Game show fans call for bosses to reboot the 'iconic' Golden Balls
Jasper Carrott hosted the popular show
With ITV/STV bosses seemingly deciding to reboot every popular TV show under the sun in recent months, including the likes of Jeopardy!, Deal or No Deal and Wheel Of Fortune, fans of game shows are now calling out for one particular show to make a comeback!
If you take yourselves back to 2007-2009, you'll most likely remember sitting down at 5pm every afternoon to watch Golden Balls, hosted by the comedian and actor Jasper Carrott.
The hit game show, which was made up of six series containing a huge 323 episodes, was eventually axed, with the last episode airing in December 2009, but that hasn't stopped fans calling out for a reboot.
One wrote: 'ITV should bring back golden balls. Split or steal was intense', with another adding: 'ITV rebooting every show except the one we all want: Golden Balls!' (sic) A third added: 'Bring back golden balls @ITV'. (sic)
Another then said: 'ITV should bring back Golden Balls! What a game that was haha', with another fan writing: 'I miss "golden balls" being on itv! What a program that was by jasper carrot'. (sic)
Check out all of the TV shows that have been rebooted in recent years:
Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother
Reality TV fans across the UK were buzzing in 2022 when ITV bosses announced plans to reboot Big Brother, five years after it was cancelled by Channel 5.
The series kicked off on Sunday 8th October with new hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best. After six weeks, the final took place on Friday 17th November, where 26-year-old lawyer Jordan was crowned the winner.
The show was quickly renewed for a second series, which is airing now on ITV2/STV2, as well as Celebrity Big Brother airing in March 2024, with the final taking place on Friday 22nd March.
Channel: ITV2/STV2
Deal or No Deal
Originally airing on Channel 4 between 2005 and 2016, it was announced in 2022 that hit gameshow Deal or No Deal was going to be rebooted by ITV, with brand new host Stephen Mulhern.
The brand new series kicked off on Monday 20th November 2023, taking over Tipping Point's slot on ITV/STV. Despite only airing for four weeks, the show was loved by viewers, and bosses have now confirmed the show will return for a second series later in 2024.
Channel: ITV/STV
Gladiators
90s gameshow Gladiators was a huge hit with viewers before it was axed in 2000, so it's no surprise fans were delighted when BBC bosses confirmed they were rebooting the show.
With Bradley Walsh and his son Barney confirmed as the new hosts, the 11-part series was filmed in Sheffield in June 2023, and hit our screens in January 2024, with six million people tuning in for the first episode. Following the series one final, the show has been renewed for a second series, as well a celebrity version!
Channel: BBC/BBC iPlayer
Survivor
Despite being cancelled by ITV after two series in the Noughties, BBC bosses confirmed in 2022 that they were set to revive popular gameshow Survivor.
Starting on 28th October 2023 and airing for eight weeks, 18 people from across the UK were marooned in a tropical location in two tribes and went head-to-head in a range of physical and psychological challenges. During the final in December 2023, Matthew was crowned the winner. It hasn't yet been announced if the show will return for another series.
Channel: BBC/BBC iPlayer
Waterloo Road
BBC school drama Waterloo Road was axed after 10 series back in 2015, but fans were over the moon in 2022 when it was announced the school's doors were re-opening, with some original cast members returning!
Series 11 aired on BBC One in January 2023, with series 12 starting on 16th May. Series 13 then kicked off in January 2024, with series 14 landing in September 2024. Bosses have now revealed Waterloo Road will run on the BBC until at least 2026.
Channel: BBC/BBC iPlayer
Jeopardy!
The US version of Jeopardy! was a massive hit in the 1980s when it was first shown in the UK, and ITV bosses signed up Stephen Fry to host a UK version!
The first series had 20 episodes where contestants got the chance to show off their general knowledge skills, and it kicked off on New Year's Day in 2024. In June 2024, it was announced the show would return for a second series.
Channel: ITV/STV
Wheel of Fortune
ITV announced in June 2023 that they were rebooting classic gameshow Wheel of Fortune, with Graham Norton hosting the show. The new series will kick off on Saturday 6th January 2024.
The original series ran between 1988 to 2001 and was very popular with viewers.
Channel: ITV/STV
Byker Grove
17 years after the final episode aired, Geordie duo Ant and Dec confirmed the news they were rebooting popular series Byker Grove! Titled, Byker, the new series will 'engage with a new generation of teenagers navigating the different challenges faced by young adults today'. It hasn't yet been revealed when the reboot will air.
Gavin and Stacey
After YEARS of reunion rumours following the last Christmas special in 2019, James Corden and Ruth Jones finally confirmed the news they've written a brand new special of Gavin & Stacey in 2024! The one-off special, which is set to feature the original cast, will be the last ever episode of the popular sitcom and feature all of the cast favourites.
Outnumbered
Award-winning sitcom Outnumbered was adored by fans when it aired between 2007-2014, so it's safe to say fans were over the moon in May 2024 when the BBC confirmed the original cast would be returning for a brand new Christmas special! The new special, which will air on Christmas Day, will see mum and dad (Sue and Pete Brockman) gather the family as they welcome back their now grown-up children, who have been off living their own lives.
Bullseye
ITV/STV announced in early October 2024 they were rebooting classic gameshow Bullseye, with Freddie Flintoff on hosting duties. Although it's just a one-off Christmas special rather than a full series, fans cannot wait for the show to air during Christmas time.
60 Minute Makeover
According to reports in March 2024, ITV/STV bosses are planning on rebooting home renovation show 60 Minute Makeover. The show first aired in 2004 with host Claire Sweeney.
Channel: ITV/STV
What happened on Golden Balls?
The 60 minute episodes of Golden Balls were made up of four different rounds, featuring four contestants playing against each other.
Round One saw the 'Golden Bank' randomly shake 100 golden balls, all with cash values ranging from £10 to £75,000. 12 balls were then drawn out and mixed with four 'killer balls', with 16 balls then being split between the four contestants.
Whilst Round Two and Three saw contestants being eliminated, it was perhaps the final round which has really stuck in people's minds, dubbed as 'Split or Steal'.
The Split or Steal round saw the remaining two players both be given a set of two balls, marked 'split' and 'steal'. If both contestants chose the 'split' ball, they'd share the jackpot money, but if both chose 'steal', they'd both go home empty handed.
And of course the third outcome, which caused a lot of tension on the show, saw one contestant steal the entire jackpot, meaning the person who chose split would leave with nothing.
Is Golden Balls making a comeback?
Despite the calls from fans, it appears ITV/STV bosses have no plans at this time to reboot Golden Balls.
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