Jeremy Clarkson is set to host the new series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? when it returns to TV screens later this year.
The former Top Gear host will step into Chris Tarrant’s shoes when the quiz show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, with seven new episodes to air over the course of one week.
Clarkson said of his new presenting job, “I have always loved the show and am thrilled to be involved with its rebirth.
“I’m a big fan of quiz shows and I’m looking forward to hosting this iconic TV show and hopefully making a few millionaires!”
The popular ITV game show debuted in September 1998 and went on to become one of the most popular TV formats across the world, spawning versions in countries including America, India, Australia, Japan and Russia, and it also inspired Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
The programme saw members of the public tasked with answering increasingly difficult questions in order to win as much money as possible, up to a million pounds.
Each hopeful millionaire would be given three lifelines to help them answer tricky questions – phone a friend, ask the audience and the 50/50 option.
After 15 years as the host, Tarrant made the decision to leave, and the final episode aired in February 2014.
He said in October 2013 that the show had been a huge part of his life and he had “loved every minute of it” but that it was time for him to move on.
He said: “I am privileged to have been a part of it but do now feel that it is time for me to call it a day.
“I’ve worked ridiculously hard these last few years and to quote myself, ‘It’s time to take a break’.”
Two years later, Tarrant ruled out returning to the programme if it was to ever make a comeback.
He said: “All shows tend to get brought back eventually and they might well bring it back, but it will be with a different host – I wouldn’t want to do it.
“Been there, done that.”
The new episodes, which are set to air later this spring, will include a number of new twists and turns for audiences to look forward to, ITV has said.
ITV’s head of entertainment Siobhan Greene said: “It felt like a no-brainer to celebrate the show that was a trailblazer of its time and broke the mould.
“In doing this one-off special week, I hope Millionaire will be introduced to a whole new generation. And with TV legend Jeremy Clarkson asking the questions, frankly anything could happen. I can’t wait.”
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