ITV's The Games got viewers reminiscing about the ‘original’ Channel 4 Games
11.05.2022 - 00:23
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
ITV’s shiny new celebrity sports day-esque programme The Games seemed all too familiar for many viewers. Fans of a certain age will be able to remember a very similar format which could be seen on TVs almost a decade ago.
Also called The Games, this original series ran on Channel 4 from 2003 to 2006. The show saw 10 celebrities compete against each other, by doing Olympic-style events, such as weightlifting, gymnastics and diving. You can certainly see the similarities!
At the end of the series, the contestants with the most points from each round were awarded either a gold, silver or bronze medal. Winners across the four series included Hollyoaks actress Terri Dwyer, Boyzone’s Shane Lynch and presenter Kirsty Gallacher.
Read more: ITV The Games viewers switch off after ‘boring’ opening night
With this reboot leaving many viewers underwhelmed, largely down to the long stretches of talking, those who watched the original version believed that format to be the superior one. Jamie Theakston was the man chosen to front that version, with Holly Willoughby and Freddie Flintoff taking the reins this year.
It was mainly filmed in Sheffield, at the Sheffield Arena, Don Valley Stadium and Ponds Forge. In later series, further venues were used, such as the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, iceSheffield and, in series 4, the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.
Track-side reports from Jayne Middlemiss in series 1–3 and Kirsty Gallacher in series 4 were features of the show - Alex Scott has taken over that role this year - while David Goldstrom took on the role of commentator - now provided by Simon Brotherton and Chris Kamara. There were even three Champion of Champions specials during its stint on the telly.
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