ATV Choice: Bullseye – The first series

Tonight Challenge begin to show for the first time since original transmission the surviving episodes of the ATV produced darts game show Bullseye.

The show, fronted by comedian Jim Bowen (pictured below), began in 1981. The original series has never been repeated since it’s original ITV transmission – until now. Challenge are to air the 1981 series for the first time, along with the first to be produced by Central Television in 1982.

Many episodes from the second series haven’t been repeated for many years due to some episodes being misplaced in the archives and 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 on Challenge.

“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, however host Bowen is on record as noting the entire first series was ‘sh**e’. Mainly due to his lack of experience as a game show presenter, however he proved popular with audiences and remained in the role for over 300 episodes. The format revolved around the game of darts with a range of big prizes that could be won, including caravans, speed boats and cars. Contestants also took away their ‘Bendy Bully’ (pictured top) – the show’s mascot – and all losers were at least offered their BFH – bus fare home.

The show was revived in 2006 by Challege, 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 10pm tonight

UPDATE: APRIL 2013:

Following the ATV episodes airing it became clear on the 11th of April series two only has nine episodes too and not ten as originally thought.

Challenge TV Note: “Some of you may have noticed that last Thursday at 10.30pm the wrong episode of Bullseye played out. It was series ten instead of series two. It turns out that it was labelled wrong years ago and never noticed until we played it out.”

Challenge note that “ITV have searched and searched for the actual series two episode it was meant to be but unfortunately it is missing.”