Classic British ’90s game show to make a return to BBC with lengthy series run

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After 24 years, the BBC is bringing back Big Break, the popular game show based on snooker.

As a huge fan of the show, I’m really excited to hear it’s coming back! For those who might not remember, it originally ran for ten seasons from 1991 to 2002. And get this – Paddy McGuinness and snooker legend Stephen Hendry are going to be hosting the new version, which is fantastic news!

Jimmy Hendry will now demonstrate the trick shots previously shown by John Virgo, and co-host Paddy McGuinness will take over the hosting duties formerly handled by Jim Davidson.

The new season will be similar to the original show, featuring three competitors and their professional partners. They’ll compete in three rounds of challenging trick shots for a chance to make it to the final round.

According to the BBC, the new series will be updated to appeal to modern viewers and will have a completely fresh style.

McGuinness expressed his excitement about joining Big Break, calling it a beloved show. He said he’s thrilled to be hosting alongside Stephen Hendry and is eager to get started.

Hendry said he’s excited to return to ‘Big Break,’ calling it a fun show with amazing trick shots. He hopes it will reach a new audience and even encourage a new generation to take up snooker.

Rob Unsworth, who leads daytime and early evening programming for the BBC, announced that the changes will feature both established and rising stars of snooker, and will also connect with the passionate online snooker community already active on the BBC.

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As a big fan of fun, engaging TV, I was thrilled to hear the BBC was bringing back the show! Alex McLeod, who commissions programs for BBC Daytime, said it just felt like the right moment. And with Paddy and Stephen leading the charge, he promised a lot of laughs and clever visual gags – especially after the success of the Snooker World Championship coverage on the BBC. It sounds like it’s going to be a really good time!

The series is set to begin production shortly and will air on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Authors

Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss writes about the newest happenings in television, movies, and other entertainment for TopMob. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and has also contributed to major news outlets like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.

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2026-05-12 19:36