It’s been revealed today that TV presenter Holly Wibbly is set to step into the footsteps of Cilla Black to reprise her tearjerker show, Surprise Surprise.

Fans of the original – which ran from 1987 to 1997 – will recall that the show reunited families who, for some reason, hadn’t seen each other in decades, or had never met before.

Comedian Bob Carolgees and his puppet sidekick Spit the Dog also starred in the original, but it’s not yet known if he’ll be returning for the remake.

The Sun states, “The new show will feature similarly uplifting features, such as bringing distant relatives back together. And the trademark practical jokes and prank phone calls will also feature…”

And a show insider said, “Surprise Surprise was a big hit when it aired in the Eighties and Nineties and viewers remember it fondly.

“We’ll be updating the show and giving it a modern twist but the essence will still be the same.

“Some of the best episodes were when we reunited family members who hadn’t seen each other for decades so we’ll hopefully be doing that again.”

The new show will debut in the autumn, and if it’s successful, it’s likely to lead to a series or at least several special episodes.

Here’s a reminder of Cilla in the role of host of the show…