Darts ace Luke Littler will be the guest player on the Bullseye rebootCredit: Getty
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Legends including Eric Bristow threw darts on the programme in its 1980s heydayCredit: Rex Features
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Littler will join new host Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff on the showCredit: PA
Excitement surrounding Luke’s surge to the final as a 16-year-old is said to have inspired ITV bosses to consider reviving the programme.
Professional darters were regular guests on the original series where they tried to score as many points as possible to bag money for charities chosen by the competing pairs of amateur player plus quizzer.
A TV insider said: “Luke wasn’t even born when Bullseye was on our screens with original host, Jim Bowen.
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“But Luke knows this is a plum role to have landed.
“As he steps up to the Bullseye oche he knows he’s following in the footsteps of legends including Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson who all threw darts on the programme in its 1980s heyday.
“It’s also a coup for the makers of the new Bullseye as Luke is now one of Britain’s best-known players.
“Producers moved swiftly to sign him shortly after the programme was recommissioned by ITV.
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“It all adds to the huge sense of excitement for the programme to return.”
Luke, from Runcorn, Cheshire, who is now 17, was beaten by Luke Humphries in the world final. Both players have since helped raise the sport’s profile with younger fans.
The Sun exclusively revealed this month that Bullseye was returning with Freddie fronting the show, made by 12 Yard Productions.
The ex-England cricketer and former Top Gear presenter, 46, said at the announcement: “Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. I can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this.”
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A date has yet to be revealed for his festive edition.
It is hoped the show will prove so popular that it could be turned into a full series next year.
The original Bullseye, known for its often-naff prizes, aired on ITV for 15 series from 1981 to 1995.
Host Bowen made it cult viewing with a string of catchphrases although he claimed he never used the most frequently quoted — “Super, smashing, great!”.
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From series five in 1985 onwards, the professional who recorded the highest score during the charity segment of the show would be presented with a Bronze Bully trophy — a statuette of the programme’s bull mascot.
Past winners included five-time world champ Bristow, triple world champ John Lowe and “Limestone Cowboy” Bob Anderson.
The pro stars also featured in the animated opening titles of the show travelling in a bus driven by Bully.
It is hoped that if Bullseye is picked up for a full series, Littler, Humphries and other pros will take turns in the fundraising slot.
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Bullseye’s original host Jim Bowen made it cult viewing with a string of catchphrasesCredit: Rex
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The original show aired on ITV for 15 series from 1981 to 1995Credit: ITV
Factory Mercedes driver Jules Gounon will make his DTM debut in this weekend’s final round at Hockenheim, replacing Luca Stolz at HRT.
Double Spa 24 Hours winner Gounon has been drafted into the #4 HRT Mercedes AMG GT3 at the last-minute after Stolz had to withdraw from the Hockenheim races due to health reasons.
No further information was provided about 29-year-old Stolz, who was due to see out his third full season with the team in the German GT3-based series.
A statement from HRT read: “Luca Stolz (GER) of Mercedes-AMG Team HRT has been forced to withdraw from this weekend’s DTM finale at Hockenheim for health reasons.
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“The 29-year-old’s place in the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be taken by Jules Gounon (AND).
“The Haupt Racing Team thanks Jules for stepping in at short notice and wishes Luca a speedy recovery.”
Gounon brings with him a wealth of experience of GT racing, having won the Bathurst 12 Hour on three occasions and scored class victories in major IMSA SportsCar Championship enduros including Daytona 24 Hours and Petit Le Mans.
His illustrious CV includes two titles in GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Mercedes, as well as the 2017 GT Masters title at the wheel of a Corvette C7.
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Luca Stolz, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT Mercedes-AMG GT3
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
This year has seen the second-generation driver expand his horizons into prototype racing, competing in three rounds of the World Endurance Championship with Alpine in the Hypercar class.
The HRT outfit he is joining in the DTM currently sits fifth in the teams’ standings, two spots behind fellow factory-supported Mercedes team Winward.
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The squad’s best runner in the standings is Arjun Maini in eighth on 128 points, while Stolz is placed just one spot behind in ninth after scoring a first win of 2024 at the Sachsenring last month.
Both drivers are out of the championship fight, although another Mercedes driver Maro Engel (Winward) remains firmly in the hunt in third place, 20 points behind championship leader Mirko Bortolotti of SSR Lamborghini.
Engel’s team-mate Lucas Auer, the last remaining driver in the four-strong Mercedes roster, sits 12th in the drivers standings.
Ulster: Mike Lowry; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (capt), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, David McCann.
Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Jude Postlethwaite.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Ben Warren, Will Greatbanks, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris (capt).
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Math Iowerth-Scott, Rhys Thomas, Dan Gemine, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Tom Florence, Max Nagy.
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Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole & Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The PFL: Battle of the Giants pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and you can watch a live stream of the event in the video above.
The press conference takes place ahead of Saturday’s fight card, which airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view and DAZN.
PFL: Battle of the Giants is built around two inaugural superfight title bouts. Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3) at heavyweight, and Cris Cyborg (27-2) vs. Larissa Pacheco (13-3) at women’s featherweight.
Here’s what you need to know about the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference.
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What time does the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference start?
The PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference starts at 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT, which is 2 p.m. local time in Riyadh.
Who’s taking part in the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference?
The four fighters scheduled for the superfight title bouts are slated to participate in the PFL: Battle of the Giant press conference: Ngannou, Ferreira, Cyborg and Pacheco.
Max Muncy and Walker Buehler broke down the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dominant 8-0 victory over the New York Mets. They also talked about their standout performances in the Game 3 win.
But a groundbreaking operation, which required his breastbone to be split open, saved his career and enabled him to represent England again and win the Premiership with Saracens in 2023.
However, despite his remarkably quick return, he says it took time psychologically to recover from the procedure.
“[At the time] you just treat it as if it is an injury and you don’t realise how big it is,” Isiekwe said.
“It was kind of like [starting again]. I didn’t expect to have to start again but I have had to roll with it and I feel like I’ve got to the point now I wanted to get to.
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“It was difficult but I think there is something beautiful in the struggle.
“I had it in the back of my mind for quite a long time. But now I feel completely normal – and I don’t have any reservations.”
Isiekwe was a late call-up to the England squad for the summer tour of New Zealand following Charlie Ewels’ suspension, although he did not make an appearance – with George Martin and Maro Itoje starting the two Tests against the All Blacks.
“In the summer I had a few things I needed to work on, from a physical point of view,” he added.
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“But I used the summer to really get right and really push it. I feel great.”
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