A beloved piece of British television history is set for a festive revival this December, as a classic Christmas special featuring comedy legends Cannon and Ball returns to screens for the first time in 40 years.
A Festive Television Event
The special episode, which originally aired on December 21, 1985, will be broadcast on That's TV as part of its December schedule. This marks the first time the festive show has been seen in four decades. Following this special, a full season of classic episodes from the duo's hit series will be shown.
Tommy Cannon, now 87, expressed his joy at the news. "It’s wonderful news to hear That’s TV will be showing our shows again," he said. "I’m absolutely thrilled that the shows will be back where they belong on national TV. Seeing mine and Bobby’s work back on national television, well, it means more than I can put into words."
A Legacy of Laughter and Loss
Cannon reflected on the unique bond he shared with his late partner, Bobby Ball, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 76 after testing positive for Covid-19. "We made the show with love, mischief, and a bond that never broke," he said. "To know people can sit down again – families, old fans, and new generations – and laugh with us touches my heart."
The pair's best-loved shows, which include The Cannon and Ball Show, Cannon and Ball's Playhouse, and Cannon and Ball's Casino, were staple Saturday night viewing for millions throughout the 1980s. They also appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and Bobby Ball played a recurring character in Not Going Out.
Stratospheric Christmas Gift for Viewers
Kris Vaiksalu, That’s TV head of programming, hailed the acquisition as a major coup. "The secret is out. Every year, we try to have a surprise Christmas gift for our viewers, but this year’s is stratospheric," he stated. "Cannon and Ball is one of the biggest shows in British TV history, and really nothing compares to it in TV today."
In a separate tribute to the duo, a 41-minute episode from the 80s was added to ITVX in October as part of ITV's 70th-anniversary celebrations. The streaming service included a note that the classic comedy "reflects the attitudes and language of its time," with an option for parental controls.
For Tommy Cannon, the broadcast is a poignant chance to celebrate a lifetime's work and remember his friend. "I’m looking forward to sitting down and watching the shows again, along with the That’s TV viewers, this Christmas," he said. "It means the world."
