Three months ago, much-loved nineties game show The Crystal Maze returned to our screens for a one-off celebrity special for Stand Up to Cancer.
Following this, it has now been announced that the show will be returning to Channel 4 on a more permanent basis, with 20 hour-long episodes on the way.
A purpose-built maze in Bristol has been designed for the show’s return by James Dillon, creator of the original maze. Just as it was back in the day, contestants will take on a series of physical and mental challenges in the maze’s Aztec, Future, Medieval and Industrial zones.
Richard Ayoade will be presenting the show, replacing Stephen Merchant who oversaw the Stand Up to Cancer special and following in the footsteps of Richard O’Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole, who both had runs fronting the show during the nineties.
Restart the fans! A 20-episode order for the return of The Crystal Maze has been confirmed with @RichardAyoade as your new Mazemaster. pic.twitter.com/vg00SZkB55
— UKGameshows.com (@UKGameshows) January 13, 2017
Former IT Crowd star Ayoade had been tipped to host The Great British Bake Off after it was revealed that the show would move from the BBC to Channel 4. It’s unclear if his involvement with the new Crystal Maze will rule him out of this.
“I couldn’t be more pleased and excited that Richard has agreed to become the new Maze Master – he’s an inspired choice,” said Channel 4’s Tom Beck.
Details of how to apply to be a contestant on the revived show will be released soon.
