Portsmouth warship stars with Bruce Forsyth | Nostalgia

Mike Mcbride has told me of the day showbiz royalty came to Portsmouth for the TV game show You Bet.
The Ton-class minesweeper HMS Iveston that hosted Bruce Forsyth for his show You Bet in 1970. Picture: Mike McbrideThe Ton-class minesweeper HMS Iveston that hosted Bruce Forsyth for his show You Bet in 1970. Picture: Mike Mcbride
The Ton-class minesweeper HMS Iveston that hosted Bruce Forsyth for his show You Bet in 1970. Picture: Mike Mcbride

It was in 1989 when Bruce Forsyth and his television production team spent a day onboard the Ton-class minesweeper HMS Iveston alongside and at sea within No3 Basin at Portsmouth Naval Base.

They were on board to film the popular show hosted by ‘Brucie’.

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Mike says: ‘By mutual consent, the production team took over the wardroom and Bruce had exclusive use of the senior rates’ mess as his dressing room.

Firemen towing Iveston across No3 Basin in Portsmouth dockyard.Firemen towing Iveston across No3 Basin in Portsmouth dockyard.
Firemen towing Iveston across No3 Basin in Portsmouth dockyard.

‘Throughout the day there was a continuous stream of light-hearted banter between the ship’s company and production crew. Bruce in particular was full of good humour and humility.’

Mike adds: ‘The format of the show was that a panel of celebrities, the audience and Bruce would bet on the ability of members of the public to achieve unlikely challenges. An incorrect prediction forced Bruce to complete a forfeit. His explanation for this part was: “You’re now betting for the fate of Forsyth in the form of a forfeit. If you’re right, I’m all right but if your wrong, I’m right in it.”’

So a team of firefighters bet they could pull HMS Iveston an agreed distance using only a rowing boat.

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Mike continues: ‘With our encouragement from the forecastle, the firefighters achieved their aim; no favouritism, but we all wanted Bruce to do his forfeits. They celebrated their achievement by jumping into the water, oblivious of the mysterious creatures that lurk in the murky waters of the basin.

‘But Bruce had to complete his forfeit. What could be better than scrubbing the forecastle deck on his hands and knees and washing up pots and pans in the galley? Bruce completed both tasks with vigour and his indignity filmed for the amusement of the British TV viewing public.

‘It was a privilege for the ship’s company of HMS Iveston to spend a day with the showbiz legend and he enjoyed himself as well,’ concludes Mike.

HMS Iveston was launched June 1, 1954. She was 152ft long, with a beam of 28 feet and draught of eight feet. She was made of wood which ensured the lowest possible magnetic signature. She had a company of 27.

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Minesweeping equipment included wire sweeps for sweeping moored contact mines and magnetic sweeps for influence mines. 193M SONAR was fitted to detect and classify mines which were then destroyed by divers.

Infamous footnote: There was a mutiny on board HMS Iveston at Ullapool on July 5, 1970. This was the last mutiny in the Royal Navy. Five of the crew were tried by court martial at Rosyth and convicted.

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