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Baddiel and Skinner's Fantasy Football 'set to return with new hosts'

David Baddiel and Frank Skinner's Fantasy Football' looks set to be revived with new hosts credit:Bang Showbiz
David Baddiel and Frank Skinner's Fantasy Football' looks set to be revived with new hosts credit:Bang Showbiz

'Fantasy Football' looks set to be revived.

The David Baddiel and Frank Skinner-fronted show, which aired on BBC Two from 1994 to 2004, is set to make a comeback on Sky, with a pilot due to be filmed in the coming weeks, and it is expected to be co-hosted by comedians Matt Lucas and Elis James.

A TV insider told The Sun newspaper's TV Biz column: "'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.

"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."

The programme saw celebrities compete against one another as "managers" of their very own fantasy football dream team.

Guests included the likes of 'Game of Thrones' star Sean Bean - who is a big fan of Sheffield United - and TV presenter Dani Behr, who previously dated Manchester United star Ryan Giggs.

Angus Loughran also appeared as the show's resident statistician, known as Statto.

He wore a dressing gown and pyjamas and provided the guests with facts and figures about their teams.

The set was decorated to look like a person's living room, with Frank and David sat on one sofa, while their celebrity guests sat on another as they discussed football as well their dream teams.

Speaking previously about the idea for the set, David explained: "We said, 'Let’s build a set that’s like our house.'

"Frank had got chucked out of his flat in London by his girlfriend and he couldn’t go back to Birmingham because he’d bought a house with his wife, who he was divorced from.

"He was basically homeless, so I offered him a room in my flat.

"Over the course of the entire time I lived with him, I never put Frank’s rent up. He became a TV star, started doing huge tours, earned loads of money, and it was always £40 a week!"