Cliff Notes – Iconic children’s TV show ‘set for major reboot’ after 20 years off air
- The BBC is reportedly planning to reboot “Record Breakers,” a children’s TV show that originally aired from 1972 until 2001, focusing on world records and featuring interviews with record-holders.
- Dan Baldwin’s production company, Hungry Bear, is involved in the revival, aiming to attract a new audience, particularly the TikTok generation, while maintaining the show’s family-friendly appeal.
- Although the reboot is in its early stages with no channel or host confirmed, the show’s legacy as one of Britain’s longest-running programmes makes its revival a potentially lucrative venture.
Iconic children’s TV show ‘set for major reboot’ after 20 years off air
After two decades off-screen, one beloved children’s TV show is reportedly getting a reboot. The BBC is reportedly keen to reboot an iconic children’s TV show Record Breakers.
Record Breakers first aired on the BBC in 1972 and was themed around world records, also featuring interviews with champions. Its final episode was shown in December 2001.
The programme was hosted by Roy Castle alongside Guinness World Records founders, twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter.
It was a spin-off series from Blue Peter—which recently underwent a shake-up and is being moved to pre-recorded broadcasts—where the twins often featured to oversee record-breaking attempts.
Record Breakers was hugely popular back in its day, and now Holly Willoughby’s husband, Dan Baldwin, is helping to breathe fresh life into the format.
Baldwin’s firm, Hungry Bear, famously took charge of the Beeb’s Gladiators reboot and will surely be hoping to replicate its success when Record Breakers returns.
A TV source told The Sun: ‘Record Breakers was an incredibly successful format, running for three decades and garnering millions of fans of different generations.
‘It worked so well because it could feature record attempts ranging from feats of bravery and impressive sportsmanship through to the downright mind boggling.
‘And the spirit of the show remains strong.’
The show was one of Britain’s longest-running TV programmes
The insider added that it feels like a ‘no-brainer’ to revive Record Breaker, with bosses hoping it will be a hit with the ‘TikTok generation’ who love filming pranks and stunts to post online.
‘It is also incredibly family-friendly, so would be ideal for that primetime Saturday spot,’ added the mole.
Don’t get your hopes up just yet, though, as Record Breakers 2.0 is still very much in its infancy.
The team behind the Gladiators reboot is reportedly keen to revive the old format (Picture: BBC)
Confirming it’s ‘very early days’ for the reboot, the source concluded: ‘No channel is yet officially attached, nor any celebrities in the frame as host.’
By the time Record Breakers was axed, it had been on air for 29 years and seven days. This made it one of Britain’s longest-running TV shows.
Its host, Castle, was a holder of nine world records himself, working on the show until 1993 before he died of lung cancer the following year at age 62.
Meanwhile, one of the McWhirter brothers, Ross, was tragically killed in an attack by a Provisional IRA gunman in 1975 at the age of 50.
As Record Breakers continued, Cheryl Baker co-hosted from 1987 to 1997, while Kriss Akabusi replaced Castle until 1997.
Olympic sprinterr Linford Christie joined in 1998 and worked alongside Sally Gray and Jeremy Edwards, who signed on in 1999.
When the show ended, Fearne Cotton had taken over as presenter. Alas, declining viewing figures saw it placed on the chopping block.
