Dara O’Briain’s Go 8-Bit won’t return for fourth series

The gaming challenge show Dara O’Briain’s Go 8-Bit, which featured celebrities facing off against each other in a multitude of different titles from gaming’s past and present, will not be returning for a fourth series.

As with so much these days, news of the cancellation came via tweets, with the official UKTV account informing a viewer last week: “After three great series of Go8Bit we don’t have plans for any more – we’re hugely grateful to everyone who watched and enjoyed the show!”

UKTV had originally told a viewer of its decision to not renew the show earlier in September, but it flew under everyone’s radar – including those actually involved in the creation of the show.

As Steve McNeil, on-screen captain and co-creator of Go 8-Bit, tweeted himself: “If you’re wondering what telly’s like, this tweet just now is how I found out #Go8Bit’s definitely finished.”

It’s not all knives in the back and other TV ruthlessness, though, as UKTV followed up with another tweet directly to McNeil, making it a record for how many tweets are quoted in a single story: “We are genuinely incredibly sad about this. We love the show & are immensely proud of the three great series. We never say never but for now are basking in the warm glow of having made some great telly with you Steve.”

Go 8-Bit initially came to comedy channel Dave in 2016, with the television format a spin-off of the original stage-based show, created by McNeil and comedy partner Sam Pamphilon. It featured former Eurogamer staffer Ellie Gibson as the show’s resident gaming expert, and comedian Dara O’Briain as both host and source of renaming, with the TV version retitled Dara O’Briain’s Go 8-Bit.

While the show has ended its current run, UKTV has hinted the door isn’t closed to a return at some point – and McNeil revealed he is working with ESL UK to bring shows like Go 8-Bit to traditional and online broadcasting platforms.