Legendary game show returning to screens seven years after cancellation – with very familiar face
A LEGENDARY game show is returning to screens seven years after its cancellation – with a very familiar face.
Over the past year, a number of shows have been revived by new networks, such as Big Brother moving from Channel 5 to ITV and X Factor switching from ITV to Channel 5.
Now, Deal or No Deal is set to make a comeback but on a new channel and with a new host.
The show originally aired on Channel 4 from 2005 to 2016 with Noel Edmonds presenting.
However, as first revealed by The Sun in October, the show is set to return to ITV – with Stephen Mulhern as host.
Stephen – who already hosts the rebooted version of Catchphrase on ITV – has recorded two pilot episodes, and The Mirror reports that the network is so pleased with them, its ordered 20 more.
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The series will reportedly run across a month later this year.
A source told the publication: “Deal or No Deal is such a strong format you don’t want to go fiddling with it.
“It’s pretty much the same. The boxes are back, the banker is back and the 22 players.
“The only difference is Stephen, which gives it a fresh feel.”
An insider previously told The Sun about Deal or No Deal’s return: “Deal Or No Deal was absolutely huge back in the day and pulled in millions of viewers.
“ITV think there is still a huge appetite for it and think they could make a huge success of the show if they brought it back.”
Following the initial report, Stephen, 45, said he would love to host the show.
He said: “Are they talking about it? The answer is yes.
“Would I love to host it? Yes, without fail. It’s one of the best game shows ever created.”