Bullseye, a popular ITV game show, might make a stunning comeback to our screens after 29 years off the air.
The popular 1980s show initially stopped in 1995, but NOW TV executives are reportedly eyeing Paddy McGuinness to head a relaunch.
It is said that 16-year-old darts star Luke Littler is to blame for the prospective rebirth of the much-loved programme because, since becoming an overnight hit, he has re-enthralled the nation in the game.
Littler, from Runcorn, finished runner-up to Luke Humphries earlier this week at Alexandra Palace, due to Humphries’ 7-4 victory.
He did, however, have 4.5 million people on the edge of their seats for the final confrontation.
According to a source, conversations about Bullseye’s comeback are already underway.
‘ITV is already in discussions to bring back Bullseye after this year’s final drew in the event’s highest viewership in history,’ an insider told The Sun.
‘It’s early days, but ITV thinks it could be hugely successful.’
‘There are even plans to bring back the speedboat top prize — even if contestants live in a landlocked place, which often happened during Bullseye’s heyday.’
They believe 50-year-old Paddy, who was born in Farnworth, Bolton, could help breathe new life into Bullseye while also paying respect to the late Jim Bowen.
‘They think Paddy, with his Lancashire roots like Jim, would be the perfect person to host.’
Bullseye premiered in 1981 and ran for 14 years.
The dartboard quiz game put competitors’ darts skills and general knowledge to the test.
Three teams of amateur darts players and quizzers fought for cash and prizes, going away with cars and trailers aplenty.
Of course, with the programme came catchphrases.
Memorable phrases such as, ‘You can’t beat a bit of Bully!’, in reference to the show’s mascot, and ‘Super, smashing, great!’, still live on, as does, ‘Stay out of the black and into the red, nothing in this game for two in a bed.’
This would not be the first time the programme has undergone a relaunch since its cancellation.
After ITV cancelled it, Challenge TV revived it in 2006, but it failed to acquire popularity.
After two seasons, the programme was cancelled again, this time by comic Dave Spikey.
While the current findings will be welcome news to some, not everyone is on board.
For example, former English darts player Wayne Markle previously hit out at the idea of Bullseye returning.
‘Back in the 90s, I would have paid money to be on there, but I was not prepared to go on that show when it was a farce with Spikey,’ he blasted.
‘In my opinion, they should have let the show die, and if any execs are reading this and wondering about another reboot I say this: Bullseye should stay off air until technology and budgets allow a convincing Jim Bowen hologram to take the show back under his virtual wing.’
Source My Celebrity Life.