The Old Grey Whistle Test
The Old Grey Whistle Test (often called Whistle Test) was a British BBC2 music show that ran from 1971 to 1988. It focused on albums and non-chart artists, not the pop hits you’d see on Top of the Pops. It started in a late-night slot after Disco 2 and was created by Rowan Ayers with Michael Appleton as the producer.
The name comes from a Tin Pan Alley idea: when a new record was pressed, they’d show it to “the old greys” (doormen in grey suits). If the doormen could whistle the tune after hearing it once or twice, it passed the test.
The show began in a small BBC Television Centre studio, where early performances were often mimed because of limited live-tech. From 1973 the program switched to a fully live format. The opening theme was Stone Fox Chase by Area Code 615, and the visuals changed when Bob Harris became the host, replacing Richard Williams.
Presenters over the years included Richard Williams (the first host), Bob Harris (1972–79), Annie Nightingale (1979–82), and later Mark Ellen and David Hepworth (joined 1984) with Richard Skinner and Andy Kershaw. Ro Newton joined in 1985. The program was canceled in 1987 and ended with a New Year’s Eve 1988 live show hosted by Harris, featuring performances like Hotel California and Bat Out of Hell.
In 2018, BBC Four aired a three-hour live anniversary special hosted by Harris with guests and rare footage.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:41 (CET).