Digital TV News

Blockbusters in digital TV comeback

Monday 16 January, 2012

By Anthony Hill

Game show returns on Freeview channel Challenge.

Memorable quiz show Blockbusters will soon be making a comeback.

The original ITV programme was a teatime hit throughout the 1980s, as contestants battled it out for a chance to win prizes in the “Gold Run”. Now a series of 40 new episodes will be screened by digital station Challenge in the next few months.

A presenter has not yet been announced for the new series. Original quizmaster Bob Holness, who hosted more than 1,200 episodes, died on 6 January at the age of 83. He had suffered a series of strokes and was living in a nursing home.

Many have fond memories of the show, in which contestants would choose a letter from the illuminated board before being challenged to come up with the correct word. It became known for its teenage competitors cheekily asking: “Can I have a ‘P’ please, Bob?”

This time the programme will be aimed at grown-ups rather than students and older children. Challenge is available as a Freeview channel, as well as on Sky and Virgin Media subscription services.

However, it’s not the first attempt to revive Blockbusters. The format made a brief comeback on Sky1 more than a decade ago, with actress Liza Tarbuck hosting. It was also screened by the BBC for one series with Michael Aspel taking on Holness’s role.

Programme maker talkbackTHAMES has already started recruiting contestants, inviting anyone aged at least 18 years to apply. The production firm is looking for people with “bags of enthusiasm” and a good general knowledge.