A BRADFORD man nearly clinched victory when he made it through to the final of hit game show Blankety Blank on Saturday.

In the BBC One programme presented by Bradley Walsh, contestants are asked a series of often daft and saucy questions.

They need to match their answers with the celebrities on the panel to gain points and progress through the rounds.

During the first round, viewers were introduced to Bradford lad Matthew, a 38-year-old senior sales accountant who said he wanted to win a holiday or a weekend away for him and his wife.

Matthew was up against 99-year-old Joan, who said she fitted Perspex on turrets during the war.

The celebrity panel included Josh Widdicombe, Deborah Meaden, Russell Kane, Alison Hammond, Libby Clegg and Richie Anderson. 

When Joan revealed her age, comedian Josh said much to the amusement of the studio audience: “You look like a nice guy, Matthew, but everyone wants you to lose.”

Josh also quipped: “What did you do during the war, Matthew?”

But in this battle, Matthew went on to beat Joan 3-0 and succeeded in his Supermatch Game, winning £750.

He was up against Adeola in the head-to-head round and also beat her, earning himself a place in the grand final and a chance to win a trip for two to Dublin. 

In the final, Matthew chose to play alongside celebrity Alison, who co-hosts ITV’s This Morning and Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off.

They were both asked by Bradley to complete the phase “basket…”

Matthew said “ball” - but Alison had written down “case”.

Bradley said to Matthew at the end: “Bad luck, that’s the way it goes.

“Thanks for coming on, though, it’s been lovely having you on.

“But you don’t go away empty-handed - you got £750 and the Blankety Blank chequebook and pen.”

On social media site X, one viewer said: “Tough luck, Matthew.”

Another commented with a laughing emoji: “£750 could probably buy the top prize.”

Someone else added: “There’s a whole generation who have no clue what a chequebook is.”

Blankety Blank first aired on BBC One and was hosted by broadcasting legend Sir Terry Wogan from 1979 to 1983.

Between 1984 to 1990, it was presented by comedian Les Dawson.

The show was revived between 1997 and 1999 when it was hosted by Paul O’Grady as his drag act persona Lily Savage. 

Bradley has now brought it back to our screens.