[Loukas]

For people that know of the show its back in 2009 on ITV

Top presenter Ben Shephard will host the return of The Krypton Factor to ITV.

Ben, who co-anchors GMTV Today, will put a new generation of contestants through the mental and physical tests on Britain’s toughest game show.

The 33-year-old has previously worked on top-rated programmes including Who Dares Sings, 1vs100, The XTra Factor and T4 and his interviews with celebrities, politicians and sports stars have made him a firm favourite with TV audiences.

Away from his day job, Ben is renowned as a sports-mad action man who has twice represented England in Soccer Aid charity matches. Earlier this year he defeated singer Lemar in a boxing match for Sport Relief.

Ben will bring The Krypton Factor back to prime time audiences in January, nearly 14 years after it last appeared in the schedules.

The show was presented by television journalist Gordon Burns during an 18-year run on ITV between 1977 and 1995. Contestants were tested on their memory, logic and general knowledge before facing the infamous army assault course with its dramatic rope swing finish.

The assault course is back for the new series but will be more gruelling than ever before and all the challenges have been updated using the latest state-of-the-art technology.

Ben said: “The Krypton Factor is an iconic UK show and I'm really excited to be picking up the mantle from the legend, Gordon Burns. As a kid, I was desperate to have a go on the assault course and make a mess of the puzzles. Having said that, considering the makeover the show is having for the 21st Century, I'm very glad I'll be asking the questions not answering them!”

ITV