Hey Hey! It’s Saturday is making a comeback with Daryl Somers back as host

Iconic Australian TV show Hey Hey It’s Saturday is making a surprise comeback, more than 50 years after it first aired.

TV legend and host of the show, Daryl Somers, confirmed he is working on a new streaming platform that will offer classic episodes of the beloved variety show alongside brand-new content.

Somers, 75, said renewed interest in the series, fuelled in part by fans accessing clips and episodes through social media, had inspired the revival.

“I guess a lot of people my age are slowing down, but I’ve never been busier,” Somers told Woman’s Day.

“Over the last couple of years our Facebook following has grown to over 850,000, so we are revamping Hey Hey TV to cater to the enormous interest in the show.”

The new subscription-based channel will give fans access to more than 800 episodes of Hey Hey It’s Saturday, including specials and spin-off series, as well as new content created by Somers.

It is expected to appeal to the millions of viewers who grew up with the likes of Ossie Ostrich, Dickie Knee and Plucka Duck during the show’s hugely popular 28-year run.

Somers, who previously hosted Dancing With The Stars , is yet to reveal when Hey Hey TV will launch, but says more details will be announced later this year via the show’s Facebook page.

“I want to keep that special connection going with the vast and loyal Hey Hey mob, even if I have to point out to people sometimes that I’m not 105, and I’m still here!” the TV veteran said.

“And yes, I’m soon going to be back on TV – only this time, Hey Hey TV!”

Hey Hey It’s Saturday was a landmark Australian variety show that ran for 28 years, from 1971 to 1999, before returning for a number of reunion specials.

The series began as a Saturday morning cartoon and children’s program before evolving into a hugely popular two-hour prime-time variety show by 1984.

To mark its 50th anniversary in 2021, Seven aired a reunion special that proved a ratings hit.

Somers hosted the show throughout its long run, alongside a colourful cast of characters and personalities.