It was announced today that the popular 90’s TV series Fantasy Football League will be making a comeback to our screens this autumn. Little Britain actor and Arsenal supporter Matt Lucas and comedian/BBC broadcaster and Swansea fan Elis James, have been announced as the hosts of the reboot, which will be aired on Sky.
The original show was hosted by comedy duo David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, and ran from 1994-1996 on the BBC as well as the release of specials in 1998 and 2004 on ITV. The series was a comedy/football talkshow, similar to the likes of Soccer AM and A League of Their Own.
Baddiel and Skinner are most famously known for their song with the Lightning Seeds, Three Lions (It's Coming Home), which accompanied England's Euro 1996 and World Cup 1998 campaigns.
Lucas is a high-profile Arsenal supporter while James will be familiar to Guardian Football Weekly listeners for his exploits supporting Wales at the Euros. His appearance on the Quickly Kevin discussing Swansea was pretty greaet
https://play.acast.com/s/quicklykevin/elisjames-swanseacity-s03ep05
The producers of the show as well as Lucas and James gave their thoughts on the upcoming series.
Producers: "After 18 years off our screens, Sky are bringing back Fantasy Football League, the iconic comedy football show blending football fanaticism with celebrity chat. Originally fronted by the show's creators, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, the duo will be passing the ball to brand new hosts, Matt Lucas and Elis James. Fantasy Football League will be returning to our screens this autumn for a new 16-episode series on Sky Max and NOW."
Lucas: "I loved watching Fantasy Football League with Frank, David and Statto and am chuffed to bits to be a part of this new incarnation. I now make a living eating cake and watching football. I must be the luckiest man in the world. I also get to share the sofa with Elis, who is not only hilarious but the biggest football geek I've ever met. See you next season."
James: "I couldn't be more delighted to be bringing back Fantasy Football League, although Matt's Arsenal obsession means writing meetings are often derailed by long, wistful chats about Ray Parlour. To be presenting a show I used to tape off the telly is a dream come true. The ambition is to make a show that's as loved as the original, and fill it with references to Swansea City without making it unwatchable."
The original programme was very much of its time and it's hard to know how the rebooted version will translate in the world of social media.
See Also: The Admirable Reasons Why Mark Noble Chose Not To Play For Ireland
