The Fish Finger At 70: From humble convenience food to a British institution

This year marks the 70th anniversary of one of Britain's most beloved yet sometimes overlooked foods - the humble fish finger.

While it might not win accolades for culinary decadence, since its invention at Birds Eye's Great Yarmouth factory in 1955 it has become a teatime staple - making it the saviour of many a parent struggling to whip up a quick, nutritious family meal.

It almost had a less catchy name, however. Birds Eye initially called their invention "Battered Cod Pieces" before workers voted for the zippier Fish Finger, and the rest is breadcrumb-coated history.

The first fish fingers were sold in handmade wax-coated cartons and individually wrapped in waxed paper, already cooked and ready to be re-heated with the promise of "no bones, no waste, no smell, no fuss". . The now iconic fish fingers arrived in a Britain that was very different from the one we know today. Memories of rationing lingered, and the labour-saving devices we all now have in the home were technological marvels. Although fish was an abundant food source for an island nation, many Brits turned their noses up at cooking it at home due to the fiddly bones and lingering aromas.

Birds Eye, already dabbling in frozen fillets, knew families needed something cheaper, neater, and infinitely more appealing. Inspiration arrived from across the Atlantic, where the Americans were enjoying "fish sticks" - little oblongs of fish in breadcrumbs. The first British trials used herring, our most plentiful catch. Dubbed the Herring Savoury, it never quite caught on (perhaps unsurprisingly). Cod, however, proved a winning catch, and so the nation's most enduring teatime saviour was born.

The fish finger made an immediate splash. In their debut year, more than 600 tonnes of fish fingers were devoured in the UK. By 1962, they'd muscled their way onto the national cost of living index. Fast forward to 1997, and annual sales were topping £90 million. Today, we munch our way through more than 14,000 tonnes every year.

Claire Sutton, Marketing Director at Birds Eye, says: "We are enormously proud to celebrate this anniversary and to look ahead to the next chapter of the fish finger's remarkable journey: fish fingers aren't just a nostalgic favourite, they're a smart, nutritious choice for modern mealtimes, which continues to bring joy to millions."

Despite its beginnings as a "fuss-free" convenience food in post-war Britain the fish finger has broadened its appeal over the years as new generations have embraced it and utilised it in new ways. From the beloved fish finger sandwich to tacos, pies, and even Vietnamese banh mi, it seems there's no cuisine on earth that can't be brightened by a breadcrumbed finger or three.

At its core, the magic of the fish finger lies in its dependability. It's there when school bags are dropped at the door and hungry bellies demand instant satisfaction. It's there when students need something hot, fast, tasty and nutritious at midnight. And it's there when busy adults want quick and nostalgic comfort food.

Convenience and deliciousness isn't the only reason it's become such a favourite down the generations. It's still a choice of parents in more health-conscious times as unlike lots of 'fast' or convenience food it's good for you. Rich in protein, iodine, and B vitamins, they provide energy, brain development, and immunity.

"Despite growing awareness around the importance of a balanced diet, only 21% of the UK population currently meet the NHS recommendation of eating two portions of fish per week, and the fish finger continues to offer such a simple and affordable way for families to boost their fish intake and enjoy the health benefits that come with it," Sutton says.

Just over a decade after its invention, the fish finger also spawned an advertising icon, as in 1967, Captain Birds Eye first sailed onto our screens. Originally played by the bushy-bearded John Hewer, the brand's nautical mascot appeared in more than 50 adverts, in seven languages, for three decades. By the 1990s, he was even Britain's second most famous sea captain after the explorer Captain Cook.

So raise your forks to wish one of Britain's favourite foods - and the Captain - and wish the fish finger a happy 70th birthday. From its humble post-war beginnings to its modern-day versatility, it is far more than a freezer staple. In fact, it's a British institution. One whose crispy, golden goodness has united generations around the dinner table.