2004 The first
Big Fat Quiz was broadcast on 27 December 2004.
Louis Walsh,
Nadia Almada and
Dame Kelly Holmes all made live appearances to read out the answers for the months of March, June and August respectively. Recorded questions from
Bono,
Derren Brown and The Bear from ''
Bo' Selecta! were shown too along with films of Richard and Judy discussing events. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School in Neasden acted out news stories that happened throughout the year, such as Ricky Gervais winning two Golden Globe Awards for The Office'' and the
Momart fire.
2005 Guest questioners in the studio included
Jordan &
Peter Andre and
David Tennant. There were also recorded questions by several celebrities including
Richard and Judy,
Charlotte Church,
Cameron Diaz,
Toni Collette,
Derren Brown and
Kevin Pietersen. The mystery guests were
Walter Wolfgang and a woman genuinely named
Sue Doku. This year's quiz saw the debut of
Jon Snow giving fake news stories based on song lyrics, with "
I Predict A Riot" and "
Crazy Chick". The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the birth of
David and
Victoria Beckham's third child and
Jacques Chirac insulting British food on the eve of the
G8 Summit.
2006 In 2006, the show was broadcast on 27 December. Guest questioners in the studio included
Boy George,
Myleene Klass and
Matt Willis. The mystery guest was
Guy Goma, famous for mistakenly appearing as a guest on
BBC News 24. Pre-recorded questions were asked by
Lily Allen,
Carol Vorderman,
Courtney Love,
Girls Aloud, and
Sacha Baron Cohen (in character as
Borat). Channel 4 News reporter
Jon Snow returned to give fake news reports about songs of the year, reporting on "
Patience" and "
America". The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out
The Da Vinci Code plagiarism claim and
parents rebelling against Jamie Oliver's school dinners campaign.
Ian McKellen gave dramatized readings from the autobiographies of
Jade Goody and
Kerry Katona. Russell Brand and Noel Fielding spent much of the show giving deliberately wrong – and surreal – answers, leaving them trailing far behind the other two teams. This was until towards the end when Jimmy Carr bowed to the pressure of the studio audience and gave them 22 points for answering one question correctly, which was the amount needed to bring them back into contention at the time and ensuring that they subsequently won the quiz. This led Walliams and Brydon, who came last as a result, to exaggerate their chagrin at the turn of events that had seen Brand and Fielding emerge on top. During a discussion about the
Bob Skeleton event at that year's Winter Olympics, the suggestion arose that a character with that name could be the star of Brand and Fielding's next show together. The pair subsequently became known as the
Goth Detectives (opposed to their original name, which arose from a joke Jimmy Carr made about their supposed parentage), which was suggested for the show's title. Though it began as a joke, the pair eventually performed a
Goth Detectives sketch for the
Teenage Cancer Trust event at the
Royal Albert Hall on 28 March 2007.
2007 The 2007 show aired on 30 December 2007. Guest questioners in the studio were
Christopher Biggins,
Cerys Matthews and
John Smeaton, a baggage handler at
Glasgow Airport who helped
foil a terrorist attack. Pre-recorded questions were asked by
Take That,
Gordon Ramsay and
Thom Yorke.
Jon Snow returned with a faux news report on "
Umbrella".
John Hurt read out extracts from the autobiographies of
Peter Andre and
50 Cent. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School returned to act out
David Beckham's move to
LA Galaxy and when
a judge criticised The Jeremy Kyle Show. Paul Croft, the man who had a tattoo of
Dumbledore done on his back before
J.K. Rowling announced that Dumbledore was gay, was the mystery guest. This was the first time that
Rob Brydon had been on the winning team, despite having appeared on the panel every year since the first show in 2004. Also, it was the first time (and, as of the 2018 edition, the only time) that the previous year's winning team – the Goth Detectives – had both returned to try to defend their title.
2008 The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2008 aired on 28 December on Channel 4 at 9:00 pm. Due to the furore caused by his and Russell Brand's
infamous phone call to actor
Andrew Sachs, which resulted in his three-month suspension from the
BBC at the end of the year, this was the first occasion that
Jonathan Ross did not appear. He also declined his customary executive producer credit. Despite
Big Fat Quiz not being a BBC programme, Ross himself had thought it inappropriate to do any broadcasting work during the corporation's censure (the same reason that was given for his decision to temporarily concede hosting duties of the
British Comedy Awards – broadcast on
ITV – around the same time). This was also the first year that
Rob Brydon was absent, leaving host
Jimmy Carr as the only regular fixture throughout the
Big Fat Quiz of the Years entire run to date (although neither Brydon nor Ross had been panellists for the special Channel 4 anniversary edition). In-studio guest questions came from
Strictly Come Dancing contestants
Jodie Kidd and
Mark Foster, and
2008 Olympics Team GB gold medalists
Christine Ohuruogu and
James DeGale. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Katy Perry, the
Fonejacker,
Alan Carr,
Sarah Silverman and
Sir Alan Sugar.
Jon Snow gave news reports on "
That's Not My Name" and "
I Kissed A Girl".
John Hurt read from the autobiographies of
Les Dennis and
Christopher Biggins. The children from Mitchell Brook Primary School also returned acting out the divorce of
Paul McCartney and
Heather Mills and
Jay-Z headlining
that year's Glastonbury Festival with
Oasis (band) hating it. Sean Lock expressed his hate for Mitchell Brook Primary School's "acting" and James Corden and Jimmy Carr argued over the
Sex and the City 2008 movie poster with Corden insistently calling it "Sex and the City: The Movie" when guessing the movie round with Corden and Lock almost walking out of the show in protest over the argument.
2009 The 2009 show was recorded on 7 December and aired on 1 January 2010.
Peter Andre appeared in-studio as a guest questioner. Newsreader
Jon Snow again appeared with news reports on "
Poker Face" and "
Bonkers" and the children of Mitchell Brook Primary School also reprised their regular slot, acting out the
Parliament expenses scandal and
Kanye West invading the stage at the
MTV Video Music Awards. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Tim Minchin (asking a question in song about
Google Street View),
Sir David Attenborough,
Stuart Broad,
David Tennant and
50 Cent. Swansea cagefighters Daniel Lerwell and James Lilley, who successfully fended off a homophobic attack in a nightclub when they were dressed in drag for a stag night, were the mystery guests. Ross and Brand made a number of references to the
Sachsgate scandal of 2008 which occurred last time they appeared together. There was also a discussion about changing Brooker and Mitchell's team name to
The Curmudgeons after they refused to dance to the
Lady Gaga song "
Poker Face". Mitchell and Brooker were the eventual winners and were asked by Jimmy Carr after their victory if they wanted to do a dance. Despite pressure from the audience, they kept up their premise of not dancing.
2010 The 2010 show was recorded on 13 December and aired on 3 January 2011. Guest questions were provided by
Nicole Scherzinger,
Jack Black,
Simon Pegg,
Russell Brand,
Seth Rogen, the cast of
Misfits and
Will Ferrell. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School made their annual appearance acting out news stories, which included
The Stig scandal and the
Icelandic volcano eruption, as did
Jon Snow with his fake news report of
Lady Gaga and
Beyoncé's "
Telephone". Lola, the cat put in a wheelie bin in August by Mary Bale appeared as a mystery guest.
Louie Spence posed a question in the form of a dance routine representing the story of the trapped
Chilean miners. Ross and Jones' team name "Wagner" was in reference to Wagner Fiuza-Carillho, known mononymously as Wagner, who had appeared in
series 7 of The X Factor that year and had progressed to the quarter final as part of the Over 28s category mentored by Louis Walsh.
2011 The 2011 show was recorded on 14 December and aired on 27 December 2011. Guest questions were provided by
Cee Lo Green,
Michael Sheen,
Tulisa,
Lee Evans,
Muppet drummer
Animal,
Rastamouse,
Downton Abbey star
Jim Carter,
Lenny Kravitz, and Professor
Brian Cox. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the arrival of
Larry the Cat at
10 Downing Street and
Cheryl Cole's firing from
The X Factor, and
Jon Snow gave his news reports on
Rebecca Black's "
Friday" and
Jessie J's "
Price Tag". "Supergran" Ann Timson, who was seen in a February 2011 viral video fending off four burglars with just her handbag, appeared as a mystery guest.
The Only Way Is Essex cast members
Lydia Rose Bright,
Lauren Goodger, and
Kirk Norcross appeared to present a question about the show. Hart and Walliams hold the record for first team to not reach double digits and the lowest score of any team in the show's run. David Mitchell and Eddie Izzard were that year's winners.
2012 The 2012 edition aired on 30 December 2012. The teams did not take team names. The in-studio final bonus questions were provided by
Team GB and
Paralympics GB athletes
Nicola Adams,
Natasha Baker,
Sophie Christiansen,
Hannah Cockroft,
Helen Glover,
Ed McKeever,
Etienne Stott, and
Peter Wilson.
The Great British Bake Off finalists Brendan Lynch,
James Morton, and
John Whaite provided a live guest question. Recorded guest questions were provided by
PSY,
Gerard Butler,
Usain Bolt,
Jessica Ennis,
Felix Baumgartner,
Kylie Minogue,
Cheryl Cole,
Simon Callow,
Jenson Button,
Tom Daley,
Warwick Davis, and
Charles Dance (doing a dramatic reading from
Fifty Shades of Grey). The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School once again made an appearance acting out the
Diamond Jubilee Concert. Providing the song lyric as news story segment was Jon Snow, reporting on "
Call Me Maybe." During the show, Whitehall and Corden had pizza delivered and ate it with red wine. The mystery guest was
Gary Connery, the stunt-double for the Queen, who skydived out of a helicopter during the
2012 Olympics opening ceremony. The program received 180 complaints to
Ofcom, largely over jokes Whitehall and Corden made implying that the Queen had had anal sex with
Prince Philip to celebrate their 65th anniversary. The
Daily Mail called the 2012 edition "Channel 4's sick show they call comedy." The teams did not take team names.
Danny Dyer appeared in the studio to provide a live guest question. Pre-recorded guest questions were provided by
Russell Brand,
Anchorman 2 stars
Steve Carell,
Will Ferrell, and
Paul Rudd;
Olly Murs,
Christine Ohuruogu,
Louis Walsh,
Richard Osman,
The Great Gonzo (promoting
Muppets Most Wanted),
Harry Hill, and
Sophie Ellis-Bextor,
Educating Yorkshire teachers Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Burton,
The Great British Bake Off series 4 runner-up
Ruby Tandoh,
Rizzle Kicks, and astronaut
Chris Hadfield. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School returned to act out
Edward Snowden's
spy leaks.
Jon Snow reported on "
Wrecking Ball" and
Charles Dance read from the autobiography of
Lauren Goodger. The mystery guest was
Natalie Holt, who threw eggs at Simon Cowell on the final of ''
Britain's Got Talent''. The show was dedicated to comedy agent and producer
Addison Cresswell, who died on 22 December 2013. Jonathan Ross brought most of a turkey, a loaf of bread and champagne. He ended up making sandwiches for the others.
2014 The 2014 edition was recorded on 1 December and aired on 26 December 2014. Mel B's performance received notable negative attention on social media and in the press as having brought down the show by being perceived as sour and humorless.
2015 The 2015 edition was recorded on 14 December 2015 and aired on 26 December 2015. The teams did not take names. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Quentin Tarantino,
Rita Ora,
Simon Pegg,
Will Ferrell and
Mark Wahlberg,
Josh Groban,
Olly Murs,
Katie Price and
Heston Blumenthal.
The Great British Bake Off winner,
Nadiya Hussain, provided the in-studio guest question. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out
Jeremy Clarkson's dismissal from Top Gear.
Jon Snow reported on
Drake's "
Hotline Bling".
Charles Dance read from
List of the Lost, the debut novel by
Morrissey. The mystery guest was Cecilia Bleasdale, who took a photo of a
black and blue dress which appeared white and gold to some people on the photo, leading to the dress becoming an internet meme. Davies and Ayoade's early answer "Bad Dong" becomes a running joke throughout the episode. One of the running gags is the panelists deciding to make an alliance against Jimmy Carr by helping Richard & Greg with getting their answers deliberately wrong. Rob even goes so far as becoming the host of the program for two minutes however the alliance breaks down after a debate about The Dress.
2016 The 2016 edition was recorded on 5 December 2016 and aired on 26 December 2016. The teams did not take names. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Professor Green,
Bryan Cranston and
James Franco,
The Vamps,
Sadiq Khan,
Ryan Tedder and
Zach Filkins from
OneRepublic,
Miranda Hart,
Gemma Chan,
Michelle Keegan and
Rick Astley. In-studio guest questions were provided by
Mark-Francis Vandelli from
Made in Chelsea and
Pamela Anderson. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out
Traingate.
Jon Snow reported on
Justin Timberlake's "
Can't Stop the Feeling".
Charles Dance read from
Rylan's autobiography. The mystery guest was Zac Alsop, who posed as a fencer and blagged his way on to one of
Team GB's
2016 Olympics victory parade floats in Manchester. A running gag on the episode was formed when, as Romesh discussed a new programme featuring his mother, Jimmy Carr asked what Romesh's father thought of the programme, not realising that he had died, leading to the other contestants repeatedly chiding Carr about not checking beforehand. There was also a running "gag" with Mel Giedroyc's obsession with the
Crossrail project currently going on in and around London.
2017 The 2017 edition was recorded at
Television Centre on 6 December 2017 and aired on 26 December 2017. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Kurupt FM,
Vince Vaughn,
Nadiya Hussain,
Clare Balding,
Ed Balls and
The Script. The in-studio guest question was asked by
Great British Bake Off contestant
Liam Charles. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
silencing of Big Ben during its renovation.
Jon Snow reported on
Taylor Swift's "
Look What You Made Me Do".
Charles Dance read from the autobiography of
Geordie Shore star
Charlotte Crosby. The mystery guest was Liam Smyth, the student whose date got stuck between two windows trying to throw her poo out after it failed to flush. Helping Jimmy Carr with the final question were some real penguins and an animatronic polar bear.
2018 The 2018 edition was recorded at
BBC Elstree Studios on 5 December 2018 and aired on 26 December 2018. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Simon Callow,
George Ezra,
Alex Jones,
Jonas Blue,
Joe Sugg,
Sheridan Smith,
Emma Willis and
Georgia Toffolo. In-studio guest questions were asked by
Love Island finalists Megan &
Wes,
Great British Bake Off finalist
Kim-Joy Hewlett and Lord Mayor of Sheffield
Magid Magid. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
England football team's progress in the World Cup for a related question.
Jon Snow reported on George Ezra's "
Shotgun".
Charles Dance read from the new novel by
The Only Way Is Essexs
Gemma Collins. The mystery guest was Leo Murray, creator of the
Trump Baby blimp. Assisting Jimmy with the final question were the
Stan Lee-created
Marvel characters
Thor,
Black Widow,
Spider-Man,
Black Panther and the
Hulk for the teams to guess their aliases. The Hulk then proceeded to rip up the trophy and throw it at the winners before knocking down the wall at the back of the set.
2019 The 2019 edition was recorded at
Elstree Studios on 9 December 2019 and aired on 26 December 2019. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Luke Evans,
Naomi Ackie,
Louis Walsh,
Luke Goss,
Adam Lambert and
Dina Asher-Smith. An in-studio guest question was asked by ''
RuPaul's Drag Race UK'' finalist
Baga Chipz and winner
The Vivienne. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
attempted proroguing of Parliament for a related question.
Jon Snow reported on
Lizzo's "
Juice".
Charles Dance read from the biography of
Dani Dyer. The mystery guest was Jaden Ashman, the teenager who came second in a
Fortnite tournament and won £900,000. The Big Fat Question was asked by
Strictly Come Dancing contestant
Mike Bushell.
2020 The 2020 edition aired on 26 December 2020. No celebrity guests appeared in studio to ask questions due to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-recorded questions came from
Joe Wicks,
Bob Odenkirk,
Carole Baskin,
Laura Whitmore,
Craig David,
Keith Lemon,
KSI,
Chris Kamara,
Nicola Coughlan, and
LadBaby. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
Dominic Cummings scandal for a related question.
Jon Snow reported on
Jawsh 685 and
Jason Derulo's "
Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)".
Charles Dance read from
The Meaning of Mariah Carey. The mystery guest was Billy McLean, whose joke
WhatsApp voice memo started a false rumour that the British government was planning to combat hunger during lockdown by making a lasagne the size of
Wembley Stadium. The final question was a round named "Trump or Gump" in which the teams had to guess if quotes were said by
US President Donald Trump or another notable figure. London wax museum
Madame Tussauds lent its figure of Trump as a prop for the round.
2021 The 2021 edition aired on 26 December 2021. Pre-recorded questions came from
Dr. Catherine Green (one of the
University of Oxford team responsible for developing the
Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine),
Robert Peston,
Clara Amfo,
Ellie Simmonds,
Andi Oliver,
Briony May Williams, and
Downton Abbey: A New Era's
Elizabeth McGovern and
Laura Carmichael. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
2021 Suez Canal obstruction.
Charles Dance read from the autobiography of
Alison Hammond.
Jackie Weaver of the viral video of a Handforth Parish Council meeting appeared in the studio to ask a question. The mystery guest was Adam Taylor, the owner of the Aberdeen nightclub where
Michael Gove was filmed dancing. The final question was the normal Big Fat Question, but with a time limit set using the Young-hee doll from
Squid Game, with any teams failing to finish writing each answer before the doll's head turns back round being docked five points.
2022 The 2022 edition aired on 26 December 2022. Pre-recorded questions came from
Krishnan Guru-Murthy,
Luke Evans, the
Sugababes,
Ellie Goulding,
Kate Hudson,
Layton Williams,
Sigrid, and
Jamie Oliver. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
Wagatha Christie court case for a related question.
Millie Bright appeared in the studio to ask a question.
Subwoolfer also appeared in the studio in relation to a question.
Charles Dance read an extract from the autobiography of
Rylan Clark. The mystery guest was Jerry Dyer, the creator and narrator of the
YouTube channel
Big Jet TV, whose livestream of planes attempting to land at
Heathrow Airport during
Storm Eunice went viral. The Big Fat Question was a three part question asked by
Johannes Radebe, who was dressed as a
US Air Force pilot and 'parachuted' into the studio in honour of
Top Gun: Maverick being the
year's highest grossing film.
2023 The 2023 edition aired on 26 December 2023. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Self Esteem,
Anyone but You stars
Sydney Sweeney &
Glen Powell,
Robbie Williams,
The Vivienne,
Big Brother presenters
AJ Odudu &
Will Best,
Micah Richards and
Sophia Di Martino. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
coronation of King Charles for a related question.
Charles Dance read an extract from
Spare, the memoir of
Prince Harry.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy appeared in the studio to ask a question. The mystery guests were
Hobbycraft Wimbledon employees Andrew, Jacqui, Annie and Sharon, whose
TikTok video of
Kylie Minogue's hit "
Padam Padam" went viral, earning praise from Kylie herself. The Big Question was asked by noted
Love Island and
Love Island Games contestants Megan Barton-Hanson and Toby Aromolaran, entering the studio in a pink open top car dressed as Barbie and Ken in tribute to
Barbie being
the highest grossing film of 2023.
2024 The 2024 edition aired on 27 December 2024. Pre-recorded guest questions came from
Chiwetel Ejiofor &
Leo Woodall,
Aidan Turner &
Danny Dyer,
David Jonsson,
Richard Curtis,
Nella Rose,
Dame Sarah Storey and
Love Is Blind contestants Jasmine and Bobby. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out the
Oasis reunion for a related question. Charles Dance read an extract from
"Lightning Can Strike Twice", the memoir of
Tommy Fury.
Peggy the dog and
The Traitors contestant Diane Carson both appeared in the studio. The mystery guests were Lisa Rowlands and her friend Lisa, who appeared in a viral video climbing through a window after being locked out of the house. The final Big Fat Questions were asked by
Gladiators Diamond,
Electro and
Phantom.
2025 The 2025 edition was recorded at Television Centre on 9 December 2025 and aired on 26 December 2025. Pre-recorded guest questions were asked by
KSI,
Jack Black,
Jade Thirlwall,
Ella Toone,
Ellie Goldstein,
Cat Burns and
Kunal Nayyar. The children of Mitchell Brook Primary School acted out
Jeff Bezos' wedding for a related question. The mystery guest was actress
Zoë Lister, who provided the voiceover for a much-copied commercial for
Jet2holidays.
The Celebrity Traitors contestant
Joe Marler appeared in the studio to ask a question. Charles Dance read an extract from "Lush", the memoir of
Joanna Page. The final Big Fat Questions were asked by
Tia Kofi and
Kitty Scott-Claus dressed as Elphaba and Galinda from
Wicked. ==
The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz ==