Hey Hey It's Saturday official returns to TV screens for 50th anniversary special

Hey Hey It’s Saturday is returning for a 50th anniversary show, and will air on Channel Seven later this year. 

And with viewers stuck at home during the pandemic, host Daryl Somers, 70, says the iconic comedy and variety program couldn’t come back at a better time.   

‘I was absolutely delighted when Seven suggested a 50th anniversary Hey Hey special,’ he said in a statement on Sunday. 

Happy days: Hey Hey It’s Saturday is returning for a 50th anniversary show, and will air on Channel Seven later this year. Pictured: Daryl Somers

‘Trawling back through the vast archive has been almost as much fun as doing the show in the first place, so I hope we can offer a few laughs. 

‘Not only to the diehard Hey Hey fans but to all Australians, as we desperately need a touch of levity at this time.’  

Seven Network Director of Programming, Angus Ross, added: ‘There are very few Australian TV shows as loved as Hey Hey and we are really pleased to be able to work with Daryl and his team on this fantastic special event.

Fun: And with viewers stuck at home during the pandemic, host Daryl Somers, 70, says the iconic comedy and variety program couldn’t come back at a better time. Pictured with guest Kylie Minogue 

‘For three decades, Hey Hey was one of the funniest, most entertaining and most unpredictable shows on TV. We’re honoured to be part of what promises to be a wonderful celebration.’

Somers recently reached out to fans of the beloved variety series and asked what they would like to see on the celebratory episode. 

In a post to Twitter, he wrote: ‘One thing I realise is that pretty much from day one, a significant portion of our show was generated by you, our loyal audience.  

‘Whether through ‘What Cheeses Me Orff’, ‘Phunny Fotos’, ‘Media Watch Press’ etc, you provided us with fodder for fun.

Memories:  Trawling back through the vast archive has been almost as much fun as doing the show in the first place, so I hope we can offer a few laughs,’ he said. ‘Not only to the diehard Hey Hey fans but to all Australians, as we desperately need a touch of levity at this time’

‘It’s only appropriate to keep that going for our 50th, so time to mine your memories and get your creative juices flowing,’ he said, asking followers to shared ideas for a segment in a celebratory show. We’d love to hear from you.’

Somers presented the hit variety show from 1971 to 1999, and again in 2009 to 2010, alongside Lavinia Nixon, Jo Beth Taylor, Molly Meldrum, Red Symons, Wilbur Wilde and Russell Gilbert.

His last TV appearance was hosting the revamped Dancing With The Stars on Channel Seven with Sonia Kruger. 

History: Somers presented the hit variety show from 1971 to 1999, and again in 2009 to 2010