Freddie Flintoff is returning to TV screens to host the reboot of the 80’s classic darts game show, Bullseye – formerly hosted by Jim Bowen and Dave Spikey.
The gameshow first aired on ITV in 1981 and ran for 14 years with old-school comic Bowen as host with an array of darts stars making regular guest appearances.
It is also known for the animated mascot – a darts-playing bull called Bully – while Bown regularly ribbed the competition teams of two.
Flintoff is said to be thrilled to take over the hugely popular programme, and will be his first new TV commission since his horrific crash on Top Gear back in 2022.
A source of the reboot told The Sun: “Few would have predicted the move but its a genius signing.”
At the moment, the signing bis only for a Christmas special, however, TV bosses are hopeful it will quickly be commissioned as a full series.
Jim Bowen was the previous host of the darts gameshow
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Flintoff himself holds a darts world record for the longest distant to throw a bullseye, and said: “I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid.
“I can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this Christmas special. You can’t beat a bit of Bully!”
Many fans would have recently seen Flintoff back on their screens for the second series of Field of Dreams where he unveiled his horrific injuries.
The new TV commission is the first since his Top Gear crash put his career on hold, with an TV insider noting: “This is the perfect role for Freddie to start a whole new chapter in his career and his fans will be thrilled to see him on our screens fronting such a well-loved programme.
Freddie Flintoff returned to TV back in August for the second series of Field of Dreams
BBC
“Few would have predicted the move but it’s a genius signing because Freddie has the same dry, Lancashire sense of humour and delivery as Jim.
“Though it remains to be seen whether he’ll continue Jim’s ‘super, smashing, great!’ catchphrase or if they’ll dole out jackpot prizes of speedboats to contestants who live in landlocked towns and cities.
“But they’re likely to keep the torturous practice of saying ‘Look at what you could’ve won’ before bringing out first prize to rub in the faces of the losing competitors,” reported The Sun.
Flintoff’s return comes after he nearly died when his three-wheel roadster flipped at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
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Freddie Flintoff underment multiple operations after his horror crash in December 2022
BBC
The star underwent numerous operations before he got back on his feet to finish filming the second series of his BBC One show.
During the first episode, the 46-year-old admitted: “I genuinely should not be here after what happened. It’s going to be a long road back and I’ve only just started.
“I’ve got to look at the positives, I’ve got another chance, and I’m going to go at it. I’m seeing that as how it is — a second go.”