Major update on Bullseye with ITV reboot just weeks away from returning to screens

ITV1’s reboot of Bullseye attracted 36,000 applications for conscionable six contestant places.

The response, galore from fans excessively young to retrieve the 1980s original, makes it progressively apt transmission bosses volition bid a afloat series.

ITV has yet to denote a broadcast day for its one-off festive reboot, hosted by Andrew Flintoff, but it volition beryllium successful the aforesaid Sunday teatime slot it occupied successful its heyday.

An insider said: “Bosses were pleasantly amazed by the sheer measurement of radical applying to beryllium connected the show, with astir 6,000 radical throwing their chapeau successful the ringing for each spot available.

“But they were besides shocked by the ample fig of young radical who wanted to instrumentality portion due to the fact that galore of them volition person small oregon nary acquisition of Bullseye.

“They’re present convinced that a batch of them person simply been enthused by the resurgence of darts during 2023 and are peculiar fans of teen sensation Luke Littler.”

Bullseye, originally hosted by Jim Bowen, was a Sunday evening staple and ran for much than 300 episodes.

But the popularity of darts has been soaring — boosted by past 16-year-old Luke making it to January’s satellite championship final.

He volition beryllium the celebrity thrower connected the festive special.

An ITV1 spokeswoman said: “Though determination are presently nary plans for a afloat series, we are looking guardant to viewers watching our Christmas peculiar of Bullseye due to the fact that you can’t bushed a spot of Bully.”

Meanwhile, Louis Theroux’s accumulation institution says it is making Kings of Darts, a three-part Sky bid focusing connected the game’s aureate age.