The Big Breakfast is back!

David Arnold (the other one) said in a podcast that TBB theme is going to be what he is best remembered for, rather than the countless jingles (LBC) and arrangement of music pieces (incl. BBC News themes, yes David Lowe composed it, but Arnold wrote the arrangement for the BBC Concert orchestra to read off the sheet music) he's done.

So, I doubt he's doing a land grab or doing copyright strike out claims on it.

Why not? It's a piece of music, composed by David Arnold, and the copyright belongs to someone (perhaps ITV Studios since they own the Planet 24 IP I believe?)
The description even says, "due to a problem on an earlier upload of this programme I've muted the opening theme tune".

Plus the original theme remains intact on other full episodes available on YouTube from that period.

What an oopsie. Apologies.

There was a tall block of flats at Hillcrest in North London that was certainly used by ITV/ITN as a microwave mid point. But whether that was it or not I don't know.

With this special revival, it’s notable that weren’t many black faces on TBB. Phil Gayle was the only regular non-white face and I can only recall Craig Charles as one of the many stand-ins. I think I’ve read he was possibly in line to get Chris Evans’s job, but then he had all those legal difficulties.

You are right. I'd rather they get Phil Gayle back instead of Mo Gilligan.
As for stand in presenters - why do I have a nagging thought that Lenny Henry once did a day as a fill in host?

Probably totally wrong - but, I have this hazy memory that he may have done.

Why does it have to be Phil instead of Mo? Why not both, considering Phil read the news rather than being the main host, and presumably they'll be looking for a newsreader.

I think he was only ever a guest. Him and Chris Evans once memorably rode mini-motorbikes along the canal towpath; I think Henry sprained his wrist or something.

Josie D’arby was a regular host of the Bigger Breakfast with Mark Rumble.

Jasmine Lowson also replaced Phil Gayle, so whilst looking back it doesn't seem great for diversity for half of the shows life they did have a black or Asian newsreader at least, plus Josie did about two years on The Bigger Breakfast.

As a viewer not once did I think of them being there as a box ticking exercise, but I think that is why I'm a bit lukewarm about this revival as that is how it's coming across, which is somewhat unfair on all those involved as I honestly can't think of a better choice than Mo Gilligan to host - he's about the right age, at the right point of his career and a talented guy who has long been due a breakout hit, though if this did take off once we return to normal times not sure how compatible a breakfast show would be with a touring comedian.

As for possible co-host Maya Jama springs to mind - think I've seen them do a few things together in a presenter/guest capacity so there is a bit of chemistry there.


Do we know when this is airing - I've not seen a date mentioned other than 2021.

Channel 4 Black Takeover Day will be on the 1st anniversary of the death of George Floyd - Tuesday May 25th.