Big Break 1991
What is Big Break?
Big Break is a British television game show that combines the sport of snooker with traditional game show elements. The series was broadcast on the BBC1 network for over a decade, with its original run spanning from 30 April 1991 until 9 October 2002.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1991
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 239
- Runtime
- 40 minutes
- First aired
- Apr 30, 1991
- Last aired
- Oct 9, 2002
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC One
- Genres
- Comedy
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 239 episodes and an average 40-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Big Break is a British television game show that combines the sport of snooker with traditional game show elements. The series was broadcast on the BBC1 network for over a decade, with its original run spanning from 30 April 1991 until 9 October 2002. The format of the program drew inspiration from the long-running ITV darts quiz show titled Bullseye. Throughout its tenure on air, the series established its own legacy within the genre, eventually serving as a creative influence for a subsequent BBC production. This later program, titled Full Swing, adapted the established game show structure by replacing the snooker theme with a focus on golf. By integrating athletic competition with standard quiz show mechanics, Big Break maintained a consistent presence on British television throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s. The show remains a notable example of the sports-based game show format that characterized much of the network programming during this period.
Should you watch it?
“Snooker-themed game show mixes skill challenges with classic quiz fun.”
- Snooker fans get sport-focused challenges
- Combines trivia with physical skill
- Long run shows enduring appeal
- May appeal mainly to snooker enthusiasts
- Production reflects early-90s TV style
Watch it if you enjoy game shows that blend sport competition with trivia.
The show is family-friendly and suitable for general audiences.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 13 episodes
- E1 Series 1, Show 1 Apr 30, 1991
- E2 Series 1, Show 2 May 7, 1991
- E3 Series 1, Show 3 May 14, 1991
- E4 Series 1, Show 4 May 21, 1991
- E5 Series 1, Show 5 May 28, 1991
- E6 Series 1, Show 6 Jun 4, 1991
- E7 Series 1, Show 7 Jun 11, 1991
- E8 Series 1, Show 8 Jun 18, 1991
- E9 Series 1, Show 9 Jun 25, 1991
- E10 Series 1, Show 10 Jul 2, 1991
- E11 Series 1, Show 11 Jul 9, 1991
- E12 Series 1, Show 12 Jul 16, 1991
- E13 Series 1, Christmas Special Dec 24, 1991
Season 2 · 13 episodes
- E1 Series 2, Show 1 Jan 11, 1992
- E2 Series 2, Show 2 Jan 18, 1992
- E3 Series 2, Show 3 Jan 25, 1992
- E4 Series 2, Show 4 Feb 1, 1992
- E5 Series 2, Show 5 Feb 8, 1992
- E6 Series 2, Show 6 Feb 15, 1992
- E7 Series 2, Show 7 Feb 22, 1992
- E8 Series 2, Show 8 Feb 29, 1992
- E9 Series 2, Show 9 Mar 7, 1992
- E10 Series 2, Show 10 Mar 14, 1992
- E11 Series 2, Show 11 Mar 21, 1992
- E12 Series 2, Show 12 Mar 28, 1992
- E13 Series 2, Show 13 Apr 4, 1992
Season 3 · 16 episodes
- E1 Series 3, Show 1 Sep 12, 1992
- E2 Series 3, Show 2 Sep 19, 1992
- E3 Series 3, Show 3 Sep 26, 1992
- E4 Series 3, Show 4 Oct 3, 1992
- E5 Series 3, Show 5 Oct 10, 1992
- E6 Series 3, Show 6 Oct 17, 1992
- E7 Series 3, Show 7 Oct 24, 1992
- E8 Series 3, Show 8 Oct 31, 1992
- E9 Series 3, Show 9 Nov 7, 1992
- E10 Series 3, Show 10 Nov 14, 1992
- E11 Series 3, Show 11 Nov 21, 1992
- E12 Series 3, Show 12 Nov 28, 1992
- E13 Series 3, Show 13 Dec 5, 1992
- E14 Series 3, Show 14 Dec 12, 1992
- E15 Series 3, Show 15 Dec 19, 1992
- E16 Series 3, Christmas Celebrity Special Dec 26, 1992
Season 4 · 28 episodes
- E1 Series 4, Show 1 Sep 4, 1993
- E2 Series 4, Show 2 Sep 11, 1993
- E3 Series 4, Show 3 Sep 18, 1993
- E4 Series 4, Show 4 Sep 25, 1993
- E5 Series 4, Show 5 Oct 2, 1993
- E6 Series 4, Show 6 Oct 9, 1993
- E7 Series 4, Show 7 Oct 23, 1993
- E8 Series 4, Show 8 Oct 30, 1993
- E9 Series 4, Show 9 Nov 6, 1993
- E10 Series 4, Show 10 Nov 13, 1993
- E11 Series 4, Show 11 Nov 20, 1993
- E12 Series 4, Show 12 Nov 27, 1993
- E13 Series 4, Show 13 Dec 4, 1993
- E14 Series 4, Show 14 Dec 11, 1993
- E15 Series 4, Show 15 Dec 18, 1993
- E16 Series 4, Christmas Celebrity Special Dec 27, 1993
- E17 Series 4, Show 16 Jan 1, 1994
- E18 Series 4, Show 17 Jan 8, 1994
- E19 Series 4, Show 18 Jan 22, 1994
- E20 Series 4, Show 19 Jan 29, 1994
- E21 Series 4, Show 20 Feb 5, 1994
- E22 Series 4, Show 21 Feb 12, 1994
- E23 Series 4, Show 22 Feb 19, 1994
- E24 Series 4, Show 23 Feb 26, 1994
- E25 Series 4, Show 24 Mar 5, 1994
- E26 Series 4, Show 25 Mar 12, 1994
- E27 Series 4, Show 26 Mar 19, 1994
- E28 Series 4, Show 27 Mar 26, 1994
Season 5 · 9 episodes
- E1 Series 5, Show 1 Sep 9, 1994
- E2 Series 5, Show 2 Sep 16, 1994
- E3 Series 5, Show 3 Sep 23, 1994
- E4 Series 5, Show 4 Sep 30, 1994
- E5 Series 5, Show 5 Oct 7, 1994
- E6 Series 5, Show 6 Oct 14, 1994
- E7 Series 5, Show 7 Oct 21, 1994
- E8 Series 5, Show 8 Oct 28, 1994
- E9 Series 5, Big Break In Wonderland Dec 27, 1994
Frequently asked questions
When did Big Break first air?
It premiered on 30 April 1991 on BBC1.
When did the series end?
The final episode aired on 9 October 2002.
What sport is central to the show?
The programme is built around the game of snooker.
Which later BBC game show was influenced by Big Break?
It influenced the later BBC game show Full Swing, which focuses on golf.
Which earlier darts quiz partly inspired Big Break?
ITV's long-running darts quiz Bullseye partly inspired its format.