The Crystal Maze: Richard O'Brien to return for Channel 4 celebrity special

The original host of the Nineties game show will appear in a pre-recorded cameo

Original Crystal Maze presenter Richard O'Brien will return to welcome fans to the live immersive experience (Rex Features)

Richard O’Brien will be returning to the hotly-awaited reboot of The Crystal Maze after all.

The original host of the hugely popular Nineties game show will appear on the upcoming Stand Up to Cancer celebrity special in a special pre-recorded cameo, during which he will warn new host, comedian Stephen Merchant, not to disappoint in the famous role.

Digital Spy revealed the news earlier today, hinting that O’Brien will also joke with Merchant about “that guy who played Doctor Who” being a better option, in a nod to rumours that David Tennant had been lined up to take over.

Fortune teller Mumsey will also be making a comeback, played by Maureen Lipman, while the team of celebrity contestants includes Jonnie Peacock, Michelle Keegan, Josh Widdicombe, Rio Ferdinand and Sara Cox.

The Crystal Maze was a huge success between 1990 and 1995, attracting up to six million viewers at the peak of its popularity. It followed teams as they battled against the clock to win various challenges around themed Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Futuristic zones before reaching the Crystal Dome.

Last year, a crowdfunding campaign to launch a new interactive experience based on The Crystal Maze raised £930,000 and catapulted the show back into the headlines. Nearly 4,000 fans donated to the project, which opened to great fanfare in London’s Kings Cross in March. It is here that the rebooted show will be filmed.

The Crystal Maze airs Sunday 16 October at 9pm on Channel 4