Freddie Flintoff is reportedly in talks to take on full-time hosting duties for a reboot of the iconic 1980s game show Bullseye following the success of its one-off Christmas special.
The former cricketer and television personality, 47, impressed audiences when he fronted the festive edition, leading ITV bosses to consider reviving the show permanently.
According to The Sun, discussions have been ongoing for two months to secure Freddie as the permanent host.
A television insider revealed that ITV executives were keen to bring back Bullseye
after the Christmas special was well received, but the decision largely depended on whether Freddie would agree to return.
“[ITV] have spent the past two months trying to convince him to take the plunge, and it looks like Freddie is ready to make the commitment,” the source said.
Bullseye’s Return After Years Off-Air
Bullseye originally aired in 1981 and ran until 1995, with Jim Bowen serving as the beloved host. The show, which featured a unique mix of darts and trivia, became a staple of British television, attracting a dedicated audience. It was briefly revived in 2006 with comedian Dave Spikey at the helm, but it wasn’t until Freddie Flintoff hosted the Christmas special in 2024 that the game show saw a resurgence in popularity.
The special, which aired on December 22, 2024, became ITV’s most-watched program of the weekend, drawing nearly 3.5 million viewers. Fans of the show quickly took to social media, calling for a full series to be commissioned.
The format of Bullseye involves a team of one amateur darts player and one general knowledge enthusiast competing against another duo for various prizes. The Christmas edition also featured darts champion Luke Littler, whose appearance was met with enthusiasm from viewers.
Freddie’s Passion for Darts
Freddie Flintoff has long been a fan of darts and has even made headlines for his skills in the sport. In 2012, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance to throw a bullseye, hitting the target from 5.05 meters as part of a Sports Relief challenge. Reflecting on his love for the game, he quipped at the time, “You can keep your cricket. That’s a real sport right there—darts.”
His passion for darts has been evident over the years. In 2018, he played in front of a crowd of 10,000 in Rotterdam alongside Jamie Redknapp, Anthony Joshua, and Tom Davis for a special segment on A League of Their Own. He has also expressed admiration for the sport’s accessibility, noting in a past interview with Sky Sports, “One of the things I love about it is that, while many sports have become highly professionalized, darts has kept its charm. Fans see players as relatable, which makes it exciting to watch.”
A Triumphant Return to Television
Freddie’s potential role as the full-time host of Bullseye marks a significant milestone in his return to television following his devastating 2022 crash on Top Gear. The accident, which occurred while he was driving a 130mph Morgan Super 3, left him with serious facial injuries and multiple broken ribs. The BBC later issued an apology and reportedly paid him £9 million in compensation.
Following the crash, Freddie took a step back from the public eye to focus on his recovery, with his wife, Rachael, encouraging him to take time off. However, he has gradually been making a return, recently reappearing on screen for Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams.
While ITV has yet to make an official announcement regarding Bullseye’s return, fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation. Given the overwhelming response to the Christmas special and Freddie’s enthusiasm for the project, it seems likely that the classic game show will soon make its way back to prime-time television.
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