The Crystal Maze officially coming back for celebrity special: Stephen Merchant - not David Tennant - to host

The one-off will raise money for Stand Up To Cancer

Original Crystal Maze presenter Richard O'Brien (Rex Features)

After 21-years off our TV screens, The Crystal Maze is returning to Channel 4, with Stephen Merchant acting as host.

Earlier this week, a widely cited report detailed how the tenth Doctor Who, David Tennant, would be hosting the one-off celebrity special for Stand Up To Cancer, something the broadcaster denied in a statement.

In Channel 4’s statement, Merchant said: “As a huge fan of the original series, I’m honoured to support Stand Up To Cancer by hosting this one-off edition of The Crystal Maze. Richard O’Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole leave big shoes to fill, but I have size 14 feet, so I’ll do my best.”

Comedian Stephen Merchant (Getty)

The aformentioned report also hinted that, if the show is a rating's success, the nineties game show could be picked up for a series.

The original series - which ran for six series between 1990 and 1995 - saw contestant race through a course, consisting of varying tasks, all to reach the Crystal Dome.

Rather than play for a replica crystal, the unannounced famous contestants will play to win money for Stand Up To Cancer.

Ed Havard, Channel 4’s Head of TV Events, added: “We wanted something extra special for the Stand Up To Cancer campaign this year, so we’re delighted that Crystal Maze will be returning for a celebrity one-off. And in Stephen Merchant we have the perfect host – he is our dream booking for this show.”

The celebrity-filled special airs 21 October.