Bullseye viewers claim Freddie Flintoff reboot is 'way better' than Holly Willoughby's You Bet - but...

ITV audiences have stated that Freddie Flintoff's version of Bullseye is far superior to Holly Willoughby's reboot of You Bet.

The cricket icon, now 47 years old, has taken over from original host Jim Bowen, who was at the helm from 1981 to 1995. Fans have praised him as "ideal" and "a natural" in his new role after he appeared in a special episode on Sunday, calling for a complete series to follow.

In the meantime, You Bet, hosted by Holly and Stephen Mulhern and airing after the darts-themed game show, received criticism for being described as 'uninspiring' and a 'poor investment for ITV.'

In comments on X, viewers expressed their thoughts: "The Bullseye revival is way better than You Bet. Freddie makes a fantastic host!" One user criticized You Bet on ITV, saying, "It's such a disappointing show. Back in the day, Matthew Kelly brought a lot of enthusiasm, and the theme kept you interested. However, tonight’s Bullseye was full of life, thanks to Freddie. They updated it but still kept the original theme tune, and honestly, if it works, don’t change it."

The Bullseye reboot is much more enjoyable than the You Bet! revival. It retained the original theme song and featured Freddie as the host, steering clear of the usual ITV presenters that they tend to lean on. It fit perfectly as a new Sunday night show, and I hope it gets picked up for a full series and has a regular spot on Sundays. Honestly, this Bullseye revival is impressive, and I can’t understand why they invested so much in the lackluster You Bet! remake.

Some viewers expressed disappointment over one element of Bullseye, as the new opening did not include the classic cartoon featuring Bully The Bull behind the wheel of a bus.

ITV viewers have stated that Freddie Flintoff’s version of Bullseye is far more enjoyable than Holly Willoughby’s reboot of You Bet.

At the same time, You Bet, hosted by Holly and Stephen Mulhern (C), aired after the darts-themed game show. It received criticism for being 'lackluster' and considered a 'misuse of ITV's funds.'

The cricketing icon, now 47, has taken over from the original host Jim Bowen, who was at the helm from 1981 to 1995. Following Sunday’s special episode, fans are declaring he was 'ideal' for the position.

Although the cherished character made an appearance alongside the well-known theme song, it shifted to a modern track for Freddie's entry.

Fans voiced their frustrations, saying things like, "The music has already ruined Bullseye." Others criticized the show, stating, "There's no silly animated introduction, and it’s off to a bad start." One viewer lamented, "I'm just one minute into the Bullseye revival and already let down that the opening didn’t feature the cow driving the bus."

Freddie welcomed 17-year-old darting prodigy Luke Littler to the show, as he takes part in the World Darts Championship.

The host inquired whether he knew the total number of treble twenties he’s scored throughout his professional career.

The dart champion confessed that he was unsure about something. Freddie then told him that he had scored more than seven thousand triple twenties, which earned a lot of cheers from the audience.

Luke was then called to the oche, and, as many might expect, he quickly scored three treble twenties in a row.

Freddie was then challenged to aim for the bullseye, and the former England all-rounder mentioned that accomplishing this would be his greatest achievement in sports.

After being allowed ten seconds to aim for the bullseye, the cricket player failed to hit it on his first two tries but finally succeeded on his third attempt.

Fans pleaded for the show to come back as a complete series (Freddie R, shown alongside darks champion Luke Littler on the left).

Jim Bowen, featured on the game show Bullseye in 1984.

On X, viewers commented: "They handled the Bullseye revival much better than You Bet. Freddie was an excellent choice for the host!"

Bullseye features teams consisting of a novice dart player, referred to as the 'thrower,' and their teammate, called the 'knower.' To have a shot at winning prizes, they need to collaborate effectively.

They aim to score as many points as they can, including targeting the hard-to-reach Bullseye, all while being observed by a studio audience.

In addition to showcasing their abilities on the game board, the teams will also be required to respond to questions to earn 'points and rewards.'

Freddie expressed his excitement about being part of the team that is reviving one of the most cherished shows from the 80s and 90s for a special episode on ITV1 and ITVX.

I'm a big fan of darts, and Bullseye was one of my favorite programs growing up. I can hardly believe I'll be hosting this Christmas special! There's nothing quite like Bully!

In December 2022, Freddie got into an accident during the filming of Top Gear. He had to be airlifted to a hospital, and by October 2023, it was reported that BBC Studios had agreed to pay him £9 million as a settlement for his injuries.

The former cricketer, now a broadcaster, has been almost completely absent from public view following the incident. Reports suggest that his loving wife Rachael, 42, urged him to take a break from work and focus on his recovery.

The broadcaster, which apologized to him in March 2023 for the injuries he sustained, has reinstated him for the latest season of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams. In this series, he takes a group of young people on a cricket trip to India.

Some viewers felt let down by one change in Bullseye—the new opening didn't include the classic cartoon featuring Bully The Bull driving a bus.

Although the beloved character made an appearance alongside the well-known theme song, it shifted to a modern track to accompany Freddie's entrance (featured is Jim Bowen from 1989).

Fans expressed their disappointment, saying things like, "They've already messed up Bullseye with the music." They also criticized the lack of a proper animated opening, stating, "This has stumbled right out of the gate."

During the show, he shared his feelings about how the incident will haunt him 'for the rest of my life.' He acknowledged that he struggles with nightmares and flashbacks about that tragic day.

He spoke to the camera, saying, "It's been a week and a half since my accident. Honestly, considering what happened, I shouldn't be here."

It's going to be a tough journey ahead, and I've only just begun. I'm finding it challenging already, and I could really use some support. I truly need it.

He mentioned, "I'm not great at asking for help. I need to find a way to hold back my tears more often. I'm excited to be with the guys and spend time together. I truly am."

I choose to focus on the bright side: I'm still around. I have another opportunity, and I'm ready to give it my best shot. I'm viewing this as just that—another chance to try again.

At the same time, Holly, 43, returned to television with the show You Bet after stepping away from her position on This Morning in October 2023. In this new role, she showcases regular individuals as they take on remarkable challenges.

The show was first led by the legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth (seen here in 1989 with his co-host Ellis Ward), followed by Matthew Kelly, and eventually Darren Day stepped in as host.

When a young cricketer traveling with him inquires whether he feels completely recovered, he responds, "Not exactly. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'll ever be fully back to normal. But I feel better than I did before."

He says, "I'm not sure what 'completely better' really means. I am who I am at this moment. I've changed from who I used to be. It's something I’ll likely have to accept for the rest of my life. So… am I better? No, I’m just different."

In the meantime, Holly, 43, returned to television with the show "You Bet" after stepping away from her position on "This Morning" in October 2023. The show features everyday individuals trying to prove they can achieve remarkable feats.

The program was initially presented by the legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth, then Matthew Kelly stepped in to host, followed by Darren Day.