The Big Breakfast revival

Matgo · Apr 1, 2021

I am all for this! Miss it so much.

EXCLUSIVE: 'I'm sure fans would love a nostalgia trip!' Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan in talks to RETURN as hosts of The Big Breakfast for classic show's 30th anniversary

Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan are hoping to return as hosts of classic morning show The Big Breakfast.

MailOnline can reveal Channel 4 bosses are considering bringing back the cult show to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year and sounded out the beloved duo to return.

And Denise, who ended her 20-year feud with Johnny during the COVID-19 lockdown, confirmed she's already discussed ideas with her former co-host.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Denise, 46, said: 'We've started having conversations. It would be nice to do something to mark the 30th anniversary.

'The original house has so many great memories and it would be amazing if we could return and film there, even though it's been renovated.

'We'd want to see all the old faces return and play some of the old games too. I'm sure the fans would love it and see it as a real nostalgia trip.

'It would be so much fun working with Johnny again on show which means so much to us both.'

On mending her relationship with Radio X DJ Johnny, 54, she added: 'It's been really lovely that me and Johnny have reconnected again.

'It's weird because we've never had a massive argument or fall out, we just act like stroppy teenagers with each other.We are probably in a lot of ways quite similar and sometimes you can have a clash of personalities.

But actually I've got a lot of love for Johnny and I'm sure he feels the same about our friendship.'

The Big Breakfast, which aired between 1992 to 2002, was watched by two million viewers in its heyday and attracted some of the biggest names in showbiz as guests.

Johnny and Denise were arguably the show's most popular presenting duo, alongside original hosts Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin who were at the helm between 1992-1994.

Channel 4 are bringing back The Big Breakfast this May for a one-off special as part of Black Takeover Day hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan, but the show's original stars are not expected to appear until the anniversary next year.

Denise, whose one-woman play Some Girl I Used To Know is being live streamed over Easter weekend, believes a reunion would provide a nostalgic throwback to the Nineties when TV shows were 'fun'.

Although she admits both herself and Johnny used to get away with edgier content compared to now and also claims the outfits she wore on the morning show were 'inappropriate'.

Denise explained: 'When I look back, I think how free it was. We had no script, no autocue and we used to get away with saying things which probably wouldn't be acceptable now.

'I'm sure I used to dress very inappropriately at 7am in the morning. I dressed like I'd just got in from a nightclub. It was all part of it.'

Denise's relationship with Johnny broke down over a contract dispute which triggered her decision to leave the show in January 1999.

The pair briefly reconnected in September the following year for Johnny's final four months as host, and again in 2008 when Denise fronted the Capital FM breakfast show alongside her old co-presenter, but they struggled to recreate their original chemistry.

Making up with Johnny isn't the only highlight of what has been an eventful lockdown for Denise.

The West End star dislocated her shoulder and suffered three fractures which resulted in her pulling out of ITV series Dancing On Ice before the first episode.

And she's also spent months working on her bombshell autobiography, out this Autumn, which will document her 30-year career and her take on high profile splits with Jamiroquai frontman and former fiancé Jay Kay and ex-husband Lee Mead.

'There will be surprises,' said Denise. 'I'm not planning on throwing people under the bus but I will tell my story and I will tell the truth. It's as simple as that, I will say exactly what it was like for me.
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bestinase · Apr 2, 2021

This had so many iconic female presenters so it'd be great to get some of them back. Denise/Gaby Roslin/Liza Tarbuck/Kelly Brooke/queen Paula Yates.. the whole thing was an amazing mess and a huge part of my childhood TV watching.

Matgo · Apr 2, 2021

This theme tune just makes me smile.

Mike · Apr 2, 2021

bestinase said: ↑

This had so many iconic female presenters so it'd be great to get some of them back. Denise/Gaby Roslin/Liza Tarbuck/Kelly Brooke/queen Paula Yates.. the whole thing was an amazing mess and a huge part of my childhood TV watching.
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Poor Zoe Ball, not meriting a mention while the famously awful Kelly Brook gets one!

I'd probably give this a watch if Johnny and Denise did come back.

unnameable · Apr 2, 2021

While there's a lot to be said for nostalgia...I can't be arsed with breakfast TV anymore.

RHOPJ · Apr 2, 2021

I think Chris and Gaby would serve a revival better, if only because they brought in two million viewers every morning. But this will be interesting regardless, if only to see how it would work now.

mi|kshake · Apr 2, 2021

Oh my god I hope this happens! Please bring back More Tea Vicar! I was gutted when they axed it and replaced it with Ri:se. I also really enjoyed Richard Bacon and Amanda Byram together!

Doodvid · Apr 2, 2021

Always had a soft spot for the Big Breakfast. This was a great moment, appealing to my juvenile sense of humour both then and now:

Matgo · Apr 3, 2021

I loved the absurdity of Wonga:

Matgo · Jul 26, 2021

The Big Breakfast is initially coming back as a one off special for Channel 4's Black to Front day.

It's confirmed that the show will broadcast live from the original Lock Keepers Cottages and will feature the return of Phil Gayle reading the news. The broadcast date is reported to be 10th September.

Channel 4 today announced AJ Odudu and Sir Trevor McDonald will present shows as part of Black to Front, the ground-breaking diversity project airing this September. Across the day Channel 4 will broadcast programming fronted by Black talent and featuring Black contributors, to champion Black voices and stories, and the incredible Black talent that make, shape and star in British TV.

Presenter AJ Odudu will join Bafta-winning Mo Gilligan as co-host of The Big Breakfast and newsreader Phil Gayle will return to read the news as this iconic show comes live from its original East London location, the Lock Keepers’ Cottages. A staple of the channel’s morning schedule from 1992 to 2002, The Big Breakfast defied the rules when it came to breakfast telly. Retaining plenty of its original anarchic spirit, risqué sense of humour and distinctive energy, the Black to Front special will see the presenters flanked by a mix of famous guests to kick start the day with a bang.

On Channel 4’s longest running show, Countdown, eminent journalist and broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald will host the iconic quiz show. Joining Sir Trevor in the Salford studio will be acclaimed poet and playwright Lemn Sissay OBE who will adjudicate the words from Dictionary Corner and maths prodigy Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE who will bring her arithmetical expertise to the numbers round. Lemn will be joined in Dictionary Corner by special guest, award-winning journalist & beer sommelier, Marverine Cole.

AJ Odudu said “I absolutely can’t wait to get stuck into The Big Breakfast. It is such an iconic show to be part of and I am buzzing it is finally coming back! I’m so looking forward to working with Mo and I can’t wait to wake up the nation! I’m thrilled to be part of Channel 4’s Black to Front – which quite rightly gives a platform to deserving Black British TV talent across our industry, both on and off-screen. It’s going to be really special. ’

Sir Trevor McDonald said “I am proud and delighted to be presenting Countdown on this special day; I have always enjoyed watching Countdown, a show that has been around for almost as long as I have! “

Kelly Webb-Lamb, Channel 4’s Deputy Director of Programmes said “From the voices that introduce the shows to the people appearing on screen, across social and All 4, the entire day will be fronted by Black talent and will tell the stories of Black British communities in a demonstration of Black excellence. Behind the camera Channel 4 is working together with our production partners to shape ambitious and meaningful off-screen commitments, making sure that Black to Front lives on beyond one day, accelerating careers and bringing about significant change that will leave a lasting legacy across the UK TV industry.

Planned over a year, and working with numerous production partners, Black to Front is part of Channel 4’s on-going commitment to improve Black representation on and off screen. From breakfast right through to late night, some of Channel 4’s most iconic shows will have Black talent at the forefront offering viewers a new perspective of much-loved programmes.
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bonnieetclyde · Jul 29, 2021

Wow, so many memories growing up watching this show before school/work.

It's nice to read that Johnny and Denise have made up too.

bonnieetclyde · Aug 2, 2021

I wonder if they will have any of the show's original presenters? I understand it's fro Black to Front but hope they at least cameo in some way.

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a37093876/the-big-breakfast-presenters-channel-4-return/

Matgo · Sep 8, 2021

That theme tune!! I'm excited now.

bonnieetclyde · Sep 9, 2021

Is this a one-off or are they using this to re-launch the show?

Matgo · Sep 9, 2021

bonnieetclyde said: ↑

Is this a one-off or are they using this to re-launch the show?
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It's a one off for the time being but there is a lot of talk of this being a back door pilot for a full revival.

They've certainly gone to town on the house and made it Big Breakfasty again:

mi|kshake · Sep 10, 2021

Hoping they play More Tea Vicar!

Matgo · Sep 10, 2021

mi|kshake said: ↑

Hoping they play More Tea Vicar!
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They're playing One Lump Or Two

dell321 · Sep 10, 2021

This brings back so many memories. Loved Johnny and Denise back in the day. Hope they bring this back permanently

bonnieetclyde · Sep 10, 2021

It will be interesting to see if this type of show will work in 2021. I can't recall the last time I watched morning television myself.

Matgo · Sep 10, 2021

bonnieetclyde said: ↑

It will be interesting to see if this type of show will work in 2021. I can't recall the last time I watched morning television myself.
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The Big Breakfast left such a huge mark on television, it's still very visible in 2021. Consider The One Show with the crew cheering, or the various Xtra Factor/It Takes Two shows over the years, and it was The Big Breakfast that started reading out messages from viewers on TV. Via phone and fax then, Twitter today.

The Big Breakfast revival

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