Iconic snooker game show Big Break will return to TV screens 24 years after being taken off air as the BBC revives the format for a new series.
Big Break originally ran for 10 series from 1991 to 2002, airing in primetime on Saturday evenings and attracting almost 14m viewers at its peak, with comedian Jim Davidson hosting and the late John Virgo – who died earlier this year – alongside him as the snooker referee and trick-shot expert.
The revival will see Paddy McGuinness, who hosted another sporting light-entertainment institution Question of Sport when it was cancelled in 2023, taking on the Davidson role alongside seven-time world snooker champion and current pundit Stephen Hendry as the Virgo figure.
The original format saw members of the public answer general knowledge questions while the snooker pro assigned to them potted balls to try and win the contestant cash prizes. Virgo would also try to teach the contestant a trick shot.
In a statement announcing the show’s return, the BBC said it would be “reimagined” for today’s audiences with “a brand-new look and feel… that will have an addictive mix of fast-paced snooker frames with a relaxed, comedic atmosphere.” It also suggested new camera angles would allow viewers to see the shots from different perspectives. The memorable theme tune will also be brought back.
After being revealed as co-host, Hendry said: “Big Break was a unique mix of trick shots and great entertainment and I can’t wait to be back at the table and bringing this incredible show to a whole new audience and who knows, we might inspire the next generation of snooker players to get into the sport.”
Hendry appeared in the very first episode of the original run in 1991 and participated 18 times as a professional players across the 10 series.
The 57-year-old has now retired from snooker, although he runs a very popular YouTube channel called Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips alongside his punditry work, but a number of currently active players also appeared on the original series including Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, Ali Carter and Matthew Stevens.
According to the BBC’s statement, the new format will see “three contestants and their pros battle it out in three rounds of trick shots to reach the dramatic finale.”
A total of 20, half-hour episodes of the new Big Break have been commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer and it follows the successful revival of another 90s teatime family favourite, Gladiators, over the past couple of years.
Co-host McGuinness – who has also presented shows such as Top Gear and Take Me Out – said: “I am absolutely delighted to be a part of Big Break. It is one of those shows everyone knows and loves so to be hosting it alongside legend Stephen Hendry will be something special. Bring it on!”
