Holly Willoughby to host cult 90s gameshow as it returns to TV after 27 years off air
HOLLY Willoughby has signed up for a huge new ITV show – cementing her place on the channel.
The Sun can reveal Holly will front a reboot of cult Nineties show You Bet! alongside her Dancing On Ice co-host Stephen Mulhern.
You Bet! Last aired on ITV in 1997, with Darren Day as the host.
It ran for nine years, with the late Bruce Forsyth and Matthew Kelly also previously fronting the game show – which sees celebrities betting on members of the public as they take on a variety of challenges.
Holly, 43, and Stephen, 47, signed their deals last month and will front the two special shows later this year.
A source said: “Holly is one of ITV’s top presenters and she deemed the perfect person to front You Bet!
“Her partnership with Stephen on Dancing On Ice earlier this year proved they have perfect chemistry and bosses wanted them back on screen.
“This version of You Bet! will be in the form of two 75 minute specials but the premise is the same.
“A panel of celebrities and the studio audience will predict if the contestants can complete the challenges they are tasked with.
“If the challengers prove the celebs and audience wrong and they do complete the challenge, they get a £10,000 prize. If the celebrity correctly bets they can or can’t, they will be handed £10,000 to give to a charity of their choice.
“It is wholesome family fun and with Holly at the helm with Stephen, ITV think they are onto a ratings winner.”
Holly confirmed to The Sun she was fronting the reboot and said: “I’m so excited to be part of this iconic game show with the fabulous Stephen.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the astonishing skills on show from the challengers and which of our celebrity panellists can come out on top.”
Stephen added: “I loved You Bet! as a kid, so I’m very excited to be hosting this with the wonderful Holly.
“From the big and spectacular to the unique and unexpected, I can’t wait to see what extraordinary skills the challengers have up their sleeves.”
Holly quit This Morning last October following a kidnap threat – which saw security guard Gavin Plumb sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years last month.
She returned for Dancing On Ice at the start of the year alongside Stephen, who replaced Phillip Schofield after he quit television last year.
Away from ITV, Holly also signed a big money deal with Netflix to front a new show with Bear Grylls, called The Bear Hunt, which will air next year.
Insiders said Holly was a key target for ITV bosses, who were keen to keep her as a member of their on screen talent.
A source added: “ITV love Holly and they have a great relationship.
“She is hugely popular with their audience and is a face their viewers can trust.
“Having her on board and remaining as part of ITV’s family is a coup for them and they cannot wait for You Bet! to air.”
