The Old Grey Whistle Test

Name: The Old Grey Whistle Test
Released: 1971-09-21
Cast: Bob Harris, Annie Nightingale

1971 –1987
•
Ended

★ 8.3 TMDB Rating · 3 votes

The Old Grey Whistle Test is an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys—doormen in grey suits. The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.

Seasons: 16
Episodes: 558
Episode length: ~1h
First aired: Sep 21, 1971
Networks: BBC Two
Original language: English
Origin: United Kingdom

Cast of The Old Grey Whistle Test

Bob Harris
Annie Nightingale

Seasons

Specials

Air date unknown

18 episodes
1971/2

Sep 21, 1971

42 episodes

The first series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on 21st September 1971 and concluded on 11th July 1972 for a total of 43 episodes.
1972/3

Sep 12, 1972

49 episodes

The second series of The Old Grey Whistle Test started on 12th September 1972, concluding on 31st July 1973 with a total of 49 Episodes
1973/4

Sep 25, 1973

43 episodes

The third series of The Old Grey Whistle Test started on 25th September 1973, concluding on 9th July 1974 for a total of 43 episodes.
1974/5

Sep 24, 1974

42 episodes

The forth series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on 24th September 1974, finishing on 26ht Jul 1975 for a total of 42 episodes.
1975/6

Sep 30, 1975

35 episodes
1976/7

Sep 28, 1976

36 episodes
1977/8

Sep 20, 1977

39 episodes

The seventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 20th September 1977, concluding on 20th Jun 1987 and containing 39 episodes.
1978/9

Sep 19, 1978

37 episodes
1979/80

Sep 18, 1979

34 episodes
1980/81

Oct 7, 1980

41 episodes

The tenth series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 7th October 1980, concluding on the 14th July with a total of 41 episodes.
1981/2

Oct 1, 1981

29 episodes

The eleventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 1st October 1981, concluding after 29 episodes on 10th June 1982.
1982/3

Sep 17, 1982

22 episodes
1983/4

Sep 18, 1983

20 episodes
1984/5

Oct 23, 1984

38 episodes
1985/6

Oct 1, 1985

31 episodes
1986/7

Sep 20, 1986

20 episodes