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Holness was the second actor to portray James Bond

Former Blockbusters host Bob Holness has died at the age of 83.

His family said in a statement he had "died peacefully in his sleep" early on Friday morning.

Holness, who had suffered from a series of strokes, had been in a nursing home. He is survived by his wife Mary, three children and seven grandchildren.

South African-born Holness joined the BBC in the 1960s and hosted Late Night Extra on Radio 1 and Radio 2 alongside presenters including Terry Wogan.

It went on to air on Radio 2's AM frequency only until 1975 before Holness moved to commercial station LBC, co-hosting the morning show with Douglas Cameron.

He was also the second actor to portray James Bond, starring in a radio adaptation of Moonraker in 1956.

But he is best known for hosting ITV gameshow Blockbusters, from 1983 to 1993, complete with its hexagonal board, gold runs and the classic double entendre contestant request: "Can I have a P please Bob?"

Holness continued to present the show for a time when it was bought by Sky.

He also continued to appear on the airwaves, hosting shows including a Tuesday night broadcast on Radio 2 presenting the BBC Radio Orchestra's selection of the best in popular music.

He also presented the BBC's long-running panel game Call My Bluff which he presented from 1996 until 2002.

His health began to deteriorate in the 1990s after he suffered from a mini-stroke before a more severe attack in 2002 that led to temporary paralysis.

And just to state the bleedin' obvious, he did not play the sax solo on 'Baker Street'... ::)

And just to state the bleedin' obvious, he did not play the sax solo on 'Baker Street'... ::)
Indeed he did not, it was Raphael Ravenscroft.

btw, who start that Urban Myth?

So who was the host after Bob Holness?  ???

So who was the host after Bob Holness?  ???
Michael Aspel (BBC Two)
Liza Tarbuck (Sky One Version 2)

It was announced on 10th November 2011 that game show channel Challenge is to revive the show in 2012. Application forms are available to request by e-mail (details are on the official Challenge website). The new series will have adult contestants playing the game. A host for the revised series has yet to be announced.

I've seen clips of UK Blockbusters through bloopers, most notably one contestant who said "orgasm" instead of "organism".  It's cool how the UK made that show long lasting.  The original US version only ran 1980-1982 and a non popular 1987 revival

Indeed he did not, it was Raphael Ravenscroft.

btw, who start that Urban Myth?


He confessed live on Radio 2 this evening - Stuart Maconie

He confessed live on Radio 2 this evening - Stuart Maconie
So it was him all a long?

He said he was writing a column in NME and ran out of ideas once or twice so he made stuff up!  The only one that appears to have had any longevity to it was the story about Bob Holness.  Another one he made up was that David Bowie invented Connect Four!