BIG BREAK was the fantastic snooker TV gameshow of the 90s that wowed audiences not only with the potting prowess of some of the top pros and amateurs but also with the comedic and likeable faces of Jim Davidson and JOHN VIRGO.

Host McGuinness quoted online in Express as saying: “I am absolutely delighted to be a part of Big Break.

“It is one of those shows everyone knows and loves so to be hosting it alongside legend Stephen Hendry will be something special. Bring it on!”

Whilst BIG BREAK is a welcome return – it has major hurdles to overcome in 2026 and beyond.

I ask one big question of the modern BIG BREAK> What is the USP of it for 2026 and beyond?

Let’s go through the hurdles one by one.

First, when BIG BREAK first hit screens back in the 90s, it was up against a very limited amount of competition from a smidgen of terrestrial TV and other gameshows and entertainment.

Mobile phones and tablets were in their infancy. Video games were in their infancy. And the likes of NETFLIX and other EXTRA TV and ONLINE flix were also non existant. Sports also had less choice back then when it came to more sports now like PADEL TENNIS – and PICKLEBALL et AL.

When BIG BREAK returns – it will have to overcome all these technological hurdles. It will have to be very entertaining and viewable for people to ensure that people stay and watch. Yes, the snooker purists and die hard fans will be watching like myself, but in the age of low attention spans, the general public may not be so clued in.

Second: The hosts of PADDY MCGUINESS and STEPHEN HENDRY. They are not a patch on JIM DAVIDSON AND THE LATE JOHN VIRGO. THEY will have to really step up to the plate to make the show entertaining and very watchable week after week. Don’t get me wrong. I like both of them, but they are stepping into the shoes of a very tough pair to succeed – as would any who were picked to host it. And that will be very interesting indeed. It’s going to be a tough sell in an era where people have a lot more choices and more freedom to switch and channel hop – and that is sad but true.

Third and final point: How much will this actually lead to people picking up a cue? There is always a BIG fad during the World Championships and then after a few weeks the novelty of it wears off and it’s down to the same people to keep playing and promoting and talking about the sport ALL YEAR like I do here on SnookerZone and in the OXSHOTT LEAGUE. We are the real promoters of the game. No players like myself and no amateur game – and that’s it. I know things. I know some of my onions.

And yes, I may not have the POWER of some in the game – but I have been constantly promoting snooker ALL YEAR AROUND SINCE 2015 and not just on this website but also on others elsewhere, and also been playing the game since the year DOT.

I’d like to see a bit of variety in the plan and a different type of gameshow.

ONE VERY FINAL POINT: Shows like Catchphrase with ROY WALKER – BLOCKBUSTERS with BOB HOLNESS and BULLSEYE with JIM BOWEN – some have enjoyed REMAKES but generally they are never the same as they once were and sometimes, it’s better to let some of those programmes become a piece of TV HISTORY rather than trying to rekindle something of the past that was great – and sometimes, the memories live on in the brain – and some on YOUTUBE…

Here’s one from BIG BREAK.

Here’s my tribute to a moment with JOHN VIRGO I recall from many years ago at an exhibition…