The Crystal Maze TV show, host, tickets and live experience: Everything you need to know

There have been many terrible things about 2016, but there have also been bright spots – and one of those, without a doubt, was the return of The Crystal Maze. Who would have thought back in January that we'd see the fans getting started on our tellies again this year? Now a live experience and with the prospect of a full series reboot coming, here's everything you need to know about the revival of The Crystal Maze...

THE CRYSTAL MAZE SHOW: IS IT DEFINITELY GETTING A FULL SERIES?

Well, yes, yes it is, and it's no surprise. The Crystal Maze officiallycame back for a one-off Stand Up To Cancer special in October 2016, but it was a huge performer for Channel 4, nabbing 3 million viewers (that's 137% more people tuning in than they would normally get at that time, so no biggie) and fans raved about how good it was.

In other words, Channel 4 were wise to commission a full series (as they did with TFI Friday after that returned to great success). And in fact a spokesperson for the broadcaster made it pretty clear in late 2016 that they were considering it, saying: "Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Stand Up To Cancer special, early conversations are being had about The Crystal Maze."

The special's executive producer Peter Usher said before the special even aired that he was hoping for a full series, saying: "If we can deliver the show we have the ambition to deliver, and an audience loves it, we would love to look at making a series and we hope the channel would be excited about that."

So, what's going on with the new series then? There will be 20 episodes, each an hour long. The new series is going to be filmed at a purpose-built maze in Bristol that's being created by the original Crystal Maze designer James Dillon, spanning over 30,000 square feet. So lots of running, then.

And the upcoming series will also include some more celeb specials for Stand Up to Cancer.

THE CRYSTAL MAZE HOST: WILL STEPHEN MERCHANT BE BACK?

Nope. Stephen hosted the Stand Up To Cancer special and was actually pretty wonderful, but sadly that was just a one-off for him – due to filming commitments, he won't be a part of any full series. As Channel 4 said: "Whilst Stephen was an electrifying host, he was always very clear that work commitments meant he would only be able to do the celebrity special."

That left a permanent job open – and Channel 4 has signed up The IT Crowd star and Travel Man host Richard Ayoade to be its new Maze Master.

"The Stand Up to Cancer special was so brilliant and so successful that commissioning a series of The Crystal Maze was almost a no-brainer," said Channel 4's Tom Beck.

"And I couldn't be more pleased and excited that Richard has agreed to become the new Maze Master – he's an inspired choice."

THE CRYSTAL MAZE: WILL RICHARD O'BRIEN RETURN?

It's far too early to tell, sadly. Richard O'Brien is the most iconic Crystal Maze host ever, so it was only right and proper that he appeared in a video cameo during the Stand Up to Cancer special in 2016.

Whether he would be involved in a full series in any bigger capacity remains to be seen, but we like to think that he'd be referenced in some way if he can't make regular appearances.

THE CRYSTAL MAZE CELEBRITIES: WHO WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE SERIES?

The Stand Up To Cancer was obviously a celebrity special of The Crystal Maze (starring Rio Ferdinand, Michelle Keegan, Jonnie Peacock, Sara Cox and Josh Widdecombe), and the full series sounds like it's going to feature famouses and regular folks from the initial announcement. Excuse us, just brushing off our jumpsuits.

THE CRYSTAL MAZE CONTESTANTS: HOW CAN I APPLY?

We'll be sure to tell you all about how you can apply as soon as we know more…

THE CRYSTAL MAZE ZONES: UM, WHAT ARE THEY?

Honestly. Recite after us: Aztec, Industrial, Futuristic and Medieval. (Sorry, Ocean fans.) After that, it's obviously off to the Crystal Dome itself…

THE CRYSTAL MAZE TICKETS: HOW CAN I PLAY?

We might not have a full series confirmed yet, but that doesn't mean you can't get your Crystal Maze fix. This whole revival started thanks to some bright enterprising folk deciding to open an interactive experience based on the TV show and it's still there, with sites in London (White Lion Street, Angel) and Manchester (Old Granada Studios). If you're feeling really fancy, you can hire the whole thing out for your company – BEST TEAM BUILDING EVER – or you can just buy tickets with your mates for a fun day out (there are eight people per team).

All the details are on the official website, but it sells out quickly, so you'll need to plan ahead – there's a mailing list you can join to find out about new dates. Tickets cost between £45-£55 and you can also buy gift vouchers if you want to get someone the best Christmas present ever.

THE CRYSTAL MAZE TV SHOW: HOW CAN I WATCH IT NOW?

If you missed the Stand Up To Cancer special or just want to watch it again (or repeatedly), you're in luck – it's still available right here on All4. And if the old series is more your bag, you're in luck: Challenge TV is repeating the show every weeknight at 6pm (and is promising some Christmas specials to boot). Phew.

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Kate Goodacre

Kate (they/she) is a freelance writer, editor, digital editorial trainer and data technician who first joined Digital Spy as an overnight freelance sub-editor in January 2011, after studying a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Salford University while working part-time as a social researcher.
In July 2013, Kate joined the DS staff team as chief sub-editor and following six years as the site's managing editor, their role expanded to incorporate Hearst UK's entertainment portfolio (including Digital Spy and its sibling titles Best and Inside Soap) between late 2024 and early 2026.
  Kate has worked as a writer and editor since 2006, with bylines syndicated across the Hearst network and at organisations including Metro. They started their career as a TV production runner for the BBC and contributed to various music websites, blogs and zines while based in Manchester.
  During her time at DS, Kate has previously been a freelance sub-editor and chief sub-editor.
  Kate's team at Digital Spy were proudly nominated in the Best Subbing/Production Team category at the BSME Talent Awards 2022. Over the years, she has contributed to coverage of many, many Prime Days and Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and was part of the team that launched the DS weekly TV newsletter in November 2019 – followed by the Top of the Shops e-commerce newsletter in May 2024.
   Kate's screen passions include Taskmaster (their biggest career regret remains turning down the opportunity to visit the house), nature documentaries, and live sport (up there with the greatest of all soap operas although if asked to choose, it's Corrie… every time).
   Her highlights while working at DS have included interviewing Stevie Nicks on the red carpet for her documentary In Your Dreams, sitting at a press roundtable with Formula 1 commentary icon Murray Walker, watching a life-sized LEGO car being driven around Silverstone, writing an album-by-album retrospective of Lady Gaga's genre-defying career for Living Legends, and raising awareness of receiving and understanding a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis through the lens of Bianca and Freddie's EastEnders storyline.
 Upon remembering to log off the internet, Kate enjoys live theatre, dance and comedy, appreciating nature, baking (badly), tending a recently-rented allotment (equally badly) and pampering one very spoiled rescue cat named Jolene.
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