What's My Line

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 BBC 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 BBC Andrews went on to present This is Your Life, on which he was surprised to find himself the first guest.