Everything we know about Holly Willoughby’s You Bet reboot (original) (raw)

ITV is bringing the classic gambling gameshow You Bet! back to screens, with Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern as its new hosts.

This isn’t the first time the show has been brought back from the dead. After debuting in 1988 with Bruce Forsyth as its host, the series went on to run for almost a decade, with future Stars in Their Eyes frontman Matthew Kelly eventually taking over from Forsyth in 1991. Singer and actor Darren Day took over next in 1996, presenting the show until it finally went off the air in 1997.

Ant and Dec attempted to bring it to American audiences in 2008 but the reboot was short-lived. Cut to 2024 and ITV is rolling the dice on You Bet! one more time.

Here’s everything we know about it so far…

When does the You Bet reboot start on ITV?

ITV’s You Bet! reboot is currently without a concrete release date. However, early reports suggest that the show will debut in autumn with two, 75-minute specials.

“You Bet! is part of a stellar entertainment line up for ITV and ITVX this autumn, and we are thrilled to have Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern at the helm,” explained ITV’s head of entertainment commissioning Katie Rawcliffe, hinting at the show’s ETA.

What happens in You Bet?

Bruce Forsyth co-hosted the original run of You Bet with co-host Ellis Ward. (Alamy)

Originally based on the German gameshow Wetten, dass..?, You Bet! invites a group of celebrities to place bets on the likelihood of the general public completing timed, high-stakes stunts and challenges.

The studio audience is also invited to place their bets, with their results combined with those of each show’s panellists and converted into points. Points were then exchanged into a monetary amount which was donated to a charity of the winner’s choice.

At this point, it’s unclear whether Willoughby and Mulhern’s reboot will add any additional elements to this familiar format.

What happened to Ant and Dec’s You Bet reboot?

Ant and Dec tried to bring You Bet to America in 2008. (Getty)

In 2008, Ant and Dec attempted to bring You Bet! to America under the new name Wanna Bet?

At the time, the pair were at the peak of their Saturday Night Takeaway fame but still largely unknown to US audiences. By featuring the input of some familiar American stars like Star Trek’s George Takei and model Ali Landry, the pair tried their best to sell the concept to this new demographic but unfortunately, it failed to connect with viewers.

Ultimately, Ant and Dec’s Wanna Bet? ran for just one, six-episode season before calling it quits.

ITV’s You Bet reboot will arrive in autumn 2024.