Channel 4 has confirmed the commission of a brand new series of The Crystal Maze from Fizz, RDF Television’s entertainment label. The 20-part series will be hosted by new Maze Master Richard Ayoade, and includes a set of celebrity specials for Stand Up to Cancer.

Ayoade is already the presenter of C4's Travel Man (pictured) and there have been rumours that he may be involved in the next series of The Great British Bake Off when it moves to C4. The last presenter of The Crystal Maze was Stephen Merchant.

Producers are already looking for teams of five contestants who have what it takes to navigate the Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Future zones of the maze. They will face a range of skill, mystery, physical and mental challenges to win crystals that equate to time in the final test – the legendary Crystal Dome. Details of how contestants can apply will soon be announced.

The series will be filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol, where a purpose built maze spanning over 30,000 square feet is being created by the original Crystal Maze designer, James Dillon (The Mighty Boosh, The Royle Family).

The Crystal Maze, which originally aired from 1990 to 1995, returned to Channel 4 in October 2016 for a Stand Up To Cancer celebrity special and proved a hit with loyal fans and newcomers alike, winning a consolidated audience of 4.3 million viewers. The new series will air this year.

Tom Beck, Head of Live & Events at Channel 4 said of the commission "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. And I couldn’t be more pleased and excited that Richard has agreed to become the new Maze Master – he’s an inspired choice."

Calls for a full series of The Crystal Maze.