Tommy Cannon’s Emotional Return: Classic Comedy Show Makes Festive Comeback

21 December 2025 Comedy

Introduction: A Homecoming for British Comedy Royalty

Tommy Cannon, 87, expressed his profound joy as classic episodes of The Cannon and Ball Show prepare to return to British television screens this Christmas. This marks a significant moment for British entertainment history, as a Christmas special of The Cannon And Ball Show, unseen since its original broadcast in 1985, is set to return to screens this festive season. For fans of traditional British comedy and a new generation of viewers, this represents a rare opportunity to experience one of the nation’s most beloved entertainment programmes.

The Show’s Return Following ITV Snub

The announcement comes after an emotionally charged year for Cannon. In September, Tommy Cannon admitted to feeling ‘hurt’ after discovering he had been left out of ITV’s 70th anniversary celebrations, after being ‘dismissed without a word’. The comedy variety programme, which starred Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball during its original ITV run from 1979 to 1988, will now air on That’s TV, followed by a full season of classic episodes.

A Tribute to an Enduring Partnership

For Cannon, the return holds deep personal significance. ‘Seeing mine and Bobby’s work back on national television, well, it means more than I can put into words,’ he stated. Ball died of Covid on October 28, 2020, aged 76, leaving Cannon to carry forward their shared legacy. Throughout the 1980s, Cannon and Ball was must-watch viewing for millions on a Saturday night, leaving the whole nation crying with laughter, and is one of the biggest shows in British TV history.

Conclusion: Legacy Lives On

The 1985 Christmas special of The Cannon And Ball show will air on December 20, offering families across the UK a chance to experience traditional variety entertainment. For Tommy Cannon, this broadcast represents more than nostalgia—it’s validation of decades of work and a lasting tribute to his partnership with Bobby Ball. As British television continues to evolve, this return demonstrates the enduring appeal of classic comedy and its importance to the nation’s cultural heritage.