Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams in talks to host revival of hit gameshow Blankety Blank
ITV bosses are reportedly keen for David to step into Terry Wogan's shoes for full series of iconic show after its Christmas special success
DAVID Walliams is in talks with ITV to host a full series of iconic gameshow Blankety Blank following his successful debut as presenter on this Christmas’ revival.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge, 45, stepped into the shoes of former presenters Les Dawson, Sir Terry Wogan with his “Wogan’s Wand” and Lily Savage as he brought back the hit Seventies programme after a 14-year hiatus.
And bosses are now eager to bring back the cult show for a full run hosted by David after its triumphant return last week.
Their decision to bring back the popular programme comes after The Sun revealed several ITV gameshows have been rested this year – including Phillip Schofield’s You’re Back in the Room, Melvin Odoom’s Bang on the Money and Bear Grylls’ Mission Survive.
An ITV insider said: “David was a huge hit as he hosted Blankety Blank for the first time this month and managed to draw in an audience of nearly four million.
“The revival clicked with a brand new generation and David instantly got the comedic charm and effortless jokes that previous hosts used to bring to the programme.
“ITV bosses think it would be the perfect show to bring back to our screens for the new year after cancelling some of their other quiz shows.
“And although they haven’t quite signed a whole new series on the dotted line, they’ve been in discussions with David for a while now to host a full season of it.
“David loved presenting the programme as it’s right up his street so it’s all looking pretty hopeful right now and chiefs think David could replicate the show’s success from the 80s.”
Little Britain star David was joined by guest stars Anne Robinson, Louis Walsh, Lesley Joseph, Joe Lycett, Brooke Vincent and the Chuckle Brothers as he presented the one-off special on Christmas Eve.
The cult show, which sees contestants fill in the missing word in a sentence, was previously fronted by Sir Terry Wogan from its debut in 1979 until 1983 and then Les Dawson who presented it until 1990.
Paul O’Grady presented the revival as alter-ego Lily Savage on the BBC from 1997 to 1999, then on ITV from 2001 to 2002.
The Blankety Blank comeback follows the return of other retro shows including Catchphrase, Family Fortunes and Fifteen to One.