Challenge Anneka 2023 next episode as show returns to Channel 5

Challenge Anneka’s new series will soon be back on Channel 5 for 2023 – here’s all you need to know.

The hit 90s show, led by Anneka Rice, was last seen in 2007.

A new four-part reboot began airing on Channel 5 in March on two Saturday nights.

However after two episodes, Channel 5 removed the show from its schedule.

It’s been revealed the next episode will on Sunday, 14 May at 7:30PM as part of Dementia Awareness Week.

A Channel 5 source told The Sun newspaper: “We want to preserve the series to ensure that each episode gets the best audience possible, and we hope viewers will tune in in May and enjoy watching Anneka and the amazing army of volunteers she gets to join her, in this important – and at times, very emotional – project.”

Anneka Rice said previously of the show’s revival: “I can’t believe this is actually happening. The last few years have shown us all the power of community and how it’s good to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

“Dave the Soundman and I may have 130 years between us but the whole team is as motivated as ever to make a difference and shine a spotlight on people and organisations who need help.

“3 decades on, the issues may look different but at their core they are the same; they’re about people and communities.

“And we may look a bit different too but our hearts and willingness to get stuck in are the same.”

Challenge Anneka saw Anneka given days to complete surprise charitable challenges, such as building playgrounds and renovating youth centres, with the goodwill of local companies and people.

Challenge Anneka first debuted in 1987 as part of Children in Need before airing on BBC One between 1989 and 1995.

ITV rebooted the show with one-off specials in 2006 and 2007 but a full series was never pursued.

Speaking about the show in 2019 to mark its 30-year anniversary, Anneka told BBC News: “It is overwhelming on a daily basis. So many people were touched by the series – people’s lives were literally changed.

“It’s been my life’s work, really. I’ve never left it because I am still very involved with so many projects.”

Anneka also revealed how its success – regularly attracting more than 10 million viewers – proved a surprise.

She shared: “The first series, it was a whole new format. It was on a Friday night and it was very much an experimental series without that much ambition to the projects because we didn’t quite know how the public would react.

“And then of course we realised that actually we could do anything because the public is so behind it. So the second series just went ‘pow’ – into a new level.”