CRACKERBACK Stars of kids show reboot: We’re scared
NEW Crackerjack hosts Sam and Mark are cracking up with nerves at the thought of bringing back the legendary children’s show.
The pair, CBBC favourites, will front a revamped version of the teatime telly treat which featured comedy sketches and games in front of a live audience.
It ran from 1955 to 1984, presented by stars such as Eamonn Andrews, Leslie Crowther, Michael Aspel and Stu Francis.
And they played host to comedy greats including Little and Large, the Krankies, Ronnie Corbett and Basil Brush.
Mark confided: “We’re honoured to bring back such an iconic show but it’s very scary.”
Sam agreed: “There’s a lot of pressure. We were shocked by the numbe of people talking about it. The span of people is huge. It’s in a lot of hearts.”
And it’s not just a new generation of kids they have to please, but their own parents. Mark said: “My dad is 80. He couldn’t believe his son was bringing back Crackerjack. He asked if I could get him a pencil. I told him he had to be on the show to win it.”
Mark Rhodes, 38, and Sam Nixon, 33, met 16 years ago when they competed in ITV’S Pop Idol and went on to carve out a career in children’s TV as a double act.
And the strength of their relationship will help them face the new challenge.
“In 16 years working together we’ve never had a cross word,” revealed Mark. “We really get on. You can’t make that up. We’re not good enough actors to pull it off. Long may it continue.”
The new Crackerjack is a ten-part series and will air next year on CBBC and the BBC iplayer this month. It will feature some of its well-known games.
“We’ve doffed our hat to games from past series,” explained Mark.
“Double or Drop is back. The sketches. There are new games like Splatterjacks, which gets the parents covered. It’s a mix of new and old.” Sam added: “We watched past shows. But it’s so many years ago and we want to make it our own. We don’t want to copy.”
Former presenters join in the fun in the first episode. “They sat in the audience and took part in the sketch,” said Sam. “They’re so supportive.'
New Crackerjack starts on January 17 at 6pm on CBBC.