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Sir Trevor McDonald is new 'GamesMaster' in 90s show reboot

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: Trevor McDonald attends Day four of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Sir Trevor McDonald will be the GamesMaster. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Sir Trevor McDonald is set to appear in a reboot of 90s video game TV show GamesMaster.

The challenge show, which pits gamers against each other, is due to relaunch on E4 with Sir Trevor as the GamesMaster, a role originally played by Sir Patrick Moore from 1992 to 1998.

The newsreader said: "I am delighted to be taking on this iconic role for a new generation of viewers."

Read more: Sir Trevor McDonald: Why I turned down BBC job

He will join a presenting line-up of writer, actor and gaming expert Robert Florence, esports host Frankie Ward and new E4 star Ty Logan.

Marverine Cole, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE with Sir Trevor McDonald and Lemn Sissay OBE.
Sir Trevor McDonald recently presented Countdown. (Channel 4)

The original GamesMaster was presented by Dominik Diamond and Dexter Fletcher.

Head of digital commissioning at Channel 4 Sacha Khari said: "GamesMaster was a household name back in the 90s and this new revamped version for social and E4 retains the elements that made this show so special, whilst also bringing it bang up to date, improving game quality and bringing in fresh and current names to tackle the trickiest GamesMaster challenges yet."

Sir Patrick Moore appeared as the GamesMaster, a disembodied head who set gaming challenges, on Channel 4's GamesMaster (Channel 4)
Sir Patrick Moore appeared as the GamesMaster, a disembodied head who set gaming challenges. (Channel 4)

The rebooted series is touted as being better than ever, thanks in part to the huge increase in quality of games.

Alaska TV executive producer Ian Lamarra said: "Bringing back a much-loved brand is a huge responsibility, but I am excited by the challenge.

Sir Patrick Moore hosts a reception at the BBC Broadcasting house to mark the Sky at night 55th anniversary episode which will be screened on May 6th.   (Photo by Sean Dempsey/PA Images via Getty Images)
Sir Patrick Moore was the original GamesMaster. (Sean Dempsey/PA Images via Getty Images)

"Two-thirds of adults now call themselves gamers and games now look better than movies. There has never been a better time to relaunch the definitive gaming TV series."

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Sir Trevor's recent TV work has included presenting Countdown as part of the broadcaster's Black to Front campaign and hosting documentary George Floyd: Has Britain Changed? with Charlene White, which looked at the impact of Floyd's death and the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK.

He also spoke to Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Andrew Harper, for documentary The Killing Of PC Harper: A Wife’s Story.

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