Finders Keepers (1991 British game show) facts for kids

Finders Keepers was a super fun British TV game show for kids! It was all about teams searching messy rooms to find hidden objects. The show first aired on ITV from 1991 to 1996. During this time, it was hosted by the famous Neil Buchanan. The show then came back for a short time in 2006, hosted by Jeff Brazier. This British version was based on a similar game show from America.

How to Play Finders Keepers

This section will explain the exciting rules of "Finders Keepers."

Room Raids and Points

Two teams, each with two players, competed in the game. Their main goal was to "raid the room." This meant they had to search eight different rooms to find hidden objects. Before each raid, the host would read out clues about what they needed to find.

Each room raid lasted only 30 seconds! It was super messy and fun. Streamers, confetti, and Silly String would rain down from the ceiling. If a team found their object, they earned points. In the first round, finding an object gave them 25 points. In the second round, it was 50 points. If a team didn't find the object, the points went to the other team.

Winning the Super Search

The team with the most points at the end of the main game got to go to the "Super Search." This was the final challenge! In the Super Search, teams had three (later four) minutes to find eight hidden objects. The more objects they found, the better the prize they won.

Teams were easily identified by their colors: green and yellow. This was different from the American version, where teams were red and blue.

Rooms to Explore

The show featured many different rooms for the teams to search. Here are some of them:

• Mum and Dads Bedroom
• Bathroom
• Landing
• Kids Bedroom
• Fantasy Room/Attic (Series 6 only)/Mystery Room
• Store Room/Utility Room (Series 6 only)/Garden Room
• Kitchen
• Hallway
• Living Room
• Study

Jeremy's Joker: A Special Prize

In some seasons (from the 3rd to the 5th series with Neil Buchanan), certain rooms had a special bonus called "Jeremy's Joker." If a team found the object in one of these rooms, they would win a fantastic holiday! This special prize was named after Jeremy Stockwell. He was the show's voice announcer and writer for the early series.

In the very first two seasons, one room was a "surprise prize room." A fanfare would play when a team entered it. Just like Jeremy's Joker, if the team found the object, they won a special prize. The cool thing was, if the team searching the prize room failed, the other team could win the prize instead!

Celebrity Guests on the Show

"Finders Keepers" sometimes had famous people appear on the show! These celebrity guests usually showed up in the Fantasy Room.

Guest Appearances in Rooms

In series 3, 4, and 5, celebrities would often be part of the room challenges. For example, in a Sleeping Beauty-themed room, famous boxer Frank Bruno was "sleeping" behind a curtain. Contestants had to find a clue without waking him up! In another episode, the twins Gayle & Gillian Blakeney from the TV show Neighbours appeared from a giant teapot in a Mad Hatter's tea party room.

More celebrities joined in later series. Olympic swimmer Adrian Moorhouse appeared in an Underwater-themed room. Panther from Gladiators was in a Jungle-themed room. Even Anna Quayle from Grange Hill appeared in a School-themed room.

Celebrity Cameos

Some celebrity guests, like Michael Aherne (also known as Warrior from Gladiators), also made quick appearances during the "Super Search." They would be doing funny, everyday tasks around the house as the contestants rushed through.

In the final original series in 1996, Neil Buchanan was joined by another Gladiators star, Diane Youdale, as a co-host.

Show Broadcast Dates

Here's a look at when "Finders Keepers" was on TV: