Return of Crackerjack!

THE news that children’s TV show Crackerjack! is to return to screens, 35 years after being axed, will bring mixed feelings to baby boomers. While it introduced us to TV heroes like Eamonn Andrews and Leslie Crowther, it also bought us the resistible Krankees and ear-worm catchphrases.

The new Crackerjack! aims to be cooler, with the BBC saying that it will cater to “today’s connected generation” and be fronted by boy band-style presenters.

But it will mine the same seams: quiz games, comedy sketches, talent contests – and even revive the infamous prize, the Crackerjack! pencil. Ten episodes will test if it’s a live wire or a lame duck.