'The show is brilliantly simple'

Jason Manford chats general knowledge and audience involvement as he returns to hosting duties for season two of The Answer Run

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Quiz shows have been popular with British television audiences since 1938, when Spelling Bee, hosted by Freddie Grisewood, became the first game show to be broadcast on UK television.

This was followed in the 1950s by shows like Take Your Pick and Double Your Money, which introduced audience participation and more importantly, cash prizes.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, the focus shifted towards more knowledge-based formats, with the introduction of University Challenge and Mastermind.

This evolution continued into the 1990s with the arrival of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, which redefined the genre with its high-stakes format.

Fast forward to today, and shows like The Chase, Pointless, and Tipping Point dominate the daytime TV landscape.

Adding to the mix of daytime quiz shows is The Answer Run, which first aired on the BBC last August.

Hosted by comedian and actor Jason Manford, the show returns for a second season, once again pitting three pairs of contestants against each other in a series of rapid-fire 50/50 general knowledge questions. The goal? To outlast the competition and walk away with a cash prize.

"Series two is brilliant, even more exciting and fast-paced than series one," says Manford.

"We're all more comfortable with the show now, so I was able to have more fun with the brilliant contestants. There are a lot of laughs and some intense quizzing."