Viewers were divided on Saturday night as Bradley Walsh “took over” television, appearing on both the BBC and ITV almost simultaneously.
A regular on the small screen during the week as the host of the nighttime quiz show The Chase, the former Coronation Street actor Bradley aired prime-time on BBC1 and ITV on Saturday, featuring both Blankety Blank and Beat The Chasers.
After Bradley presented the Blankety Blank Christmas special last year, marking the return of the iconic program, he’s now back for a full series.
Speaking about his new role, he said: “I have a hard time remembering the last time I laughed as much as when I was shooting Blankety Blank – so when they asked me if I would be willing to do a series, I jumped at the chance, I’m so happy to be a part of it.
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“I stand on the shoulders of giants like Les Dawsons and Sir Terry Wogan, but I hope to make my own mark on this fantastically nostalgic spectacle.”
While Bradley had fun doing the Blankety Blank reboot, some of those who did log on weren’t sold.
(Image: BBC)
One of them tweeted: “Watched Saturdays #BlanketyBlank … was horribly bad !! ”
Another replied: “Blankety Blank, presented by the great Terry Wogan, would never have aired at 9pm in the late 1970s. Yet those morons who now run the BBC think it should be time for is on a Saturday. What next One show at 9 PM Sunday? “
However, others really enjoyed the first episode and the fact that it didn’t stray too far from the show’s original format, with one fan reacting: “Leaves a warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling. #BlanketyBlank I loved that they didn’t change it. ”
There’s also been a lot of talk about Bradley as “Mr. Saturday Night”, given that Beat The Chasers was also in attendance.
One viewer joked, “Do the BBC and ITV have a Bradley Walsh factory next door? I can’t wait to see it next on: Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile, Songs of Praise, MOTD (on Gaz), News, Weather, Gardeners World (spend more than a month) #bradleywalsh for 007 – the man is unstoppable. ”
Another commented: “Bradley Walsh hosting game shows on BBC and ITV at the same time on a Saturday night is definitely a sign of the apocalypse.
And, delighted that Bradley took over both channels, one admirer tweeted: “I love Bradley Walsh all the better since he’s on two shows.”
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