Chris Evans is poised to resurrect the beloved 1990s entertainment show TFI Friday on Channel 4, heralding a 'genius' reboot series that has fans cheering for the next three decades. The announcement follows a successful revival earlier this year on YouTube under the title TFI Unplugged, which aired alongside Evans' Virgin Radio programme.
Return to Original Home
The format is making a triumphant return to its original broadcasting home, with a six-part television series scheduled to launch on April 17 at 11pm. This move marks a significant milestone for the show, which first captivated audiences from 1996 to 2000, with a brief revival in 2015.
Channel 4's Enthusiasm
Addressing the exciting news, Channel 4's Cimran Shah expressed immense pride, stating: 'TFI Friday was pioneering stripped-back, personality-led chat long before visualised podcasts even entered our imagination. I am absolutely thrilled that this deal brings TFI back to Channel 4, reimagined in a way that feels fresh, immediate, and perfectly tailored for a new generation, wherever they choose to watch Channel 4.'
Praise from News UK
Dennie Morris, Director of Audio, News Broadcasting for News UK, lauded the 'genius' of host Chris Evans as the show receives a fresh relaunch. The new series will include fan-friendly streaming options via both Channel 4 and its YouTube channel. Morris added: 'TFI Friday is one of those rare formats that never truly faded from the cultural conversation. We are proud to see this iconic title—and the genius of Chris Evans—find its way back to Channel 4, reimagined through Virgin Radio UK's TFI Unplugged. We eagerly anticipate audiences rediscovering what made the show so special, wherever and however they choose to watch.'
Star-Studded Lineup
The first episode of the rebooted series promises a stellar lineup, featuring singers Sam Ryder, Jack Savoretti, and Shreya Ghoshal. They will be joined by actors Gemma Arterton and Cush Jumbo, Doctor Who legend Peter Capaldi, and comedian Sindhu Lee. Known for its chaotic interviews, live music, and total unpredictability, TFI Friday originally ran on Channel 4 from 1996 to 2000, with a revival in 2015.
Evans' Teasing Comments
Back in February, after TFI Unplugged debuted on Virgin Radio's YouTube channel, Chris Evans, now 60, hinted at future plans. Speaking on his radio show, he teased: 'We've got plenty of road still to run here before we run out of road. That's what I'm saying to myself. Thank you so much for watching it in your tens of thousands on YouTube. Thirty years ago today, Channel 4 allowed the TFI gang to play, and here we are still 30 years on. Dare I say, here's to the next 30.'
He further reflected: 'It was 30 years ago today Channel 4 allowed the gang to play. Suzi Aplin, Will MacDonald, Stephen Joel, Clare Barton, Dave Granger, and everybody else who made TFI what it was... We have a brand new TFI Unplugged which is doing great business on YouTube, and the team got it together and they said, 'What do you think?' I said, 'I don't want to see it. It's up to you. If you think it's good enough, put it out—if you don't, don't. If in doubt, leave it out, don't put it out,' and they did put it out at around six o'clock on Friday. It's doing really well... It's so much fun.'
Another Channel 4 Revival
In a parallel development, another legendary Channel 4 programme is set to make a comeback after a seven-year hiatus. The observational documentary series One Born Every Minute, which followed maternity wards across eleven seasons from 2010 to 2018, is returning to capture the intimate and emotional journey of childbirth.
New Episodes and Format
Twelve new episodes will be filmed later this year and air on E4, allowing a new generation of viewers to witness evolving family dynamics, advances in maternity care, and the real-life challenges faced by NHS staff in 2026. The series will once again employ fixed-rig cameras to document the raw and unpredictable moments experienced by expectant families and their medical teams, staying true to its original format of following labour and birth in delivery rooms.
Executive Insights
Vivienne Molokwu, Senior Commissioning Editor, Reality & Entertainment and Commissioning Lead for E4, commented: 'Nearly 10 years on, we feel very privileged to once again follow the journey that parents embark on as they welcome their babies to the world. We know the roller coaster of emotions that this period brings is something that will really resonate with the E4 audience, and we cannot wait for our viewers to see how the digital age has reshaped how families navigate this stage of life.'
Will Rowson, Co-Creative Director at show producers Dragonfly TV, added: 'There's such affection for One Born Every Minute. In the years it's been away, so much around pregnancy and maternity care has changed, making this an exciting moment to reimagine the show.'
This revival comes after the show was shelved in 2019 due to plummeting viewing figures, which dropped to just 600,000 from a peak of five million at launch. Filming previously took place at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton before moving to The Women’s Hospital in Edgbaston for the final two series.
