It has been reportedly revealed that TV presenter Noel Edmonds will return to prime time BBC Saturday night television with a new show – after a reported 13-year rift with the broadcaster has finally been healed.
The new show will be called The Bodyguard – and will see contestants act as bodyguards for celebrities, facing weird and wonderful challenges along the way.
According to The Sun, a source said: ''Noel back on Saturday nights is obviously a big draw for the BBC - and to be fair it's a big deal for Noel too. He has softened in his view of the Beeb and all the House Party stuff was a long time ago now.
''Noel wasn't sure he wanted to do it. He is busy with Deal Or No Deal and a lot of baggage comes with him returning to the BBC. He's enjoyed working in the commercial sector and doesn't need the money. But he has agreed to do this and we all hope it will work out. But the BBC should probably not count their chickens yet.''
Noel started his career with the BBC back in 1970, hosting popular music show Top of the Pops. He went on to front Telly Addicts and Noel's Saturday Roadshow, which eventually became Noel's House Party in 1991.
Initially Noel's House Party was a huge success, featuring celebrity pranks and introducing the infamous Mr Blobby character, who typically cropped up in every episode.
After ratings dropped for the show, Noel's House Party was cancelled in 1999 – leaving Noel allegedly very unhappy with BBC bosses, ending an almost-30-year relationship with the broadcaster.
According to The Sun, BBC Controller Danny Cohen aimed a “campaign of heavy-duty flattery” at Noel in order to secure him for The Bodyguard.
A pilot of The Bodyguard will reportedly be filmed later this month at Elstree Studios.
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