Game show back on ITV

David Walliams  is to host a revival of  Blankety Blank.

He will follow in the footsteps of Terry Wogan, Les Dawson and Lily Savage to present a  one-off for ITV this Christmas.

‘I have some very big shoes to fill,’ Walliams admitted. ‘I loved Terry Wogan and Les Dawson as a child, and Paul O'Grady was absolutely hilarious. I hope I can bring it to life for a new generation.’

Walliams was previously a guest on a one-off episode as part of his 24-hour game show marathon for Comic Relief in 2011. Otherwise it has been 14 years since the programme has been on air.

Peter Davey, ITV’s head of comedy entertainment, promised the new show would ‘delight fans of the original whilst bringing it to life for a whole new generation’, adding: ‘David Walliams is the perfect host for this, he'll bring his comedic talents and warm personality to the show.’

If the Christmas special is a hit, the broadcaster is expected to commission a full season from makes Thames in 2017.

The return of Blankety Blank, which was first screened on BBC One in 1979, follows the revival of 1980s sitcoms such as Birds Of A Feather and Open All Hours as well as the raft being revisited the BBC for its landmark sitcom season next week.

Published: 23 Aug 2016