Episode 8 The Link

Hello I'm Mark Williams and welcome to The Link,

where knowing the answers is only half the battle.

To win this game, you have to find the link between the answers.

Three teams are hoping to make the right connections,

but only one of them can be in today's final.

Let's see who's feisty, fun and formidable.

I'm Robert. I'm a karate instructor. This is my friend.

I'm Ellis, I'm a personal trainer, and we're both from Essex.

APPLAUSE

Robert, how did you get into karate?

Um...

Basically, I was being beaten up at school quite a bit,

bullied actually, in actual fact.

"I've got to do something about this, this guy's bullying me

"and having a go at me, so I have to do something about it."

Went down the karate and learned karate.

Does that happen with a lot of kids, do you think?

It does actually. More and more these days, yeah.

Boys and girls come in, shy people,

they walk out confident people.

That's half the problem with bullies.

If you're confident and you face up to these people,

that's the problem, they'll back down.

-Did you sort your bully out?

-Kind of.

I met him at a reunion once and he was a big, fat, overweight guy,

bald, sweaty, little fella. And I come right up to him,

close as this I got up to him, said, "Do you remember me?" "No."

I said, "You used to bully me at school."

And he started shaking and going white.

Without having to do anything, I've done it, you know?

-Yeah.

-Just by confronting him, doing that, and I done it.

-Laid the ghost.

-Yeah.

-Ellis, you work out.

I'm a personal trainer, so I work at a corporate gym.

Do you do that so you can eat out more?

Yes, I do eat out a lot.

And I've probably, over the last three or four years, well and truly

got into The Great British Bake Off, so I do an awful lot

of baking. So you've got to work it off, so I do that at the gym, yeah.

Great. When you go out, what do you like to eat?

Um, well you can't keep me away from a dessert,

so small meals, big dessert.

Pile it on, pile it on, pile it on.

So a starter and three desserts, yeah?

Basically, yeah.

If you go to a buffet and there's all those desserts spread out,

it's, "I might take some chicken wings,

"but what's that on the dessert table?"

Pile it on. And that's just my first trip.

I might go back for second, sometimes third. But then I go

and run it off at a treadmill or do a spin class or something.

OK. Brilliant. What a great trade-off.

Robert and Ellis, welcome.

APPLAUSE

Martin and Mark, welcome. Tell us about yourselves.

I'm Martin, I deal in used cars, and he's my friend.

I'm Mark, I work with vulnerable young adults,

and we're both from Belfast.

APPLAUSE

Martin, you like the guitar.

Yeah, I suppose. I taught myself when I was around 15.

Went to see, I think, AC/DC in 1970-something.

My brother took me, just heard Angus Young through the big stack

of amps and me eyes began to water and I thought, "I want to do that."

So I said "Dad, can you buy me a guitar?"

He says, "You'll never play it, son." So...I did.

Have you got a special lead guitarist face?

LAUGHTER

-That's great! Bit of a grimace.

-Yeah, yeah, bit like that.

I can't remember, it's been so long.

Mark, tell us about your teaching.

Yeah, yeah.

I work with, as I say, I work with vulnerable young adults,

so it's kids really with a whole range of health issues.

And it's...difficult, but very rewarding.

If you win, what will the money be used for for you?

-Well, I have this camper van, I'm lucky with my job...

-Oh!

I'm afforded quite a lot of time off,

but it needs some repairs at the moment.

Oh, we love a camper van. Martin and Mark, welcome.

Mandy and Robin, introduce yourselves please.

I'm Mandy, and I'm a sewing and dressmaking teacher,

and this is my husband.

I'm Robin, I'm a utility cost consultant,

and we're both from Surrey.

Robin, what's a utility cost consultant?

I basically negotiate electricity, gas and water contracts

for companies, and hopefully save them money.

Mandy, you run a sewing school?

Yes, I run my own sewing school from home

and I also teach adult education classes.

I learned to use a sewing machine.

Did you? How did you get on?

I can still do it. I think it's vital. Everybody should.

I agree. And if you don't know how, I live in Surrey.

You want to go to America?

I suppose, if I'm honest, the main reason is it's because the classes

are held in a huge fabric store, and you get a 40% discount as a student.

Your secret vice is fabric.

It's not that secret, to be fair!

No! And not that much of a vice to be perfectly honest.

Mandy and Robin, welcome.

Thank you.

Welcome all. Now pay attention.

Here are six cash pods containing amounts ranging from £125 to £2,000.

The more cash in the pod, the more links there are holding it.

What you have to do is cut the links holding the pods

until they drop down into your bank.

And here's how you cut the links.

I'm going to ask you four questions.

You have to work out what links the answers.

If you can guess the link from the first question alone,

you'll be able to cut four of those links.

If you spot it after the second answer, you can cut three links.

Then two, then one.

And of course the link here is...

-CONTESTANTS:

-Famous steam trains.

Correct.

Let's cut that link.

You need to bank as much cash as you can because the team with

the least amount of money at the end of this round will be going home.

Let's play The Link.

Round One. Stand by, here's your first question.

For four links...

A form of communication used over

a great distance is called a smoke what?

-Robin.

-Signal.

Correct.

First clue, what's the link, Mandy and Robin?

-Oh, don't know.

-Railways?

Railways? Maybe, yeah.

I can't think of anything else.

Eh...no. So we'll go with railways.

Is the link railways?

No. Everyone's back in play, stand by for three links.

Tasmin Archer had a UK number one single... Robert.

Sleeping Satellite.

Had a UK number one single in 1992 with Sleeping what?

Satellite is correct. Signal, satellite.

-What's the link?

-Signal...

-OK, so...

-Signal, satellite.

-It's communication.

Ah! Got it. Box. Satellite box, signal box.

-OK, go with that then.

-Box. Yeah, we'll go box.

Is the link box?

No.

I was with you, but no.

Everyone back in play, stand by for two links.

The BBC's talent show, which sees the coaches swivel on chairs is

called The... Ellis.

The Voice.

..The what? Voice is correct.

Signal, satellite, voice.

Recorder. Could have a recorder. Voice recorder. Satellite recorder.

-Signal recor... Oh, no.

-No.

Communication?

It's communication, isn't it?

Yeah, but... Satellite, communication.

Could be recorder.

Need an answer, please, Robert and Ellis.

-What do you want to say?

-Go recorder.

OK, we'll go recorder, please.

Is the link recorder?

No. Everyone's back in play.

Stand by for one link.

A group of letters and numbers which are added to an address to

assist the sorting of mail. Mandy.

Postcode.

Is a postcode. Correct.

Signal, satellite, voice, postcode. What's the link?

-Oh.

-Gosh.

I would have said telecommunications,

but not with postcode.

Um...

-Um, um, um.

-Mail.

Mail?

Satellite?

Voicemail, I was thinking, but no, don't know.

Um... Ooh!

Delivery. No, I don't know.

Um... Communications.

Is the link communication?

Well yes, but no.

LAUGHTER

The link we were looking for was satnav.

Uses GPS signal, global positional satellites,

speaks to you in a voice and is most efficient with postcodes.

Satnav.

OK, right, let's move onto the next link.

Here's another set of questions. For four links...

The spa town of Harrogate is located in which English county?

Mark.

-Yorkshire.

-Correct.

What's the link?

-Pudding?

-Possible. Possibly dogs. Did you say dogs?

Could be, terriers.

Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah, let's try that.

-I think that might be better.

-Types of terrier?

Is the link types of terrier?

No.

For three links. Stand by, you're all back in play.

What is the hard, white fat on the kidneys and loins

of various animals...? Mandy.

Suet.

..and used in cookery usually called?

Correct. Yorkshire, suet. What's the link?

-Puddings.

-Puddings.

Is the link puddings?

Correct.

The remaining clues were Christmas and summer.

Ellis, where were you?

I know, as soon as she said it, I'm thinking baking.

You got that on the second clue, which means you can cut three links.

Think very carefully about whether you want to cut

links on the smaller values for a quick cash fix or

if you snip away at one of those higher value pods.

What would you like to do, Mandy and Robin?

I think we'll grab the 500 and get some cash.

OK, smash and grab the 500.

There we go.

Mandy and Robin have £500, Martin and Mark yet to bank,

Robin and Ellis similarly.

Everyone back in play - stand by for four links.

Which two nursery rhyme characters go up a hill to fetch...? Mandy.

Jack and Jill.

Correct. ..to fetch a pail of water? Jack and Jill.

There's your first clue, what's the link?

-Bathrooms.

-Exactly, bathrooms!

-It's the first thought that comes to mind.

-Is it?

-Bathrooms, yeah.

-Which is a bit sad really, but still...

OK, is the link bathrooms?

No.

You were unanimous with that, so... But you were wrong.

Everyone's back in play, stand by for three links.

In what professional sport have Sugar Ray Robinson...? Martin.

Boxing.

..and Joe Frazier been competitors? Boxing is correct.

Jack and Jill, boxing.

-What's the link?

-Tricky.

Boxing Day, Jack and Jill...

What happens to Jack and Jill?

Went up the hill. Over the hill.

Fell, broke his crown.

Guess?

Crown.

Is the link crown?

No.

OK, everyone's back in play. For two links...

International Women's Day occurs on the eighth

of what month of the year?

Robert.

April.

-No.

-Mark.

-March.

-March is correct. Jack and Jill, boxing, March.

What's the link?

Still not seeing anything.

-Hares?

-March hare?

March hare? What's Jack and Jill?

Yeah, famous, famous hares, Jack and Jill hare!

LAUGHTER

-Go for hare.

-Hare.

-Is the link hare?

-Yep.

-Oh!

The remaining clue was...ears.

They have long ones. March, mad as a March hare. They do box,

the males. Well, that's what it looks like. A jack is a male

and a jill is a female.

You got that on the third clue, which means you can cut two links,

so what would you like to do?

-Oh, we'll take the cash every time, I think.

-Take 300.

Yeah, we'll cut two links and take 300.

Use your two links to cut the £300 pod and release it into your bank.

Let's do that.

There we are.

Martin and Mark now on 300,

Mandy and Robin on 500, Robert

and Ellis yet to bank.

Nobody's through yet. Everyone back in play.

Stand by for four links.

Croke Park is a stadium... Martin?

Dublin.

..in which Irish city? Dublin is correct.

There's your first clue. What's the link?

-Dublin.

-Prawns?

Prawns? Footballers?

-Yeah. Dion Dublin, possibly.

-Ah.

Can't think of any other link, apart from the city,

-and that's too obvious.

-Yeah, em...

It's not going to be anything to do with Ireland.

-Wouldn't be footballers, would it?

-It's possible, yeah. Could be.

-OK.

Yeah, we'll go for footballers.

Is the link footballers?

No. Everyone's back in play. Stand by for three links.

The 2014 action film starring Tom Cruise

and Emily Blunt is called the...

-Ellis?

-Edge Of Tomorrow.

Is called The Edge Of Tomorrow. Correct.

Dublin, Edge. What's the link?

-I'm thinking U2.

-I think it's U2 as well.

-U2?

-Yeah. We're going to go with U2.

Is the link U2?

Yeah.

The remaining clues were... Joshua Tree, the album, Vertigo,

the single. Edge, the guitarist.

And Dublin-based, or Dublin-originated, band - U2.

You got that on the second clue, which means you can cut three links.

-What would you like to do?

-We'll have to go 125, do you think?

-That means we've got something.

-Yeah.

-We can use the other two on the... What, on the?

-The 750.

-Really, or?

-No, two thou...

-Make inroads on the 2,000?

-Good point. Yeah.

Em... All right, Mark, we'll take 125, please.

-Yeah, and?

-And then we'll use the final two links on the 2,000.

OK. Let's cut two links from the £2,000 pod.

Leaving four. And one from the 125.

That means Robert and Ellis have banked

125. Martin and Mark,

300. Mandy and Robin,

£500.

Nobody through yet. Everyone back in play.

Stand by for four links.

The popular soul singer who had a 1972 hit with Let's Stay Together...

-Ellis?

-Al Green.

Is the Reverend Al Green. Correct.

Green. Em...

Colours on a Cluedo board, maybe.

Colours on a Cluedo... Yeah. Know what I'm thinking...

Green room, maybe.

Is it Green... Is a character in Cluedo Green?

-No, I don't...

-No.

-Is it Professor Green?

-It could be snooker.

-Green baize.

-Green baize, maybe.

There you go. Snooker. Could be anything, couldn't it?

-We should go for Cluedo.

-Need an answer.

-Go on.

-Cluedo colours?

-Yeah.

-Eh, colours on a Cluedo board.

OK. Is the link colours on a Cluedo board?

No. Everyone's back in play. Stand by for three links.

A rich older man who lavishes gifts on a young woman...

-Robin?

-Sugar?

..in return for her company is known as a SUGAR daddy.

Correct. Green. Sugar.

Two clues, what's the link?

-Sugar cubes? Green.

-Sugar cubes? Green.

Sugar... Em... em, em, icing.

No. Eh, bananas?

LAUGHTER

You have... Are you down... Are you down with that, Robin?

I can't think of anything better.

OK then. How marvellous.

Is the link bananas?

I wish it were. You're all back in play.

Stand by for two links.

The 2001 film featuring Jude Law was entitled The Enemy at the...

-Ellis?

-Gates.

Gates is correct. Green, sugar, gates.

-What's the link?

-(Bill. Bill Gates.)

I was thinking Bill Gates.

-Yeah, but how's that going to be...

-I don't know.

-..with sugar and green as well?

-Gates.

Gates. Dawn. Pearly gates.

-Pear... Ah, no.

-I'm not getting it either.

-No.

-Tea.

-No.

-No. What do you want to say, then?

Well, ah, ah... Ah, Bill?

-Bill Gates? It's an answer.

-We need an answer.

-Oh, well, good, we're going to say Bill.

-Is the link Bill?

No. Everyone's back in play. Stand by for one link.

In bridge, what name is given to the suit of cards

established in the bidding process that outranks...

Robin?

Trumps.

..that outranks all the rest? Trump is correct.

Green, Sugar, Gates, Trump.

What's the link?

Well, it could be, yeah, Donald.

Tower. Trump Tower.

Lords Of The Realm. Famous Donalds.

Weird haircuts.

Weird haircuts. Wigs.

-Em... We'll go with Donalds.

-Yes.

Is the link Donalds?

No. Anybody know for fun?

-Entrepreneur?

-Are they entrepreneurs?

Yes.

All famous businessmen, Philip Green - Top Shop, Alan Sugar,

Bill Gates, and Donald Trump, as you've said,

the comb-over specialist.

No, that did nobody any good. Let's move on to the next link.

Here is another set of questions. For four links...

What is the surname of Tommy,

the main character in the animated TV series The Rugrats?

Robert?

I don't know. I don't know what I said that for.

To see if my buzzer worked.

Anybody else? No? Put you out of your misery.

Unless you have got kids, you wouldn't have got this - Pickles.

That is the correct answer.

Unless you are actively watching children's television.

Right. No-one has the chance to guess the link.

Everyone back in play. Stand by for three links.

David Jason played Pop Larkin in the TV series... Robert?

Em... Oh, it's gone.

It works, your buzzer.

-Yeah.

-You don't have to test it again, Robert. Anybody else?

Robin?

The Darling Buds of May.

In the TV series entitled The Darling Buds of May.

Correct. Pickles, Darling.

Em... No, it's not to do with Peter Pan, is it?

-It's not?

-I don't know what Pickles.... I could say that,

-but...

-They are MPs, they are all MPs.

-Eric Pickles, Alistair Darling.

-Oh. OK, go with that then.

-Members of Parliament.

-Is the link Members of Parliament?

Ooh, cool. Well done.

The remaining clue was... Hunt and Balls.

British politicians.

We will give you that, because at the time of recording

they are all indeed members of Parliament.

Right then, you guessed that link on the second clue, which

-means you can cut three links. What would you like to do?

-Ooh.

So, what do you... One off each?

-One off the 750?

-One off the 750 and two off the 1,000.

Yeah, OK.

One off the 750 and two off the 1,000, please, Mark.

OK, one from the £750 pod. And two off the 1,000.

Leaving three - four on the 2,000, three on the 750.

What is your thinking behind that?

Em... Well, it's unlikely that anyone's going to get

any of those at the next...

Three links is tough to guess straight off.

Mm. You've just got three links, though.

Yeah, but they weren't...

-So...

-So, so...

-Look...

-We'll get it next time.

All right, everyone is back in play. Stand by. For four links...

Commonly associated with the toy bear,

what was he a affectionate nickname

of the American president Theodore... Mandy?

Teddy?

Theodore Roosevelt, Teddy. Correct.

-Teddy. There is the clue. What is the link?

-Phew.

Well, types of underwear, but we won't go there.

Em... Teddy... Em...

-Andy Pandy? Who was in Andy Pandy? Apart from Teddy?

-Andy Pandy,

Teddy, Looby Loo. There wasn't a fourth one that I know of.

Children's television programmes?

Yeah. Children's television programmes.

Is the link children's television programmes?

No. Stand by. Everyone back in play. For three links...

Established by Edward III in 1348,

the oldest British order of chivalry is the order of...

Robert?

-The garter?

-Garter is correct.

Oh, blast!

Teddy, garter. What is the link?

-Garter.

-Sorts of like, em, women's clothing?

-Is it?

-Yeah. I think so.

-Oh, I don't... I'll go with you.

-Say it.

-Unless you've got any other ideas.

-I've got no idea.

-That is all I can think of.

-Em, items of women's clothing, underwear?

Is the link items of women's underwear?

OK, the remaining clues were basque and G-string.

So, Mandy, you got that instantly and then you completely rejected it.

I thought it was too rude.

What? Too rude? Why?

I don't know. It's a daytime programme, Mark.

What is rude about a basque? A daytime programme. OK.

There is nothing wrong with lingerie on a daytime programme,

surely.

Right, you got that on the second clue,

which means you can cut three links.

What would you like to do, Robert and Ellis?

We are going to take the three links from the 1,000, Mark.

Are you really? What a good idea.

Yeah, I think so.

Let's take the three links from the £1,000 pod.

So, Robert and Ellis, you are now on...

Martin and Mark, £300.

Mandy and Robin, £500.

Everyone back in play. Stand by. For four links...

For what is couture designer Jimmy Choo best known? Robert?

-Shoes.

-Correct.

Shoes. First clue, what's the link?

-Anything, couldn't it?

-It's not fashion.

Ah, yeah, yeah, it's not...

-Turning into a fashion corner over there.

-Yeah, I know.

-Shoes.

What about Sex In The City?

-Yeah, do that! Go on, then.

-OK. All right.

We'll guess Sex In The City.

OK. Is the link Sex In The City?

No. Everyone stand by.

For three links...

Which is Scotland's fourth largest city in terms of population? Martin?

Aberdeen.

No.

Ellis.

Ah, Dundee.

Is correct.

Ooh, where the...?

-Shoes, Dundee. What's the link?

-Crocodile Dundee?

Cos he'd wear them shoes, he used to wear them shoes.

-Crocodile shoes. Crocodile.

-Shall we say crocodile?

-Crocodile.

OK. We're giving crocodile as our answer, Mark.

Is the link crocodile?

Yeah, well done, Robert.

The remaining clues were clip - crocodile clip, crocodile tears.

And you were really frustrated with the first clue, Robert.

-You got it on the second clue.

-Yeah.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

That means you can cut three links.

-What would you like to do?

-Got to be 750.

-Yep.

-Say it, mate.

-Ah, we'll take the three links from 750, please, Mark.

Taking the three links from the £750.

Releasing that into Robert and Ellis's bank.

Which means on

£1,875, you are definitely

through to the next round.

Martin and Mark, £300. Mandy and Robin, £500.

All to play for.

Come on. £2,000 there.

Everyone's back in play.

That £2,000 is suspended by four links. And for four links...

Janice who is a DJ on BBC... Robert?

-Long.

-BBC Radio 2. Janice Long.

Correct.

-Could be anything.

-Long.

-Long.

-Eh...

Just something.

Something. Long, short... em...

What about like measurements of distances, maybe, or...

Vague.

What about long jump?

Long jump. Yes, yes. Well, if you say the word jump,

-say the word jump.

-Yeah. Let's say jump.

-We'll go with the word jump, please Mark.

-Is the link jump?

Very good. You two are working really well. That was really great.

Great cooperation there. You're right.

The remaining clues were... high, triple and ski.

You got that on the first clue, which means you can cut four links.

-Shall we do that?

-Yeah. I'll let Robert do this one.

Four, 2,000, now, please.

"Four, 2,000 now." Let's do that then.

APPLAUSE

So Robert and Ellis,

£3,875.

Mandy and Robin, £500.

You are going through to the next round.

Martin and Mark,

thanks very much. We have to say

goodbye to you both, but thanks for playing The Link.

-BOTH:

-Thank you.

Robert and Ellis, and Mandy and Robin,

you're still in the game. Robert and Ellis,

you've banked £3,875.

Mandy and Robin, you've banked £500.

That money is now in these two cash pods, each held by seven links.

The first team to cut all the links and release their cash pod

takes that money through to the final round.

The other team will be out.

Now, you can be as brave or as cautious as you like

because you decide how many links you want to try to cut.

I'm going to ask you to identify a person,

place or thing from a series of clues and you tell me

whether you want to play for one, two, three or four links.

But the more links you play for, the fewer clues you'll receive.

If you do not spot the link, your opponents will see all

the clues for a chance to cut a single link from their cash pod.

Robert and Ellis have brought through the most money to

this round. So you get to decide if you want to play first or second.

-How do you want to do this?

-Go first?

-Really? Do you want to go first?

-Yeah. It doesn't matter. Yeah.

-You sure?

-Yeah.

-Want to go second?

-OK then.

-All right then, we'll go first please, yeah.

-Go first.

-LAUGHTER

-OK. Let's play.

Stand by. Round Two.

The first question is asking...

Who am I? How many links would you like to try and play for?

I think we should go for just two.

OK then, absolutely.

For two links, here are your clues. Who am I?

Who am I?

-Oh.

-Well do seconds.

Ah, all right, so if it's Tooth Fairy,

-John Bishop is known for his teeth.

-Liverpool. Yeah.

-Yep, and em...

-Didn't know that. Oh.

-That's Northampton,

-but he's Liverpool isn't he?

-Yeah.

He won the BBC's... Although John Bishop wasn't around in 2001.

I'm thinking of Frank Skinner, but is that...

-No. I know who it is. It's Alan Carr.

-Oh.

Alan Carr. We'll give Alan Carr, please, Mark.

Am I Alan Carr?

Yeah. The remaining clue was...

Let's cut those two links.

Leaving five.

Mandy and Robin, your turn now.

Your question will be asking...

What am I? How many links would you like to play for?

-Two?

-Think we'll be copycats and go for two.

OK. For two links.

Here are your clues. What am I?

What am I?

-Oh.

-No.

-Ah, the Imperial War Museum.

-Which is Duxford.

Duxford?

-Up there.

-Oh, North. Sorry, yes.

Right, OK. Em... Turner.

The Turner...Museum.

Need an answer.

-Turner, em, something.

-Turner Gallery.

Am I the Turner Gallery?

No, I'm not. That's wrong.

Robert and Ellis, you now have a chance to nick a link.

Here is the remaining clue for a chance to cut a single

link from your cash pod.

And it is...

National Gallery. National Gallery. Heywood Gallery, isn't it?

See, I think it's the Tate Modern.

No, no. I don't think...

It's not a theatre and a gallery complex. National Theatre, national.

The Heywood Gallery. Heywood Gallery.

You know the Heywood?

-What's it called?

-Heywood Gallery?

Is that what it's actually called? Cos I still think it's the Tate.

-Need an answer.

-It's on the same side, isn't it?

-You're running out of time.

-What do you think it is?

-Give an answer.

-Heyward Gallery.

-Heyward Gallery, please.

Am I the Heyward Gallery?

No.

The answer is...

-..The Lowry.

-Oh!

He was a famous artist, it is a theatre and gallery complex

opened by the Queen and it is in the north of England.

No links removed, but we stay with you, Robert

and Ellis, for the next question. And that will be asking...

What am I?

How many links would you like to play for?

-Yeah, two links. Yeah.

-OK,

-go on, then. Two links, please.

For two links, here are your clues.

-OK. What do you think it is?

-It's a whale or shark.

-A whaler shark?

-Whale OR shark, yeah.

Well, no, cos one's a mammal, one's a fish, isn't it, so...

-Oh.

-"My mouth is lined with large, serrated teeth used to

-"prey on other sea creatures." That's what whales do.

-Right.

"I can detect..." Oh, no, serrated teeth, though.

-That's what sharks have.

-They are sharp.

"I can detect one drop of blood in a million times that

-"amount of sea water."

-Right.

-"I can grow up to 20 feet in length."

-So, it's a specific shark, isn't it?

-Need an answer.

I think it's a great white shark. Great white shark.

Am I a great white shark?

Yep.

-Oh. Where do you get that from?

-The remaining clue was...

Good bit of detective work there, Ellis.

-I was nowhere near it. Yeah.

-Persistence paid off.

-I helped.

-Let's cut those two links.

Leaving three.

Mandy and Robin, your turn now.

Your question will be asking...

What am I?

With seven links still on your £500 pod,

how many links would you like to play for?

Well...should be brave and go for three.

-Yeah, go on.

-But I want... No.

I should... We should be, I said.

But equally, I'll be so incredibly embarrassed

if we don't get any, so let's go for two.

-What do you think?

-Two.

OK. For two links, here are your clues, Mandy and Robin.

What am I?

What am I?

-BOTH:

-Bank of England.

-Am I the Bank of England?

Yes. The remaining clue was...

Yes, the Bank of England. Right, let's cut those links.

Ending Mandy's embarrassment.

You've got five links left.

Robert and Ellis, you've got three.

And it's your turn now. Your question will be asking...

Who am I? How many links would you like to play for?

-Play safe.

-Two links, gives us three clues does it?

-Yeah.

Two links gives us three clues, yeah.

-Yeah. Three clues please, Mark.

-OK.

For two links, here are your clues. Who am I?

-Red Rum.

-Do you think so?

Oh, no, Red Rum... Is it Shergar?

That's what I'm trying to... I always get confused with those two.

-Red Rum was... One was kidnapped, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-One of the horses was kidnapped.

-That was Shergar.

-Was it Shergar that was kidnapped?

-Yeah.

-So it must be Red Rum.

So, "I guested," '77...

-I'm so...

-Go on.

-Shall we say Red Rum?

-I need an answer.

-Yeah, go on.

OK. We'll go with Red Rum, please, Mark.

Am I Red Rum?

Yeah. The remaining clue was...

-OK, let's cut those links.

-Three, wasn't it?

-Leaving you with one.

-So we'll take all those...

Mandy and Robin, your turn.

Your question will be asking...

What am I?

How many links do you want to play for?

-Do you think?

-Yeah. We'll go two please, Mark.

You're going to go for two links.

OK. For two links, here are your clues. What am I?

What am I?

The Hollywood sign.

Am I the Hollywood sign?

Yeah. The remaining clue was...

So let's cut those links.

And it's Robert and Ellis's go.

Your question will be asking...

What am I?

-Em... How many links would you like to play for?

-Just one.

-Uno.

-One, please.

OK, then. For one link.

What am I? Here are your clues.

What am I?

-What do you think?

-Phhh. Rubik's Cube?

I don't know.

I'll go Rubik's Cube.

It's not Rubik's Cube, it's not. I know it's not.

Running out of time.

-Yeah.

-Don't run out of time.

-No. Just say it.

-Rubik's Cube?

Am I Rubik's Cube?

No.

No, I'm not.

Mandy and Robin, you now have a chance to nick a link.

-Yeah.

-Ah, yeah. We have the chance to nick a link.

Em... Good grief. Eh...

"The numbers must remain single."

I don't know what that means. "I'm made up of several squares."

-I can only think of...

-Pixel.

-Pixel?

-Pixels?

Am I pixels?

No. I am...

Sudoku.

Oh!

So if you want to know what sextillion is, six sextillion,

it's 670 quintillion, 903 quadrillion, 752 trillion,

21 billion, 72 million, 936,960.

So there.

Right. No links removed, so play stays with you, Mandy and Robin.

Your question will be asking...

Who am I? How many links would you like to play for?

-We have to go three.

-Well, we should be brave and go for the three.

But then equally, they only got one and they just got it wrong.

Yeah, but...

But then so did we.

Yeah. Sorry. We'll go for three please, Mark.

You going for three links?

-Yeah, why not.

-Very brave.

For three links, who am I?

Here are your clues.

Is it Demi Moore?

Am I Demi Moore?

Oh.

Steady, Mandy.

The remaining clues were...

Well!

-Good heavens.

-Blimey. That's a bit of a turn-up for the books.

-It makes up for the underwear question.

-Yeah.

-Makes up for the underwear.

-Yes, it does. She didn't wear any.

Let's cut those links

APPLAUSE

-Sorry.

-Well done, Mandy and Robin, you are through to the final round,

and that cash goes with you.

Well, Rob and Ellis, that was a great round.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

But they did really well there, they did really well, yeah.

-Thanks, guys.

-Good tactics. You played really, really well.

-Thank you.

-Any thoughts?

I am going to try and practice some Sudoku now.

LAUGHTER

Have you ever played Sudoku?

Yeah, I normally fill in the coloured squares and stuff.

My colleagues hate me.

-You use it for colouring in?

-Yeah.

-Making patterns, brilliant.

Robert and Ellis, you played a great game, but it's time to say goodbye.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Mandy and Robin, you are today's finalists. How are you feeling?

-Ah...

-Nervous?

-Em... Yeah, slightly nervous.

-I'll add to that.

-Slightly anxious.

It was really, really dramatic, that. Just the three.

You were going, "No, two, two, two, three... Yes, got it."

So you have bought £500 through to the super-link round

and we're adding £2,000 to that.

So today you're playing for £2,500.

Any thoughts on what you might do if you won that?

I tell you what, you can go to Portland.

-Yeah.

-And I'll come with you.

-OK.

-MARK LAUGHS

-Brilliant! To do what?

Em, well, ostensibly, to go to a sewing course,

but really to raid the fabric store.

And if I go, it'll be to stop her from raiding the fabric store.

So, that's a contract.

Right, to take that money home, you have just 60 seconds to find

six super-links.

At each level, you need to identify the link between ten clues.

As soon as you think you know the answer, buzz

and we'll stop the clock.

If you're right, you can take that money home. But choose to play on,

and your team-mate will step forward to tackle the next super-link.

But if you're wrong, play stays with you,

we will restart the clock and you'll face a new set of clues.

If you run out of time, you leave with nothing.

Who's going to play first?

-You?

-I am going to play first.

Robin, you're on your own. No conferring.

The clock will start when you see the first clue.

Let's see if you can find the link. You ready, Robin?

Just about.

Good.

National Parks.

Is the link National Parks?

Yep. Very good.

The remaining parks were...

Did you know that before?

Not until Exmoor came up, no.

OK. That puts you on...

£125.

Mandy and Robin, with 52 seconds remaining on the clock,

you now have a choice.

You can take that money and go or you can play on,

what would you like to do?

Can't get to Portland on 125 quid, so...

Well, we will have to play on.

Mandy, you are on your own, no conferring.

The clock will restart when the first clue appears. You ready?

It's animal homes.

Is the link animal homes?

Yes.

And the remaining homes were...

That puts you on £300.

With 43 seconds remaining on the clock, you have the choice to

take that money and go or you can play on.

We will play on, Mark.

Robin, your turn now, no conferring.

The clock will restart when the first clue appears. You ready?

Yep.

Hats.

Is the link hats?

Couldn't have been simpler if you knew.

The remaining hats were...

All hats. That puts you on...

£500.

With 36 seconds remaining on the clock, you can

decide to take that money and go or play on.

Go on.

-Are you sure?

-Yep.

-OK. We'll go on, then.

-I'll still love you if you don't get it.

-OK.

-"OK."

OK. Mandy, your turn now.

The clock will restart when the first clue appears. Are you ready?

Mm-hm.

Bread.

Is the link bread?

Yep.

And the remaining breads were...

Bread.

You've been word perfect so far.

That puts you on £750.

Now, with 30 seconds remaining on the clock,

half your available time to make the super-links,

it's time to decide whether you play on or take the money and go.

Well, it's your round, so...

-So it's my call?

-Well, yeah.

-What do you think?

-Don't mind, it's up to you.

-Let's go for it, Mark.

-OK.

Robin, your turn now.

-The clock will restart when the first clue appears. You ready?

-Yep.

Actors. SHE GASPS

Is the link actors?

No.

Roberts.

The remaining two Roberts were Downey Junior and De Niro.

Not all actors.

Robert Winston - scientist, Robert Palmer - singer,

Robert Burns - poet, Robert Plant - singer.

Mandy knew that.

-Yes.

-Hence her sharp intake of breath.

That means play stays with you, Robin,

and you face a new super-link.

20 seconds left. The clock will restart when the first clue appears.

-Are you ready?

-Yep.

Hair.

Is the link hair?

MARK LAUGHS

Redemption with one clue remaining, which was...cut.

-Yes.

-Well done.

-The link there is hair.

That puts you on....

£1,000.

Your choice.

So, Mandy and Robin, with six seconds remaining on the clock,

for the final time you have the choice to take

the money and go or play on.

Well, I don't think my cardiologist will let me go...go on,

-so we'll take the money, regretfully.

-OK.

-Well, not regretfully.

-No. Thankfully we'll take it.

-THEY LAUGH

-And that's teamwork.

Mandy and Robin, you didn't make it to today's top prize,

but you're going home with £1,000.

-Oh!

-Thank you.

Will that get you to Portland?

-Eh, no.

-It won't get us both to Portland.

It might get you to Portland.

It's a deposit on your trip to Portland.

There you go, you're part way there.

Round about the Azores, I think.

Thank you, Mandy and Robin, for playing The Link.

-Thank you very much.

-Thanks.

Join us next time when three more pairs will be playing The Link.

See you then, goodbye.