Bradley Walsh to return with more Blankety Blank
- Blankety Blank is to return again with Bradley Walsh as host
- Walsh previously hosted an episode of the comic game show on BBC One on Christmas Day 2020
- Ten new episodes are being made, to air on Saturday nights
Bradley Walsh is to front Blankety Blank again.
Thames, the production company behind the format, are preparing to film the iconic game show this summer.
Ten new 35-minute episodes have been commissioned by BBC One to air on Saturday evenings during prime time.
Although broadcast dates have yet to be confirmed, it is likely the series will air towards the end of 2021.
Walsh previously hosted a one-off special on BBC One on Christmas Day last year. According to overnight ratings data, it was the most-watched new TV comedy episode of 2020, with 5.25 million viewers tuning in.
He says: "I struggle to remember the last time I laughed as much as when I was filming Blankety Blank - so when they asked if I'd be up for doing a series, I jumped at the chance, I'm just so pleased I get to be a part of it. I stand on the shoulders of giants like Les Dawson and Sir Terry Wogan but I'm hoping to put my own stamp on the fantastically nostalgic show."
Walsh was praised for how he hosted the Christmas special. A Radio Times review noted: "The star of the show is, without a doubt, Bradders himself. Walsh is very much a man who can do no wrong and his latest presenting gig goes some way to further solidifying his role as the UK's safest pair of hosting hands. He picks up the presenting mantle with so much ease it's surprising he hasn't hosted Blankety Blank before."
Blankety Blank, which revolves around celebrity guests guessing missing words, launched in 1979 with Terry Wogan. Les Dawson took over in 1984, fronting the show until 1990.
The format was revived in 1997 with Paul O'Grady, performing as Lily Savage. It then switched to ITV in 2001, finishing in 2002. However, in 2016 ITV commissioned a one-off Christmas special with David Walliams hosting. The show flipped back to the BBC for the 2020 special.
Aside from hosting hit ITV quiz show The Chase, Bradley Walsh has in recent years fronted Tonight At The London Palladium. As an actor, he is currently filming The Larkins, a new ITV comedy drama series based on The Darling Buds Of May.