Jeremy Clarkson to host Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? anniversary series

The show is returning for seven new episodes to mark its 20th anniversary

(Rex Features)

Jeremy Clarkson has been announced as the new host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? when the quiz show returns for anniversary specials later this year.

Clarkson will take over from original presenter Chris Tarrant when the show returns for seven new episodes to mark twenty years since it began. Episodes will air on ITV1 nightly across one week this Spring.

Former Top Gear host Clarkson, who currently co-hosts Amazon series The Grand Tour, said: “I have always loved the show and am thrilled to be involved with its rebirth.

“I'm a big fan of quiz shows and I'm looking forward to hosting this iconic TV show and hopefully making a few millionaires!”

The long-running ratings hit, which aired its final episode in 2014, was one of the most popular game shows across the world.

It became a cultural phenomenon, with its catchphrases and lifelines of 50/50, ask the audience and phone a friends. The series hit the headlines in 2001 after a 'coughing' scandal which saw Charles Ingram cheat his way to the jackpot.

ITV's head of entertainment Siobhan Greene said: “It felt like a no-brainer to celebrate the show that was a trailblazer of its time and broke the mould. In doing this one-off special week, I hope Millionaire will be introduced to a whole new generation.

"And with TV legend Jeremy Clarkson asking the questions, frankly anything could happen. I can't wait.”

In its 15 years with Tarrant as host, the game show made five millionaires.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook