Bullseye was one of the most iconic game shows of the 1980s, and it ran for 14 years until 1995. The darts-themed offering had a long hiatus, and there was a brief 30-episode revival in 2006. This didn’t lead to future series, though, and it seemed that it had missed the target.
After an incredibly long wait, the London-based production company 12 Yard brought it back for a Christmas special in 2024 with Freddie Flintoff as the host. Thanks to the popularity of that offering, it has now been commissioned for a full series on ITV.
Full Series Commissioned for 2025
When Bullseye returned with Flintoff at the helm, it was met with widespread positivity. Indeed, 3.3 million people tuned in for the live broadcast, and millions more watched it on catch-up platforms. This was enough to persuade ITV to put its faith in a proper reboot of the legendary series.
The new series hosted by the iconic cricketer is set for release in 2025, and it promises to pay homage to the original while bringing plenty of fresh features to the table. One of the best things about the Christmas special was Flintoff’s witty charm, and he instantly won audiences over. Bullseye veteran Richard Ashdown is set to return to the set as well, helping to keep the connection to the original series.
Following in the Footsteps of Wheel of Fortune
There have been numerous reboots of classic game shows in recent years, with Wheel of Fortune being one of the best examples. ITV brought the show back for the first time in over 20 years in 2024, with Graham Norton presenting. It was renewed for a second season in 2025, and could potentially run indefinitely again, just like it did during its initial run between 1988 and 2001.
One of the main reasons why the Wheel of Fortune return has been a success is thanks to the nostalgia it offers. Even though it comes with modern elements, it still effectively takes viewers back to the 1980s. This has been a winning technique in the gaming industry as well, where retro games are hugely popular in online casinos. Many people like to play classic slots, for instance, and there’s even a Wheel of Fortune game that borrows themes from the TV show.
It Could Be a Massive Success
If Bullseye follows in the footsteps of Wheel of Fortune, it could be a massive success and may run for many years. Flintoff is the ideal host, as he’s already hugely popular and has the charisma needed for such a show.
It would also help if there were some new Bullseye related offerings to help more people discover the series. In the past, there have been Bullseye mobile and casino games, and these could easily make a comeback in the modern iGaming market.
The new Bullseye series is likely to attract a widespread audience of old and new fans alike. It will have nostalgia working in its favour, but there will also be fresh elements to separate it from the original. This is one that could end up running for a long time.
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