It was a BBC mainstay following its original launch in 1980, but after fourteen years off-air Blankety Blank is poised to return with a new presenter and different broadcaster for a one-off Christmas special.

The much loved game show, in which six celebrities help two contestants win prizes by guessing blanked out words in commonly used phrases, has been revived by ITV for the festive season.

With comedian David Walliams playing host for its first recorded episode since 2002, the retooled show will feature appearances from X Factor judge Louis Walsh, TV presenter Anne Robinson, actresses Lesley Joseph and Brooke Vincent, comedian Joe Lycett and comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers.

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'I've got a present for you!' An exclusive clip from the returning Blankety Blank finds host David Walliams poking fun at TV veteran Louis Walsh by presenting him with a gift-wrapped Zimmer Frame

And an exclusive clip from the returning show finds Walliams, 45, poking fun at TV veteran Walsh, 64, by presenting him with a gift-wrapped Zimmer Frame, much to his fellow guests’ amusement.

‘Louis I have a gift for you,' he tells him. 'It’s wrapped up so you might not guess what it is.'

Seemingly unaware of what the unwanted gift actually is, The Factor regular asks: 'What is that? Is it a stool? Oh it’s a Zimmer Frame.. I’m too young for that.'

It's all yours: 'It’s wrapped up so you might not guess what it is,' Walliams tells The X Factor judge, much to the amusement of his fellow celebrity guests

'What is that? Is it a stool?' Walsh appears to be unaware of what the very obvious unwanted gift actually is

If you say so: The X Factor star looked rather bemused by host Walliams' Christmas gift

In true tongue in cheek style Walliams opens the show by honouring its legendary former presenters - while playfully referencing his cross dressing character on Little Britain.

Addressing the audience, he said: 'I would just like to pay tribute to Blankety Blank's glittering array of hosts.

'The legendary Sir Terry Wogan, the comic genius Les Dawson and most recently Lily Savage. A man dressed as a woman, something I would never do..bit desperate.'

Happy to be on board: Louis joins an illustrious list of celebrities to have appeared on the show following its initial launch in 1979

Popular: The retooled show will feature appearances from X Factor judge Louis, TV presenter Anne Robinson, actresses Lesley Joseph and Brooke Vincent, comedian Joe Lycett and comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers

Banter: Fans will also see Walliams take a light-hearted swipe at The Weakest Link host Robinson's trademark heavy fringe by gifting her with a large bowl scissors

Fans will later see the presenter take a light-hearted swipe at The Weakest Link host Robinson's trademark heavy fringe by gifting her with a large bowl scissors.

'So this way we thought you could just cut your hair at home,' he tells her. 'No need for expensive hairdressers is there ladies and gentleman!'

Walliams also gives special mention to Paul and Barry Chuckle by treating the studio audience to an anecdote about his first meeting with the comedy pair.

Comedy gold: The Chuckle Brothers received a special mention from the host

Helping hand: Walliams goes through the rules with contestant Porsha

Banter: In true tongue in cheek style Walliams opens the show by honouring its legendary former presenters - while playfully referencing his cross dressing character on Little Britain

'When you meet them, it’s like stepping inside the TV,' he sais. 'You can’t believe it’s them. When we did a Comic Relief sketch about national treasures, everyone was starstruck by the Chuckle Brothers.

'Even Liam Gallagher said, “Oh my God, it’s the Chuckles!” You would have thought it would have been the other way round!'

Based on former Australian Game show Blankety Blanks, the show originally ran for 11 successful years on BBC One before being taken of air in 1990.

I'll ask the questions: The much loved game show, in which six celebrities help two contestants win prizes by guessing blanked out words in commonly used phrases, has been revived by ITV for the festive season

A revived version of the show, hosted by Lily Savage, launched nine years later, running for three years before bidding farewell to the BBC in 2002.

Speaking in an official press release for the forthcoming festive special, Louis admitted he was delighted to be asked onto the panel.

'I am really excited to be taking part in Blankety Blank after 14 years off air,' he said. 'The worst case scenario is that contestants leave with just a Blankety Blank cheque book and pen and let’s be honest who wouldn’t want one of those!'

Blankety Blank Christmas Special airs at 6.30pm, Christmas Eve on ITV.