The Crystal Maze set for TV comeback with David Tennant as host
The Doctor Who star is tipped to lead a celebrity special ahead of a possible new series
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Your support makes all the difference.David Tennant has reportedly been lined up to host a one-off TV edition of Nineties game show The Crystal Maze.
The former Doctor Who star is tipped to be leading a celebrity special as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer fundraising extravaganza in October.
Details for a full new series are yet to be fleshed out, but further episodes are expected to follow should the show’s return prove a ratings hit.
The rumours first began in The Sun newspaper, which cited a source claiming to have inside knowledge about Channel 4’s plans to “tap into the nostalgia” many feel for the problem-solving show, which ran from 1990 to 1995 and was originally hosted by Richard O’Brien.
The Crystal Maze was a huge success at the time, attracting up to six million viewers at the peak of its popularity. It followed teams as they battled against the clock to win various challenges around themed Aztec, Medieval, Industrial, Futuristic, Ocean and Crystal Dome zones.
Last year, a crowdfunding campaign to launch a new interactive experience based on the show raised £930,000. Nearly 4,000 fans donated to the project, which opened to great fanfare in London’s Kings Cross in March.
All things considered, it is surely likely that Channel 4 is at least considering bringing back The Crystal Maze, particularly in the wake of a string of recent reboots including Robot Wars, Porridge, Are You Being Served? and Cold Feet. Game shows are less risky than plot-based series in terms of angering original fans, making the show’s return all the more probable.
Channel 4 is yet to confirm the host but issued the following statement when contacted for comment: “Channel 4 is looking at a special Crystal Maze for Stand Up to Cancer.”
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