Mel & Sue host The Generation Game
- The Generation Game is coming back to BBC One
- Comedy duo and TV hosts Mel & Sue will front the revived series
- Four new episodes will be recorded later this year
BBC One has commissioned a new version of classic comedy game show The Generation Game.
First broadcast in 1971 and based on a Dutch format, the ratings-winner was last aired in 2002.
The show's original incarnation was hosted at different periods by Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, and the corporation has announced that comedy duo Mel & Sue will co-host the revival.
As in the original, the new Generation Game will pit pairs of family members against each other to win prizes, including the much-loved cuddly toy. Four new episodes are being made, and are likely to be on air later this year.
The BBC says: "This classic show combines elements everyone knows and loves from the original series, whilst being brought up to date with a hilarious selection of brand new games and challenges for families of all ages to play in studio and enjoy watching at home.
Pairs of family members across generations will battle it out in a series of fun performance and task based games with the ultimate goal of facing the legendary conveyor belt, and taking home an array of fabulous prizes. All our family pairs will start the show in the studio audience and only find out which game they're playing when Mel and Sue get them from their seats. There's no time for rehearsals in this game show, so anything could happen on the night."
New innovations include a panel of celebrity judges scoring the players and ultimately deciding which pair faces the conveyor belt, and the participants initially being sat within the studio audience, having no rehearsal nor any idea of what challenges they will be given.
Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins say: "It's a cuddly toy, it's a toaster, it's a circular power saw, no it's MEL AND SUE DOING THE GENERATION GAME! We can't believe it, we are so excited!"
Charlotte Moore, the BBC's Director of Content, says: "The Generation Game is an iconic BBC One show, so to be able to bring it back for today's audience with Mel and Sue overseeing things is a wonderful moment for the channel."
Kate Phillips, Controller of Entertainment Commissioning, said: "We're so thrilled to be bringing back this much loved show to BBC One. With the marvellous Mel and Sue at the helm, it promises to be a real treat for all generations."
Guy Freeman, Editor, Special Events and Formats at BBC Studios, says: "When asked, this is the TV show that viewers most wanted to see back on their screens and so we are thrilled to be able to make that happen with Mel and Sue, who I know will have just as much fun hosting it as contestants will playing it."
The Generation Game has been the subject of much speculation in recent years. Whilst Paul O'Grady recorded an ill-fated pilot as long ago as 2004, Miranda Hart has been most recently linked with a comeback for the series and filmed her own pilot late in 2015.
Further details will be confirmed later in the year. Applications to appear on the show are open until the end of August, with filming expected to commence in October