Anneka Rice is said to be in talks with Channel 5 to reboot Challenge Anneka.
The hit series, which saw the presenter given a task to accomplish within a certain period, was initially launched on BBC One in 1989 and ran for six years until it was cancelled in 1995.
A one-off special later aired in 2006 on ITV and saw the team helping to rebuild a maternity clinic, a cricket pavilion, and a children’s play centre in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami.
‘There’s a real taste for bringing back classic shows right now, given viewers’ thirst for nostalgia,’ an insider added.
‘Anneka is hopeful a deal can be struck as she believes there is still plenty of life in the format and that she can also attract a new, younger audience.’
The TV source added to: ‘It was a much-loved show with good intentions, so there’s no reason why it can’t continue where it left off.’
Challenge Anneka last aired in 2007, when Anneka walked on stage during a McFly concert in Cambridge and asked the band if they would record a single for charity.
At the time, it had been reported that a third special was never completed after ITV dropped its plans to revive the series in a frequent format.
Following its demise, Rice approached the BBC about a proposed revival as part of Children In Need, but the corporation decided not proceed with the proposal, citing the series was no longer in the public consciousness.
Reflecting on Challenge Anneka on its 30th anniversary in 2019, Anneka, enthused: ‘The affection for it is epic. It is overwhelming on a daily basis.
‘So many people were touched by the series. People’s lives were literally changed.
‘It’s been my life’s work, really. I’ve never left it as I am still very involved with so many projects.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Channel 5 for comment.
