Showbiz

Iconic BBC children’s TV show set to be rebooted after almost 25 years off air – despite its tragic past

Iconic BBC children’s TV show set to be rebooted after almost 25 years off air – despite its tragic past

Hit children TV show Record Breakers is reportedly being rebooted 24 years after it came off air.

The original show ran on BBC One from 1972 until 2001 and was fronted by legendary host Roy Castle.

And now the show is back with the new working тιтle World Record Breakers: The Rivals.

Holly Willoughby’s husband Dan Baldwin is behind the project after his firm, Hungry Bear’s recent success rebooting Gladiators with Bradley and Barney Walsh. 

A TV source told The Sun: ‘Record Breakers was an incredibly successful format, running for three decades and garnering millions of fans of different generations.

‘It worked so well because it could feature record attempts ranging from feats of bravery and impressive sportsmanship through to the downright mindboggling. And the spirit of the show remains strong.’

Hit children TV show Record Breakers is reportedly being rebooted 24 years after it came off air (pictured host Roy Castle)

Hit children TV show Record Breakers is reportedly being rebooted 24 years after it came off air (pictured host Roy Castle) 

The original show ran on BBC One from 1972 until 2001 and was fronted by legendary host Roy Castle until he tragically died of lung cancer in 1994

The original show ran on BBC One from 1972 until 2001 and was fronted by legendary host Roy Castle until he tragically died of lung cancer in 1994 

Explaining that TikTok generation would respond well with the trend of online pranks and stunts it seems she show would be a great fit for a family-friendly primetime Saturday spot.

They added: ‘It’s very early days, with the show in development, so no channel is yet officially attached nor any celebrities in the frame as host.’

MailOnline have contacted BBC representatives for comment. 

Record Breakers showed people trying to break British and world records and featured interviews with champions.

Host Roy was joined by Guinness World Records founders and twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter as the threesome fronted the show. 

Roy worked on the show until 1993, one year before he tragically died of lung cancer in the September of the following year.  

He recorded the show’s closing theme Dedication and broke nine world records himself.

The presenter achieved the World Record for the fastest tap dancer, achieving 1,440 taps (24 per second) in a minute in 1973. 

Record Breakers showed people trying to break British and world records and featured interviews with champions (pictured hosts Kriss Akabusi, Cheryl Baker and Dan Roland)

Record Breakers showed people trying to break British and world records and featured interviews with champions (pictured hosts Kriss Akabusi, Cheryl Baker and Dan Roland)

Later Fearne Cotton took over in 2001, however the show was then cancelled later that year due to a fall in viewing figures (pictured Fearne, Shovell and Jez Edwards in 2001)

Later Fearne Cotton took over in 2001, however the show was then cancelled later that year due to a fall in viewing figures (pictured Fearne, Shovell and Jez Edwards in 2001) 

Tragedy also struck for the McWhirter twins too after Ross was murdered by a Provisional IRA gunman in 1975.

Other presenters to join the show included Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker who starred alongside Roy from 1987 until 1997, Kriss Akabusi and Olympian Linford Christie who joined the show in 1998.

He was joined by Sally Gray and Jeremy Edwards in 1999.

Later Fearne Cotton took over in 2001, however the show was then cancelled later that year due to a fall in viewing figures. 

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