Richard O’Brien is to return to ‘The Crystal Maze’.
The 74-year-old star – who originally hosted the show from 1990 to 1993 – will make a pre-recorded cameo appearance in the episode alongside fortunate-teller Mumsey, who will be played by Maureen Lipman.
Stephen Merchant will host the one-off special episode, which will air on Sunday (16.10.16), in aid of Stand Up to Cancer, and he plans to honour the former presenter by shaving his head for the episode.
He told the Radio Times magazine: "I’m paying homage to Richard O’Brien with my look for the show.
"What’s impossible to emulate is Richard’s unique persona – he’s a total one-off – but I’ve been inspired by his irreverence and winking complicity with the audience at home.
"When Ed Tudor-Pole took over, he made the show his own, which is all I can try and do.
"I hope people will enjoy this as a loving tribute."
Maureen takes over from Sandra Caron in the role of Mumsey and the new episode will also feature a nod to former presenter Ed Tudor-Pole, who hosted the programme from 1993 to 1995 when the original run came to an end.
Paralympian Jonnie Peacock – who will compete on the show’s celebrity team alongside Michelle Keegan, Rio Ferdinand, Sara Cox and Josh Widdecombe – admitted he was shocked to see Stephen had shaved his head for the episode.
He said: "[Stephen’s] outfit was crazy. I went into make-up, sat down and I thought ‘Who’s this guy?!’ and then I realised it was him.
"I thought he was wearing one of those bald caps, then I found out that he’d actually shaved all his hair off. It was perfect. He really went for it."
Richard O’Brien to make Crystal Maze return
