The much-anticipated return of the classic gameshow Bullseye to ITV screens on Sunday evening was met with immediate criticism from loyal fans, who took to social media to voice their displeasure over two key changes.
Nostalgia Takes a Hit: The Missing Theme Tune
Following a one-off Christmas special last year, Bullseye returned for a brand new four-part series with host Freddie Flintoff at the helm, replacing the late, great Jim Bowen. The reboot, which aired from 8pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, maintains the original format where pairs of contestants – one amateur darts 'thrower' and one quiz 'knower' – team up to win points and prizes.
However, within minutes of the show's launch, viewers flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to call out what they saw as a major misstep. A significant point of contention was the treatment of the iconic theme music. One fan pleaded, 'Please don't cut the theme tune short! #Bullseye,' while another questioned, 'They couldn't afford the full theme tune for #bullseye?' Another viewer lamented the lost opportunity for nostalgia, writing, 'Why not use the old introduction? The nation would smile and feel warm inside.'
Audience Applause Becomes a Point of Irritation
The second major issue highlighted by the audience was the introduction of frequent audience applause. The constant clapping throughout the episode quickly became a source of irritation for many tuning in. Complaints on the platform were direct, with one person asking, 'Why are the audience clapping when they pick a category?'. Others were more forceful, with comments such as '#bullseye too much clapping' and '#bullseye stop f***** clapping for f*** sake.' Another simply stated, 'Too much audience clapping in this new Bullseye.'
A Show Steeped in History Returns
Despite the rocky start, the new series hopes to capture the charm of the original, which was a huge hit in the 1980s before ending its run in 1995. The show, famed for its light-hearted and sometimes bizarre nature, was perfect for Sunday tea-time viewing and was beloved under the leadership of Jim Bowen. As ITV teased, the new version sees Freddie Flintoff joined by darts sensation Luke Littler, with contestants still vying for those iconic luxury prizes, most famously a speedboat.
Whether the producers will take this early fan feedback on board for future episodes remains to be seen, but the passionate reaction proves that the Bullseye revival has certainly got people talking.
