Each episode of the series was based, like Treasure Hunt in a region of the UK and began from a local tourist attraction.

[2] The challenge was for both contestants, under radio guidance from Croft, to obtain the key to their opposite number's backpack - usually, some distance away from their start point - and meet up, all within a 40-minute time limit.

Principal among these was the titular Interceptor, a tall man dressed in black, armed with an infra-red projector mounted on his left forearm (the technology for which was procured from the British Army), and possessed of an intimidating fish-eagle screech and a catchphrase, "I LIKE IT!"

[3] His role was to pursue the contestants and - to the accompaniment of post-production sound effects - 'zap' the receptors on their backpacks, causing the locks to jam.

(Although not declared in the programme, the Interceptor was only allowed a maximum of 20 "zaps" per show, and had a digital readout on his laser projector which informed him of how many shots he had left).

Examples included participating in a limited jousting exercise, or removing the key from a horse's braided mane.

A new round of franchise bidding was impending, and Thames was concerned to improve its profitability; Interceptor was a relatively expensive show and was made by an independent contractor.

Pressure exerted by fans led to digital TV channel Challenge repeating the series occasionally from 2001 to 2015 alongside other game shows, among which were stablemates Treasure Hunt and The Crystal Maze.

Towards the end of the episode, the Interceptor successfully snuck up on an oblivious Mark and zapped his backpack at point-blank range.

While contestant Roger tried to get his key in the middle of a maze garden in Somerleyton Hall, the Interceptor planned an ambush.

Contestant Claire taunted the Interceptor from a train then went on a pleasure cruise to get near her key on the River Yare as Roger approached.

Contestant Sarah cycled down from her starting position to get to her key challenge on a river, only to see the Interceptor nearby in a dinghy.

Contestant Nikki was taken to her key in the Fire Service College at the top of a burning building and when he started chasing her on foot she finds a way to escape quicker and the Interceptor lost her and at the end of the episode, Marcel was getting his key on a chariot race and the Interceptor was ready to zap him but he was too late as the contestants met with 28 seconds left.

The episode was memorable for the Interceptor going to the extreme of going up to Sarah's face, shrieking, shooting his infra-red gun only for the locals to protect her.

The introduction was filmed the day before the game itself, giving the producers opportunity to re-randomise the backpacks the contestants had chosen.

[7] Two helicopters were used in the production of the series supplied, as in Treasure Hunt by Cornwall-based company Castle Air.

It was released as a single with an 'instrumental' B-side (essentially the track minus the piano) titled Interceptor Boogie.

The series was first tried as a possible American entry in 1989, with a pilot produced by Fries Entertainment airing in syndication during April of that year.

Hosted by actor Erik Estrada, along with celebrity guests Barbi Benton and Bruce Boxleitner, it was not picked up as a series.