Fans of iconic British game show Bullseye have to wait a little longer for its return – but in the meantime they can snap up merchandise in the form of crisps.
Bullseye first aired in September 1981 with presenter Jim Bowen joined by animated mascot Bully, an anthropomorphic brown bull in a red and white striped shirt. Centred on darts, the programme attracted 20 million viewers at its peak – with pairings of amateur darts players and trivia experts going head-to-head for a series of prizes.
ITV recently announced the show is to return later this year with former cricketer and Top Gear presenter Freddie Flintoff at the helm – the first airing since a short-lived comeback in the mid-2000s.
Now, a fan of the show as enthused “we are finally getting our country back” after spotting a packet of steak and ale flavoured Bully’s Ridge Cut Crisps on a supermarket shelf and sharing a photo to X. Featuring the show’s slogan, “You can’t beat a bit of Bully” alongside the character himself, others admitted they can’t wait to try them themselves.
In response to questions from fellow X users, the snack’s finder went on to reveal they are currently on sale at Home Bargains. It prompted scores more to admit they’re desperate to grab a bag themselves.
“I’ve never wanted anything more than I want these,” one X user declared. A second added: “I’m not lying I really want to buy and consume these multiple times a week.”
A third person added: “God damn, I have to get some of these down me.” While a fourth pleaded: “Seen these myself today, review needed before I throw my money away!”
Flintoff, who will host a Christmas special of the show, said earlier this week: “I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. Can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this Christmas special. You can’t beat a bit of Bully!”
Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment and daytime commissioning at ITV, meanwhile, added: “Bullseye is back and we can’t wait to welcome Freddie Flintoff back to ITV too.
“It’s a real treat to have both as key parts of our Christmas schedule on ITV1 and ITVX this year.”
In March 2018, original host Bowen died at the age of 80, but two years before, he opened up about his stint on Bullseye admitting it “wasn’t always plain-sailing”.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Express.co.uk at the time, Jim said: “I’ll never forget that my first two episodes were so bad that the head of light entertainment said, ‘Burn them’. We started all over again with two new ones and they were only marginally better.
“I sat at home with my family to watch them and when I asked my wife for her opinion, she said, ‘I’ll go and put the kettle on’. That said it all.”
