JIM Bowen was a legendary TV star who was best known for hosting the iconic game show Bullseye.
The much-loved programme is being rebooted by ITV. Here we take a look at the life of it’s original presenter.
Jim Bowen was born August 20, 1937, and was an English stand-up comedian and TV personality.
A former headmaster, born in Lancashire, he started his career in the 1960s on the show The Comedians.
But he found fame with the much-loved ITV show Bullseye.
He presented the show from 1981 to 1995, before turning his hand to radio where he ran a live morning show on BBC Radio Lancashire from 1999 to 2003.
Read more on Bullseye
He also enjoyed acting roles and appeared in Peter Kay’s hit series, Phoenix Nights, and in BBC drama Jonathan Creek.
Jim married Phyllis in 1959 and the couple have two children, Peter and Susan.
Jim’s favourite catchphrases
Jim became a household name in the 1980s thanks to the cult darts game show and for his much-loved catchphrase “you can’t beat a bit of Bully”.
And he used the word “smashing” a lot.
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On the show he was also known for saying:
- “Stay out of the black and into the red, Nothing in this game for two in a bed.”
- “Look at what you could have won.”
- “And Bully’s Special Prize…”
Jim was well known for his catchphrases like ‘you can’t beat a bit of Bully’
Jim’s sad passing
On March 14, 2018, it was revealed that Jim had passed away aged 80, after a bout of ill health.
He had previously endured difficulties with his health and was hospitalised in 2016 after suffering a stroke.
In 2011, he said he had learned to “appreciate all the things in life” after suffering two strokes.
His agent Patsy Martin told the Press Association: “I will very sadly miss Jim. He was a very lovely, genuine man.”
