ITV1 commissions full series of Catchphrase

ITV1 has commissioned a full series of Catchphrase almost ten years after the iconic game show was originally axed by the broadcaster.

A pilot for a revamped show – fronted by Stephen Mulhern – has impressed bosses so much that a full series of eight episodes has now been ordered, unlike the original half-hour episodes the new production will be given an 45 minute slot. The show will also feature an entirely new end game and three contestants per episode rather than two as in previous series.

“We’re delighted that this highly popular classic game show is returning to ITV and will once again give our viewers a chance to ‘say what they see’. Stephen will be presenting an updated and state-of-the-art version of Catchphrase and we welcome its return to our schedules.” – ITV’s Controller of Entertainment, John Kaye Cooper

The show is expected to air in a prime time Saturday night slot and will feature “a brand new set, exciting 3D graphics and a dynamic new end game”. The revived say what you see series is to be produced by STV, who broadcast to Scotland across two Channel 3 (ITV) services. The format was last aired in 2002 when Mark Curry presided over each episode. It was shunted in the 2000s to daytime, leaving its regular prime time slot, and eventually met the axed after a ratings slump.

Catchphrase originally aired on ITV1 between January 1986 and December 2002, repeats of the original series hosted by Roy Walker can be seen on Challenge. Roy hosted the series from its launch until 1999 when he was unceremoniously dumped by production company Carlton for a less successful host in Nick Weir.

Watch a clip of EastEnders‘ June Brown and Peter Dean on a celebrity edition of the show below.