The Great Egg Race

The teams engineer a system of burglar alarms to protect a secret document that is hidden in an office. The guest judge is Brigadier Alan Needham. Meanwhile, Lesley Judd puts another Incredible Egg Machine is put to the test. The electronic-style theme tune to 'The Great Egg Race' was written by Richard Denton and Martin Cook. The duo also provided music for 'Hong Kong Beat', 'Quiller' and 'Tomorrow's World'. The opening title sequence which accompanies the theme tune was created by Aardman; the animation company behind the renowned inventors Wallace and Gromit.

In this episode, which comes from the Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, each team is required to construct a steam engine capable of lifting a weight into the air. Heinz Wolff and his guest Fred Dibnah, an engineer and steeplejack, discuss and judge. Meanwhile, Lesley Judd catches up with the progress of the Incredible Egg Machine. Fred Dibnah was elevated to fame through a television documentary made by BBC producer Don Haworth in 1979. Haworth became interested in Dibnah after his appearance on BBC North West regional news, which reported on his daredevil work as a steeplejack. Dibnah went on to feature in many TV programmes over the years, sharing his engineering and industrial knowledge, especially in the field of steam engines, which proved highly popular.

Professor Heinz Wolff assigns the red, blue and green teams the task of constructing a tea-making device from humble household materials. Professor Ian Fells helps to judge the Wallace and Gromit-style contraptions. Meanwhile, presenter Lesley Judd looks at the Incredible Egg Machine. Lesley Judd, who presented the Incredible Egg Machine interludes, is perhaps best known for hosting 'Blue Peter' between 1972 and 1979. Her recollections of the show include Abba making a guest appearance and golden retriever Goldie eating a teddy bear's head. One of her strongest memories, however, is interviewing Anne Frank's father, Otto. After Judd left 'Blue Peter', she worked for a variety of programmes, including Radio 4's 'Woman's Hour' and 'The Great Egg Race'.