Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Connie Rusk

Fantasy Football League 'to make TV comeback with Matt Lucas and Elis James as hosts'

Fantasy Football League is reportedly set to make a big TV comeback with Matt Lucas and Elis James reported to front the show.

Sky is said to want to reboot the much-loved programme which saw David Baddiel and Frank Skinner host from 1994 to 2004.

Celebrities guest would appear on the show and chat about football and their fantasy line-up.

Now it is said the "iconic" show is set to return with Bake Off host Matt and welsh comedian Elis heading it.

A source told The Sun : "Fantasy Football is one of the most iconic football shows ever and there’s been a hugely vocal demand for its return for several years.

Fantasy Football League is reportedly set to make a big TV comeback with Matt Lucas (pictured) and Elis James reported to front the show (Getty Images)
Welsh comedian Elis is said to be fronting the reboot (Western Mail)

"Sky believe their version can do it justice and eventually spark a full-on series.

"It will be very much in the mould of the original with a few modern tweaks."

Mirror Online has contacted Sky for comment.

After a run on BBC it moved to ITV for the 1998 World Cup and 2004 Euros.

The set was a mock-up of the London flat where Baddiel and Skinner pretended to live, with celebrities standing outside the "front door" before being greeted by the comedians.

David Baddiel and Frank Skinner hosted the show from 1994 to 2004 (pictured) (TV Times via Getty Images)

Skinner, born Chris Collins, played his first gig in 1987 and went on to beat Jack Dee and Eddie Izzard to the Perrier Award in 1991.

Angus Loughran was also a firm favourite on the show and was known as Statto.

He would wear a dressing gown and pyjamas and reel off a list of statistics and facts, particularly in the early shows.

The theme song's lyrics were the words "Fantasy Football League" sung to the tune of "Back Home", which was the England team's official song from the 1970 World Cup.

After the move to ITV for the 1998 World Cup, the theme was changed to that formerly used by the channel's World of Sport series.

It was changed again for the Euro 2004 to thee Saint and Greavsie show.

It comes after Matt Lucas was 'thin-shamed' as he watched Arsenal's clash against Manchester United on Saturday.

The popular Great British Bake Off presenter, 48, previously opened up about being inspired to 'get fitter' after putting on a 'lot of weight in lockdown.'

It comes after Matt Lucas was 'thin-shamed' as he watched Arsenal's clash against Manchester United on Saturday (mirror.co.uk)

After looking noticeably trimmer in recent months, Matt's weight loss has been commended by his fans with the star joking he had never been 'thin-shamed in his life' until he dropped by at the Emirates Stadium this weekend to watch his team.

Taking to Twitter after the game, Matt posted: "Shout out to the lady who stopped me at football today to ask me why i've lost weight and to inform me I look a lot older.

"For the first time in my life, I think i've just been thin-shamed," he added.

After sharing the encounter, Matt's followers were quick to offer him support.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.