Family Fortunes a large electronic board, known as "Mr. Babbage", which famously sounds a wrong answer "Eh-uhh" sound effect and its accompanying X to signal the strike, as well as a "ding" (for a right answer). "Family Fortunes" was first hosted by comedian Bob Monkhouse (1980–83) then by singer and entertainer Max Bygraves (1983–85). After being rested for the whole of 1986, the show returned on 27 June 1987 with Les Dennis as presenter, and had a consistently successful run for the next 15 years. It was then moved out of peak time and became a daily daytime show hosted by Andy
Bob Monkhouse grandfather John Monkhouse (1862–1938) was a prosperous Methodist businessman who co-founded Monk and Glass, which made custard powder and jelly. In a 2015 documentary, it was revealed that Monkhouse and his older brother suffered from physical and verbal abuse by their mother. Bob Monkhouse was educated at Goring Hall School in Worthing, Sussex and Dulwich College in south London, from which he was expelled for climbing the clock tower. While still at school, Monkhouse wrote for "The Beano" and "The Dandy" and drew for other comics including "Hotspur", "Wizard" and "Adventure". He established a comics writing and art partnership with