived from 1991 to 1993 and again in 2005. It also spawned Junior Pot Black and made an appearance on Sport Relief.