BBC Revives Big Break with McGuinness and Hendry

The BBC has announced the revival of the iconic snooker game show Big Break, 24 years after its original run ended, with comedian Paddy McGuinness and seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry as co-hosts.

The series, which first aired from 1991 to 2002 across 10 seasons on BBC One, drew peak audiences of nearly 14 million viewers during its Saturday evening primetime slot. Hosted originally by Jim Davidson, with snooker referee and trickshot expert John Virgo at his side, the format featured members of the public competing for cash prizes by answering general knowledge questions while assigned professional players potted balls on the table. Contestants also attempted trick shots under Virgo's guidance. Virgo, who died earlier this year, appeared alongside pros including a young Hendry in the 1991 premiere episode. Hendry participated 18 times during the show's run, and other active players such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, Ali Carter and Matthew Stevens also featured.

The new 20-episode series, each half an hour long, has been commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer by BBC Daytime and Early Peak. It will reimagine the format for modern audiences,...