Former England cricket captain and television presenter Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff is set to bring back the iconic darts-themed quiz show Bullseye for a special Christmas episode on ITV. The 46-year-old sports personality expressed his excitement about hosting the show, stating that Bullseye was one of his favorite shows as a kid.
Originally fronted by the late comedian Jim Bowen, Bullseye aired on ITV from 1981 to 1995, attracting massive audiences during its peak. The show featured three pairs of contestants, each consisting of a darts player and a quizzer, who worked together to win prizes. Flintoff referenced the show’s mascot, Bully, in his hosting announcement, saying, “You can’t beat a bit of Bully!”
While it is not yet confirmed if a full series has been commissioned, the return of Bullseye comes at a time when darts is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. The sport has seen a rise in interest, with young talents like 17-year-old Luke Littler making waves in the professional darts world.
Flintoff’s return to television comes after a challenging period, following an incident during filming for Top Gear in 2022 that left him with facial and rib injuries. The BBC has since announced that Top Gear is being “rested” as a format for the time being. In his recent BBC series Field of Dreams, Flintoff opened up about his recovery process, revealing struggles with anxiety and flashbacks.
Despite the setbacks, Flintoff has been making a comeback in the world of sports, rejoining the England coaching team for the T20 series against the West Indies and taking on the role of head coach for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. With his return to screens and the revival of Bullseye, fans can look forward to seeing more of Flintoff’s charismatic presence on television.
