You can’t beat a bit of Bully – and now we can stop trying.
ITV is finally bringing Bullseye back for a one-off special this Christmas with Freddie Flintoff at the helm
It’s been over 40 years since Bullseye was first broadcast back in 1981 and to this day few game shows have come close to capturing the same charm of this unconventional TV classic, which combined quizzing with darts.
For those who don’t know… each team of two is made up of an amateur dart player – aka ‘the thrower – and their buddy – aka ‘the knower’ answering questions. Together, they hope to use their respective talents to win points and prizes throughout the game.
Who can forget the iconic moment each episode when the former host would tease ‘here’s what you could have won’ to disappointed contestants as they wave goodbye to the dream of owning a garden shed or speedboat they didn’t have the space for?
ITV is finally bringing Bullseye back for a one-off special this Christmas for an entirely new generation of fans who missed out on all the fun the first time around and will no doubt quench the thirst of those of us who spent every Sunday night screaming answers at the TV.
Each team of two is made up of an amateur dart player – aka ‘the thrower – and their buddy – aka ‘the knower’ answering questions in the hope of winning points and prizes
At its peak, Bullseye attracted over 15 to 20 million viewers weekly, making it true appointment-to-watch TV.
Bullseye was the game everyone at home wanted to play along to and it captured a devoted audience, who loved the unbridled chaos combined with the thrill of the game.
But if there’s one star guaranteed to satisfy Bullseye’s loyal fanbase, it’s perhaps the most likable man on television: Freddie Flintoff, who will be hosting this must-watch one-off spectacle.
You can’t beat a bit of Bully!’ – Bullseye was the game everyone at home wanted to play along to and it captured a devoted audience
The term ‘national treasure’ is thrown around far too liberally but if there is anyone who deserves the title it’s Flintoff, who’s seamlessly gone from being one of the country’s most celebrated cricket aces to one of the most successful television presenters of the last decade – and with good reason.
He’s a class act. His banter is top notch and he’s proven time and time again he has a heart of gold.
Flintoff will be joined by darts’ rising star Luke Littler, the 17-year-old reigning Premier League Darts, Grand Slam, and World Series of Darts Finals champion, who is already the world number four and is widely hailed one of the most promising new talents in the UK.
The teenager is single-handedly putting darts back on the map and into more living rooms than the sport has seen for years. And to think he wasn’t even born when Bullseye was last on TV.
‘I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid,’ says Freddie. ‘Can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this Christmas special. You can’t beat a bit of Bully!’
Don’t just take Freddie’s word for it.
Bullseye returns for a one-off Christmas special on December 22 at 6pm on ITV.
Iconic TV show Bullseye is back for one night only