The Old Grey Whistle Test The host was parodied by Benny Hill. The show's title was parodied in the comedy series "Father Ted", in the episode "Old Grey Whistle Theft". The series was also parodied on "The Fast Show", with "Jazz Club", hosted by the eccentric (but quiet) Louis Balfour (a parody of Bob Harris). In 2006, the series was parodied in the sketch comedy show "Snuff Box". The host was played by Richard Ayoade. The Jon Holmes radio show on BBC Radio 6 Music had a feature called the "Old Gay Whistle Test", a parody where a homosexual pensioner whistled a tune for the
The Old Grey Whistle Test of the show as part of "Rutland Weekend Television" in 1975, featuring Eric Idle as Harris, is the first known mention of the fictional band, "Toad The Wet Sprocket" – a later reference on a Monty Python album gave rise to the real-life band of the same name. The parody also featured "all-dead" musician Stan Fitch, whose silent, motionless performance was treated with quick zooms, close-ups, and other visual effects typical of shows like "Whistle Test". The show was parodied on an episode of "The Benny Hill Show", originally aired on 24 September 1975, being called "Old Grey Whistle Tester".