The people appearing on I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue have hardly changed over the years, and as such they have become institutions in their own right.

the chairman
humphrey lyttelton
A former Grenadier Guardsman trumpeter, he is now an acclaimed jazz player with his own band, the Humphrey Lyttelton Band. He was once a cartoonist on the Daily Mail.

let’s meet the teams
On the Chairman’s left:
barry cryer
Not an Ex Goodie, comedy writer, after dinner speaker, and generally humorous person. Used to be Chairman as well during the first series, alternating with Humphrey. For some reason, the other team members think he has a drink problem.
graeme garden
Ex Goodie, occasional actor, and comedy writer.

And on the Chairman’s right:
tim brooke-taylor
Ex Goodie, and available for panto.
willie rushton
For many years Willie Rushton was the partner for Tim Brooke-Taylor. Sadly, Willie died in 1997, and many fans of the show miss him very much.

Since Willie’s untimely death, Tim has been partnered by a variety of comedians in each series. Also over the years, if anyone was unable to appear on the show due to other commitments, various people have stepped into the breach. They are, in no particular order:
bill bailey
Musical comedian with a very popular (and good) one man show. Star of Channel 4’s Black Books.
max boyce
Welsh singer/comedian.
rob brydon
Talented Welsh comedy actor, does a lot of voice acting for animations and commercials, but probably best recognised from Marion and Geoff.
denise coffey
Comedienne.
john cleese
You all know who. One of the original contestants.
jack dee
An actor and comedian, famous for his deadpan delivery.
kenny everett
One of the funniest people from the 70s and 80s on radio and television.
stephen fry
Comedian and actor. Renowned for his singing ability, although this is usually cunningly hidden by making him sing such songs as If by Telly Savalas.
andy hamilton
Comedy writer and performer responsible (along with others) for such TV and Radio hits as Drop the Dead Donkey, The Million Pound Radio Show, and Old Harry’s Game.
mike harding
Singer/comedian.
jeremy hardy
Comedian. Like Stephen Fry, he is renowned for his singing ability on this show.
harry hill
Comedian recognisable by his huge collar. Originally a doctor, he made his breakthrough at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1992 and since has had successful series on Radio 4 and Channel 4.
tony hawks
Comedian. Famous for hitching around Ireland with a fridge!
jo kendall
One of the original panellists. Also appeared in I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again, Monty Python, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and more.
john junkin
Comedy writer and actor - I mean an actor who also writes comedy, although he may do comedy acting as well. Anyway, you get the idea.
phill jupitus
Stand-up comedian. Regular team captain on BBC 2’s Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
jonathan lynn
Comic actor and stage, screen, and television director. Most famously known as co-writer of Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.
fred mccauley
Comedian. Likes football.
paul merton
Comedian. A regular on Have I Got News For You on BBC 2.
neil mullarkey
Comedy Store player, film actor/writer, and general funny guy.
ross noble
Very funny, multi award winning, stand up comedian with a strong line in surrealism.
bill oddie
One of the original panellists. Member of the Goodies, and avid bird watcher.
linda smith
Stand up comic and comedy writer. Sadly, she died in her prime unexpectedly in February 2007. She will be sorely missed.
bill tidy
Cartoonist. Does occasional stints on Countdown on Channel 4.
sandi toksvig
Comedienne, and team captain on Call My Bluff on BBC 2.

the scorers
Always willing to do their bit on the desk next to the Chairman. They are:
samantha
The lovely Samantha is the regular scorer on the show. I have yet to find a picture that can do her justice.
sven
Sven occasionally assumes Samantha’s position. He is originally from Sweden and was recommended by Samantha. He came to the UK as part of a Chippendale style dance troop, but now runs a boarding house somewhere in Brighton.
monica
In the late 80s gave a hand keeping the teams points up when Samantha was unavailable.

at the piano
Always banging away during the musical games.
colin sell
Pianist and general musical person. Otherwise he is a music lecturer at a Drama and Music college in Kent.
neil innes
Colin Sell’s stunt double - he was one of the founder members of the Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band. He also worked on Monty Python and formed the Rutles. He did a marvellous version of Urban Spaceman in a game of Pick Up Song and was within gnat’s pizzicato of his own recording! Occasionally stands in for Colin Sell.
matthew scott
Occasionally deputised for Colin Sell during the 80s.
denis king
Denis studied at the Guildhall School of Music and went on to become Britain’s most accomplished writer of TV music, including the themes from Black Beauty, Worzel Gummidge, and Lovejoy. With countless film and TV credits and appearances, his glittering career eventually presented Denis the ultimate professional challenge - standing in for Colin Sell.
david firman
Deputised for Colin Sell in a couple of shows in 1978.

announcers
mystery voice
Whenever a title or name is to be guessed by the teams, the Mystery Voice reads it out to the radio listeners, while the audience are told the answer via the laser display board.
andrew crawford
Does the introduction and wind up to each broadcast. He is a former BBC newsreader.

listeners
mrs. trellis
An ardent fan from North Wales who frequently writes to the BBC causing a bulge in the mail bag. She even occasionally writes about I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.

commentators
raymond baxter
Resident commentator to the Armitage Shanks Series Mornington Crescent competition. You can also hear him presenting the Everyman’s Guide to Morningtion Crescent on the second ISIHAC audio tape.

behind the scenes
programme consultants
Iain Pattinson (since 1993)
Peter Bradshaw
producers
David Hatch
Simon Brett
Paul Mayhew-Archer
Paul Spencer
Jon Magnusson
Jon Naismith (current)
writers
Robert Fraser Steele
Steve Punt
sound
John Bain
David Scott

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