Former England cricketer and Top Gear presenter Freddie Flintoff is set to make a return to television screens as the new host of the much-loved British darts-themed quiz show, Bullseye, on ITV. The 46-year-old will be taking on the hosting duties for a Christmas special of the popular game show, which originally aired from 1981 until 1995 with the late comedian Jim Bowen as the host.
Expressing his excitement about his new role and the opportunity to be back on TV, Flintoff shared, “I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. Can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this Christmas special.” He also fondly mentioned, “You can’t beat a bit of Bully!”, echoing the iconic catchphrase coined by Bowen during his tenure.
Bullseye is renowned for challenging contestants’ darts skills and general knowledge as they vie for cash prizes and rewards. The show was famous for its extravagant prizes, including speedboats, and was briefly revived on Challenge TV in 2006 for two series, hosted by comedian Dave Spikey.
Katie Rawcliffe, the director of entertainment and daytime commissioning at ITV, expressed her delight at having Bullseye back on ITV with Freddie Flintoff as the host, confirming that the show would be a part of the Christmas schedule on ITV1 and ITVX this year.
This return to television comes after Flintoff’s recent appearance in the BBC series “Freddie Flintoff’s Field Of Dreams On Tour,” where he opened up about a crash during Top Gear filming in 2022 at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey. The incident, which resulted in facial and rib injuries, led to the BBC deciding to put Top Gear on hold indefinitely. In the documentary, Flintoff revealed his struggles with anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks following the crash.
Since then, Flintoff has been gradually rejoining the public eye, participating as part of England’s T20 series support staff against the West Indies and serving as the head coach of the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
In related news, Top Gear star Chris Harris has reportedly raised concerns to BBC about safety issues on the show before Freddie Flintoff’s accident, indicating alleged safety oversights. Harris, who joined the Top Gear line-up in 2016 with Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness, recalled the harrowing crash incident and criticised the BBC for purported safety shortcomings.
Flintoff’s return to TV hosting with Bullseye marks a significant milestone in his comeback journey following the Top Gear crash, showcasing his resilience and enthusiasm for entertaining audiences once again.