“We hate to lose you, but lose you we must”
Time for something a little different. There used to be a time when however good or bad they did, game show contestants would be given consolation prizes for taking part. Here’s a look at what I think are 16 of the most memorable prizes that were given away. These are the shows where you definitely didn’t go away empty handed…
Backdate. A rather nice electronic organiser.
Big Break. A snooker cue and a trophy, and a waistcoat too if you were lucky.
Blankety Blank. Probably one of the most famous consolation prizes, the chequebook and pen. It’s really isn’t an exaggeration to say that it was more valuable than most of the actual prizes on offer.
Blockbusters. A sweatshirt and a dictionary. Definitely worth having. 
Bullseye. Tankards, darts, and the bendy Bully. Or the badge and chalk holder that were on offer in the early series.
Countdown. What is always called a goodie bag, including cups, books, and the board game too of course. And don’t forget the teapot either.
Every Second Counts. Not surprisingly considering this was a show based around time, a wallclock and some watches.
The Generation Game. Various prizes in the early-90s revival included a telephone and pocket TV that seemingly only ever showed a picture of Bruce Forsyth’s co-host Rosemarie Ford. 
Lucky Ladders. A pair of watches. Now they must be expensive.
Raise The Roof. This was the show where the star prize was a house, so the consolation was a teapot in the shape of a house, often known as “Bob’s Bungalow” (after host Bob Holness).
Small Talk. A trophy that according to host Ronnie Corbett was “crafted by my own fair hand”.
Telly Addicts. Another goodie bag similar to Countdown including books about TV, T-shirts and so on. 
Today’s The Day. A copy of a newspaper from the day that you were born, and maybe a bottle of bubbly too.
Turnabout. Another show that gave everyone a dictionary. Not that exciting, but just any excuse to talk about Turnabout really.
Wheel Of Fortune. Another show that gave away watches and board games.
Wipeout. Early series featured a paperweight, before this was changed to an umbrella. 
And they all had a lovely day.
ADAM'S NOSTALGIC MEMORIES 