Between 1996 and 1998, Monkhouse presented "The National Lottery Live" show on Saturday evenings on BBC One, for which he created the catchphrase: "I know I'm a sinner, but make me a winner!" The opening to each show would see him deliver several minutes of topical jokes and on one occasion, where his autocue failed, he improvised a new and topical routine. This talent was used in "Bob Monkhouse on the Spot", a return to pure television comedy in which audience members suggested topics and Monkhouse came up with a routine. He was also at the helm when infamously, on 30 November 1996, the lottery machine failed live on air, causing the draw to be delayed by 50 minutes until after that night's episode of "Casualty" aired.