Even though this has been the most watched show on Channel 4, it has never won a major television award since it has been on the air.
In May 2005, Richard Whiteley caught pneumonia, and his position as host was to be temporarily filled by a series of guest presenters during the recording of Series 54. He later died in June, and after auditions for a new host the show returned in October hosted by Des Lynam. The guest-presented episodes were never aired, and a new Series 54 was recorded instead. Others who auditioned included Richard Digance and Noel Edmonds; Paul Merton was also rumored to have been under consideration.
This was the first program broadcast on Channel Four, the UK's fourth television network.