Freddie Flintoff cut a dapper figure in pictures offering a first look at the Bullseye reboot as the hit show is set to return next week after 18 years off screens.

The ITV gameshow ran from 1981 to 1995 and was hosted by the late comedian Jim Bowen. It was revived once before in 2006 with Dave Spikey as the host.

Now, cricketing legend Freddie Flintoff, 46, will take over will take over the reins hosting the darts-themed show for a special Christmas reboot airing on December 22.

On the show three teams of contestants, consisting of an amateur darts player and a trivia expert, competing against each other to win cash and prizes – the most coveted of them all being the iconic speedboat.

Other prizes up for grabs included luxury holidays, cars and caravans, as well as more mediocre items like a darts set, goblets and rubber dolls of the show’s beloved mascot – Bully.

ITV have released two images offering a sneak peak ahead of the special episode, which show Freddie looking sharp in a navy blue suit and a crisp white shirt.

In one snap Freddie is posing with the bronze Bullseye trophy with a live studio audience in the back

The second picture shows Freddie watching on as professional darts player Luke Littler (the ‘thrower’) launches a dart while his teammate (the ‘knower’) looks on nervously

The ITV gameshow ran from 1981 to 1995 and was hosted by the late comedian Jim Bowen

In one snap Freddie is posing with the bronze Bullseye trophy with a live studio audience in the back.

The second picture shows Freddie watching on as professional darts player Luke Littler (the ‘thrower’) launches a dart while his teammate (the ‘knower’) looks on nervously.

It is believed that the format has not been changed too heavily and still reflects the original Bullseye show.

A source told The Sun: ‘Devotees of the darts show will be thrilled and relieved that producers have gone for the approach of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

‘The studio has had a bit of a 21st-century glow-up, and of course having Freddie and Luke fronting the reboot gives it another modern edge.

‘But so many of the traditional elements of the programme are still in place that it’s going to feel hugely nostalgic.’ 

The Sun reported that Freddie was thrilled to starring in a revival episode of Bullseye, with ITV bosses hoping the special will lead to it being commissioned as a full series.

On the show three teams of contestants, consisting of an amateur darts player and a trivia expert, competing against each other to win cash and prizes

Perhaps the most coveted prize of them all was the iconic luxury Bullseye speedboat

Other prizes up for grabs included luxury holidays, cars and caravans, as well as more mediocre items like a darts set, goblets and rubber dolls of the show’s beloved mascot – Bully 

He told the publication: ‘I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. I can’t quite believe I’ll get to host this Christmas special. You can’t beat a bit of Bully!’

Teasing the reboot, a source added: ‘This is the perfect role for Freddie to start a whole new chapter in his career and his fans will be thrilled to see him on our screens fronting such a well-loved programme.

‘Few would have predicted the move but it’s a genius signing because Freddie has the same dry, Lancashire sense of humour and delivery as Jim.’

Managing director Michael Mannes also told the publication: ‘We are delighted to have acquired the rights to Bullseye, one of the most iconic game shows ever.

‘And the timing could not be better considering the popularity of darts. Freddie is the perfect host for it and we can’t wait for the show to be back on ITV.’

Freddie is a big fan of darts, having grown up playing the game with his friends and even holds a world record for the longest distance to throw a bullseye.

He made the record breaking attempt in 2012 as part of a Sports Relief challenge, hitting the bullseye from 5.05 metres for a Guinness World Record, before quipping: ‘You can keep your cricket. That’s a real sport right there — darts.’

He also joined Jamie Redknapp, Anthony Joshua and Tom Davis in playing darts in front of 10,000 people at Rotterdam in 2018 for a segment on his show, A League of Their Own.

Freddie Flintoff is set to present a special episode of the beloved gameshow Bullseye for Christmas on ITV (pictured last month)

Freddie is a big fan of darts, having grown up playing the game with his friends and even holds a world record for the longest distance to throw a bullseye (pictured)

In 2018, he spoke to Sky Sports about his love of darts, gushing: ‘One of the things I love about it, a lot of sports have got really professional and the public can’t identify with the players, but I think darts has kept that charm.

‘Where you see the crowds get excited and they look at the players and think, he’s just a normal guy, good at what they do.

‘And it’s got to be said, it’s one of the best atmospheres in sport. You see the crowd coming out, they’re dressed up they’ve got the signs. And the drama of it as well! Watching it live is incredible. I’ve liked darts for a long time.’

Darts has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years and it had previously been rumoured Bullseye would return with Freddie’s former Top Gear co-star Paddy McGuinness at the helm.

It comes after Freddie returned to TV screens following his horror crash on Top Gear, for the second series of his BBC One show, Field of Dreams.

The sports star crashed in a open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car, which had no air bags, leaving him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs.

It marks Freddie’s first new TV signing following his horrific crash on Top Gear in 2022, which left him with severe facial injuries and taking time away from the spotlight to recover

The sports star crashed in a open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car, which had no air bags, leaving him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs (pictured on Top Gear)

It comes after Freddie returned to TV screens following his horror crash on Top Gear, for t he second series of his BBC One show, Field of Dreams (pictured)

Immediately following the accident he was faced with an ‘agonising’ 45 minute wait for the air ambulance to arrive and rush him to hospital, with the BBC later giving the presenter an apology.

Filming on Top Gear was suspended and the future of the show – which he co-hosted alongside comedian Paddy and Chris Harris- remains in question after it was put on indefinite hiatus last November.

And Freddie himself remained out of the public eye for months as he recovered from the accident, after his devoted wife Rachael, 42, reportedly ‘begged’ him to stay off work and take time to recover.

He is believed to have secured a £9million compensation payout from the BBC following the accident. The broadcaster also made an apology to the cricketer.

However, the BBC brought him back for the new series of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, which saw him take a group of youngsters on a cricket tour to India.

Bullseye will air on ITV1 and ITVX on December 22 at 6pm.