Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton
Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

  • TV sketch show
  • CBBC / BBC One
  • 2009 - 2024
  • 139 episodes (10 series)

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series. Stars Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas and more.

Episode menu

Series 9 - Big BBC Birthday Bonanza: Animated Special

Horrible Histories. Rose Ayling-Ellis
Horrible Histories celebrates 100 years of the BBC with this special episode. What was the secret of looking great on a 1930s TV show? How did the BBC try to defeat the Nazis using regional accents? And just what was a kangaroo doing at the launch of BBC2? Plus our end song takes us through the history of children's TV.

Further details

BBC's Big Birthday Bonanza!

On Auntie's Big Birthday, Horrible Histories celebrates the corporation's past century. The first Director General, Lord Reith, reveals why he needed a postman's help with his job application. We find out why the Queen's Coronation made you the most popular house on the street if you had a telly, and how the launch night of BBC2 went awry, with not only a power cut, but also an escaped kangaroo.

We also hear how radio announcer Wilfred Pickles confounded the Nazis with his Yorkshire accent, and how the creators of Doctor Who thought they were making a history programme. And from Bill and Ben, to Tracy Beaker, Swap Shop to Blue Peter, how the BBC's children's department has inspired the imagination of generations of kids.

Broadcast details

Date
Saturday 22nd October 2022
Time
8:40am
Channel
CBBC
Length
20 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Sunday 23rd October 2022 10:35am CBBC

Cast & crew

Cast
Tom Stourton Various
Jessica Ransom Various
Richard David-Caine Various
Gemma Whelan Various
Guest cast
Dominique Moore Various
Fable Goodall Young Viewer
James McNicholas Various (Voice)
Rose Ayling-Ellis Self
Writing team
Ben Ward Writer
Howard Read Writer
Claire Wetton Writer
Jack Bernhardt Writer
Max Olesker Writer
Production team
Matt Holt Director
Simon Wilson Series Editor
Lisa Mitchell Series Producer
Melissa Hardinge Executive Producer
Richard Bradley Executive Producer
Simon Welton Executive Producer
Elaine Campbell Line Producer
Jim Hampton Editor
Garry Smith Editor
Rosy Thomas Production Designer
Kharmel Cochrane Casting Director
Jeremy Hewson Director of Photography
Marlene Lawlor Costume Designer
Sallie Adams Make-up Designer
Richie Webb Composer
Rob Fellows Graphics
Craig Topham 1st Assistant Director

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