Recently, we haven't had a long runner, all the way back to Elton!

What are you classing as "long"? If Elton was a long-runner with 30 shows then surely Debbie was as well...and Andrew in between them did 31!

I'm not really too bothered whether there is another long runner or not really.

But if there is going to be one (i.e. near or above 30 shows) then it should be an entertaining character! I can see why Pat M did over 30 shows (she deserved to as she was entertaining on the wings) - but why did people like Elton and Wine Richard do near the 30 mark?! I can only presume it was because they were 'daddies' in the hotel - and in which case, why do they do so many shows on the wings?! It's not much use to the viewer if they're entertaining in the hotel but quiet on the wings!

Perhaps a more important question would be "Should there be another short runner?" and the answer from me would be "no" as it means you don't get to know the player before their game! The show count should really have a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 25.

I don't think it should always stay at 22 shows maximum, it's fun when someone does a longer run as you start to wonder when they'll play, like Kirsty who's done 25 shows now.

I agree about setting a minimum limit of 15 or so, but perhaps occasionally lower if a contestant really really has to leave early for work commitments or something. Not if they just fancy a laugh by playing someone early for fun!

I think there has only been one player who knows for sure why they played early, and that was Garvan, who played in January 2006 and did 9 shows due to work commitments, and of course still holds the record for shortest ever runner.

People like Jeannie and Pam are left wondering why they were picked so early.

Around 33+ After that, there's only a 35 (I think) and then Lucy.

Nobody's ever done 35...Elton "just" did 30.

who's to say there isn't already someone who's broken a record?

No, around 25 shows is enough.

Betty, Alain and Kay all did 29 shows...and like you said Debbie did 30 and Andrew 31.

Alain did 28.

Now it just doesn't feel that they're there long. Time goes so quickly...

I'm not really too worried to be honest...

Close enough.

Is this a hint that we're going to see another Lucy type run soon?

I think there should be another long runner. Part of the reason I started watching regularly was to see if Lucy (or that poor girl as I called her at the time) ever got to play. I ended up missing her game though. I don't think there should be a lower limit. However, I think the ones that have a Jeannie - style run should be carefully chosen. If they're really boring and don't say a word, then they should be pulled out early.

I would like to see another long runner, perhaps doing 34 and 35 shows as those numbers are yet to be done!

I'd like to see someone do about 40. What's the longest after Lucy?

Yes, what is the longest after Lucy? I would love to know!

Ahem.

He said the longest after Lucy... which is just 33 shows, shared by Karen (1), Sarah (2) and Raj (2) I believe - though Sarah and Raj both missed shows during their run.