‘The Hitman and Her‘ – A Surprisingly Effective Crime-Fighting Tool – Reflects on Late-Night TV’s Tacky Past
London – A late-night television show known for its chaotic games and suggestive humour unexpectedly aided law enforcement in the early 1990s, according to former presenter Diane Youdale. The Hitman and Her, which ran for four years after a planned six-week stint, drew an audience of up to 1.3 million viewers and, remarkably, became a resource for police tracking down individuals who had absconded on bail.
Youdale, reflecting on the show’s unlikely impact and its often-questionable content, revealed the surprising side effect of its 2am broadcast slot. ”The police watched it to catch criminals who’d jumped bail,” she stated. The show’s popularity, combined with its late-night timing, meant that fugitives were often spotted in the audience, providing an unexpected opportunity for apprehension. This detail underscores a broader shift in how television was consumed and its unforeseen consequences, even as the show itself represents a bygone era of television production.
The show’s origins were fraught with uncertainty. Youdale nearly didn’t make it to the pilot,twisting her ankle just before filming began. “Not only have I got to walk,I’ve got to dance,” she told her physiotherapist,highlighting the physical demands of the role. Producer Pete Conway was visibly stressed, and contingency plans were in place. “They had another her in case they’d had to replace me with another her.”
The Hitman and Her quickly gained notoriety for its boundary-pushing segments. Games like “Clothes Swap,” where contestants exchanged garments behind a sheet that was deliberately dropped, and “Get Your Gums Around These Plums” – bobbing for apples in custard - were commonplace. One particularly problematic idea, a game involving a blindfolded man attempting to identify his girlfriend by touch, was thankfully vetoed by a female researcher. “Thank God one of the female researchers said: ‘I don’t think that’s an excellent idea.'”
Youdale also described a challenging dynamic with conway, who offered a backhanded compliment, stating: “Do you know why you work on this show? It’s as you’re attractive, but not attractive enough to make other women hate you.” She interpreted this as meaning she possessed an approachable “girl next door” quality that resonated with viewers.
Despite calls for a revival, Youdale believes the show’s appeal is rooted in its time.”It was a lot of fun and has become iconic but some of it was incredibly tacky,” she said. “Let’s not bring it back and analyze it in today’s world because I don’t think it would be so fondly remembered.” The show remains a curious footnote in television history – a blend of light entertainment, questionable taste, and, unexpectedly, a tool for law enforcement.
