If I Ruled the World

"If I Ruled the World" is a song, originally from the West End musical, Pickwick, based on Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers. It is usually associated with Sir Harry Secombe, but has been covered by other singers, notably Stevie Wonder.

In the context of the stage musical, the song is sung by Samuel Pickwick when he is mistaken for an election candidate and called on by the crowd to give his manifesto.

Named after the song was If I Ruled the World, a television show aired in the United Kingdom in 1998. It was a panel game show, featuring celebrities, who explained what he or she would do about particular problems, if they ruled the world.

The show was presented by Clive Anderson. Graeme Garden and Jeremy Hardy were regular team captains. Guests included Mark Steel, Rebecca Front and Andy Hamilton. It was produced by Hat Trick Productions.