Blankety Blank

Posted September 16, 20204 yr

From The Sun:

BRADLEY Walsh is poised to sign a big money deal with the BBC to host a reboot of classic gameshow Blankety Blank – eighteen years after it went off air.

The gameshow, which sees two contestants trying to match as many fill-in-the-blanks statements with the celebrity panellists as possible, was a smash hit in the Eighties and under new plans will have a modern look and new host.

And bosses at the Beeb are lining up Bradley, 60, who hosts popular ITV show The Chase to be the frontman.

A TV insider said: “Blankety Blank was massive for the BBC and revisiting it seemed like a great idea in the current climate.

“Bradley is the favourite to be the new host but bosses behind the reboot also have discussed Paddy McGuinness and Rylan Clark as potential hosts.

"A pilot is being filmed later this year and if it’s a success, it’ll go on to become a new series.

“Everyone is confident it’ll be a hit and it’s a perfect fit for Saturday night."

It’s likely to nab a primetime weekend spot and cash will be pumped into the series if it does go ahead.

“Plans are still being worked on and the presenter has yet to be set in stone, as well as who’ll make up the first celebrity panel but it’s all very exciting.

“There is a hunger for fun, family programming and nostalgia seems to be a winner every time.”

If Bradley does take over the role, it signals the end of an era for Paul O’Grady – who was the last host of the format as Lily Savage back in 2002.

Blankety Blank launched under late broadcaster Terry Wogan in 1979 before Les Dennis, 66, took over in 1983.

Edited January 19, 20223 yr by Klaus