One of the most beloved teatime classics in the UK is marking its 70th anniversary this week.

On September 26, 1955, the well-known frozen food company Birds Eye introduced its iconic fish fingers. Over the years, they have become a staple in households, paired with vegetables or sandwiched between bread slices.

In the past year alone, more than one billion fish fingers have been purchased in the UK, totaling over 14,000 tonnes.

The debut of the first fish fingers by Birds Eye took place at a trade show in Brighton before being produced at their factory in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Initially, the fish fingers were almost named ‘Battered Cod Pieces’ until a survey among Birds Eye employees favored the catchier name.

According to the company, the fish fingers were packed in handcrafted wax-coated containers, with each piece individually wrapped in waxed paper, precooked, and ready for reheating.

Following the end of wartime rationing, there was a demand for affordable, family-friendly, and nutritious food. Birds Eye, already known for frozen fish fillets, responded by introducing the “fish stick” – a boneless fish piece coated in breadcrumbs. This product was aimed to appeal to children and offer a convenient meal option.

The original trials used herring, but later switched to cod, which became the primary fish for the product launch.

The fish fingers quickly gained popularity for their promise of being boneless, waste-free, odorless, and easy to prepare. In their first year, over 600 tonnes of fish fingers were consumed across the UK.

During that period, freezers were not common in households, requiring immediate cooking of the fish fingers. By 1960, one-fifth of the population had freezers, increasing to half by 1965.

Birds Eye’s memorable advertisements, particularly featuring Captain Birds Eye, played a significant role in the enduring success of the product. The character first appeared on TV screens in 1967 and was portrayed by actor John Hewer.

In 1997, Captain Birds Eye was revamped with a younger version, portrayed by actor Thomas Pescod. However, due to a lack of appeal to children, Pescod was replaced by actor Martyn Reid four years later.

Claire Sutton, the marketing director at Birds Eye, highlighted the ongoing popularity and nutritional value of fish fingers in modern diets, emphasizing the ease of incorporating them into balanced meal plans.