Episode 27 Debatable

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Hello, and welcome to Debatable, where today one player must answer

a series of tricky questions to try and walk away with a jackpot

of over £3,000.

But, as always, they're not on their own.

They will have a panel of celebrities

debating their way to the answers.

Will they help or will they hinder?

That's Debatable. So let's meet them.

Talking the talk on today's show

we have writer and comedian Susan Calman.

We have comedian Tim Vine

and Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson.

APPLAUSE

Susan, excited?

-Ready to go?

-Yes. I feel, having done it before,

there's a little bit more on my head.

I have to say, it's a very high-achieving panel.

I think it's the first time ever, Tanni,

-that we have a member of the House of Lords...

-Yes.

-..on the panel.

Thank you very much.

How's the debating skills from the House of Lords?

I suppose I have to admit to some.

We're very nice in the House of Lords, very polite to each other.

Yeah, we sort of give way.

So I'm expecting the same level from our panel today.

So what are you going to bring to this, Tim?

-Specialist subject?

-Well, I know a lot about Elvis Presley.

I know a lot about darts.

You name any finish, I'll tell you how to finish at darts.

-Any number.

-135.

Well, outer bull, treble 20, bull.

Or you can go bull, treble 15, double top.

I mean, there's many other ways.

"Bull" seems to be the recurring theme.

Well, who doesn't like to...

How dare you!

So that's the panel. Let's meet today's contestant.

It is Alvin from London.

-Good to see you, Alvin. Are you well?

-I'm good. I'm very good.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Me, I am 37-year-old letting agent in London.

So I basically drive around London all day, going into people's houses,

having a nose around, showing other people.

It's one of the best jobs in the world.

What else do you do in your spare time?

I've got many hobbies. Some I can't obviously discuss on TV.

But I do like socialising with my friends.

I think we should discuss...

-Yeah. Yeah.

-Anything goes, Alvin.

Well, a couple of them involve knitting.

-Knitting?

-Yep, that's the least we'll say about that.

Well, it had me in STITCHES.

GROANS

What else do you do, Alvin?

I like going to the pub. Pub quizzes.

Pub quizzes are one of my favourite.

Do you get better with the alcohol

-or worse as the night goes on?

-The alcohol gives you more confidence,

doesn't necessarily make you better.

It makes you think that you know the answer, even if it's wrong.

-How confident are you feeling currently?

-Looking at the panel,

-I am feeling very, very, very unconfident.

-Oh...

OK, let's get cracking, Alvin. Let's play Round 1.

Alvin, this round is multiple choice.

Each question has four possible answers.

We need you to find the correct answer.

Four questions in this round, £200 for each correct answer.

-Excellent.

-A potential £800 up for grabs.

-Good maths.

-OK. Here comes your first question.

Um...let's see what the panel...

Let's see what the panel think.

I think that could potentially be quite wise on this.

We will turn it over to our learned panel.

-Your debate starts now.

-Right, this is interesting.

First of all, panel, can I ask you this question?

-Yes.

-Are those four bones?

Well, sternum's the chest, isn't it?

-Sternum's the chest.

-Right. Femur's on the leg, is it?

-Yes.

-Where's the fibula?

-Is that on the arm?

-The fibula is the arm.

The radius I thought was part of a circle.

-Or is it there?

-Radius and ulna are those two.

-Yeah.

-You should know more about this, Tanni,

with your athletic background.

-Yeah.

-You should know what every bone is.

I thought fibula was leg.

Yes, fibula's leg.

-Lower leg.

-I mean, I'm not a medically qualified doctor.

-Oh, you're not(?)

-No.

-But I have watched a lot of Casualty,

so I feel quite qualified...

-Fabulous. Right, OK.

-..to do this.

So the sternum is definitely here, which is not a long bone.

-No.

-Is it not?

-No.

-So that's out.

Fibula - arm.

-Femur...

-Femur's hip to knee.

Femur's that one there.

Fibula is knee to ankle, because you've got your fibula and tibia.

So you do know! She was all like, "I don't know anything."

And your radius and ulna, which I think is there.

I'm sounding confident - I could be completely wrong!

I'm taken in by your confidence.

So, which one's longer?

-Your arm?

-You're right, that is the question - the longest one.

The femur is the longest bone

because I always understood that

that was the longest bone in the body, was that one there.

Right. I think that sounds...

-I think so.

-That makes a lot of sense.

So we are going with, as the panel,

femur, longest bone in the body.

So, Alvin, after a very scientific game of head and shoulders,

knees and toes, knees and toes, they have gone for femur.

Yeah, their rationale pretty much made a lot of sense.

And thinking of my own body...

..I'm pretty sure that my thighs are longer than my forearm.

So, yep, I'm going to go with...

I'm not going with their answer because of their debate,

I'm going based on my rationale.

So... But I do respect your help.

Great help. Please help in future.

I'm going to go for femur.

Alvin, this show is going to go on for quite a while

and you're going to need these people's help.

I know, I just realised that!

The correct answer, for £200, to get you up and running is...

It is femur!

Well done, guys.

The femur's regarded as the strongest

as well as the longest bone.

The sternum is the breastbone.

You were correct about that. The radius is the bone in the lower arm.

The fibula is the bone in the lower leg.

We're up and running. £200.

Here comes your next question, Alvin.

Interesting.

Um...

Anyone you can rule out there?

I think it's just because it's the one term

that's throwing me off, because I don't know how long they all served.

Obviously if I did, I'd know the answer.

I think I need the help of my illustrious debaters again, please.

Panel, can you shed some light on this for Alvin?

Your debate starts now.

Can I just nail my colours to the mast right at the top here?

-Yes.

-When those four names came up, I thought they were desserts.

-Right.

-So I'm afraid...

Has anyone got any experience... about that?

Well, conveniently...

-Ah!

-..I used to work at the United Nations.

-Boom!

-Seriously?

-Yes. It was an internship working in the...

Basically the genetic database.

I also worked in Currys selling vacuum cleaners, so...

They are all Secretary Generals.

Ban Ki-Moon - very famous Secretary General.

Kofi Annan as well, and Boutros-Ghali.

The reason I'm going with De Cuellar is, I didn't hear as much about him,

which says to me he might have been involved for less time.

-I don't know.

-Was he the '80s?

-It was a while ago, wasn't it?

-I think it was the '80s, he was.

I mean, it's just instinct with De Cuellar.

I didn't memorise, when I was at the UN,

how long the Secretary Generals...

-Right.

-I was too busy trying to find the toilets.

-Right.

-It's a big building in Geneva.

I like your instinct on this.

-What do you think, Tanni?

-It's just instinct.

That's all. What do you think, Tan?

Instinct would have been De Cuellar.

So it probably would have been a bigger story

if Kofi Annan hadn't done two terms... Had just done one term.

-Yes.

-Same with Ban Ki-Moon.

-OK, well, in that case,

we've come to a decision, as a panel.

We say Javier Perez de Cuellar is the only one of those people

who's served one term as UN Secretary General.

Perez de Cuellar. Now, what are the chances

that one of our panellists worked at the United Nations?

-I know!

-It is like you were meant to be here.

It is, isn't it?

I've got no clue, so I'm going to go with the panel's answer again.

Javier Perez de Cuellar.

So, based on the fact that it is the only name that our panel

have heard less than the others...

LAUGHTER

..you're going with Perez de Cuellar.

OK. No pressure, panel.

We're going for Javier Perez de Cuellar.

Is it the correct answer, for £200?

Oh, no!

Boutros Boutros-Ghali was the first UN Secretary General

-to only serve one term...

-Sorry.

..from 1992 to 1996.

-Sorry.

-So, Alvin, no money added there

-but still plenty of time to get the cash up.

-No worries.

Here comes your next question.

Hmm.

-Interesting.

-Interesting?

Anything ringing a bell there, Alvin?

Not at all. I mean, working in property,

I should probably know this, but we don't really get involved that much

with the gutter side of properties.

-That's something an architect would probably do.

-Hmm.

And I'm just a mere letting agent.

"Three bedrooms, give us the cash"?

Pretty much.

So, yeah, this will be a complete guess.

So hopefully the panel have got some experience in architecture.

Uh-oh!

So, yeah, let's see what they think.

OK, Alvin, we're going to throw this over to the panel.

Panel, your debate starts now.

A parapet is round the top, is it?

-Mm-hm.

-OK.

-Well, part of the good news is, my dad was an architect.

-There we are.

-Except I didn't listen to a word he ever told me.

Right... OK.

-So, sorry.

-The gargoyles are the nasty-faced things on buildings.

That's just decorative, isn't it?

-Yes.

-I think there was something about scaring away evil spirits

when they were on churches, and all that kind of malarkey.

-I think a grotesque...

-Is also a gargoyle-type thing, is it?

Yes, I think they are the same kind of thing.

-Yeah.

-A gambrel and a gadroon...

"Gadroon" sounds like a Scottish way of saying it.

-Saying what?

-"Where did the water go?"

"It went gadroon the building."

-Yeah!

-But I'm not sure that's an architectural thing.

-I've not heard of a gambrel or a gadroon.

-I haven't, but...

Are we agreed... We think it's possibly one of those two, though,

-gambrel or gadroon?

-I went with my gut on the last question...

-Nice(!)

-Really well.

-You need to go with your gutter!

-Well...

LAUGHTER

What's your two's gut instincts?

Go on, what's your gut instinct, Tanni?

Gambrel. For no other idea than I quite like the name of it.

-Yeah.

-Well, we're taking a GAMBREL, but...

I'd be inclined to agree. Would you agree?

I always agree with anyone who's in the House of Lords.

-Exactly!

-So...

-Oh, dear.

-I would say gambrel.

Yeah, I'd go with gut.

I always agree with anyone who's worked in the UN.

I mean, we all make mistakes! Are we going to go with gambrel?

-Yeah. Absolutely.

-Right, here it is. We've decided the answer is gambrel.

Tim there very definitely stating that it's a gambrel, whilst

disassociating himself from both Susan and Tanni on that answer.

Well, I like Tanni's reckoning

that she likes the sound of the word, so...

Sorry!

Sometimes gut instincts can be right.

So I'm going to go with gambrel, and if I'm wrong,

then Tanni says that she's going to take me out for a pint.

So, yeah, let's go with gambrel.

OK.

-Come on, then.

-Going with the panel again.

You're saying gambrel.

The correct answer, for £200, is...

-What?!

-..gargoyle.

-What?

-It was gargoyle.

"Gargoyle" coming from the French, which means "throat",

and that's where "to gargle" comes from as well.

A gambrel is a roof with two sides,

each of which has a shallow or slope above a steeper one.

-That would drain the water, though.

-That would drain the water.

-Thank you.

-It would drain the water. So, Alvin, no money there.

There's still one question in Round 1.

Let's see if we can get you up to £400.

Here we go.

I'm getting an inkling

but I'm not going to kind of, like, sway the panel.

I'm going to let them debate it to see if their thinking...

-Nice.

-..fits in with what my initial thought was.

OK. Panel, your debate starts now.

I'll say this...

I think it's down to two - toothbrush and safety razor.

Now... Which is pretty much what happened on the last question.

-Yes!

-And possibly the one before that.

I think we all need to shed what's happened and just go with it, OK?

-Let it go.

-Let's forget what's happened.

It's a vacuum cleaner, innit?

OK, I don't think...

I agree. It's not the vacuum cleaner because the reason it's called

a Hoover is that that was the first one that was mass produced.

-That's right.

-So I don't think it's the vacuum cleaner.

-I agree with you.

-I don't think it was stapler because they had...

You know those little tags they had to keep things together?

-Yeah.

-So I don't think it's stapler.

Right, think about this, Tim.

-Hmm...

-In films...

Yes?

They're still using cut-throat razors in Victorian times,

which says to me it's the toothbrush because if they had safety razors,

people would be using safety razors, but they're not in the films,

-which are all practically documentaries of life.

-Yes.

-What do you think, Tanni?

-Toothbrush.

-I agree with you.

I think it's toothbrush and I think we should be confident about this.

-Yeah!

-Perhaps we need to be a bit more confident and let Alvin

really know that we have regained our confidence and we say,

as a panel, we say toothbrush.

With huge confidence!

Never has a lack of knowledge been presented with such confidence.

Alvin, they think toothbrush. What was your first inkling,

that you kept to yourself?

My first inkling that I kept to myself actually was toothbrush.

-Why was that?

-Basically, because Addis, the company Addis,

I'm thinking of the products that they still produce now

and they tend to be kind of, like, household products.

So I knew it wasn't stapler.

But, yeah, I'm just going to go with instinct and go with toothbrush.

OK, this is the fourth time that you've agreed with the panel

in this round. It has only wielded us...

-Confident(!)

-..£200 so far.

The correct answer is...

-..toothbrush!

-Yes!

-Thanks, guys.

Stick with us, Alvin.

Very well done.

Although basic bristle toothbrushes

were thought to have been invented in China,

Addis created and invented the first modern-day version.

Well done, Alvin. Another 200 quid into the prize pot.

At the end of Round 1, you're up to £400!

So, how do you think these fine human beings

are doing on our panel so far?

Anybody standing out so far for you?

-In what way?

-In the way that, at the end of the show,

we have to pick one of these people to play the final debate.

Oh, yeah. They're all in there.

-They're all still in with a shout?

-Yeah.

-OK, keep a good eye on them

because you can only pick one for the final debate.

Now, let's see how they cope with pictures.

It is time for Round 2.

Alvin, Round 2 is our picture round.

You must place three pictures in the correct order.

Three questions in this round, £300 for each correct answer.

-A possible £900 for the prize pot at the end of the show.

-Cool.

Here comes your first question.

I can kind of remember when

they happened and the timings

and stuff like that.

But they're all so close,

which I guess is the point

of the question.

I have, like, three famous mates

who are really, really good

at things like that.

Who are these mates?

I've got a mate from Scotland - Susan.

-Yes.

-There's this guy who I met in a pub playing darts called Tim.

A really great guy.

And I was in the Houses of Parliament once

and I bumped into this lady called Tanni.

She's really lovely.

And they just happen to be here today to help me.

Oh, my God! What a coincidence!

So, yeah, let's see what they think.

OK, Alvin has decided to

butter up our panel.

-Yeah!

-And the debate starts now.

Yeah. Hmm.

Any thoughts, Tanni? Any thoughts?

I think Liz Hurley's the oldest dress.

-Right.

-But if we can identify the events...

-Yes, good idea.

-So premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral.

-Definitely.

-Yes.

Notorious Spice Girls performance

at the Brit Awards, I believe.

Ah, was it? OK.

And she wore this at the Oscars.

I'm sure this was the Oscar dress

-she wore.

-Right.

This is the latest, to me.

These two seem to me

to be of a similar time.

-Yes.

-I think

that the Spice Girls

first burst on the scene '96, '97.

Yep. I was a member of

-the Spice Girls fan club...

-Right.

..at university.

You paused, like there would be

applause at that point.

APPLAUSE

Loved them.

And my instinct is, it's late '90s.

Can I reveal something

which sounds like I may be blowing

my own trumpet at this point?

I was the first man on Channel 5

and before me...

That was 1997.

March '97. Before me,

the Spice Girls.

-Because they did Five, Four, Three, Two, One as a song.

-That's right.

The question is,

-when was Four Weddings And A Funeral?

-I think mid-'90s.

-So before...

-I really do.

-..the Spice Girls.

Before that. I have to bow to your

-knowledge of Bjork there.

-Tanni, what do you think?

I think Four Weddings was before Spice Girls.

-OK. So we're saying that it's Liz Hurley...

-Yep.

Like so.

This is what we've gone with - Liz Hurley, Geri Halliwell, Bjork.

The order of dresses.

Excellent. I couldn't remember what

premiere she wore that dress for,

so if it was Four Weddings,

I'm pretty sure that Four Weddings

came out in 1994.

The famous Britannia dress,

I'm pretty sure that was

the same year as Euro 96.

I have no idea when Bjork wore that dress,

so I can only assume it was after '96.

I'm pretty confident that that's the right order.

So, yeah, I'll keep as is

and I'll go with the panel again.

OK. Based on some stuff that's firing in your own mind

as well as the panel's knowledge, you're going to go with them.

For £300, is that the correct order?

Yes! Well done!

-Very nice.

-Thank you.

-Very nice.

Liz Hurley wore the Versace creation -

it became known as "that dress" -

to the premiere of her then boyfriend's movie,

Four Weddings And A Funeral. 1994. You were bang on with that, Alvin.

Geri Halliwell wore a Union Jack dress to the Brits in 1997.

-You said that.

-OK.

-Well done, Tim.

Bjork wore her swan dress to the Oscars in 2001.

OK, well done, Alvin.

That's another £300 into your prize pot. You're up to £700.

OK, Alvin. Let's have a look at your second picture question.

I can't remember if it goes Venus, Mercury, Earth, Mars,

or Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.

Hold that thought,

as we toss this over to the panel.

Susan has a knowing smile on her face.

-Yeah.

-Panel, your debate starts now.

I know there's a rhyme that tells you, but I don't know the rhyme.

I didn't even know there was a rhyme.

Yes. There's something about "very much" or...

-I don't know.

-My father, mad about space and stuff,

and whenever I go to visit my mum and dad,

when I go out to the car to go,

my dad always comes out and he points at...

It's always Venus and Jupiter.

He goes, "Oh, look at Venus. Looks wonderful.

"Look at Venus, Tim. Isn't that wonderful?"

But anyway, I think the answer is, you look at it in terms of

how hospitable they are and how hot and...

Well, mainly how hot, because it's to do with the sun.

I think, currently, that is the right order we have them.

So Mercury's closest to the sun?

It's closer, and then Venus and then Mars.

Mars is a long way out, isn't it?

Mars is cold, isn't it?

Mars is one that we could actually go and stand on.

Venus is a kind of... Is a gas ball type thing,

so I would opt with Mercury being closer than Venus.

-I could be wrong.

-They're all trying to go to Mars, aren't they?

That is the most definite answer any of us have ever come up with

on a basis that's not,

"I've heard of Mercury more than I've heard of Venus."

Well, I've gone with, "My dad says..."

-My dad says!

-I'm good with that.

-Yes, I'm good with that.

-I think so.

Well, I mean, we seem to be getting better and better at this, Alvin.

More and more confident and I hope you go with us, but, of course,

it's up to you, but we have decided this is the order.

Mercury, Venus, Mars.

So, our panel coming together, pretty much agreeing on this.

But, yeah, we've been a good team so far.

-Wouldn't you say?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-It's been great.

-So, yeah, I'm going to go with what the panel says,

which is, yeah, Mercury, Venus then Mars.

And this will be entirely my fault if wrong.

OK, Mercury closest to the sun, Venus, and then Mars furthest away.

Is that the correct order?

It is!

Come on!

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-Getting better, it's getting better.

Mercury's the nearest to the sun, then Venus.

Third is Earth, which is the rock in the title Third Rock From The Sun.

-Ah.

-And then Mars.

A useful mnemonic for remembering the order of the eight planets is,

"My very educated mother just served us nachos."

Nachos, that's right.

-That's right.

-But well played.

Right to go with the panel that time.

Another £300 in the prize pot.

Alvin, you're up to £1,000.

-Getting better.

-OK, Alvin, your final picture question.

Here it comes.

-Do you know what, Paddy?

-What, Alvin?

-I've no idea.

-Not a scooby?

Not a Scooby-Doo.

So, this is just going to be a complete guess

unless the panel are definitive.

But, either way, guess what's going to happen?

I'm going to go with what they say!

OK, panel. Absolutely no pressure.

Alvin doesn't have a clue.

Let's see how well read our panel are.

-Your debate starts now.

-Well, in my case,

I think I know where these people are from

but I don't know how many children they have. Tanni?

-Atticus Finch.

-To Kill A Mockingbird.

-Yes.

-Two children?

-Two children. Scout and...

-Ah, OK.

-The other one.

-The other one.

-Yep.

-Pride And Prejudice?

-Mr and Mrs Bennet.

-Yep.

-Five girls?

-Five girls.

-I think.

-Right.

King Lear.

-Not a clue.

-No.

Now, he didn't have more than five.

I think that's the most.

So it's one, three or four, probably, for that.

-Or none.

-So that's definitely that way.

-Yeah, OK, yeah.

-I just don't know how many children

King Lear had.

Of all the Shakespeare plays I know,

that is the one I have never read.

Bizarrely, I've learned a tiny bit of King Lear.

"Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm

"Invades us to the skin So 'tis to thee

"Thou'dst shun a bear

"But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea,

"Thou'ldst meet the bear i' the mouth.

"When the mind's free, the body's delicate."

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That was actually from Othello, but...

I have to say, that was a magnificent rendition there

-of Act 3, Scene 4.

-Is that what it was?

Yes. In Act 3, Scene 5, he actually tells the kids to go to bed.

-That's the one you should have learned.

-Exactly, yeah.

- So he did have kids. - Yeah.

I'd have said none or one, but...

-Yeah.

-But I don't know.

I think I'd go for one, actually.

-What do we reckon?

-Yeah, I think so.

I don't think we're going to move anything from this.

-No.

-No.

-So I think we should go with this.

So here we go, then. King Lear, Atticus Finch, Mr and Mrs Bennet.

I mean, in terms of actual numbers, we reckon possibly one, two, five.

But I don't think we have to tell you that,

we just have to give you the order, and that's what we've gone with.

So, Alvin, you knew nothing about this.

-No.

-Tim has given us too much information,

which is always a good thing.

They believe that King Lear had the fewest children, then Atticus Finch,

then Mr and Mrs Bennet with the most.

OK.

Well, yeah, they seem confident that Mr and Mrs Bennet had five kids.

Atticus Finch with two.

So if King Lear had zero or one, then, yeah,

let's keep going with what we've been doing. Stay with the panel.

This is a brilliant yet dangerous strategy

of continuing to go with the panel.

For £300, is that the correct order?

It's the wrong order.

Let's have a look at the correct order.

-He's in the middle, I bet, King Lear.

-Yeah.

-Flip!

Atticus Finch, you were right, two children.

-Scout, the book's narrator, and...

-Jem.

-..brother Jem.

King Lear had three daughters, Regan, Cordelia and Goneril.

The King Lear plot is about splitting the kingdom three ways

-between three kids.

-Oh, gosh.

-If there was only one kid,

it would have been a short play.

-That hasn't showered us with glory, has it, really?

-No. No.

Mr and Mrs Bennet had five daughters whom Mrs Bennet wanted married off.

So, no money for that, Alvin, but at the end of Round 2,

you're still on £1,000.

-I'm quite happy...

-OK, Alvin, into Round 2.

How's the panel faring?

They're serving me really, really well.

It's been a pleasure.

Do you think there's going to be a possibility in the third round

that you may go against the panel?

It depends. If I know for sure, then I'm just going to go with myself.

And if it's Shakespeare, well, you know we're always here for you.

I once performed in The Tempest.

STORMED it!

LAUGHTER

OK, Alvin. One round still to go.

Let's see if we can get the money up. Let's play Round 3.

In Round 3, Alvin, you'll face questions that contain statements

about a person, a place or a thing.

There'll be three statements, but only one of them will be correct.

It's the final round, so there's £500 for each correct answer.

Best of luck. Here comes your first question.

I know that the French gave it to America as, like,

a present or something like that.

But I don't know if it was built in France.

I've no idea how tall it is.

And, yeah, the hand thing,

that's...50-50.

So, yeah, let's see what my mates think.

OK. Let's see what your mates think, otherwise known as the panel.

Panel, your debate starts now.

-Right, go on, Tanni.

-Is there a version in France?

Have I just dreamt this, that New York's got one

-and there's one in France?

-There is a version in France,

-a smaller version in France.

-Yeah, smaller.

-Yeah.

I agree with what Alvin said,

that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France.

This I seem to remember.

But I also agree with his wondering whether it was built there.

I don't know. Although I've got a vague and, again,

this may be absolute nonsense,

a vague memory of seeing it in a very old photograph

-on the back of a ship.

-OK.

No, but that may be total nonsense.

Listen, it could have been Planet Of The Apes you're thinking of.

-It may be, yeah.

-But if you'd asked me, I thought it was sail...

-OK.

-I thought bits of it were sailed over.

-This is good, though.

-But...

-Well, it's a bit of a rubbish gift.

It's like giving your kids a Lego Hogwarts and then saying,

"I'll leave you to it," and not helping them build it.

-I agree.

-So I think it's a rubbish gift if they have to build it.

Can we discount the last one?

I thought she held the torch in the right hand

because doesn't she have the Bible in her left hand?

Yes, there's a lot of symbolism as to which one it is.

I thought it was the right hand for the torch.

-OK, let's discount that.

-We'll discount that one.

-OK.

-Fine.

-I also think 500ft is quite tall.

-Yeah?

-So I think it's a bit smaller than that.

-OK.

-Yeah. I think we've made a decision here.

-Yes, we have, yeah.

-I think we have. OK, so our decision is this.

We feel that the figure was first built in France.

Tanni, you really helped me out by discounting C,

because that's just kind of, like, yeah...

So, yeah, I'm going to go with the panel, believe it or not.

Alvin going with the panel.

The figure was first built in France.

For £500, Alvin, the correct statement is...

I'm a bit worried about it now.

Mmm-mmm...

-Yes!

-Well done. Well done!

Very well played, very well worked out.

The total overall height from the base of the pedestal foundation

to the tip of the torch is 305 feet, 6 inches.

She holds the torch in her right hand.

And you were, of course, right.

It was first built in France, then it was taken apart,

shipped over and then put back together again in New York.

Very well played, everyone. That's 500 quid into the prize pot,

taking you up to £1,500, Alvin.

Here comes your next question.

Um... I know it's not A. But most populous?

I'm sure Asia is more populous than Africa.

So you're pretty sure it's not A.

You're thinking Asia might be the most populous continent.

Let's see if our panel can add anything to that.

Panel, your debate starts now.

Well, we go to...

-Don't...

-If only we had someone on the panel...

-Yes, exactly.

-..who had knowledge of...

-Who's been to eight games.

-Yes.

-Exactly, yeah.

-Yes.

-So, come on, then, Tanni.

No, I don't think they've hosted an Olympics.

So, they've hosted the World Cup...

So there's never been an Olympics in Africa?

-In Africa?

-No.

-I've just been trying to think about that.

Extraordinary, if it's the case.

No African countries?

-No.

-No?

-No.

OK, so we're discounting number one.

-Yes.

-I think...

I have to agree with Alvin.

My initial thought was that Asia was the most populous continent, but,

I mean, that's just...

I would agree with you.

Which would say the bottom statement was perhaps the true one,

simply because we've discounted the other two.

-What do you think?

-My only problem with the bottom one is,

what happens if there's an ostrich in a zoo

and it escapes in Melbourne?

It's then living in the wild and found in the wild.

-Yes.

-I presume this is discounted, is it?

And, of course, you haven't even thought of Bernie Clifton.

-No.

-No, that's right.

-No.

I used to do a joke about... Rod Hull has hijacked an aeroplane.

He's holding three ostriches.

LAUGHTER

-So I think we've made a decision.

-Yeah, I think so.

Using the expertise of the two women either side of me,

we have come to the conclusion that the only continent

where ostriches are found in the wild is Africa.

So, by a process of elimination,

they believe that ostriches are found only in the wild in Africa.

Yeah, again, that was my gut

and that's worked more often than it has not worked.

So discount A and B, and let's stick with C.

OK.

So, once again, you are going with the panel.

Is Africa the only continent where ostriches are found in the wild?

For £500, the correct statement is...

It is!

Very well done.

You can breathe again now.

Oh, my God, what have I forgotten?!

-I know.

-Well done. To date, no African country, unbelievably,

has ever hosted the Olympic Games.

Both South Africa and Kenya have been in talks

about being contenders for the 2024 games.

It is the second most populous continent, behind Asia.

But well played, Alvin.

Another 500 quid in the prize pot. You are up to £2,000.

Still another 500 up for grabs.

Let's see if we can get it in the prize pot.

Here comes your final question.

I have no clue. I'm not really into literature.

But for some reason, I don't know why,

but it's ringing in my head, maybe someone mentioned it

and I just overheard,

but I think Gertrude was actually her first name.

But I'm going to see what the panel think.

-OK.

-Maybe they know.

-Let's see what our panel make of this.

-Your debate starts now.

-OK,

anyone got the faintest idea, initially, looking at that?

I think her books were published far before the 1920s.

-Right.

-Because I think...

I think they were around before then.

Wasn't there a big thing on Beatrix Potter a few years ago,

-which would've made it the 100-year anniversary, wouldn't it?

-Yes.

I don't know if her first name was Gertrude or not.

It's a tough one. I said to someone, "Do you want me to do an impression

"of the Beatrix Potter character called Puddleduck?"

He said, "Jemima?" I said, "No, I can do the voice as well."

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

I don't think she was a sheep farmer.

-No?

-Because that's quite intensive.

I think she was more a refined lady, wasn't she?

I also like the fact that it says an award-winning sheep farmer.

They could have just said sheep farmer,

we'd still be having this conversation, but award-winning?

-I didn't know people won awards for farming sheep.

-So Gertrude...

I mean that's the one that's standing out for me.

Yeah, it sort of is for me, as well, because people having that thing of,

you know, you change your name to give yourself a nice nom de plume.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Especially as a woman writer.

-Yes.

-Yes.

So, she's probably an award-winning sheep farmer now,

but the bottom one is the one that's kind of sticking out for me.

I think that's conclusive, then?

I think it is conclusive, but it's one of our more rocky conclusions.

And that's saying something!

OK, so we've come to a conclusion, albeit on a shaky basis.

We think that Beatrix Potter, her first name was Gertrude.

So, Alvin,

the panel agreeing with you.

Yeah. I'll go with good old gut here, and the panel, of course.

So, yeah, let's stick with C. Her first name was Gertrude.

OK, it was your first thought.

For £500, to get you up to £2,500 for our final debate,

the correct statement is...

-She was an award-winning sheep farmer.

-Of course she was!

I mean, how would you make that up? Of course she was.

Beatrix Potter was very committed to the conservation of Herdwick sheep.

She had her own flock and was keen to breed the best animals,

-winning local awards...

-So specific.

-..at the agricultural fairs.

Her first book was published in 1902.

Her first name was Helen.

Beatrix was her second name.

Not to worry, Alvin. You've done really well.

At the end of Round 3, your prize pot is £2,000.

Not bad.

So, one question between you and £2,000.

Any idea what you might do with the money if you win?

I might take these guys down the pub for, like,

-a game of darts or something like that.

-Yeah.

That would be quite interesting. Could do a lot with £2,000.

You do know that these three will hold you to that?

Well, let's hope one of them helps me to win, then.

OK. Alvin, in the final debate, you will face one question.

That question will have six answers but only three are correct.

We need you to find all three answers to leave with the money,

but, of course, you're not alone.

You will be playing with one of these fine panellists.

They will be assisting you in your quest.

You and your panellist will have 45 seconds to debate

and then we need an answer. OK, Alvin,

who would you like to join you in the final debate?

Will it be Scottish Spice, Susan Calman?

Will it be Tim Vine, who may have to call his dad?

Or will you go for gold with Tanni Grey-Thompson?

Ooh... It's... I can't even flip a coin, can I?

Because it's three people.

I mean Tanni and Tim have been really helpful,

but I love the way Susan thinks.

-Oh...

-And I want her to join me.

OK, Susan, would you please join us as we play the final debate?

Go on, Susan!

So, Susan, Alvin has put his faith in you for the final debate.

I mean, he's clearly made the right decision.

Absolutely. Of the three of us...

I like to say, though,

because it was very much how do we feel about things,

-rather than facts.

-Yes.

Which is a nice way of doing things.

So, look, it is the final debate.

You've got two categories to choose from.

Have a look and pick one from these.

See, Soaps would have been good about ten years ago.

-But I don't watch soaps any more.

-Mm-hm.

-Then Geography, I think...

Geography is one of the worst subjects I can possibly imagine.

-OK, so...

-So if you choose that, I'm going to be right here.

-Pepping me.

-Yeah.

-So, in that case, I think we've solved it.

Let's go with Soaps because...

-Yeah.

-Yeah. I think go with Soaps.

OK, you're going with Soaps.

£2,000 up for grabs.

We're going to put 45 seconds on the clock.

Alvin, best of luck. We're all hoping you do this.

-Here comes your final debate question.

-OK.

-OK. Yeah.

-Definitely.

No... Was he?

-No.

-Maybe?

-Nope.

-No?

Later.

Possibly.

-Yes.

-Yep, definitely.

-Your time starts now.

-OK, not Hattie Tavernier.

That was far later on. Lofty Holloway, I think, was later on.

Pat Butcher was later on. If I was going to pick any three, instinct,

Ian Beale who's been in almost every episode.

-Definitely.

-Pauline Fowler was one of the original family,

and Den Watts.

I know Pat Butcher was later, I know Hattie Tavernier was later.

It's whether Lofty Holloway was in there as well.

-So...

-Who is Lofty Holloway?

-Lofty, um, married Michelle, took...

-Even though Den Watts...

-Oh, Lofty, the one with the glasses?

-Glasses.

-Oh, so that's a wild card.

-I think it's Ian, Pauline...

-And Den Watts.

-And it's whether it's Lofty or Den.

OK, I'm loving your rationale. Ian was definitely in the first episode.

-Ten seconds.

-I'd go Lofty. Go Lofty. Ian, Lofty...

-And Pauline.

-Pauline.

-Ian, Lofty, Pauline.

-Sure? Definitely not Den Watts?

-Den Watts, I think...

-I don't know. What's your choice?

-OK.

-You choose!

-Three answers, Alvin.

-Ian Beale.

Pauline Fowler.

-Lofty Holloway.

-Lofty Holloway.

Oh!

OK, Alvin. £2,000 up for grabs.

We need all three of these to be correct.

Best of luck. First name you gave me was Ian Beale.

Did Ian Beale appear in the very first episode of EastEnders?

It's a correct answer. He did.

As a very young teenager back in 1985.

The next name you gave me was Pauline Fowler.

Was Pauline Fowler in the very first episode of EastEnders,

to keep us on track for £2,000?

She was!

She was there in the second scene of EastEnders in 1985.

-It's going to be Den.

-I know, I know.

I know it's going to be Den Watts instead of Lofty.

So, it all comes down to this.

You guys thought it may have been Den Watts,

then you went to Lofty Holloway, then you went back to Den Watts,

then you gave me Lofty Holloway.

If Lofty Holloway is the correct answer, you leave with £2,000.

If it's the wrong answer, I'm afraid you leave with nothing.

Alvin, was Lofty Holloway in the very first episode of EastEnders,

for £2,000?

It's the wrong answer, Alvin.

-Sorry, mate.

-Don't worry.

Let's have a look at the correct answer.

-Den Watts.

-It was Den Watts!

Den Watts was the first character

to speak in the very first episode of EastEnders.

Lofty didn't appear until a week later.

It was so close, Alvin.

-I'm so sorry.

-I'm so sorry, but very well played.

-Thanks for coming to play.

-Pleasure.

-Give it up one more time for Alvin.

-Sorry.

-It's OK.

-I'm so sorry.

That is it for Debatable.

Just enough time for me to thank our fantastic panel,

to Susan Calman, Tim Vine and Tanni Grey-Thompson.

I hope you've enjoyed watching.

We will see you next time for more heated debates.

For now, it's goodbye from me.