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Former 'Bullseye' Presenter Jim Bowen Has Died At The Age Of 80

Former 'Bullseye' Presenter Jim Bowen Has Died At The Age Of 80

The broadcaster and comedian Jim Bowen has died at the age of 80, his wife has confirmed to BBC Radio Lancashire.

Chris Ogden

Chris Ogden

Broadcaster and comedian Jim Bowen, best known for hosting the darts-based game show Bullseye in the 1980s and 90s, has died aged 80, his wife has confirmed to BBC Radio Lancashire today.

The former deputy headmaster, from Lancashire, started his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1960s before becoming a household name as the host of Bullseye during its run. The Sunday teatime show lasted from 1981-1995.

At its peak Bullseye was a must-watch show, attracting 20 million viewers with its unique combo of darts-based skill and general knowledge quizzes, as well as its famously naff consolation prizes. Winners of the show would be rewarded with cars and speedboats.

Bowen's catchphrases on the show included 'Super, smashing, great!', 'You can't beat a bit of Bully!' and, of course, 'Let's look at what you could have won.'

Challenge TV, the channel which briefly rebooted Bullseye with Dave Spikey as the host in 2006, paid tribute to Bowen, calling him the 'ultimate game show legend'.

Along with his successful game show presenting career, Bowen also acted in a number of TV shows including Muck and Brass, Jonathan Creek, The Grimleys and in Peter Kay's Phoenix Night as Hoss Cartright.

Bowen also presented a live morning magazine programme on Radio Lancashire from 1999 to 2003. He resigned from the show after accidentally referring to a guest on the show using a racial slur. Bowen returned to radio six years later with a mid-morning show on Indigo FM in Cumbria.

In his later career Bowen specialised in performing on cruise liners and giving corporate after-dinner speeches. He also regularly performed a solo show about his experiences hosting Bullseye, You Can't Beat A Bit Of Bully!, which he debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2005.

Bowen with Frank Carson at the funeral of Bernard Manning, 2007.
PA

In 2011, Bowen said he had learned to "appreciate all the things in life" after suffering two strokes. However, Bowen suffered a third stroke in November 2014 which left him struggling to walk and talk.

Bowen's agent Patsy Martin led the tributes for him, telling the Press Association: "I will very sadly miss Jim. He was a very lovely, genuine man."

Rest in peace, Jim. We'd like to think he's off riding a great speedboat to the sky.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News