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When was Bullseye on TV, who was host Jim Bowen and how did the show help to catch serial killer John Cooper?
Bullseye was a hugely popular darts-based game show which first aired on British TV in 1981
BULLSEYE was a hugely popular darts-based game show which first aired on British TV in 1981.
Here's what you need to know about the show, its host Jim Bowen and how it helped catch an infamous serial killer...
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When was Bullseye on TV and how did the show help catch serial killer John Cooper?
Bullseye, hosted by the iconic Jim Bowen, was aired by ITV from 1981 until 1995 and then for a single year in 2006.
The show, which featured an animated mascot named Bully, was produced by ATV in 1981, then by Central from 1982 until 1995.
On May 28, 1989, Welsh serial killer John Cooper participated in an episode of the show, telling Bowen about his unusual hobby of scuba diving in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Footage from the show was later used to match him to witness descriptions and convict him of two grisly double murders.
Who was Bullseye host Jim Bowen?
James Brown Whittaker, known professionally as Jim Bowen, was an English stand-up comedian and TV personality.
He was the long-time host of the ITV game show Bullseye, which he presented from its beginning in 1981 through to the end of its original run in 1995.
Bowen began work as a teacher but eventually devoted himself to comedy full-time, having been influenced by Ken Dodd.
He achieved national attention after becoming host on Bullseye, which was a ratings success throughout the 1980s.
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Who is John Cooper and where is he now?
John Cooper, 73, is a serial killer with a long history crimes which include 30 robberies and violent assault.
He was sentenced to 14 years in 1998 for burglary and robbery but was released in 2009.
Through a cold case review, he was arrested and convicted of two double murders dating back to the 1980s.
Cooper, who unsuccessfully tried to appeal his convictions in September 2011, is still behind bars in an undisclosed prison.
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When is Game Show Serial Killer: Police Tapes on TV?
The Game Show Serial Killer: Police Tapes airs on Thursday, July 12, at 9pm.
It will examine how police managed to nail Cooper, who had the audacity to take part in a game show after cold-bloodedly shooting two innocent people.
Cooper infamously evaded justice for around two decades but was finally convicted using the most advanced forensic techniques of the time.
Read the latest crime stories
The show is presented by Susanna Reid.
It goes up against the first episode of Keeping Faith on BBC1 and Gardeners' World on BBC2.
Police Tapes will be available to watch on the ITV Hub.
The Game Show Serial Killer Police Tapes footage of Welsh psychopath John Cooper
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