Challenge to show original Bullseye series

Bullseye began, produced by ATV, back in 1981. The original series has never been repeated since it’s original ITV transmission – until now. Challenge is to air the 1981 series for the first time, along with the first to be produced by Central Television in 1982, from next month.

While the Central series hasn’t been repeated for many years due to the loss of episodes from the archive, the ATV series has never been re-run. Unfortunately, some of the early ATV episodes have also been wiped – as was the policy at the company at the time – however, all surviving editions will air from February 14th, 2013.

Challenge has been showing Bullseye on the station for a number of years, however focusing on the later 1980s and early 1990s episodes of the darts-themed game.

“Series one has 9 episodes and series two has 10 episodes. They will be on every Thursday night at 10pm and 10:30pm repeated on Sunday at 8 and 8:30pm.” Challenge state.

It was originally believed the whole of series two had been wiped, bar one episode, with sixteen episodes, noted as lost. It now appears a further nine editions have been discovered which Challenge can screen along with the ATV editions.

Bullseye ran from 1981 until 1995, hosted by legendary comedian Jim Bowen. Bowen is on record as noting the entire first series was ‘sh**e’. Mainly due to his lack of experience as a game show host, however, he proved popular with audiences and remained in the role as host for over 300 episodes.

The show was revived in 2006 by Challenge, produced by Yorkshire Television in Leeds, with fellow comedian and game show host Dave Spikey in the role. It ran for two series and was praised for keeping true to the original show with a similar set, theme tune and titles.

Bullseye airs on Challenge, with ATV episodes airing from 10 pm on February 14th 2013.